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Heckler & Koch HK 4



Overview


HK 4

Left side view of HK 4 pistol with .380 ACP rounds alongside.
Source: www.en.valka.cz - © copyright lies with original owner

Origin
Germany
Type
Pistol
Entered service
Late 1960's
Status
Obsolete
Development
1964 - 1967
Developer
Germany
Alex Seidel and Tilo Müller
Production
1968 - 1984
Producer
Germany - Heckler & Koch
France - MAS
Number produced
47.650 produced, including civilian sales
Designations
P11 (German police service designation)
Notable users
Germany - Law enforcement

Description


Introduction

The HK 4 is a pocket-size pistol of German origin. It was the first pistol to be produced by Heckler & Koch. The name HK 4 was derived from being available in four calibers. It also was one of the first modular designs, being convertible to each of the four calibers.

Design

The HK 4 has some features of the Mauser HSc but is different in many aspects. The HK 4 is a double action pistol that uses the straight blowback principle. Besides for the grip plates the pistol is fully made out of metal. An internal slide stop mechanism is fitted, which disengages by inserting a magazine. Fixed iron sights are used for aiming.

Firepower

The HK 4 is a semi-automatic pistol and was available in four calibers. Most were produced in .380 ACP and 7.65mm Browning. The other two options are .25 ACP and .22 Long Rifle. In .380 ACP the magazine holds 7 rounds, in all other models 8 rounds.

Users

The HK 4 was mainly sold as a civilian pistol, some with a four barrel kit. As a service pistol it was adopted by the German police. About a quarter of the total production went to the German police.

Details


Facts HK 4 (.380) HK 4 (.32)
General
Origin
Germany
Type
Pistol
Caliber
Caliber
.380 ACP
Feed system
7 round magazine
Barrel length
85 mm
Rifling
6 grooves, 254 mm right hand twist
Muzzle velocity
299 m/s
Operation
Action
Straight blowback, double action
Locking
None
Fire selector
0 - 1
Rate of fire
Semi-automatic
Dimensions
Length
157 mm
Weight
0.52 kg empty
Sights
Mechanical
Iron sights, fixed, blade front, notch rear

Media


Related articles


Walther PP

As a small pistol the HK 4 was a direct competitor to the successful Walther PP pistol.

Heckler & Koch P9

The larger H&K P9 was designed as a more capable weapon for law enforcement and military use than the HK 4.