The Firearm Blog

CMMG are taking pre-orders for their new stripped lower reliever that is compatible with DPMS Panther Arms .308 AR-10 style upper receivers. The lower uses H&K G3 magazine which can be bought for under $5!

G3 lower (top)

Some minor modifications are needed to the upper to accommodate the larger magazine. The price is $449.95 and it can be ordered online.

Many thanks to Tom for the info.

As the western world moved away from full power battle rifles such as the H&K G3, FN FAL and M14, Heckler & Koch developed the HK32 and HK33 chambered in 7.62×39mm and 5.56×45mm respectively. Both were based on the G3 design and roller-delayed blowback operating mechanism.

The HK32K. Photo from HKPro.com

While appearing in promotional literature, the HK32 never went into production, or so everyone says.

Wamba, an very observant member of the HKPro.com forum, noticed photos of a Mexican policeman holding what appears to be the HK32.

The photo appeared in this article.

The magazine, both outside appearance and curvature, is significantly different from the HK33.

HK33 5.56×45mm. Showing 25, 30 and 40 round magazines.

The receiver also looks slightly different to the SW32, a clone of the HK33 made by Specials Weapons Inc chambered for 7.62×39mm.

SW32

I think the most likely explication for these rifles ending up with the Mexican police is that H&K sent pre-production samples to the Mexican Army who manufacture H&K weapons under license and they somehow made their way into the police arsenal.

In my recent article about the Norwegian H416 rifle, Mauken, a Norwegian soldier, posted a link to this article at aftenposten.no (I have translated it into english using google):

Soldiers may have been sick of the military’s new rifle

Army turns the alarm after a number of officers and soldiers have health problems after the shooting with the military’s new standard rifle, “HK 416″.

Gun are heirs to AG3, and is about to be phased in for all Armed Forces branches. Some departments, including the Norwegian soldiers in Afghanistan, has had the gun in about a year, writes Dagbladet.no.

Hærstaben have been in three different concern from messages incidents where about 40 skyttere have experienced various health problems. It has been reported that strong discomfort in the chest, neck and munnhule after the shooting, unpleasant cough for several hours after the shooting, nausea, fever, headache, joint and cold svetting after the shooting.

Chief of Staff in hærstaben, Brigadier Rune Jakobsen, have now initiated full investigation to find out what it evokes the most serious problems. It has already been initiated medical examinations of the involved personnel.

One of the main theories in the military is now working on the basis that it is the gunpowder gas from the ammo, and not the weapon, which causes problems. HK 416 uses a smaller caliber, and thus a different type than the old munitions AG3.

Norway has been using the H&K G3 which is chambered in 7.62×51mm NATO. The HK416 that is being adopted is an AR-15 derivative and chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO.

H&K G3 rifle. Photo from Wikipedia.

It is not uncommon for an ammunition producing country to develop a new powder specifically optimized for the a new cartridge / rifle combination when it is adopted by the nations’ armed forces. It is possible that this powder used in the Norwegian 5.56mm ammunition is toxic. Maybe the lubricant they are using reacts badly with the gas from the powder? Maybe plastic parts are melting and releasing a toxic vapor? It will be interesting to see how this story develops.

Thanks to Mauken for the link.

muck @ MP.net came across this photo of a G3 rifle attached to a Steadicam.

While it is very cool looking it is also very impractical. Shooting sticks are a much better idea. If the shooter need to lie down or quickly maneuver he just drops the sticks.

The correct use of a Steadicam. Photo from Wikipedia.

UPDATE: So it turns out this concept was used in the movie Aliens. I have not seen any of the Alien/Predator movies. Only in the past few years have I began to start appreciating sci/fi after reading a couple of the classics. Some Alien movie pictures:

“Colonial Marines Technical Manual” – Thanks to Jimmy for the scan


“M56 Smart Gun”. From IMFDB. Thanks to Linoge and Redfezwriter for the link.

PTR 32 KF is a H&K G3 / 91 clone chambered in 7.62×39mm. It is manufactured by PTR 91 Inc.

The standard carbine model features:

* Tactical Handguard
* H&K Pre Ban Flash Hider
* H&K Navy Type Polymer Trigger Group
* 16″ barrel.
* 10 round magazine.

The MSRP is $1230.

I am not sure if it uses AK-47 magazines or propriety magazines.

There are a few other models available:

PTR 32 KC
Cabine, Standard Black Furniture with New Tactical Handguard Machined from Military Spec. Hard-Anodized Aluminum/ Muzzle Compensator and H&K Navy Type Polymer Trigger Group, 7.62 x 39 Cal with 16″ Barrel, 1-10 Rd Magazine. MSRP $1,230.00 USD

PTR 32 KFO
Cabine, Black Furniture with New Tactical Handguard Machined from Military Spec. Hard-Anodized Aluminum (BIPOD, RAILS, SCOPE, SCOPE MOUNT AND 30 RD MAGAZINE NOT INCLUDED) Original H&K Pre Ban Flash Hider and H&K Navy Type Polymer Trigger Group with Side Folding Stock, 7.62 x 39 Cal with 16″ Barrel, 1-10 Rd Magazine. MSRP $1,345.00 USD

PTR 32 KM4
Cabine, Black Furniture with New Tactical Handguard Machined from Military Spec. Hard-Anodized Aluminum (COMPLETE WITH 3 RAILS) Original H&K Pre Ban Flash Hider and H&K Navy Type Polymer Trigger Group with M4 Type 6 Position Telescoping Stock, 7.62 x 39 Cal with 16″ Barrel, 1-10 Rd Magazine. MSRP $1,345.00 USD

Not your standard golden AK or Dragunov. These were on display at IDEAS Pakistan 2008 by POF (Pakistan Ordnance Factories, the Pakistan stated owned arms and ammunition manufacturer).

Photo by skybolt. Click to expand.

The submachine guns are POF’s SMG-PK (Licensed built H&K MP5K). The Rifle is a G3A3.

I am not sure about the pistol or shotguns. The pistol could be a stainless/plated framed version of the POF PLK-30 7.62×25mm pistol.

Earlier this year the Turkish Ministry of Defense announced they will be switching from the G3 7.62mm rifle to the HK416. The Turkish government owned arms and ordnance manufacturer MKEK will be producing the rifle under license from Heckler & Koch.

The H&K G3 battle rifle has been phased out in many countries and replaced with assault rifles chambered in intermediate cartridges. Along with the H&K G3, MKEK also produces the a variety of H&K MP5 models so the move to another H&K rifle is not surprising. Norway is also replacing the G3 with the HK416.

An important Turkish guy holding the Mehmetçik-1.Photo from worldaffairsboard.com

The pistol grip and stock look different to most of the HK416 photos on the internet. The wikipedia page has a photo with “HK416N” markings and the same configuration. The photo is marked for deletion from Wikipedia and there are few other references to the “HK416N” on google.

HK416N markings. Photo from Wikipedia.

Mehmetçik-1 markings

I cannot see any other differences between the Mehmetçik-1 and the HK416N other than the MKEK markings. The only different I have read about on a couple of forums is that MKEK are using different manufacturing techniques and different metals than H&K, which I take to mean a slightly different aluminum and steel alloys, which is not surprising.

The scope pictured above is the Elcan SpecterOS34x scope which well known for its use on the Canadian Diemaco C7/C8. The grenade launcher is the H&K AG416.

The Turkish Wikipedia page says the rifle will be manufactured in four different models. A Sub-carbine (10.5″ barrel), Carbine (14.5″ barrel), Rifle (16.5″ barrel) and “Distance” (Sniper/Marksmen, 20″ barrel).

Below is a video of a press conference with that important Turkish guy showing off the weapons and looking out of his depth:

By all accounts the HK416 is a great rifle combining the best of the AR-15 platform with the benefits of a gas piston system.

Turkey has also adopted a new sniper rifle that I cannot identify. Anyone know what it is? See the below photo.

UPDATE: Alcibiades, correctly identified it as the 7.62×51mm JNG 90, also made by MKEK.

Mehmetçik-1 and JNG 90 sniper rifle. Photo from worldaffairsboard.com

Hat Tip: GunPundit