Heckler & Koch HK 53
Overview
HK 53
Left side view of HK 53 compact assault rifle.
Source: www.world.guns.ru -
© Copyright lies with original owner
France - MAS
United States - law enforcement
Description
Introduction
The HK 53 is a compact assault rifle of German origin. The HK 53 is the short carbine variant of the HK 33 rifle. It is often classified as a sub machine gun due to its compact size. The HK 53 looks like it has similar proportions as the MP5, but the magazine well and forearm and flash hider are longer, making it a slightly longer weapon.
Design
The flash hider is longer and of a four prong design while the flash from such a short barrel is much larger. Virtually all HK 53’s are fitted with a retractable stock, making them the HK 53A3. It is possible to fit fixed stock, resulting in the HK 53A2. During its production life the HK 53 received upgrades similar to the HK 33E such as a new retractable stock and a new flash hider but was never rebranded.
Firepower
The HK 33 fires the 5.56x45mm NATO round. The HK 33 uses 25 round metal magazines. Later on 40 round aluminum and 30 round steel magazines were introduced, but they never became as common as the 25 round ones. The cyclic rate of fire is 750 rpm. Effective range for the HK 53 is about 200 meters.
Users
The HK 53 was acquired by many nations in small numbers. Various units in Europe, North and South American and Asia acquired the HK 53 for use alongside the MP5.
Details
Media
Early model HK 53
Picture from and old sales brochure showing a very early model HK 53 with old slimline grip and SEF trigger group.
Source: Unknown author
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
HK 53
Peruvian soldier with HK 53A3 sub machine gun.
Source: www.perudefensa.net
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner