GSG Omni Hybrid MAXX

     Notes: This AR clone differs primarily in its receivers – They are made of steel-reinforced carbon fiber.  This makes them lighter, yet stronger, than either full metal or full carbon fiber receivers.  The rifle is finished in all-black, and with mostly otherwise Milspec parts. The trigger guard is molded into the lower.

     The Omni Hybrid uses direct gas impingement, with a carbine-length gas system.  This goes with its 16-inch barrel, which is tipped with an A2 flash suppressor.  It is free-floating. Above the receiver is a Picatinny rail; this is the only rail on the carbine other than a short one on the gas block for a BUIS.  The Omni Hybrid uses a Magpul MOE 6-position sliding stock.  The MAXX also has an over-molded plastic insert in the recoil tube, increasing strength and retention, as well as strengthening the area where the lower meets the upper as the rear of the receivers.

     Some shooters find the trigger pull to be “a bit mushy like a Glock trigger,” non-consistently breaking from 5.5 to 6 pounds of pressure.  Some find that boat-tailed rounds tend to keyhole when fired from the carbine. Some find that the upper and lower “does not match up in the least,” and that the general fit and finish is hit-and-miss.  Parts can be bottom-shelf parts, not the best but not the worst.  Others say the carbine is just not comfortable to shoot at any stock setting.

     Extra Uppers are available for different calibers.  As of this writing (Nov 16), the .22 LR and 6.8mm are not available, but they are scheduled to be in early 2017. Essentially, however, there is nothing special about the Omni Hybrid except the receivers. It is sold only through American Tactical Imports, though it is made by German Sport Guns. 

Weapon

Ammunition

Weight

Magazines

Price

Omni Hybrid MAXX

5.56mm NATO

2.83 kg

5, 10, 20, 30

$571

Omni Hybrid MAXX

.22 Long Rifle

2.83 kg

10, 17, 27

$245

Omni Hybrid MAXX

6.8mm SPC

2.83 kg

5, 10, 20, 30

$751

Omni Hybrid MAXX

.300 Blackout

2.83 kg

5, 10, 20, 30

$766

 

Weapon

ROF

Damage

Pen

Bulk

SS

Burst

Range

Omni Hybrid MAXX (5.56mm)

SA

3

1-Nil

4/6

3

Nil

40

Omni Hybrid MAXX (.22)

SA

1

Nil

3/4

1

Nil

34

Omni Hybrid MAXX (6.8mm)

SA

3

1-2-Nil

5/6

3

Nil

56

Omni Hybrid MAXX (.300)

SA

3

2-Nil

5/6

4

Nil

46

 

Haenel MKb42(H)/MP43/MP44 (StG44)

     Notes:  This weapon was the world’s first true assault rifle to go into active service.  Though Haenel (and Walther) had been their contracts to develop the new rifles in 1940, the prototype version of the Haenel (the MKb42(H) was not first used in July 1943 in Russia.  The MKb-43(H) is largely the work of Hugo Schmeisser.

     The MKb42(H) looked essentially like a modern assault rifle – in fact, similar to the AK-47.  (It’s never been proven whether the MKb42(H) and its successors had any influence on Kalashnikov, but rumors abound.)  The MKb42(H) was gas operated by direct impingement.  The MKb42(H) fired from an open bolt in both automatic and semiautomatic modes.  The barrel was quite short for the time at 14.35 inches, and the MKb42(H) was a trifle heavy.  Cyclic rate of fire was rather slow at 575 rpm.  The MKb42(H) at first had no bayonet lug or provisions for rifle grenades, but they were demanded by the Army, even before production could get into gear.  Army interference only grew after that.  As a result, only 116 had been built by December of 1942, and the first batch of rifles for combat testing were not delivered until January of 1943 (200 rifles short of the target figure).

     The MKb42(H), though heavier and a bit less balanced than the competing Walther design, used a simpler operation and could be built cheaper and easier; therefore, it won the competition.  The actual production version was the MP43 – given the designation of a submachinegun to disguise it’s true nature from Hitler, who fancied himself a military expert and thought he knew exactly what sort of rifle the troops needed.  A few modifications were made; the Walter-type hammer-firing mechanism replaced the Haenel striker, and operation was changed so that the MP43 fired from a closed bolt.  The tangent rear sight was located above the location of the magazine, and the front sight post was hooded.  Due to the growing chaos and damage in Germany, production was subcontracted to about a dozen manufacturers, and slight differences between manufacturing methods meant that MP43s often had to have their parts hand-fitted and that the parts sometimes would not interchange between MP43s.  The barrel length remained at 14.35 inches, but the grenade launcher was not a standard feature – instead, a version designated the MP43/I was built in smaller numbers which had a grenade launcher attachment at the muzzle.  Most MP43/Is (and some MP44s) also had a mount on the left side of the receiver for a Zf.4 telescopic sight or the new (and rare) Zg.1229 Vampir active infrared night scope. (It should be noted that in 1944, night scopes were giant, clumsy affairs that often weighed as much as the rifle they were mounted upon.)  To mark the official start of mass production, the designation of the weapon was changed to the MP44; shortly thereafter, it was re-christened the StG44 (Sturmgewehr 44, or “assault rifle”) to denote it’s true nature (an apocryphal story says this was done by Hitler himself during a visit to the Russian Front.)

     Perhaps the strangest modification of the StG44 was the Krummlauf Attachment.  The idea of the Krummlauf Attachment was to allow the StG44 to fire around corners.  It was basically a curved barrel extension with an attached mirror.  There were 3 variants of the Krummlauf: the STG44(P) curved 30 degrees, the STG44(K) curved 90 degrees, and the STG44(V) curved 40 degrees.  Only the STG44(P) was mass-produced, with about 10,000 examples being made.  The Krummlauf has perforations that slow the bullet to allow it to make the turn; unfortunately, they slow the bullet so dramatically that the bullet has a greatly reduced effectiveness. Of course, the weapon is useless in close combat, except when firing around corners (unless the shooter is really good at applying Kentucky Windage). 

     In the late 2000s, a company named German Sport Guns (a German company, whose products are sold only through American Tactical Imports) began offering the GSG-StG44.  This is a version of the StG44 that is chambered for .22 Long Rifle, but is otherwise a faithful reproduction of the original assault rifle.  Differences include a 16.5-inch barrel and American Walnut for the stock and pistol grip, as well as a Cerekote finish for the external metal parts.  (Interior metal parts are phosphated, and the bore is chromed.)  Trigger pull weight is about like the original – 5.5 pounds.  Empty weight is somewhat less, but due to the low recoil of the .22 rounds, this is not important for recoil purposes. The GSG-StG44 is designed specifically for semiautomatic fire, and company literature states that converting it to automatic fire is virtually impossible. Finishes include carbon steel, sand, OD Green, and desert tan/pink.

Weapon

Ammunition

Weight

Magazines

Price

MKb42(H)

8mm Kurz

4.87 kg

30

$729

MP44/StG44

8mm Kurz

4.92 kg

30

$729

StG44(P/K/V)

8mm Kurz

5.22 kg

30

$802

GSG-StG44

.22 Long Rifle

4.5 kg

10, 25

$215

 

Weapon

ROF

Damage

Pen

Bulk

SS

Burst

Range

MKb42(H)

5

3

2-Nil

6

3

8

38

MP44/StG44

5

4

2-Nil

6

3

8

38

StG44(P)

5

2

1-Nil

7

2

7

27

StG44(K)

5

2

1-Nil

7

2

7

23

StG44(V)

5

2

1-Nil

7

2

7

25

GSG-StG44

SA

1

Nil

6

1

Nil

34

 

Heckler & Koch G36

     Notes: In 1996, with the G-11 becoming expensive and the ammunition even more scarce and expensive, the Bundeswehr asked Heckler & Koch to produce an assault rifle family that would fire standard NATO 5.56mm NATO ammunition.  The result was the HK-50, which was type standardized as the G36.  Deliveries began in the third quarter of 1996 to the Bundeswehr’s NATO rapid reaction forces and special operations units, and it eventually became the standard assault rifle for German armed forces.  In 1998, the Spanish military started replacing their troublesome CETME-L and LC rifles with G36s.  

     The G36 has a folding buttstock for use in tight spaces; light and easy to fold and unfold, the stock is also the G36s biggest fault, since it tends to crack or just fall off.  Much of the G36 is constructed of high-impact plastic reinforced with carbon-fiber polymer, and the carrying handle incorporates a 3x sight, with iron sights available if the optical sights become damaged.  In addition, a red-dot collimating sight is provided above the 3x sight on German G36s for quick shots.  The charging handle is under the carrying handle, and the firing levers are ambidextrous (although case ejection is always to the right).  The G36 uses an AK-74 pattern bayonet, and can use Pact or NATO rifle grenades.  Magazines designed for the G36 have lugs to allow up to five magazines to be clipped together for speedy reloading.  The G36 may also use M-16 magazines.  The G36 marks the first time that Heckler & Koch abandoned their well-tried roller-locking system in a production rifle, opting for a simpler gas system instead; with rounds being fired through a 18.9-inch barrel tipped by a flash suppressor similar in appearance to that used on Colt’s M-16A2.  The export variant of the G36 is the G36E; this weapon uses a 1.5x sight instead of the 3x sight of the German model, and dispenses with the red-dot collimating sight.

     The G36K is a carbine variant of the G36 assault rifle, meant for special operations forces.  It has a shorter 12.52-inch barrel and handguard than the standard G36, and a larger prong-type flash suppressor.  It is not normally equipped with the 3x sight (though it can use it), using the 1.5x sight instead, but does have the collimator sight.  German special ops units almost always use the G36K (and the G36) loaded with 100-round Beta C-Mags.  An export version of the G36K, called the G-35KE, is also produced; it differs from the G36K primarily in the deletion of the collimator sight.

     The G36C (the C formerly stood for Commando, but now stands for Compact, due to a trademark by Colt) is a very-abbreviated length version of the G36 assault rifle.  It has a stubby 11.02-inch barrel, and the carrying handle has a STANAG-compatible MIL-STD-1913 rail to mount any sort of scope or sighting aid.  The handguard, though short, is equipped with 6-point MIL-STD-1913 rails; the bottom rail is normally seen with a foregrip mounted, though it can mount pretty much anything else. Like the G36K, the G36C typically uses the 1.5x sight/collimator sight combination; the 3x sight is rather superfluous in a weapon designed primarily for CQB. The G36C is characterized as a “limited-issue weapon,” typically issued only to special operations units.

     An interesting note about the G36: the G36’s predecessor, the HK-50, was originally conceived to be a modular family of weapons, able to be easily changed between different configurations.  These different configurations were designed to range from a 9mm Parabellum-firing submachinegun to a 7.62mm NATO-firing light machinegun.  Though the G36 has yet to be produced in all of these versions, it still retains the capability to do so – assuming the demand is there and Heckler & Koch produces the parts required as a result.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: When it became obvious that the G-11 was too expensive and complicated to produce, and that ammunition availability would become a major stumbling block, the G41 was brought into full production instead and the plans for the G36 accelerated greatly.  However, general issue of the G36 still did not start until the winter of 1995, and adoption of the G36 largely came to an abrupt halt during the November nuclear exchanges.  Though examples of the G36K were built at the same time as the standard G36, many more were made by German special operations armorers using plans furnished by Heckler & Koch.  The G36C does not exist in the Twilight 2000 timeline.

     Merc 2000 Notes: As German peacekeepers became a more common sight in the world, their G36 rifles also became a more common sight.  The problem with the stock had been largely solved by the end of 2003. 

Weapon

Ammunition

Weight

Magazines

Price

G36

5.56mm NATO

3.6 kg

30

$814

G36E

5.56mm NATO

3.6 kg

30

$764

G36K

5.56mm NATO

3.3 kg

30

$698

G36C

5.56mm NATO

2.8 kg

20, 30

$683

 

Weapon

ROF

Damage

Pen

Bulk

SS

Burst

Range

G36/G36E

5

3

1-Nil

5/6

2

6

51

G36K

5

3

1-Nil

4/5

3

6

27

G36C

5

2

1-Nil

3/5

3

6

22

 

Heckler & Koch G41

     Notes: This weapon was introduced in 1983 to replace the HK33 on the export market, and was issued to German troops in 1987 in small numbers as an interim weapon to replace their G-3s until the G-11 (which never came to fruition) could be brought into full production.  It is basically an updated and upgraded HK33 assault rifle, made with more modern materials, and having the ability to use standard US/NATO magazines.  As such, it was an interim design, never meant for general issue to the entire German Army, nor any of the other countries that were considering it.  By the early 1990s, it was obvious that the G-11 was not going to ever be adopted, and the G41 also became a casualty. In addition, the worldwide glut of assault rifles (ranging to the ubiquitous M-16 and AK to the new designs coming out the former Soviet Union, China, and Eastern Europe) meant that there were already lots of assault rifles available at a much lower price than the G41. The German Army went with the then-new G36, and by 1996, Heckler & Koch was no longer including either the G41 (or the G-11) in its military weapons catalogs.  There are rumors that Mexico and India bought small numbers of G41s, but I have not been able to confirm this; however, the San Marcos Marines and some special operations units (such as the Italian COMSUBIN, Israeli Col Moschin, and the Spanish NOCS) have small stocks of G41s and G41Ks.  No country seems to be using them in large numbers.  (In the US, in particular, the G41 is an extreme rarity – there reportedly only 3 of them in the US.)

     In appearance, the G41 is quite reminiscent of the HK33 series (recognizably so), and yet also has enough differences that the two cannot be mistaken except at a glance.  Internal differences between the G41 and HK33 series include bolt hold-open device after the last shot is fired, as well as a bolt catch (similar to that of the M-16A1).  The ejection also has a hinged dust cover (the same idea as that on the M-16, but of course much different in appearance and design) and a forward assist which also acts as a brass deflector for left-handed shooters.  Though the G41 can use older HK33 magazines, the primary magazines are meant to be STANAG-compatible magazines.  The sights are essentially the same as those on the HK33, but have tritium inserts for night use.  The G41 has a side-folding carrying handle at the center of balance (for the standard-length version).  The G41 may be fitted with a MIL-STD-1913 rail, a carrying handle, ladder-type sights or a radial drum sight for use if the G41 is fitted with an underbarrel grenade launcher, or any number of other mounts for optics.  The lower receiver is of light alloy, but most of the rest of the metalwork is steel; the stock is either synthetic or a standard Heckler & Koch sliding stock.  The barrel is 17.72 inches long and is tipped with a flash suppressor.  The pistol grip is of high-impact plastic and is hollow.  In 1986, the G41 series was further modified; a strengthening sub-frame was added to the synthetic stock and pistol grip, and newer, stronger synthetics were used.  The fire controls became ambidextrous, and the markings were slightly changed.

     Variants of the G41 include the G41A2, with the sliding stock mentioned above.  The G41K was also available; this is a short-barreled version (with a 14.96-inch barrel), normally with the sliding stock, but also available with a fixed synthetic stock.  The G41K cannot take a bayonet, but can fire rifle grenades and mount underbarrel grenade launchers.  The G41 INKAS and G41K INKAS are identical to their standard brethren, but have a standard IR laser aiming module mounted internally inside the charging handle tube.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: The Heckler & Koch G41 was rushed into production in late 1994 when the G-11 became to expensive to produce and the G36 was not yet ready.  It was realized that the G41 would serve as a stopgap measure to modernize the German military’s assault rifles to meet modern standards (including STANAG magazines and optical sight mounts).  With the outbreak of the Twilight War, the G41 saw service and proved to be an effective and reliable weapon.  With the advent of the G36 design, the days of the G41 seemed to be short-lived; only the use of nuclear weapons forestalled its replacement by the newer design.  The G41K, though not uncommon, is also not common.  It was popular in the hands of rear-area troops as well as special ops types.

     Merc 2000 Notes: The only large-scale customers of the G41 seem to be the military forces of El Salvador and Belize.  This was not enough to keep the productions lines for the G41 open, though spare parts are still being manufactured. As with the G41, the only large-scale customers of the G41K seem to be El Salvador and Belize.  Their smaller-statured troops seemed to prefer this shorter version.

Weapon

Ammunition

Weight

Magazines

Price

G41

5.56mm NATO

4.1 kg

20, 25, 30, 40

$772

G41A2

5.56mm NATO

4.35 kg

20, 25. 30, 40

$792

G41K

5.56mm NATO

4.25 kg

20, 25, 30, 40

$751

G41KA2

5.56mm NATO

4.01 kg

20, 25, 30, 40

$771

G41 INKAS

5.56mm NATO

4.2 kg

20, 25, 30, 40

$1172

G41A2 INKAS

5.56mm NATO

4.45 kg

20, 25, 30, 40

$1192

G41K INKAS

5.56mm NATO

4.35 kg

20, 25, 30, 40

$1151

G41KA2 INKAS

5.56mm NATO

4.11 kg

20, 25, 30, 40

$1171

 

Weapon

ROF

Damage

Pen

Bulk

SS

Burst

Range

G41

3/5

3

1-Nil

6

2

3/5

46

G41A2

3/5

3

1-Nil

4/6

2

3/5

46

G41K

3/5

3

1-Nil

5

2

3/5

36

G41KA2

3/5

3

1-Nil

4/5

2

3/5

36

 

Heckler & Koch HK33

     Notes: Introduced in 1965, the HK33 is essentially a G-3 7.62mm rifle scaled down to 5.56mm NATO dimensions.  As the HK33 was never intended for large-scale use by German forces, it is normally heard referred to as the HK33E (“E” for export).  The only official large-scale military sales were made to the Thai and Mexican armed forces, but the HK33 is one of those weapons that can be found just about anywhere.  The civilian model is manufactured primarily in Great Britain instead of in Germany.  Though I have been unable to nail down the exact date, military versions of the HK33 series have apparently been out of production since about 1990.

     The HK33 uses delayed blowback operation with roller locking, like the G-3 series.  It has a two piece bolt, however.  Like late-production G-3s, the HK33 is built using as many stamped steel components as possible, including a stamped steel receiver.  The primary variants of the HK33 have a fixed polymer stock (the HK33A2, considered the “standard” version of the HK33) and a 15.35-inch barrel, a fixed polymer stock with an integral folding bipod (the HK33A2SG), a sliding metal stock (the HK33A3), the HK33K with a 12.67-inch barrel and sliding stock (though a fixed polymer stock is optional), and the HK33SG1, optimized for use as a designated marksman’s rifle.  (The latter weapon will be found in German Sniper Rifles.)  In addition, there is a kit available to allow any version to be modified for use with .22 Long Rifle ammunition for training purposes.  All of these weapons may also be found with the option to fire 3-round bursts, fully automatic fire, or semiautomatic fire (with the exception of the training version).  A civilian version of the HK33A2 capable only of semiautomatic fire is also available (the HK-93), and may be the best selling of the HK33 line.

     The HK53 is an HK33 with a greatly abbreviated 8.3-inch barrel.  Though the Germans classify the HK53 as a submachinegun due to its short barrel length, most of the Western world (particularly North and South American countries, as well as the Russians and Chinese) use the newer terms “short assault rifle” or “assault carbine.”  Depending on how you look at it, the HK53 is a vastly scaled-down G-3, a scaled-up MP-5 submachinegun, or a compromise between the two.  Original production HK53s used a three-position fire selector (safe, semiautomatic, automatic), but this was quickly replaced with a four position selector (safe, semiautomatic, 3-round burst, automatic).  The normal flash suppressor is replaced with a larger four-prong device designed specifically for the HK53; though it is a type of flash suppressor it’s highly-effective design makes it function more like a muzzle brake as well as dampening muzzle flash and blast far better than the average flash suppressor (though it is rather larger than the typical assault rifle’s flash suppressor).  Provision is made for a wide variety of optical equipment and magazines (most HK33 or US/NATO magazines may be used). It cannot, however, use rifle grenades or mount a bayonet, and underbarrel grenade launchers which will fit on a standard HK53.  The US Navy SEALs were noted users of the HK53 (as well as the HK33 and HK33K), until the M-4 and its variants became available.  Knight Manufacturing has recently introduced an MWS (Modular Weapon System) kit for the HK53, consisting of a replacement handguard with three MIL-STD-1913 rails (one on each side of the handguard, and one underneath), a side-mounted optics mount (as the HK53’s charging handle is on the top of the weapon, slightly offset to the left), and a variety of KAC’s standard add-ons.

     In 1972, as the vehicle that would eventually become the M-2 Bradley IFV was being developed, the US Army was also looking for a firing port weapon to use with the new vehicle.  Among the entries for this competition was Heckler & Koch, and they entered a variant of the HK53 called the HK53 MICV.  The HK53 MICV for the most part used a standard HK53 receiver, pistol grip, and mechanism; there were, however, numerous modifications made to the HK53 for the role.  The front sight of the HK53 was removed, as were the handguards.  The handguards were replaced by a simple ventilated barrel jacket and sleeve equipped with an attachment for the ball-and-socket joint of the US Army’s developmental vehicle (then called the XM-723 MICV).  An attachment point was added to the right side of the receiver, allowing a canvas bag-type brass catcher to be placed over the ejection port.  (This brass catcher had the incidental effect of capturing any gasses from the firing of the weapon that didn’t get ventilated outside of the vehicle.)  The stock was removed, as was any capacity to mount either a fixed or folding stock, and a simple endcap closed the back of the receiver.  Operation of the HK53 was modified so that the HK53 fired from an open bolt instead of the traditional H&K method of firing from a closed bolt (open-bolt operation allows for better cooling of the barrel and mechanism and made the HK53 more compatible with the XM-723’s method of venting firing gasses outside of the vehicle).  Finally, the original fire selector mechanism was used, though the cyclic rate of the HK53 was almost doubled.  In the end, however, the US Army decided to adopt the Colt M-231 instead; though Heckler & Koch continued to improve and shop around the HK53 MICV (particularly to the Bundeswehr, who was at the time looking for a firing port weapon for the Marder), the HK53 MICV eventually became one of those interesting designs that never went into use, and is now a very rare item.

     Perhaps the rarest production version of the HK33 series, the HK32, appeared in 1965, though a short time later than the HK33 (despite the designation).  With the HK32, Heckler & Koch hoped to break the Russian/Warsaw Pack/Chinese stranglehold on weapons firing the 7.62mm Kalashnikov cartridge by offering a rifle with a more modern design.  Heckler & Koch designed magazines for the HK32; rumors state that early-production models could also use standard AK/RPK-type magazines.  Prototype HK32s used a flash suppressor which was simply a thickened muzzle with slots cut into it; production examples use a flash suppressor similar to that of the HK33 series. For the most part, the HK32 is otherwise identical to the HK33 except for the changes necessary for the use of the 7.62mm Kalashnikov cartridge.  There is also an exceedingly-rare variant of the HK32, the HK32K, which is a short-barreled variant corresponding to the HK33K.  Though Heckler & Koch did in fact build and sell a small number of HK32s, to whom and when these sales occurred is largely unknown as well as undisclosed and unconfirmed.  Rumors range from the US Navy SEALs and other special operations units to well-heeled civilian firearms enthusiasts.  Production was always very low-rate, and stopped entirely in 1982.  To complicate the issue a bit more, some custom firearms builders in the US (most notably Bill Fleming) have modified small numbers of HK-91s (civilianized G-3s) into rifles closely resembling HK32s. 

     The GR series of assault rifles is somewhat of a mystery – are they their own series of short assault rifles, are they a further subtype of the HK53 (in the case of the GR2) and HK33K (in the case of the GR3), or simply specially-modified HK53s and HK33s?  For the purposes of these pages, I will treat them the way a slight majority of firearms experts seem to regard them – as subtypes of the HK53 and HK33.  Development of the GR series began in the early- to mid-1980s (and there is even confusion about this); they were supposedly intended primarily for export and were not designed in response to any German Army or Federal Police requirement. Apparently they were not sold in any noticeable numbers to any military or police forces anywhere in the world, though they first began appearing in rather small numbers in special operations of a few countries (particularly in German special ops un its) in the late 1980s.  Even today, GR-series rifles are rarely seen anywhere, and even when they are spotted, there may be one or two being used by even large (for special ops) units.

     The GR2 and GR3 are believed to be mechanically virtually identical to the rest of the HK33 series.  There are, however, numerous differences; the entire GR series are said to be able to use both standard H&K magazines designed for use with the HK33 series as well as US/NATO STANAG 5.56mm NATO magazines.  The sliding-stock versions normally use stocks more reminiscent of the early MP-5 rather than the HK33 or HK53.  The handguard seen on the GR series is usually the same as used on the MP-5 submachinegun, though the GR series is also quite capable of using standard HK33 and HK53 handguards, and a very few appear to have modified handguards based on the HK33 handguard, but with four-point MIL-STD-1913 rails attached.  The rifling on early versions was optimized for older 5.56mm M-193 ammunition, though supposedly most are now equipped with 1:9 rifling twist rates to allow good performance with SS-109 or M-193 ammunition.  At first, the receiver was topped with H&K proprietary optics mounts; these have now been largely replaced with MIL-STD-1913 rails.  At first, the standard optic for use with the GR series was a rather large, specially-designed adjustable 1.5x scope (with some being permanently attached to the receiver of the rifle) that was heavily influenced by that mounted on the then-new Steyr AUG assault rifle, though the aiming reticule was more prominent as well as illuminated.  Finishes seen have been black, an all-over forest-green/brown camouflage pattern, and a peculiar tan/green desert camouflage pattern (often referred to as “baby-shit camo”).  The different colors all add their own modifiers to the designations, but essentially the GR series can be broken into a few basic types of weapons. The GR2 is similar to the HK53, with its 8.3-inch barrel, though the muzzle brake used is longer and beefier – and often, the GR2 is seen with the muzzle brake replaced with a long, heavy, open-prong-type flash suppressor.  The GR3K is similar to the HK33K, with its 12.67-inch barrel, and the same muzzle brake or the flash suppressor as the GR2.  The GR3E is sort of a mid-sized carbine, with a 15.35-inch barrel, and otherwise equipped in the same manner as other GR-series rifles.  Game prices below reflect the use of the standard 1.5x optical sight (and its successors).

     The MKEK T-50 is essentially the HK33A3 produced under license in Turkey, and using an M-4-type stock instead of the standard folding stock of the HK33A3.  For game purposes, it is the same as the HK33A3.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: This weapon often formed the core of military-type rifles issued to Western European militia units; in addition, it was difficult to find a community in the US or Central America where at least one person did not have either an HK33 or HK-93.  Older HK-93s were seemingly easy to convert to fully automatic fire.  The HK53 MICV was, in the Twilight 2000 timeline, the standard-issue firing port weapon for the Marder; as with the US M-231, many HK53s were yanked out of wrecked Marders and put into ground service, often modified to accept a sliding wire stock.  In addition, the HK53 was issued to many other units, from cooks to special operations troops.

    Merc 2000 Notes: The HK33 could turn up in the strangest places, such as the bodyguard element for the Zairian president, and the guards for diamond mines in South Africa.  It is even rumored that a tribe of Rhade in the highlands of Vietnam are primarily armed with the HK33, though how the HK33s got there is unknown.

Weapon

Ammunition

Weight

Magazines

Price*

HK33A2

5.56mm NATO

3.65 kg

20, 25, 30, 40

$738

HK33A2SG

5.56mm NATO

3.83 kg

20, 25, 30, 40

$1112

HK33A3

5.56mm NATO

3.65 kg

20, 25, 30, 40

$758

HK33KA1

5.56mm NATO

3.42 kg

20, 25, 30, 40

$711

HK33KA2

5.56mm NATO

3.42 kg

20, 25, 30, 40

$731

HK33A2 Trainer

.22 Long Rifle

3.35 kg

10

$223

HK53

5.56mm NATO

3 kg

20, 25, 30, 40

$733

HK53 MICV

5.56mm NATO

2.72 kg

20, 25, 30, 40

$501

HK32A2

7.62mm Kalashnikov

4.01 kg

30, 40

$1105

HK32A3

7.62mm Kalashnikov

4.01 kg

30, 40

$1125

HK32KA2

7.62mm Kalashnikov

3.76 kg

30, 40

$1081

HK32KA3

7.62mm Kalashnikov

3.76 kg

30, 40

$1101

GR2A2 (With Flash Suppressor)

5.56mm NATO

3.37 kg

20, 25, 30, 40

$848

GR2A2 (With Muzzle Brake)

5.56mm NATO

3.46 kg

20, 25, 30, 40

$874

GR2A3 (With Flash Suppressor)

5.56mm NATO

3.37 kg

20, 25, 30, 40

$828

GR2A3 (With Muzzle Brake)

5.56mm NATO

3.46 kg

20, 25, 30, 40

$894

GR3KA2 (With Flash Suppressor)

5.56mm NATO

3.84 kg

20, 25, 30, 40

$894

GR3KA2 (With Muzzle Brake)

5.56mm NATO

3.94 kg

20, 25, 30, 40

$940

GR3KA3 (With Flash Suppressor)

5.56mm NATO

3.84 kg

20, 25, 30, 40

$874

GR3KA3 (With Muzzle Brake)

5.56mm NATO

3.94 kg

20, 25, 30, 40

$920

GR3EA2 (With Flash Suppressor)

5.56mm NATO

3.93 kg

20, 25, 30, 40

$921

GR3EA2 (With Muzzle Brake)

5.56mm NATO

4.03 kg

20, 25, 30, 40

$967

GR3EA3 (With Flash Suppressor)

5.56mm NATO

3.93 kg

20, 25, 30, 40

$901

GR3EA3 (With Muzzle Brake)

5.56mm NATO

4.03 kg

20, 25, 30, 40

$947

 

Weapon

ROF

Damage

Pen

Bulk

SS

Burst

Range

HK33A2

3/5

3

1-Nil

6

2

3/6

37

HK33A2SG

3/5

3

1-Nil

6

2

3/5

37

(With Bipod)

3/5

3

1-Nil

6

1

2/3

48

HK33A3

3/5

3

1-Nil

4/6

2

3/5

37

HK33KA1

3/5

3

1-Nil

5

2

3/6

28

HK33KA2

3/5

3

1-Nil

4/5

2

3/6

28

HK33A2 Trainer

SA

1

Nil

6

1

Nil

33

HK53

3/5

2

1-Nil

3/4

2

3/5

13

HK53 MICV

10

2

1-Nil

2

2

9

13

HK32A2

3/5

3

2-Nil

6

3

5/8

42

HK32A3

3/5

3

2-Nil

4/6

3

5/8

42

HK32KA2

3/5

3

2-Nil

5

3

5/9

31

HK32KA3

3/5

3

2-Nil

4/5

3

5/9

31

GR2A2 (Flash)

3/5

2

1-Nil

3/4

2

3/5

14

GR2A2 (Brake)

3/5

2

1-Nil

3/4

2

2/4

14

GR2A3 (Flash)

3/5

2

1-Nil

4

2

3/5

14

GR2A3 (Brake)

3/5

2

1-Nil

4

2

2/4

14

GR3KA2 (Flash)

3/5

3

1-Nil

4/5

2

3/5

28

GR3KA2 (Brake)

3/5

3

1-Nil

4/5

2

2/4

28

GR3KA3 (Flash)

3/5

3

1-Nil

5

2

3/5

28

GR3KA3 (Brake)

3/5

3

1-Nil

5

2

2/4

28

GR3EA2 (Flash)

3/5

3

1-Nil

4/5

2

3/5

38

GR3EA2 (Brake)

3/5

3

1-Nil

4/5

2

2/4

38

GR3EA3 (Flash)

3/5

3

1-Nil

5

2

3/5

38

GR3EA3 (Brake)

3/5

3

1-Nil

5

2

2/4

38

*For those versions which come in burst/automatic selective fire versions, subtract $182 if a version is chosen which has only burst or only automatic fire capability. (Note that the GR series does not fall into this category as far as is known, though there is no reason that this should be true other than that the GR series seems to have been with only one type of fire selector mechanism.)

 

Heckler & Koch HK416

     Notes: At the request of the US special operations community, Heckler & Koch in 2002 decided to address the current problems with the M-16/M-4 series and submit the resulting weapons to the US SCAR competition.  The result of this is the HK416, which is basically a vastly-improved version of the M-16/M-4 series.  Of course, Colt sued Heckler & Koch almost immediately for patent infringement (an action which made the special operations community decidedly unhappy, the outcome of which is still uncertain), and the US government barred the HK416 from the SCAR competition, citing that Heckler & Koch was a company supported by the German government (it is not) and thus not eligible for the competition.  There is a strong sense that NIH (not invented here) is rearing its ugly head, and that the US government is rigging the competition in favor of Colt.  In any case, the future of the HK416 is in serious doubt at present.  (By the way, the XM-8 has also been barred from the SCAR competition, for the same alleged reasons.)

     The HK416 is similar in appearance to the various SOPMOD variations of the M-16 and M-4.  The handguards have four MIL-STD-1913 rails for accessories, and the top of the receiver has another such rail for optics or other accessories. Heckler & Koch’s first step was to dump the Stoner direct gas operation system, which basically contributes to the fouling of the rifle (it has been described as the system which “craps where it eats”).  It was replaced by a G36-style of operation, which uses a sort of two-stage method of gas tapping known as “short recoil piston and pushrod,” that prevents most of the carbon from being dumped in the barrel, and which can be cleaned by the operator, unlike the M-16’s system.  This operating system also comes in a kit which can be used to modify existing M-16s and M-4s.  The locking system and bolt carrier group have also been improved, as has been the recoil spring system, the barrel attachment system, and the buffer group.  The rifle is also deliberately made heavy to further reduce barrel climb.

     Despite the suit by Colt, and despite its having been disqualified from the SCAR competition, the HK416 is being used by US and even some British and Australian special operations units in Afghanistan and Iraq.  Most of these weapons were bought by the members of those units with their own money, and they say they are worth every penny.

     Though Heckler & Koch has been aggressively marketing the HK416 in the 5.56mm NATO chambering, they were also for a time quietly testing an HK416 chambered for the 6.8mm SPC cartridge.  Though their work with the 6.8mm SPC-chambered HK416 has apparently put on hold (they are possibly investigating different weapon designed to fire the 6.8mm SPC cartridge), the rumor mill says that there is some interest in this version of the HK416 from members of the special operations communities of several countries, and especially of the US.  Figures are given below for this possible future version of the HK416, but they are provisional, educated guesses on my part, and should be used only for the Twilight 2000 game and not taken as definitive information.

     The HK417 is essentially an HK416 up-scaled to fire 7.62mm NATO ammunition.  The intended market is the US, though Heckler & Koch has also had interest from other countries; US special operations units as well as some from other countries have reportedly combat-tested the HK417 in Afghanistan and had favorable reviews.  The HK417 uses the same buttstock as the M27 below, with the same controls as the HK416 and same general operation.  Though Heckler & Koch makes dedicated magazines for the HK417 in a variety of materials (including translucent plastic), the HK417 can also take G-3 magazines, or any magazine compatible with the G-3. 

     Recently, the US Marines have given the go-ahead for the acquisition of a new light automatic rifle for use by infantry in urban combat.  This is the M27 IAR (Infantry Automatic Rifle).  The M27 is a version of the HK416 which will replace the M-249 in some roles, and it is essentially a heavy-barreled version of the HK416.  There has been considerable skepticism about the necessity of the M27, as it is in fact little more than a heavy-barreled, piston-driven M-16 with a different buttstock and standard four-point MIL-STD-1913 rails.  It still fires from a closed bolt, and is thus still subject to same chamber and barrel heating as the M-16.  There were better entries into the IAR competition from both Colt and FN, and it appears that the M27 was basically the best political choice, rather than the best tactical choice; some have said that the M27 was the easiest way to get an improvement over their M-16s and M-4s, and the real intent of the M27 is to eventually replace all of their M-16s and M-4s. The biggest difference between the M27 and the M-16/M-4 series is the buttstock, which is essentially an M-4-type stock with a ventilated rubber recoil pad, ambidextrous controls, and the heavy 16.5-inch barrel.  Of course, being a variant of the HK416, it also uses a piston-driven gas system rather than the Stoner direct gas impingement system.  The Marines intend the M27 to be used with a standard foregrip, ACOG or reflex-type sight, and sling swivels. In addition to 90-round MWG drums and 100-round Beta C-Mags, the Marines have also procured a number of 150-round Armtac SAW-MAGs (sort of an enlarged C-Mag).

     Civilian versions of these rifles also exist.  The MR556 is chambered for 5.56mm NATO and limited to 16.5” and 20” barrels, and the MR-308 is chambered for 7.62mm NATO and also limited to 16.5” and 20” barrels.  Both are semiautomatic-only rifles, and design differences have made it virtually impossible to convert them to automatic fire.  They are identical to their military counterparts for game purposes except for their lack of automatic fire capability.

     Umarex USA makes a version in .22 Long Rifle called the HK416D.  Umarex is known primarily for pellet and BB guns; this is one of two new offerings in .22 rimfire.  The version is essentially an MR556 with a 20-inch barrel and has the folding stock and MIL-STD-1913 rails of its larger brethren.  The barrel is tipped with a standard flash suppressor, and the suppressor can be removed and replaced with a silencer.  The forward assist is a faux forward assist; it looks normal, but is simply a plug and non-functional. Operation is by blowback instead of gas, like most rimfire ARs.  The HK416 D  has a bolt hold-open; it not only holds the bolt open after emptying the magazine, but afterwards, and the bolt can also be locked open. The HK416 D145RS is essentially the same rifle, but is a joint venture between Heckler and Koch and Walther; if anything, the difference is in the better fit and finish.

     In late 2010, Heckler & Koch introduced an update of the MR556, called the MR556A1.  Other than being semiautomatic-only, many experts say the MR556A1 is better than even the HK416.  The MR556A1 is replete with MIL-STD-1913 rails, on four sides of the handguard and atop the receiver (and continuous with the rail on top of the handguard).  The firing pin is spring-loaded, ensuring a proper strike on the primer.  The pistol grip is ergonomically improved, as is the sliding stock; the stock’s buttplate can also be removed to real compartments for a cleaning kit and for batteries.  The MR556A1 uses a 16.5-inch cold hammer forged heavy-profile match-quality barrel, improving accuracy.  The bore also narrows ever so slightly in its internal diameter, which further increases accuracy (though not measurable in game terms). Part tolerances are very tight; Heckler & Koch’s goal with the MR556A1 is no play between the upper and lower receiver.  The tolerances were achieved partially through a modification of the takedown pins – so much that a special tool (normally stored in the stock) is requires to open the lower and upper receiver halves, and to push the takedown pins back in again.  The MR556A1 uses Heckler & Koch-style diopter rear and open-topped front sights, though these are mounted on the MIL-STD-1913 rails and can be removed and replaced if desired.  The MR556A1 has an ambidextrous selector and enlarged bolt lock, charging handle wings, and magazine release; the magazine well is also flared.  The MR556A1 was designed to be a match rifle instead of simply a general-purpose rifle.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: These rifles are not available in the Twilight 2000 timeline.

Weapon

Ammunition

Weight

Magazines

Price

HK416 (10.5” Barrel)

5.56mm NATO

3.31 kg

10, 20, 30

$600

HK416 (12.5” Barrel)

5.56mm NATO

3.37 kg

10, 20, 30

$621

HK416 (14.5” Barrel)

5.56mm NATO

3.42 kg

10, 20, 30

$642

HK416 (16.5” Barrel)

5.56mm NATO

3.47 kg

10, 20, 30

$662

HK416 (20” Barrel)

5.56mm NATO

3.57 kg

10, 20, 30

$698

HK416 (10.5” Barrel)

6.8mm SPC

3.69 kg

8, 18, 28

$667

HK416 (12.5” Barrel)

6.8mm SPC

3.9 kg

8, 18, 28

$688

HK416 (14.5” Barrel)

6.8mm SPC

4.11 kg

8, 18, 28

$708

HK416 (16.5” Barrel)

6.8mm SPC

4.17 kg

8, 18, 28

$729

HK416 (20” Barrel)

6.8mm SPC

4.29 kg

8, 18, 28

$765

HK417 (10.5” Barrel)

7.62mm NATO

4.41 kg

5,10, 20

$1043

HK417 (12.5” Barrel)

7.62mm NATO

4.66 kg

5,10, 20

$1064

HK417 (14.5” Barrel)

7.62mm NATO

4.91 kg

5,10, 20

$1085

HK417 (16.5” Barrel)

7.62mm NATO

4.98 kg

5,10, 20

$1106

HK417 (20” Barrel)

7.62mm NATO

5.12 kg

5,10, 20

$1132

M27

5.56mm NATO

3.6 kg

20, 30

$674

HK416D

.22 Long Rifle

3.57 kg

10, 20, 30

$281

MR556A1

5.56mm NATO

3.9 kg

10, 20, 30

$608

 

Weapon

ROF

Damage

Pen

Bulk

SS

Burst

Range

HK416 (10.5”, 5.56mm)

5

2

1-Nil

3/4

2

5

20

HK416 (12.5”, 5.56mm)

5

3

1-Nil

4/5

2

6

27

HK416 (14.5”, 5.56mm)

5

3

1-Nil

4/5

2

5

34

HK416 (16.5”, 5.56mm)

5

3

1-Nil

4/6

2

5

42

HK416 (20”, 5.56mm)

5

3

1-Nil

5/6

2

5

55

HK416 (10.5”, 6.8mm)

5

3

1-1-Nil

4/5

2

6

23

HK416 (12.5”, 6.8mm)

5

3

1-1-Nil

4/5

2

6

37

HK416 (14.5”, 6.8mm)

5

3

1-2-Nil

4/6

2

6

38

HK416 (16.5”, 6.8mm)

5

3

1-2-Nil

5/6

2

6

47

HK416 (20”, 6.8mm)

5

3

1-2-Nil

5/7

2

6

62

HK417 (10.5”)

5

4

2-Nil

4/5

3

7

22

HK417 (12.5”)

5

4

2-Nil

4/6

3

7

30

HK417 (14.5”)

5

4

2-3-Nil

5/6

3

7

38

HK417 (16.5”)

5

4

2-3-Nil

5/7

3

7

47

HK417 (20”)

5

4

2-3-Nil

6/7

3

7

62

M27

5

3

1-Nil

4/6

2

5

43

HK416D

SA

1

Nil

5/6

1

Nil

41

MR556A1

SA

3

1-Nil

4/6

2

Nil

46

 

VG 1-5

     Notes:  The VG 1-5 (Volkssturm Gewehr, or People’s Rifle) was a weapon born of desperation.  They were designed to be cheap and easy to manufacture weapons for last-ditch defense, issued to the Volkssturm (Home Guard) and other last-ditch defense organizations such as the Werewolves in the closing days of World War 2 when it was obvious that Germany herself would be invaded.  As such, it is a very crude, but reasonably effective weapon that is unfortunately prone to stoppages and wears out quickly.  As a result, the VG 1-5s were usually lubricated very liberally, which attracted dirt and caused its own problems.  Most of these weapons seemed to be concentrated in and around Berlin itself, used against the Red Army.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: Although this is not a modern weapon, it is a very good example of what factories such as Wojo works in Krakow or any of the other innumerable such post-Twilight War gunworks might produce.

Weapon

Ammunition

Weight

Magazines

Price

VG 1-5

8mm Kurz

4.52 kg

30

 

 

Weapon

ROF

Damage

Pen

Bulk

SS

Burst

Range

VG 1-5

SA

3

2-Nil

5

3

Nil

40

 

Walther MKb42(W)

     Notes:  When The German Army first issued the requirement for what would become the assault rifle, Walther first responded with the MKb42(W), and it was first classified by the Nazi Army as a “machine carbine.”  Though some 8000 were built and about 5000 combat-tested, the MKb42(W) revealed numerous deficiencies and ultimately production ended early, in favor of the MKb42(H) and its successors.

     The MKb42(W) was designed to be as simple and cheap as possible, made primarily of simple steel stampings and pressings instead of milled, machined, or worked steel.  Most importantly, it fired the new 8mm Kurz round, which was modified from the 8mm Mauser round for just such a rifle.  The MKb42(W) was a gas-operated design which used a form of telescoping bolt, unusual in a rifle.  Barrel length was short at 16 inches, tipped by a slotted flash suppressor. Perhaps the biggest strike against the Walther design in the minds of the soldiers were its sights; the rear sight was mounted ahead of the receiver in what is now called the “scout position,” and the front sight post was so swde that the shooter’s target was eclipsed by the post at 200 meters.  In addition, the trigger pull was very heavy, leading to inaccurate aimed fire.  In the eyes of the Nazi government, the biggest liability was the complicated and expensive nature of the MKb42(W).

Weapon

Ammunition

Weight

Magazines

Price

MKb42(W)

8mm Kurz

4.42 kg

30

$755

 

Weapon

ROF

Damage

Pen

Bulk

SS

Burst

Range

MKb42(W)

5

4

2-Nil

6

3

8

44