Heckler & Koch HK33
The Heckler & Koch HK33 is a 5.56mm assault rifle developed in the 1960s by West German armament manufacturer Heckler & Koch GmbH (H&K), primarily for export.
| Heckler & Koch HK33 | |
|---|---|
The HK33 SG1 with a Trijicon ACOG optical sight. | |
| Type | Assault rifle |
| Place of origin | West Germany |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1968–present |
| Used by | See Users |
| Wars |
|
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Heckler & Koch, MKEK (licensed) |
| Produced | 1968—2000 (H&K) 1999—present (MKEK) |
| Variants | See Variants |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | HK33A2: 3.65 kg (8.05 lb) HK33A3: 4.0 kg (8.8 lb) HK33KA3: 3.9 kg (8.6 lb) HK53: 3.05 kg (6.7 lb) |
| Length | HK33A2: 920 mm (36.2 in) HK33A3: 940 mm (37.0 in) stock extended / 735 mm (28.9 in) stock collapsed HK33KA3: 865 mm (34.1 in) stock extended / 675 mm (26.6 in) stock collapsed HK53: 755 mm (29.7 in) stock extended / 563 mm (22.2 in) stock collapsed |
| Barrel length | HK33A2: 390 mm (15.4 in) HK33KA3: 332 mm (13.1 in) HK53: 211 mm (8.3 in) |
| Cartridge | .223 Remington 5.56×45mm NATO |
| Caliber | 5.56mm |
| Action | Roller-delayed blowback |
| Rate of fire | HK33A2: 750 rounds/min HK53: 700 rounds/min |
| Muzzle velocity | HK33A2: 950 m/s (3,117 ft/s) HK33KA3: 880 m/s (2,887.1 ft/s) HK53: 750 m/s (2,460.6 ft/s) |
| Effective firing range | 200–400 m (219–437 yd) sight adjustments 600 metres (656 yd) with Fero Z24-G telescopic sight |
| Feed system | 25-, 30-, or 40-round detachable box magazine |
| Sights | Rotary rear aperture drum, hooded foresight |
Building on the success of their G3 design, the company developed a family of small arms (all using the G3 operating principle and basic design concept) consisting of four types of firearms: the first type, chambered in 7.62×51mm NATO; the second, using the Soviet 7.62×39mm M43 round; the third, chambered in .223 Remington and 5.56×45mm NATO; and the fourth type, chambered for the 9×19mm Parabellum pistol cartridge. Commercially the HK33 was a successful design but it did not sell as well as the G3.
The HK33 series of rifles were adopted by the Brazilian Air Force (Força Aérea Brasileira or FAB), the armed forces of Thailand and Malaysia where they were produced under a licence agreement. The rifle was also licence-built in Turkey by MKEK, and exported from France branded as MAS but actually made in Germany.