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Norway has a special relationship with the Heckler & Koch MP7 (from Maschinenpistole 7), as they are most likely the country that has bought most of them. If we trust Wikipedia as a source, the numbers are around 6,500 as it replaced (some of) the HK MP5s. Even some soldiers in the Norwegian Home Guard have it.
Will we ever see the “public” MP7 happen? It is very unlikely, so until then we can only admire the HK MP7 at a distance, and in photos.
Until then H&K MP7s are about as rare as a Unicorn.
Camouflaged MP7s are much rarer than that, but U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Tayler P. Schwamb managed to capture one in the photo above.
Even the Aimpoint got a touch of paint. Very Special Ops. Just look at the Norseman beard, just out of focus to the left in the picture.
We had to travel into the middle of nowhere as in Harstad, Norway, to find one. Where a U.S. Marine with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, can be seen using the MP7 in a combat marksmanship drill during exercise.
Below:(caption)
A U.S. Marine with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, loads 4.6x30mm ammunition into a magazine amid a combat marksmanship drill during exercise Platinum Ren at Fort Trondennes, Harstad, Norway, May 15, 2019. During the drills, the Marines and Norwegian Coastal Ranger Commando fired a variety of weapons including the MP7.
The MP7 ammunition is exclusive to the gun, made of almost entirely of hardened steel and offers low recoil. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Tayler P. Schwamb)
4,6 mm ammunition – it’s funny, as Heckler & Koch claims the MP7 is 4,6 times more effective.
I am pretty sure there are going to be a few comments about the MP7 ammunition, so I quote Wikipedia as well:
The MP7’s specially designed armor piercing (AP) high velocity rounds consist of either copper-plated solid steel (DM11), alloy plated steel jacket (DM21) or copper-alloy-jacketed lead core projectiles (Fiocchi FMJ ZP). Standard AP high velocity DM11 (Ultimate Combat) round with a 2.0 g (31 gr) projectile has a muzzle velocity of 720 m/s (2,362 ft/s) and has a muzzle energy of 506 J (373 ft-lbf).
The DM11 round penetrates the NATO CRISAT target (20 layers of kevlar with 1.6 mm titanium backing) at 200 m. The round has a small diameter, allowing for redoubling penetration capability and high capacity in a very small magazine.
VBR of Belgium produces a 4.6×30mm two-part controlled fragmenting projectile that is claimed to increase the content of the permanent wound cavity and double the chance to hit a vital organ.
Heckler & Koch claims that the CPS Black Tip ammunition made by Fiocchi has a muzzle energy of approximately 525 J, which would be comparable to 9×19mm Parabellum rounds
Sources: Wikipedia, VBR Belgium, HK 4.6×30mm
Below: FN Minimi in full auto. You can enjoy more of the FN Minimis of Norway here.
Below: “During the combat marksmanship drills, the Marines and KJK fired weapons including the M4A1 carbine, M45 pistol, M40A6, MP7, and the FN Minimi. Exercise Platinum Ren is a theater security cooperation training evolution held with the KJK to sustain mission essential tasks in harsh operating environments and strengthen coalition partnerships.”
Notice the setup for the hearing protection and sand colored PMAGs.
Below: A U.S. Marine with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, fires an M4A1 carbine. I spot 8 flying brass in the air – not bad!
All photos by Sgt. Tayler Schwamb, 1st Marine Division.
I have witnessed an H&K MP7 in Pagani Zonda at a Formula 1 race in Bahrain, but this is the first camouflaged H&K MP7 I have ever seen.
How about you? Are they any common where you live?
