Heckler & Koch HK21

Description

In 1961 Heckler & Koch based the original design of the HK21 on its G3 Assault Rifle, a weapon which it was midway through manufacturing for the Bundeswehr. In fact almost 50% of its components were interchangeable with this rifle, which would surely be a selling point in terms of overall maintenance. As well as being belt fed, with the aid of a magazine adapter module, the weapon could also swiftly be converted to fire standard box or saddle magazines, another great selling point as a squad weapon.

Like other General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG’s) it is fitted with a bipod for use in the ground role and it can also be fitted to a tripod for use in a sustained/prolonged fire role. However unlike many other GPMG’s (Such as the British L7A2 or American M60) it fires by means of a hammer on a closed bolt. This allows for much more accuracy, however in a sustained fire role the weapon will overheat faster and therefore require more frequent barrel changes.

Sadly the HK21 series came into general production too late to be accepted by the Bundeswehr (who already had the incredibly reliable MG3), but was ordered by many Central and South American Countries, as well as many in Asia and Africa. It was also used by American special forces in the early days of the Vietnam War.