| Heckler & Koch HK41 | |
| Origin: | West Germany |
| Type: | Semi-automatic rifle |
| Is Ranged: | yes |
| Manufacturer: | Heckler & Koch |
| Production Date: | 1964–1976 |
| Variants: | HK41A2, HK41A3 |
| Weight: | 10.9 lbs (4.95 kg) (empty magazine) |
| Length: | 42.5 in (1,080 mm) |
| Part Length: | 19.7 in (500 mm) |
| Height: | 8.26 in (210 mm) |
| Cartridge: | 7.62×51mm NATO |
| Action: | Roller-delayed blowback |
| Feed: | 5-round or 20-round double column, and 50 round single stack drum magazine detachable box magazine |
| Sights: | Hooded post front, rotating diopter sight |
The Heckler & Koch HK41 is a semi-automatic version of the Heckler & Koch G3 battle rifle.[1] It was produced by Heckler & Koch for civilian sales and Bundeswehr reservist market for a rifle that could be privately owned in Germany but which would duplicate the handling of the G3 for reservists to practice with.[2] The field manual for shooting training (ZDv 3/12) authorised the use of HK41 by reservists in place of a G3 during special reservist range firings (mostly on the weekend). But not for use in any other military activity. Usually it was called “Reservistengewehr” (reservist rifle). The HK40-series was designed for sale to conscripts so they could be familiar with their service rifle before entering military service, a common practice in Germany and Switzerland. According to H&K's numbering nomenclature, the "4" indicates that the weapon is a paramilitary rifle, and the "1" indicates that the caliber is 7.62 mm.
It is not to be confused with the similarly titled Heckler & Koch G41. The HK41 (and the civilian-version HK91) was distinctive in its class because it didn't have a gas-operated mechanism. It instead had a roller-delayed blowback system based on two roller cams that delayed cycling action without mechanical tilting or rotation. Another unique feature of the HK41 was a fluted chamber which had longitudinal grooves machined into it that gave ejected brass the appearance of having been slugged through a barrel with no-twist rifling. The fluting reduced friction between the cartridge and chamber as the roller-block mechanism began cycling.
It is estimated that fewer than 400 HK41s were produced and even fewer imported into the U.S. for civilian consumption. Today, HK41s can sell for anywhere between $6,900 and $12,000 depending on the condition and the economy at the time. An original 1966 model with the push-pin hole in the receiver can sell for around $37,000. These are very scarce because most of them were used as hosts for full-auto conversions prior to the May 1986 machine gun ban. A full-automatic converted HK41/HKG3 can sell for over $20,000.
There are two models of the HK41:
There are four models of the HK91:
There were only 50 HK91s imported in 1974. For these, H&K dropped the month from the date code and replaced it with the number "19" in order to completely spell out the year of manufacture. Since they were built on surplus HK41 receivers, the end result was "19/74". For the 1975 models, they stamped the year without the "/" in the middle.The reasons why Heckler & Koch renamed the HK41 in 1974 are unclear. Part of their reasoning could have been that they wanted to change the perception of the rifle as being a semi-automatic sporting rifle instead of a paramilitary rifle. Furthermore, gun laws that were adopted in West Germany around that time prohibited the civilian ownership of paramilitary rifles. (As a side note, HK41s that were sold in West Germany came without flash suppressors because they were prohibited under the West German gun laws). As a result, Heckler & Koch modified the weapon with a plate welded inside the receiver to prevent the mounting of a full-auto "SEF" fire control group and re-designated the rifle as the Heckler & Koch HK91.[1] [3] Late pattern HK41s and HK91s are virtually identical in appearance (except for the receiver markings and the retaining hole of the cocking tube end cap) and all their parts are interchangeable. The last few HK91s that were delivered to the U.S. in 1989 were blocked by customs after President George H. W. Bush issued an Executive Order banning the importation of "non-sporting" rifles. These were slightly modified, to remove "non-sporting" features like the flash suppressor, and the receivers re-stamped as the HK911, forming a transitional model between the HK91 and the HK SR9.The HK91 is rather valuable in the United States firearm market since it was banned from further importation by executive order in 1989. Only 48,817 HK91s were imported into the U.S. prior to 1989. The retail price for an HK91 in the late 1970s was roughly $380 for the standard A2 models and $50 more for the A3 version. Prior to 1979, H&K did limited production runs of HK91s with polygonal rifle barrels. These were only $10 more than their standard counterparts. Today, original HK91s often fetch over $2000. The early 50 1974 "SACO" imports that are in good condition and have the old style "SF" marked grip frame housings can bring a premium and are very desirable among H&K collectors. So are the 1988 and 1989 "Chantilly" models, which have the same satin semi-gloss black finish as the later HK SR9s.
Licensed copies of the G3 and HK-91 were produced in Greece by Hellenic Arms Industry or "EBO", using factory tooling purchased from Heckler & Koch. A small number of these HK-91 clones, which are functionally and aesthetically identical to the German-made rifles, were imported into America by Springfield Armory, Inc. and sold under the designation SAR-8. These rifles, which ceased being imported in 1994, are not to be confused with later Springfield-made SAR-8 model rifles which feature cast aluminum receivers and are considered of markedly lower quality, being valued at far less than the original Greek models.
As of today, HK-91 clones are available, such as the PTR-91 (Formerly JLD), which are built on the tooling used by arms-maker FMP to make the receivers of the Portuguese military's versions of the G3, the M/961 and M/963. Heckler & Koch's receiver tooling was sold to the American company Ohio Rapid Fire, which was in the process of setting up to produce receivers until the passing of the company owner, Todd Grove. Ohio Rapid Fire has since closed its doors in 2010.