Cookie Consent by Privacy Policies Generator

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

Origin
Germany
Type
Compact assault rifle
Entered service
Late 1970's
Status
In service
Development
Early 1970's
Developer
Germany - Heckler & Koch
Production
1975 - ?
Producer
Germany - Heckler & Koch
France - MAS
Designations
L101A1 (HK 53 in UK military service)
Notable users
United Kingdom
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


Facts HK 53A3
General
Origin
Germany
Type
Sub machine gun
Caliber
Caliber
5.56x45mm NATO
Feed system
Detachable box magazine
Magazine capaciy
25 rounds, 30 and 40 round available
Barrel length
211 mm
Rifling
6 grooves, right hand 178mm twist
Muzzle velocity
750 m/s
Operation
Action
Roller locked delayed blowback
Fire selector
0-1-F or 0-1-3-F
Rate of fire
700 rpm
Dimensions
Stock type
Retractable
Length
775 mm stock extended
563 mm stock retracted
Width
58 mm
Height
210 mm
Weight
3.05 kg
Sights
Mechanical
Iron sight, post front and diopter rear
Sight radius
390 mm
Optics
Optional, using claw mount

Media