Heckler & Koch G3
Gewehr 3
Overview
Heckler & Koch G3A3
G3A3 battle rifle with slimline grip. This Norwegian variant is known as AG-3.
Source: Harald Hansen -
© Public domain
Germany - Rheinmetall
France - MAS
Greece - EBO
Iran - DIO
Mexico - SEDENA
Myanmar - Ka Pa Sa
Norway - Kongsberg
Pakistan - POF
Portugal - INDEP
Saudi Arabia - Al Kharj
Sweden - Carl Gustav
Turkmenistan - MKEK
United Kingdom - Royal Ordnance Factories
AG-3 (Norwegian service)
Dinar (Sudan)
Gevaer M/66 and M/75 (Danish service)
m/961 and m/963 (Portugese G3 and G3A3)
Description
Introduction
The G3 is an early Cold War era battle rifle of German origin. It was developed in the 1950's by Heckler & Koch to supply the West German military with a new rifle after World War 2. The design of the G3 is based on the early developments of the Spanish CETME Model 58 rifle, which itself was based on German development at the later stages of World War 2. The G3 is the grandfather of a wide range of Heckler & Koch weapons such as the famous MP5 sub machine gun, HK 33 assault rifle, the PSG-1 sniper rifle and the HK 21 machine gun.
Design
The G3 has a conventional layout and features the roller delayed blowback mechanism. Early models had wooden stocks and handguards. These soon changed to a light green or light brown plastic stock and slimline handguard. Later on the wider "tropical" handguard was fitted, which was available in green and black. The G3 uses diopter sights with a rotating drum rear sight. The stamped receiver and delayed blowback mechanism makes the G3 a cost-effective design.
Firepower
The G3 fires the 7.62x51mm NATO round from 20 round metal or plastic magazines. The G3 fires semi-automatic and fully automatic at a rate of fire of about 550 to 600 rounds per minute. The G3 is a very reliable rifle that functions well in arduous terrain. Since several sniper rifles were based on the design of the G3 it has gotten an image of being very accurate. In practice the accuracy is not spectacular, being on par with similar contemporary battle rifles.
Users
The G3 was the standard issue rifle of the German army for several decades. It was adopted by many nations as their standard issue rifle and was nearly as successful as the Belgian FAL. The G3 remains in active use today, although nowadays the G3 is more and more replaced by lighter and more modern assault rifles.
Variants
G3
The first version of the G3 thas was introduced in 1960 featured a wooden stock and handguard. The G3A2 model introduced the rotating drum rear sight in 1962. The G3A1 was developed in 1963 and was an early attempt at a retractable stock variant. This would later result in the G3A4.
G3A3
Most common variant of the G3 battle rifle, introduced in 1964. It is a full size rifle with fixed stock. The first G3A3 rifles were fitted with thin handguards, often referred to as the "slimline" models. Later the wider "tropical" handguard was introduced.
G3A4
Variant of the G3A3 with retractable stock. This makes the full size rifle more convenient to use in confined spaces, although it is a bit heavier and less ergonomic. It can be found with the same slimline and tropical handguards as the G3A3.
G3-KA4
The G3-K is the carbine version of the full size G3. K stands for 'Kurz', which is German for 'short'. All G3-K are fitted with a retractable stock, resulting in the designation G3-KA4, although in theory a fixed stock could be fitted as well. Since the G3-K is a somewhat newer development virtually all G3-K are fitted with the wide tropical handguard.
G3A3ZF
The G3ZF or G3A3ZF is designated marksman rifle based on the G3 for use up to 600 m. ZF stands for 'Zielfernrohr', German for 'scope'. The G3ZF is simply standard G3A3 model that has been handpicked for accuracy and fitted with a Hensoldt 4x24 scope. Sometimes a cheekpiece and bipod are fitted as well. The G3A3ZF is not to be confused with the G3SG/1, which is described separately.
Details
Media
Heckler & Koch G3A3
Portuguese soldier with G3A3 battle rifle during an exercise in 2015.
Source: Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum
Copyright:
Heckler & Koch G3A4
US Marine holding a Saudi G3A4 battle rifle in 2014.
Source: US Navy
Copyright: Public domain
Heckler & Koch G3
Left side view of early model G3 as used in Swedish trails in 1960.
Source: Swedish Army Museum
Copyright: GNU Attribution Share Alike license
Heckler & Koch G3A3
US Marine firing a G3A3 battle rifle during a joint training with Kenyan troops in 2007.
Source: US Marine Corps
Copyright: Public domain
Kongsberg AG-3F1
Norwegian soldier with AG-3F1 battle rifle with HK 79 grenade launcher and Aimpoint red dot sight.
Source: Unknown author
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
Firearms based on G3 design
Note: incomplete list
Heckler & Koch MP5
Sub machine gun based on the G3 design and its rolled locked delayed blowback mechanism. The MP5 is an iconic design that was produced in many variants.
Heckler & Koch G3SG/1
Military sniper rifle based on a regular G3 rifle. Of all the sniper rifle variants based on the G3 design, this one is closest to the regular G3A3 battle rifle.
Heckler & Koch PSG-1
Sniper rifle specifically developed for counter-terrorism operations.
Heckler & Koch MSG90
Military sniper rifled derived from the PSG-1. It is a lighter and more rugged design than the PSG-1.
Related articles
Heckler & Koch HK 79
The HK 79 is an underbarrel grenade launcher. It was specifically developed for the G3 battle rifle.
FN FAL
The Belgian FN FAL was a direct competitor the to G3. Both designs were adopted by dozens of nations.
Springfield M14
The American M14 is a battle rifle contemporary to the G3, but with a more classic look.
Kalashnikov AKM
The Kalashnikov AKM is an assault rifle often used by opposing forces to those armed with the G3. As an intermediate caliber assault rifle it has a shorter range, but is also a more practical weapon at combat distance.
Heckler & Koch G36
In German military service the G3A3 was replaced by the G36 assault rifle.