NEW Heckler & Koch HK421 Belt-Fed Machine Gun
Patrik Orcutt 09.22.23
Heckler & Koch have been making machine guns like the MG4 and MG5 for many years now. Work on the MG5 began, under the HK121 designation, shortly after the development of the MG4 light machine gun that Heckler & Koch initially presented as the HK MG43 at the MILIPOL 2001 trade show in Paris. A prototype of the HK121 was presented to a larger public by Heckler & Koch on the 14th day of the infantry in July 2010 in Hammelburg. The H&K MG5 has been widely adopted by the German armed forces as it can be used by the infantry, as well as a vehicle or helicopter-mounted weapon. There is even a co-axial version of this machine gun, intended to be mounted on tanks and armored vehicles. The mounting interface of the MG5 is compatible with the older MG3. It can be used on the same tripods and mounts, that are already in service. The HK421 is a new 7.62 NATO belt-fed machine gun that made its debut at DSEI. (Defence and Security Equipment International) It appears that the HK421 will be a more compact version of the MG5 for special purposes or missions given its barrel length and stock options. While there is very limited information on the HK421 at this point, here is what we know at this point in time.
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Based on the MG5 the 421 has a hydraulic buffer which allows it to accept various buttstocks like this collapsible MP7 stock seen in the provided images. It has also been seen with an HK416A8 buttstock. You’ll also notice the handguard module which can be detached to expose a Pic rail for accessories. It appears that the 421 will be offered in 13″ (8.3 kg or 18.3 lbs) and 16.5″ (8.5 kg or 18.7 lbs) barrel options, it features a 3-position gas block for normal operations, sustained fire, and suppressed. It can also be set on safe in any loaded state.
Heckler & Koch shared this photo of the HK421 on social media which shows the FDE version. They also advertise a Sniper Grey version.
