Heckler & Koch FABARM FP6 explained

FP6
Origin:Italy,Germany
Type:Combat shotgun
Riot shotgun
Pump action Shotgun
Is Ranged:yes
Used By:See users
Designer:FABARM
Design Date:1998
Manufacturer:FABARMHeckler & Koch
Production Date:1998–present
Variants:4
Weight:6.6 lb[1]
Length:41.25 in, 105cm
Part Length:20 in, 51cm
Cartridge:12 gauge 2 & 3 inch shells
Action:pump-action
Range:30 m
Feed:5+1 rounds or 7+1 rounds, internal tube magazine
Sights:Night

The Fabarm FP6 is a pump-action combat shotgun that was manufactured by the Italian firearms company Fabbrica Bresciana Armi S.p.A. (FABARM) and sold by Heckler & Koch. It was intended for civilian and law enforcement use.

History

Upon severing business association with Benelli in 1998, Heckler & Koch replaced their entire line of shotguns with those manufactured by FABARM.[2] The line featured hunting and sport shotguns in over-and-under, side-by-side, semi-automatic autoloaders and pump shotguns including youth models. For military, law enforcement and home defense use, H&K released four variants of the FP6 model.

Design details

The machined receiver is manufactured from lightweight Ergal 55 alloy and is drilled and tapped for scope mounting. Three of the four variants were sold with an attached Picatinny rail for mounting optics or accessories and the bottom forward edge of the forend is also drilled to accept an accessory rail. With the exception of the short-barreled model, FABARM shotguns are sold with their Tribore barrel which is a deep-drilled, machined barrel with three separate internal bore profiles. Beginning at the chamber and forcing cone, the bore is enlarged to .7401" to soften recoil while the second profile is in the middle of the barrel gradually choking down to .7244" to emulate a cylinder bore profile to increase velocity. The final bore is the FABARM choke system which consists of standard choking followed by a cylinder profile at the muzzle which serves to improve shot patterns and distribution.[3] The muzzle is threaded to accept one of five different chokes or a muzzle brake/compensator. Some models were sold with a ventilated barrel shroud.

Features of the weapon include a chrome-plated trigger, slide release, and shell carrier. There is also an oversized triangular push-button safety. The trigger group is held in the receiver by two pins which makes removal for cleaning and maintenance very easy. Some models have a flip-up frontsight (which serves as a low-profile sight when closed) while others have a small blade sight. Other models were issued with ghost-ring sights.[1]

The forend and buttstock are synthetic black polymer with the latter having a synthetic rubber recoil pad mounted on the end. One model was issued instead with a heavy wire gauge folding stock and pistol grip. Models were available with either a black anodized protective finish, matte finish, or were finished in carbon fiber.

Operation

The forend is connected to dual action bars which cycle the bolt when pulled back towards the receiver. As it travels to the rear, the shell latch is pushed out of the way by a camming surface on the action bar allowing a cartridge to drop into the carrier while the remaining shells in the magazine tube are held by the cartridge retaining latch. As the forend is returned, the action bars bring the bolt forward while the carrier aligns the shell before seating it into the chamber. After the shell is fully seated, the action bars continue forward forcing the locking bolt into a recess which is on top of the barrel extension causing the action to lock into battery. Upon firing the weapon, the slide unhooking lever releases and the action is allowed to cycle, extracting and ejecting the spent shell while cocking the hammer and releasing the next round from the magazine.[4]

Accessories

All FP6 shotguns are sold with a choke adjustment wrench, owners manual and a hard plastic vacu-formed impact case. Additional accessories available from H&K include an assortment of chokes, muzzle brakes/compensators, magazine tube extensions, pistol grips and folding stocks. There is an adapter available for the receiver of the FP6 to allow use of Remington 870 stocks such as BlackHawk and Knoxx stocks.

Variants

H&K released four variants of the FP6.[5]

Users

See also

References

Notes and References

  1. Ramage 2008, p. 419.
  2. Gangarosa, 2001. p. 243.
  3. Fortier 2003.
  4. H&K FABARM Operators Instructions: FP6 Pump-action Shotgun. (06-17-1998).
  5. Gangarosa, 2001. p. 266.
  6. Gangarosa, 2001. p. 246.
  7. Web site: Guns of PASKAL . 2014-11-26 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20141009043214/http://www.malaysiandefence.com/?p=3987 . 9 October 2014 . dmy-all .
  8. Dan . Alex . 9 February 2016 . PASKAL Malaysian Special Forces Weapons . Military Factory . Small Arms . 10 February 2016 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160214230914/http://www.militaryfactory.com/smallarms/paskal-special-forces-weapons.asp . 14 February 2016 .