Heckler & Koch HK417

Infobox Weapon
name=Heckler & Koch HK417


caption=HK417
origin=flag|Germany
type=Battle rifle
is_ranged=yes
service=
used_by=Albania, Netherlands, Norway
wars=
designer=Heckler & Koch
design_date=
manufacturer=Heckler & Koch
production_date=
number=
variants= Assaulter (12" barrel - standard)
Recce (16" barrel - standard and accurized)
Sniper (20" barrel - accurized)
weight= 3.87 kg (12 inch barrel),
4.05 kg (16 inch barrel),
4.23 kg (20 inch barrel)
length= 805 / 885 mm (12" barrel, stock collapsed/extended),
905 / 985 mm (16" barrel, stock collapsed/extended),
1005 / 1085 mm (20" barrel, stock collapsed/extended)
part_length= 305 mm (12 in) standard
406 mm (16 in) standard
406 mm (16 in) accurized
508 mm (20 in) accurized
crew=
cartridge=7.62x51mm NATO
action= Gas-operated, rotating bolt
rate=
rate=600 rounds/min
velocity=
range=
max_range=
feed= 10 or 20 round detachable box magazineOptional 50 round drum magazine
sights=accessory diopter/rotary or opticsThe HK417 is a battle rifle rifle designed and manufactured in Germany by Heckler & Koch. It is chambered for the 7.62x51mm NATO (.308 Winchester) round. Similar in internal design to the HK416, the HK417 is a gas-operated, short-stroke piston design, claimed to be more reliable than the original direct impingement operation of the AR-10 design due to less fouling in the receiver. [ [http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/12/army_carbine_dusttest_071217/ Newer carbines outperform M4 in dust test] ] The early prototype HK417 utilized 20-round magazines from the H&K G3 rifle family, which did not feature a bolt hold-open device. Later prototypes, however, switched to a polymer magazine with bolt hold-open. The magazine is similar to the G36 series transparent magazine, except without the pins for holding more than one magazine together.

In addition, a well proven 50-round, low profile drum magazine developed by HK for the HK21E machine gun can be fitted to the HK417 for use in support and sustained fire applications.

The HK417 is designed more for use as a "designated marksman" rifle than an assault rifle, with its increased cost and accuracy weighed against decreased rate of fire and magazine capacity (although fully automatic fire is selectable).

However the HK417 12" 'Assault' Model is more competitive against for instance the LWRC SRT and even the HK416 because it is the only weapon of roughly the same size and weight as its competitors that can fire the more powerful 7.62x51mm NATO round.

The HK417 is currently only available to government and military organizations.

Variants

The HK417 is currently available in three different barrel lengths (all in 7.62x51mm NATO):
*HK417 12" 'Assaulter' Model - 12" standard barrel
*HK417 16" 'Recce' Model - 16" standard and accurized barrels
*HK417 20" 'Sniper' Model - 20" accurized barrel

Accurized barrels provide 1 MOA accuracy (with proper ammunition). The barrels are exchangable and this can be accomplished in under two minutes with simple tools. All HK417 barrels are cold hammer forged and chrome-lined and utilize a conventional lands and grooves bore profile with a 279.4 mm (1 in 11 in) twist rate. They are designed to function reliably with bullet weights ranging from less than 9.3 to 11.34 g (147 to 175 grains) and are threaded for flash hiders, muzzle compensators, and for sound suppressor attachment. [ [http://photos.imageevent.com/smglee/cltactical/HK%20Military%20LE%20Catalog.pdf 2008 Heckler & Koch Military and LE brochure] ]

Related Weapons

The HK416 is a smaller version of the HK417 chambered for the 5.56x45mm NATO round. The HK416 is designed for military and law enforcement use. A civilian variant of the HK416 was announced in 2007 known as the MR223. It is a semi-automatic rifle with several sporterized features. It is slated to be released in the third quarter of 2008. A similar sporting variant of the HK417 is also under development, designated MR308.

Operators

*ALB - The Albanian Army has recently bought a limited number of HK417, in use with Schmidt & Bender riflescope, for special operations purpose.

*NED - The Netherlands Army Korps Commandotroepen has acquired a number of HK417s and will mainly use them as designated marksman rifles.

*NOR - The Norwegian Army has recently bought a number of the HK417 [Offisersbladet nr. 3, May 2007: "Heckler & Koch 416: Vårt nye håndvåpen"] , and will mainly be used as a marksman rifle. [http://www.mil.no/hv/start/article.jhtml?articleID=140199 Forsvarsnett: Fagkurs I, Skarpskytter]

References

External links

* [http://photos.imageevent.com/smglee/cltactical/HK%20Military%20LE%20Catalog.pdf 2008 Heckler & Koch Military and LE brochure]
* [http://www.heckler-koch.de/HKWebText/detailProd/1928/345/4/19 Official page]
* [http://www.hkpro.com/hk417.htm HKPRO page on HK417]
* [http://world.guns.ru/assault/as89-e.htm Heckler & Koch HK417 assault rifle at the Modern Firearms & Ammunition site]