Heckler & Koch P11

Infobox Weapon
name=HK P11


caption= HK P11 with a test device attached
origin=flagcountry|West Germany
type=Underwater Pistol
is_ranged=yes
service=
used_by=
wars=
designer=
design_date=1970s
manufacturer=
production_date=1976
number=
variants=
weight=1.2 kg (2.7 lb) loaded
Battery pack 700 g
length=200 mm (7.874 in)
part_length=
width=60 mm (2.362 in)
height=
crew=
cartridge= about 100 mm (4 in) long, miniature solid-fuelled rocket with fins
caliber=7.62 mm x 36
action=Electric actuated
rate=
velocity=
range=30 m in air, 10 to 15 m underwater
max_range=
feed= 5 rounds, each in a barrel
sights= 14.6 cm between sights

The HK P11 is a Heckler & Koch pistol designed as an underwater firearm. Since ordinary-shaped bullets are inaccurate and have a very short range when used underwater, this pistol fires steel darts about 10 cm long. It has five barrels, each of which is loaded with a cartridge, giving the gun a pepper-box appearance, and it is electrically ignited from a battery pack in the pistol grip. [cite web |url= http://world.guns.ru/handguns/hg209-e.htm|title= Heckler & Koch HK P11 Underwater Pistol|accessdate=2008-03-29 |format= HTML|work= Modern Firearms] After firing all five cartridges, the barrel unit must be sent back to its manufacturer for reloading. [cite web |url= http://www.specialboatservice.co.uk/sbs-weapons-p11.htm|title= Underwater Pistol - HK P11|accessdate=2008-03-28 |format= HTML|work= Special Boat Service: Information on the SBS] It is very similar to its predecessor, the M1 Underwater Defense Gun.

The P11 is reportedly in service with German Kampfschwimmer [cite web |url= http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mgununderwater.htm|title= Straight Dope Staff Report: How far can bullets go when fired into water?|accessdate=2008-03-28 |format= HTML|work= The Straight Dope] and KSK, the British SBS, [cite web |url= http://www.eliteukforces.info/special-boat-service/weapons/p11/|title= SBS Weapons - HK P11 Underwater Pistol|accessdate=2008-03-28 |format= HTML|work= Elite UK Forces] and 100 units issued to members of U.S. Special operations forces. [cite web |url= http://www.hkpro.com/peleven.htm|title= HKPRO: The HK P11|accessdate=2008-03-28 |format= HTML|work= HKPRO] It is also used by Dutch, Danish, Italian Navy COMSUBIN, Norwegian, French and Israeli combat divers. [cite book |title= Jane's Special Forces Recognition Guide|last= Southby-Tailyour|first= Ewen|authorlink= Ewen Southby-Tailyour|year= 2005|publisher= Collins|location= New York|isbn= 0-00-718329-1|pages= 366]

In the past, Heckler & Koch has denied knowledge of its existence, [cite book |title= Weapons of the Navy SEALs|last= Dockery|first= Kevin|authorlink= Kevin Dockery (author)|year= 2004|publisher= Berkley|location= New York|isbn= 0-425-19834-0|pages=68] but despite this the P11 has become relatively well-known, appearing in the 2003 film , [cite web |url=http://www.moviemistakes.com/film3396/corrections |title= Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life corrections |accessdate=2008-03-28 |format= HTML|work= Movie Mistakes] and the 2002 video game . [cite web|url=http://www.009.web-fun.net/nightfire/weapons.shtml?http%3A//www.009.web-fun.net/nightfire/weapons/seamaster.htm |title=Nightfire Weapons |accessdate=2008-03-28 |format= HTML|work= [009] Nightfire Pro Fair Play]

ee also

*Underwater firearm

External links

* [http://www.hkpro.com/peleven.htm HKPRO: The HK P11]
* [http://www.securityarms.com/20010315/galleryfiles/0900/940.htm Securityarms: Heckler & Koch P11 Underwater Pistol]
* [http://world.guns.ru/handguns/hg209-e.htm Modern Firearms: Heckler Koch HK P11 underwater pistol]

Notes

References

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