Heckler & Koch HK G41

1987

• 1 Heckler & Koch HK G41 History
• 2 Heckler & Koch HK G41 Specification
  • 2.1 Roles
  • 2.2 Dimensions
  • 2.3 Performance
  • 2.4 Changes

Heckler & Koch HK G41 History

The HK G41 is based on the existing HK G33E product from renowned German weapons company Heckler & Koch, but introduces a convenient three-round burst capability to complement the fully automatic fire mode. The G41 nearly replaced the aging G3 in Bundeswehr service, and was phased out of production just a few years later, prompting the Bundeswehr to try and eventually accept the HK G36 assault rifle (described in detail elsewhere on this site).

To better meet the modifications required by NATO, the G41 is designed to accept magazines from other active 5.56x45mm weapons, including the Colt M16/AR-15 series. Sight mounts were also incorporated into the base design, and a bipod could be mounted under the front for fire support.

A carrying handle was added to the left side of the receiver, and a highly visible selective fire control lever was located within the reach of the shooter's main hand. The HK G41 is available in two different main production forms - the basic assault rifle model (with a fixed stock) as the "G41" and the shortened carbine model (with a retractable stock) as the "G41K".

This series is for the 5.56x45mm NATO and is fired with a delayed recoil action from the barrel. The rate of fire reaches 850 rounds per minute. Feeds from a variety of STANAG-style detachable box magazines.

The weapon has a range of up to 400 yards and is aimed via a rotating diopter drum sight and hooded front post.

Other variants include the G41A1 with a different barrel rifle, the G41A2 with the retractable shoulder stock and rifle of the original G41 production model, the G41A3 with the A2 stock but with the A1 rifle, and the G41TGS and its mount for the HK79 Down Tube Grenade Launcher (UBGL).

If the G11 "caseless" assault weapon in development (detailed elsewhere on this site) passes the necessary tests for use with frontline units, the weapon will be stocked by the West Germans with second-line units. Unfortunately, The expensive G11 plan was not convincing and was quickly abandoned.

The G41 was re-evaluated as a second-tier unit, but also dropped out of the competition.

After all, the West German army would choose the G36 assault rifle in their place.

Production of the G41 continued from 1984 to 1996. It is known to have been used in combat during the Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990) and most recently the 2007 Lebanese conflict (which allegedly involved the Lebanese Armed Forces).

The rights to the G41 were eventually handed over to the Italian group Luigi Franchi, which has since produced the LF G41 and LG Mod. 641. Both were tried by the Italian army, but lost to the Beretta AR70/90 (detailed elsewhere on this site).

Heckler & Koch HK G41 Specification

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Changes