Professional Documents
Culture Documents
SAS Weapons Rifles Heckler Koch G3
SAS Weapons Rifles Heckler Koch G3
Wooden circular
Plastic circular
Plastic angular
G3A1 (pre-1964)
(Model/manufacturer)
G3A1; Germany (pre-1964) G3A2; Germany, France, Greece, Portugal G3A3; Germany, Pakistan, Iran (G3-A1), Mexico, Myanmar, Norway (AG-3), Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Turkey (G3-A3), United Kingdom G3A3ZF; Germany (optical sights) G3A4; Germany, Greece, Turkey (G3-A4), Iran (G3A1-1), Mexico, Pakistan (G3P4), Portugal G3K; Germany (short barrel)
VARIANTS
MARKINGS On the left side of the weapon, forward of the fire selector
Technical Information
Calibre 7.62 x 51 mm NATO Length Fixed stock: 1024 mm Retractable stock: extended: 1020 mm closed: 840 mm Weight (unloaded) G3A3: 4.58 kg G3A4: 4.6 kg Barrel length 488 mm Feed device: 20- or 30-round detachable box magazine Sighting systems Fore: Post Rear: V and rotating apertures Operating system Delayed roller-locked, selective fire Rate of fire 500600 rds/min Muzzle velocity 780800 m/s Accessories Bayonet, bipod
The Heckler & Koch G3 was developed from the Spanish CETME Model B rifle between 1954 and 1959. The (usually green) plastic furniture and ergonomically moulded pistol grip are distinctive features of the weapon. Older (pre-1964) versions have wooden stocks and hand guards. Iranian models feature a synthetic stock and hand guard whose pale brown colour is similar in appearance to wooden furniture.
PROBABLE GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION
Region Western Europe Eastern Europe Middle East & North Africa Sub-Saharan Africa Central Asia South Asia East Asia Pacific North America Central America South America
State forces
Non-state/illicit
Most G3 manufacturer marks are stamped on the left panel of the magazine housing. Greek variants feature a stylized EBO in the shape of a diamond, between the magazine housing and fire selector, on the left-hand side of the weapon. Saudi Arabian models are marked with a palm tree above two crossed swords.
HK: Germany MEK: Turkey Diamond in a circle: Germany (pre-1969) K below a crown: Norway POF: Pakistan FMP: Portugal STOCK DESIGN Fixed
Three crossed weapons in a cog wheel: Iran Lion within wreaths surmounted by a crown: Iran (pre-1979) RSAF below a crown: United Kingdom
Retractable
G3A1 G3A2 G3A3 G3A1-1 G3A4 G3K
Points to include when recording information about the weapon: 1. Serial number, including all prefix and suffix characters 2. Characters adjacent to fire selector 3. Any other engraved/stamped information on weapon
Compiled by the Small Arms Survey with the technical assistance of the National Firearms Centre, Royal Armouries, United Kingdom. For further information or if you have identification queries, contact [email protected] or call: +41 22 908 5777. This identification sheet may be downloaded in printable PDF format at www.smallarmssurvey.org/weaponsID WARNING: Make a full and informed appraisal of the local security situation before conducting any research related to small arms and light weapons.