Page 1 of 5 123 ... LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 43

Thread: The HK G3 Semi Auto Rifle...

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Posts
    33,884
    Feedback Score
    3 (100%)

    The HK G3 Semi Auto Rifle...

    OK, I'm pretty sure even HKPro doesn't have a picture of one of these.

    As most people know the HK G3 was HKs first rifle and was adopted by the German military in 1959. And most understand the HK91 is a semi auto civilian version of that rifle.

    http://www.hkpro.com/g3.htm

    But long before there was an HK91, and even before the HK41 the very FIRST HK semi auto civilian import rifle was the HKG3 semi.





    This one is dated 1962 and not very many were imported before ATF required many changes to prevent it from being readily converted to a select fire rifle and those changes would result in the Hk41 semi auto rifle. This one is a second series as the first series receiver was not changed in any way (except markings) and was a G3 push pin receiver with a semi only trigger group.

    http://www.hkpro.com/hk41/hk41.htm

    This one is a Golden State Arms import. Recent collectors will fail to grasp the notion that at one time a handful of decades ago Golden State in California was the single largest importer of military and surplus rifles in the entire country. The second largest was ironically in NY.



    One first glance it seems like a standard semi trigger pack, except for the obvious relocation of the push pin.



    But when you pull the trigger mechanism things are very, very different.



    Once removed the hammer cannot be locked down in the cocked position like current HK semi auto packs can. HK removed several key parts to prevent it from being readily converted to a select fire.

    So what lets it function when installed into the frame?

    Well that would be this little ingenious setup here. Note the spring inside the trigger frame.



    That little spring engages the internals when installed and permits the hammer to be reset when fired. The bottom of the spring is also viewable in front of the trigger.



    What is funny is this setup actually permits the occasional double burst (especially when the spring is nearly 50 years old) and probably a big reason for design changes that led to the HK41.

    The bolt group is about identical to a current HK91 bolt group with very minor differences.



    For some reason HK felt compelled to cut a channel in the bolt carrier to make it a dedicated semi auto carrier.



    Now here is where it gets interesting. HK started with a military G3 receiver and then welded this shelf in place which provided a offset push pin location.



    Obviously it would be a simple matter of removing the welded piece and PRESTO ready for install (though illegal if not registered) machine gun. Keep in mind this was 1962 and you could still register machine guns.



    The early G3s, including the semi import still bore a striking similarity to the Spanish CETME (which should be no surprise as the CETME was built by the Mauser engineers who would later form H&K while they were in Spain as a result of arms production being prohibited in Germany at the time).

    Here you can see the same style cocking handle found on CETME rifles.





    And identical to the G3 machine gun the HK semi rifle had the early non tapering cocking tubes, bayonet mount (it's the front of the cocking tube) and intact grenade launching rings (something you won't find on any HK91).



    There is also another ring that keeps the front of the old slimline handguards from sliding back and forth.



    And like the G3 assault rifle, the semi also maintains the paddle magazine release.



    One of the changes made at HK which resulted in a designation change from the G2 (which was the CETME) to the G3 was the diopter rear sight as opposed to the CETME flip rear sight.



    And of course there is that beautiful G3 wooden furniture which closely resembles the wood furniture on the Spanish CETME rifle.

    It's hard to be a ACLU hating, philosophically Libertarian, socially liberal, fiscally conservative, scientifically grounded, agnostic, porn admiring gun owner who believes in self determination.

    Chuck, we miss ya man.

    كافر

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    VA
    Posts
    6,533
    Feedback Score
    8 (100%)
    Outstanding.

    That is honestly the first I've heard of one.
    Employee of colonialshooting.com

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    District 11
    Posts
    6,339
    Feedback Score
    24 (100%)
    Fantastic post.
    Let those who are fond of blaming and finding fault, while they sit safely at home, ask, ‘Why did you not do thus and so?’I wish they were on this voyage; I well believe that another voyage of a different kind awaits them.”

    Christopher Columbus

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Posts
    69
    Feedback Score
    0
    Wonderful post.

    I am a huge HK 90 series fan and the early history is fascinating. I almost bought a first series Santa Fe over a decade ago but before i could make the deal a well known HK dealer got ahold of it first.

    Thanks!
    Be Kind - Stake Your Castle Nut

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Posts
    33,884
    Feedback Score
    3 (100%)
    Quote Originally Posted by hk51pdx View Post
    Wonderful post.

    I am a huge HK 90 series fan and the early history is fascinating. I almost bought a first series Santa Fe over a decade ago but before i could make the deal a well known HK dealer got ahold of it first.

    Thanks!
    I actually just got one recently.

    http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=128082702



    I will be doing a side by side 1st and 2nd series comparison post shortly.
    It's hard to be a ACLU hating, philosophically Libertarian, socially liberal, fiscally conservative, scientifically grounded, agnostic, porn admiring gun owner who believes in self determination.

    Chuck, we miss ya man.

    كافر

  6. #6
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    AZ
    Posts
    2,331
    Feedback Score
    26 (100%)
    Rare gun.

    Nice photos.

    Wood stocks are no heavier than the polymer slimline, which is kind of a bonus.

    "Life is short, but the years are long." - Robert A. Heinlein

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    AZ-Waging jihad against crappy AR's.
    Posts
    24,900
    Feedback Score
    104 (100%)
    Wasn't Golden State Arms the company that was run by Bob Brenner? They were located in Pasadena or Anaheim if I recall.



    Owner/Instructor at Semper Paratus Arms

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SemperParatusArms/

    Semper Paratus Arms AR15 Armorer Course http://www.semperparatusarms.com/cou...-registration/

    M4C Misc. Training and Course Announcements- http://www.m4carbine.net/forumdisplay.php?f=141

    Master Armorer/R&D at SIONICS Weapon Systems- http://sionicsweaponsystems.com

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Posts
    1,306
    Feedback Score
    0
    Hey steyrAUG, make posts like these on ALL your firearms.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Kennett Square Pa
    Posts
    2,825
    Feedback Score
    13 (100%)
    Wow, that is beautiful! That is an awesome example of an exceptional rifle.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    VA
    Posts
    7,473
    Feedback Score
    12 (100%)
    Great post. This is why I love this site. Can wee see some groups/hear about how it shoots?

Page 1 of 5 123 ... LastLast

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •