- This page is about the assault rifle. For the semi-automatic rifle with similar name, see Gewehr 41.
The Heckler & Koch G41 is an assault rifle chambered for 5.56x45mm NATO. It was meant to replace the G3 and was a companion of the G11.
History[]
H&K based the G41 off the Heckler & Koch HK33E, another one of H&K's rifles. It began service in 1981. While the G11 was issued to the front lines, the G41 was issued to the second line. However, when the G11 project was canceled, the G41 was brought down with it. It was discontinued from use by the Bundeswehr (German Army), and when Germany tried to sell it to other countries, many rejected it because, while effective, it was very expensive. The G36 ended up replacing it. There is thought to only be 3 full transferable G41s in the U.S. One of them recently went up for sale, selling for roughly $40,000 U.S. Dollars.
As for foreign users, only one country still uses the G-41: Turkey. MKME, the weapons manufacturer of that country, produced a number of these weapons under license, and it is currently used by elite military units.
Design details[]
The G41 is a roller-delayed blowback-operated select-fire assault rifle, similar in appearance to the Heckler & Koch G3 and Heckler & Koch MP5. It is chambered for 5.56x45mm NATO ammunition and has a barrel length of 450 millimeters (approximately 21 inches, flash hider included). All G41 variants feature a S-1-3-F fire control group.
Variants[]
G41A1[]
The G41A1 has a fixed stock and 1:305mm (1:12) rifling, and a 20-inch barrel.
G41A2[]
The G41A2 has a 1-position collapsible stock and 1:178mm (1:7) rifling.
G41A3[]
The G41A3 is identical to the G41A2.
The G41A3 also has a 1-position collapsible stock, but has a 1:12 rifling twist, like the G41A1.
G41K[]
The G41K is a carbine variant of the G41. It features a shortened 380 mm (approximately 14.5 inches) barrel, 1:178mm (1:7) rifling and a 1-position retractable stock. Unlike other variants, it is too short to mount the HK79 or fire rifle grenades.
Gallery[]
