The Heckler & Koch HK417 is a battle rifle designed and
manufactured by Heckler & Koch in Germany. It is the larger
caliber version of the HK416, and chambered for the full-power
7.62×51mm NATO

7.62×51mm NATO rifle cartridge. It is a gas-operated, selective fire
rifle with a rotating bolt. The HK417 is intended for use in roles
where the greater penetrative power and range of the 7.62×51mm
cartridge are required. It has been adopted for service by a number of
armed forces, special forces, and police organizations.
Contents
1 Design and features
2 Use
3 Variants
3.1
Military

Military and law enforcement
3.1.1 G28
3.1.2 M110A1
3.2 Civilian
4 Users
5 Gallery
6 See also
7 References
8 External links
Design and features[edit]
The HK417 is similar in internal design to the HK416, although the
receiver and working parts are enlarged to suit the larger 7.62×51mm
cartridge. The bolt is a seven-lug rotating type, which sits in a bolt
carrier and operates in a forged alloy receiver resembling those of
the Stoner-designed AR-10, AR-15 and M16 rifles.
Like the HK416, the HK417 is gas-operated with a short-stroke piston
design similar to that of the Heckler & Koch G36. The short-stroke
piston is more reliable than the original direct impingement operation
of the AR-15 design because, unlike these weapons, it does not vent
propellant gases directly into the receiver, which deposits carbon
fouling onto the bolt mechanism as well as heating it up.[1]
The early HK417 prototype used 20-round magazines from the Heckler
& Koch G3 rifle family, which did not feature a bolt hold-open
device. Later prototypes, however, switched to a polymer magazine with
bolt hold-open. The magazine resembles an enlarged version of the
G36's transparent magazine, except without the pins for holding more
than one magazine together.
Use[edit]
Purchasers of the HK417 have typically intended it to complement
lighter assault rifles chambered for less powerful intermediate
cartridges (often 5.56×45mm NATO), for the designated marksman role.
The HK417's greater accuracy, effective range, and penetration offset
its greater expense, its lower rate of fire, and its smaller
ammunition capacity both in magazine and carriage.[2]
Variants[edit]
Military

Military and law enforcement[edit]
The HK417 models chambered for
7.62×51mm NATO

7.62×51mm NATO available to the
military and law enforcement market are:
HK417 12″ 'Assaulter': carbine with 304.8 mm (12 in)
standard barrel
HK417 16″ 'Recce': "Recon" rifle with 406.4 mm (16 in)
standard or accurized barrel
HK417 20″ 'Sniper': "full size" rifle with 508.0 mm
(20 in) accurized barrel
The HK417 A2 is the improved version. The design of the receiver,
barrel interface, gas port and the bore axis alignment of the rifle
have been further optimised to increase its accuracy and
reliability.[2][3] The
German Army

German Army uses the HK417 A2 - 13″ with the
designation G27.[2][4]
As of 2013, the HK417 A2 models chambered for 7.62×51mm NATO
available to the military and law enforcement market are:
HK417 A2 - 13″: carbine with 330.2 mm (13 in) barrel
HK417 A2 - 16.5″: rifle with 419.1 mm (16.5 in) barrel
HK417 A2 - 20″: "full size" rifle with 508.0 mm (20 in)
barrel
Accurized barrels provide 0.3 mil (1 moa) accuracy (with match grade
ammunition). A barrel can be changed in under two minutes with simple
tools. All HK417 barrels are cold hammer forged and chrome-lined and
use a conventional lands and grooves bore profile with a twist rate of
1 turn in 279.4 mm (11.00 in). They are designed to function
reliably with bullet weights ranging from 9.3 to 11.34 g (144 to
175 gr) and are threaded for a flash hider or sound
suppressor.[2][5]
G28[edit]
A G28 of the German Army
The civilian MR308 was used to develop the G28, a designated marksman
rifle for the German
Bundeswehr

Bundeswehr (Federal Army) deployment to the War
in Afghanistan. The semi-automatic G28 is chambered for 7.62×51mm
NATO and has a factory warrantied accuracy of 45 mm dispersion at
100 meters (0.45 mil or 1.5 moa) when fired with 10 rounds using
OTM/HPBT/Sierra Match King ammunition. The G28 features STANAG 4694
NATO Accessory Rails that are backwards-compatible with the STANAG
2324/MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rails. The upper receiver is made from
steel instead of HK's aluminium alloy. Approximately 75% of the parts
are interchangeable with the HK417. There are two different versions
of the G28: G28 E2 (Standard) with a Schmidt & Bender 3–20×50
PM II (modified to
Bundeswehr

Bundeswehr requirements) and the G28 E3 (Patrol)
with Schmidt & Bender 1–8×24 PM II.[6] By October 2017, Heckler
& Koch had renamed the G28 as the HK241, though G28 remains its
Bundeswehr

Bundeswehr designation.[7]
M110A1[edit]
In April 2016 Heckler & Koch confirmed that a lighter version of
the G28 had won the
United States

United States Army's Compact Semi-Automatic Sniper
System contract to replace the M110 Semi-Automatic
Sniper

Sniper System.[8]
It is designated as the M110A1 and uses an aluminum upper receiver
instead of steel to meet weight requirements, weighing 8.4 lb
(3.8 kg) unloaded and reaching some 15 lb (6.8 kg)
loaded and with accessories; the M110A1 features a Geissele
M-LOK

M-LOK rail
handguard, Schmidt & Bender 3–20×50 PM II Ultra Short
telescopic sight, Geissele optic mount, OSS SRM6 suppressor, 6-9
Harris bipod and mount, and a collapsible stock with adjustable
comb.[9][10] In May 2018, the
U.S. Marine Corps

U.S. Marine Corps will begin receiving
the CSASS, also to replace the M110.[11]
In March 2018, the Army announced that a version of the G28/M110A1
would be issued to infantry squads as the service's standard Squad
Designated Marksman Rifle

Designated Marksman Rifle (SDMR). Issuing a 7.62 mm SDMR is meant to
increase individual squads' ability to defeat enemy body armor that
standard 5.56 mm rounds cannot penetrate.[12] The M110A1-based rifle
will replace the M14 EBR, in use by the Army since 2009, but because
it was based on an operational needs statement it had to be turned in
by units at the end of a combat deployment. Unlike the sniper
configuration, the marksman version is fitted with a simpler rifle
optic instead of a telescopic sight to make quick adjustments between
0-600 meters, and it fires M80A1 Enhanced Performance Rounds rather
than sniper rounds; it will be fielded with a suppressor to make the
marksman less identifiable with louder 7.62 mm rounds. Roughly 6,000
are planned to be fielded with one per squad in infantry, engineer and
scout formations starting in late 2018.[13]
Civilian[edit]
The MR308 is a civilian variant of the HK417, introduced in 2007
alongside the MR223, a civilian HK416.[14] It is a semi-automatic
rifle with several "sporterized" features. At the 2009 SHOT Show, the
two rifles were introduced to the American civilian market as the
MR762 and MR556, respectively.[15] Since then both were replaced by
the improved MR762A1 and MR556A1.[16][17]
Users[edit]
Country
Organization name
Model
Quantity
Date
Reference
Albania
Special

Special Operations Battalion
HK417
–
–
[2]
Australia
Australian Army
.svg/200px-Flag_of_Australia_(converted).svg.png)
Australian Army acquired the 16″ 'Recce' paired with 6× ACOG for an
interim marksman solution for use in Afghanistan, with permanent
fielding expected in future
16″ 'Recce'
–
2010
[2][18][19]
Brazil
Brazilian Army
–
–
2012
[20]
Federal
Police

Police of Brazil
–
–
2012
[20]
Croatia
Croatian Army

Croatian Army uses it as a designated marksman rifle
12″ 'Assaulter'
–
–
[21]
Special

Special Operations Battalion use it as a battle rifle.
–
–
[21]
Czech Republic
601st
Special

Special Forces Group
–
–
–
[22]
Denmark
Royal Danish Army

Royal Danish Army uses it as a designated marksman rifle
20″ 'Sniper'
–
–
[23]
Estonia
Estonian Special Operations Force

Estonian Special Operations Force uses it as a designated marksman
rifle
–
–
–
[24]
France
Commandement des Opérations Spéciales (COS)
–
–
–
[25]
Germany
German Army

German Army uses the HK417 A2 - 13″ as the G27
A2 - 13″
–
–
[2][4]
German Army

German Army uses a modified MR308, the G28, as a designated marksman
rifle
G28
-
–
[26]
GSG 9

GSG 9 sniper teams of the German Federal Police
–
–
–
[27]
Ireland
Defence Forces
Army Ranger Wing

Army Ranger Wing sniper teams
–
–
2010
[2][28]
Italy
Italian Army, Italian special forces, San Marco Marine Brigade
–
–
–
[citation needed]
Japan
Japan

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force,
Special

Special Forces Group (Japan)
–
–
2014
[29]
South Korea
Republic of Korea Army, 707th
Special

Special Mission Battalion
G28
–
–
Malaysia
Pasukan Khas Laut sniper teams of the Royal Malaysian Navy
–
–
2006
[2][30]
Mauritius
Military

Military of
Mauritius

Mauritius uses it as a marksman rifle.
–
–
2013
–
Netherlands
Korps Commandotroepen

Korps Commandotroepen (KCT) of the Royal
Netherlands

Netherlands Army acquired the
16″ 'Recce' paired with
Aimpoint CompM2

Aimpoint CompM2 or Schmidt & Bender
3–12×50 PM II
–
–
2011
[2][31][32]
Norway
Norwegian Armed Forces

Norwegian Armed Forces uses it as a designated marksman rifle
–
–
–
[2][33][34]
Poland
Policja
–
–
–
[2][35]
Portugal
Special

Special Actions Detachment
HK417
–
–
[36]
Russia
Spetsnaz

Spetsnaz snipers of law enforcement agencies
MR308
–
–
[37][38]
FSB Alpha Group
–
–
[39]
Sweden
Särskilda operationsgruppen
–
–
–
[citation needed]
Turkey
Gendarmerie
Special

Special Operations
HK417
–
–
[citation needed]
United Kingdom
United Kingdom

United Kingdom
Special

Special Forces sniper teams
HK417
–
–
[2][40]
Surrey
Police

Police sniper teams
–
–
[41][42]
West Mercia
Police

Police sniper teams
–
–
[citation needed]
United States
Joint
Special

Special Operations Command
–
–
–
[43][unreliable source?]
United States

United States Army
M110A1
3,643 (planned)
–
[8]
Gallery[edit]
An HK417 12″ 'Assaulter' model on display.
From top to bottom: a
.338 Lapua Magnum

.338 Lapua Magnum Sako TRG-42, .308 Winchester
MR308,
.223 Remington

.223 Remington Schmeisser GmbH AR15 M5 and a 9 mm AR-15 on
display at the 2012 ARMS & Hunting exhibition.
An MR308
Australian Army
.svg/200px-Flag_of_Australia_(converted).svg.png)
Australian Army Pvt. Brent Rothwell patrols in Tarin Kowt with an
HK417, Uruzgan province, Afghanistan, July 26, 2013
Irish
Army Ranger Wing

Army Ranger Wing airborne sniper team on a helicopter during the
30th anniversary of the ARW.
A sniper from the Norwegian Home Guard's task force "Bjørn West"
armed with an HK417 designated marksman rifle.
Royal Malaysian Navy

Royal Malaysian Navy
PASKAL

PASKAL operators on standby during the 59th
National Day Parade of
Malaysia

Malaysia at Merdeka Square, Kuala Lumpur. One
is armed with a 7.62mm HK417
Sniper

Sniper Rifle.
See also[edit]
List of battle rifles
Heckler & Koch G3
Heckler & Koch HK416
References[edit]
^ "Newer carbines outperform M4 in dust test". Army Times. December
17, 2007. Retrieved January 30, 2011.
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Heckler & Koch HK 417 Battle Rifle /
Sniper

Sniper Rifle (2006)".
Military

Military Factory. June 22, 2014. Retrieved
December 23, 2014.
^ "HK417 A2 - Effective and versatile". Heckler & Koch. Retrieved
November 15, 2014.
^ a b "Entscheidung zur Zwischenlösung G36" (in German). Bundeswehr.
August 27, 2015. Retrieved June 5, 2016.
^ "2008 Heckler & Koch
Military

Military and LE brochure" (PDF). Retrieved
2011-01-30.
^ "HK241 Technical Data". Heckler & Koch. Retrieved 15 November
2014.
^ "HK241 Product Overview". Heckler & Koch. Archived from the
original on October 8, 2017. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
^ a b Jahner, Kyle (April 8, 2016). "H&K confirms: This is the
Army's new and improved sniper rifle". Army Times. Retrieved June 9,
2016. The gun will replace the M110 made by Knight's Armament as a
culmination of the Army's desire for a shorter, lighter rifle that
didn't sacrifice accuracy or performance.
^ Nathaniel F. (January 18, 2017). "HK Shows Off the US Army's M110A1
CSASS Compact
Sniper

Sniper Rifle - SHOT 17". The Firearm Blog.
^ "
SHOT Show 17 – H&K M110A1 CSASS". Soldier Systems Daily.
January 23, 2017.
^ The Marines just switched their main sniper rifle ― look what’s
next.
Military

Military Times. 9 April 2018.
^ Army Plans to Field H&K G28 as New Squad
Marksman

Marksman Rifle.
Military.com/Kitup. 6 March 2018.
^ Army to Begin Fielding Thousands of Squad
Marksman

Marksman
Rifles
.png/700px-Baker_rifle_(no_bayonet).png)
Rifles by Oct. 1.
Military.com/Kitup. 23 March 2018.
^ "Approving the MR223 and MR308 for civilian sale inside Germany".
Archived from the original on June 6, 2008. Retrieved September 3,
2014. CS1 maint: Unfit url (link)
^ "Heckler & Koch MR556 and MR762 brochure" (PDF). Archived from
the original on April 19, 2009. CS1 maint: Unfit url (link)
^ "New HK Products for 2012". Heckler & Koch USA. Archived from
the original on March 19, 2015. Retrieved September 3, 2014. CS1
maint: Unfit url (link)
^ "HK-USA Rifles". Heckler & Koch USA. Retrieved September 3,
2014.
^ "Contract Notice View – CN352591". AusTender. Australian
Government. December 14, 2010. Retrieved January 30, 2011.
^ Juchniewicz, Nathan (July 21, 2011). "New weapon to go the
distance". Army News (Australia). Retrieved August 4, 2011.
^ a b "DefesaNet - Armas - PF - 200 novos fuzis de assalto HK 417 são
distribuídos". DefesaNet. Retrieved 15 November 2014.
^ a b
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0d/HK_417_080810_44.jpg
^ "Oficiální web 601. skupiny speciálních sil generála Moravce".
www.601skss.cz. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
^ "Geværer" (in Danish). Retrieved 7 April 2015.
^ "FOTOD: Millega tegeleb eestlaste eriüksus Afganistanis?".
delfi.ee. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
^ "HK 417- fusil d'assaut de la firme Heckler & Koch" (in French).
French Land Army official website. Retrieved 2013-07-17.
^ "G28 marksman rifle technical data sheet specifications information
description intelligence pictures". Army Recognition. October 22,
2011. Retrieved January 8, 2012.
^ "GSG9 German
Special

Special
Police

Police Weapons".
Military

Military Factory. February 18,
2016. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
^ Thompson, Leroy (1 March 2013). "Ireland's Army Rangers (page 1)".
Tactical-Life. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
^ http://www.mod.go.jp/gsdf/gmcc/hoto/hkou/14hk093.pdf
^ Abas, Marhalim (2010-04-23). "DSA 2010 Part III". Malaysian Defence.
Retrieved 2011-08-01.
^ "SF Operator is a special profession". Dutch Defence Press (in
Dutch). June 6, 2009. Retrieved January 30, 2011.
^ "KCT sniper teams using the Heckler & Koch 417". Dutch Defence
Press (in Dutch). April 20, 2011. Retrieved June 13, 2011.
^ Offisersbladet nr. 3, May 2007: Heckler & Koch 416: Vårt nye
håndvåpen
^ Kapten Trond Setså. "
Sniper

Sniper Course". Defense Net (in Norwegian).
Norwegian Defense. Archived from the original on February 2, 2009.
Retrieved January 30, 2011. CS1 maint: Unfit url (link)
^ "
Police

Police Headquarters Official Gazette No. 13" (pdf) (in Polish).
September 25, 2009. Retrieved January 30, 2011.
^
Special

Special Actions Detachment
^ "YouTube". m.youtube.com. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
^ "Russian SPETSNAZ Weapons".
Military

Military Factory. February 20, 2016.
Retrieved February 20, 2016.
^ "HK in
Russia

Russia - Page 2". www.hkpro.com. Retrieved 25 October
2017.
^ Harding, Thomas (June 26, 2009). "SAS parachuted in to Baghdad". The
Telegraph. Retrieved January 30, 2011.
^ Middleton, Ashley (October 27, 2012). "Firearms unit". Flickr.
Retrieved April 30, 2015.
^ "All sizes - Throckmorton". Flickr. Retrieved April 30, 2015.
^ "Navy SEALs Weapons".
Military

Military Factory. May 12, 2015. Retrieved May
5, 2015.
External links[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to HK 417.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to HK MR308.
Heckler & Koch page
Heckler & Koch HK417 A2 page
Heckler & Koch HK417 assault rifle at the Modern Firearms &
Ammunition site
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AR-10 derivatives
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ArmaLite AR-10
Heckler & Koch HK417
MPT-76
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Sniper

Sniper Rifle
Mk 12
Special

Special Purpose Rifle
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SR-25
United States

United States Marine Corps Squad Advanced
Marksman

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United States Army

United States Army Squad Designated
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Marksman Rifle
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