| HK4 | |
|---|---|
 An H&K HK4, one of the 2,000 commemorative specimens produced in 1971, with the name plate and trigger made of gold. | |
| Type | Semi-automatic pistol |
| Place of origin | West Germany |
| Service history | |
| Used by | See Users |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Alex Seidel |
| Designed | 1967 |
| Manufacturer | Heckler & Koch, MAS |
| Produced | 1968-1984 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 480 g (17 oz) |
| Length | 157 mm (6.2 in) |
| Barrel length | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Width | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Height | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Cartridge | .22 Long Rifle .25 ACP .32 ACP .380 ACP |
| Action | Straight blowback, unlocked breech |
| Muzzle velocity | 356 m/s (MAG-95, MAG-98, MAG-98c) |
| Effective firing range | Sights ranged for 25 m |
| Feed system | 7, 8-round box magazine |
| Sights | Fixed, front post and rear notch, sight radius 121 mm |
The HK4 is a pocket pistol, first introduced by Heckler & Koch in 1967.[1] Government agencies received 12,000 pistols in the .32 ACP caliber with the designation P11 and were serial numbered 40001 to 52400. It was distinctive for allowing shooters to swap barrels chambered for different cartridges without tools and for having a durable but light hard-anodized aluminum-alloy frame.
Design
The HK4 is largely a refined Mauser HSc self-loading pistol. Heckler & Koch were familiar with the HSc design as many of the Heckler & Koch company founders were employees of the Mauser-Werke Oberndorf A.G. company pre- and post-WW2.
Similar to the HSc, the HK4 utilizes a straight blowback action, with a double-action trigger and a slide-mounted safety.
Switching between the three different centerfire chamberings (6.35mm Browning aka .25 ACP, 7.65mm Browning aka .32 ACP, 9mm short aka .380 ACP) merely requires swapping the barrel and recoil spring assembly and the magazine. Switching between the centerfire chamberings and rimfire chambering (.22 LR) also involves a further step of loosening a screw on the breech face and rotating the removable breech face to either the centerfire or rimfire position.
Occasionally, the grips were made from light metal (duralumin) and stamped steel; these grips can loosen through use and break unexpectedly while shooting.
Reception and legacy
The HK4 is a historical firearm and marks the beginning of pistol production at Heckler & Koch. In its basic structure and the main manufacturing processes, the HK4 laid groundwork for its much more important and successful successor, the H&K P9S.
Due to its high manufacturing quality and easy caliber change, the HK4 was quite successful on the market, though did not offer serious competition to established Walther PP and PPK pistols. HK4's biggest success was the adoption by West German customs as their service weapon.
For the civilian market, 26,550 pieces were produced, with serial numbers from 10001 to 36550[2] and 12,400 were produced for the West German police force, with numbers from 40001 to 52400.[2] Another 8,700 pieces were made for the US market, with production numbers from 001 to 8700[2] and imported by Harrington & Richardson. In 1971, 2,000 commemorative specimens were produced, with the name plates and triggers made of gold.[3]
Users
References
- ↑ "Heckler & Koch's 1st Handgun: The HK4 :". Guns.com. Retrieved 2022-11-05.
- 1 2 3 "HKPRO: The HK4 Pistol". www.hkpro.com. Archived from the original on 11 August 2008. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
- ↑ "H&K HK4 Annex".
- ↑ "HK-4". 22 October 2010.
- 1 2 3 4 Jones, Richard D.; Ness, Leland S., eds. (January 27, 2009). Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010 (35th ed.). Coulsdon: Jane's Information Group. ISBN 978-0-7106-2869-5.
External links
