Heckler & Koch HK4

HK4
H&K HK4 on display
TypeSemi-automatic pistol
Place of originWest Germany
Service history
Used bySee Users
Production history
DesignerAlex Seidel
Designed1963[1]
ManufacturerHeckler & Koch, MAS
Produced1964[2] or 1967-1984[3]
Specifications
Mass480 g (17 oz)
Length157 mm (6.2 in)
Barrel length85 mm (3.3 in)
Width32 mm (1.3 in)
Height110 mm (4.3 in)
Cartridge.22 Long Rifle
.25 ACP
.32 ACP
.380 ACP
ActionStraight blowback, unlocked breech
Muzzle velocity356 m/s (MAG-95, MAG-98, MAG-98c)
Effective firing rangeSights ranged for 25 m
Feed system7, 8-round box magazine
SightsFixed, front post and rear notch, sight radius 121 mm

The HK4 is a pocket pistol, first introduced by Heckler & Koch in either 1964[2] or 1967.[3] 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.[4][additional citation(s) needed]

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.[5]

Similar to the HSc, the HK4 utilizes a straight blowback action, with a double-action trigger and a slide-mounted safety.[citation needed] Additionally, the pistol has a internal safety mechanism that will keep the firing pin misaligned from the hammer until the trigger is pulled.[4]

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.[6]

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[7] and 12,400 were produced for the West German police force, with numbers from 40001 to 52400.[7] Another 8,700 pieces were made for the US market, with production numbers from 001 to 8700[7] and imported by Harrington & Richardson. In 1971, 2,000 commemorative specimens were produced, with the name plates and triggers made of gold.[8]

Users

  • A Harrington & Richardson HK4, one of the 2,000 commemorative specimens produced in 1971, with the name plate and trigger made of gold.
    A Harrington & Richardson HK4, one of the 2,000 commemorative specimens produced in 1971, with the name plate and trigger made of gold.
  • Kit of Harrington & Richardson HK4 pistol and its barrels
    Kit of Harrington & Richardson HK4 pistol and its barrels

References

  • Bishop, Chris (1996). The Vital Guide to Combat Guns and Infantry Weapons. Airlife Publishing. p. 14. ISBN 978-1853105395.
  1. ^ Eger, Chris (April 20, 2020). "Heckler & Koch's 1st Handgun: The HK4". Guns.Com. Retrieved February 23, 2024. Using the HSc as a base, in 1963 Seidel began working closely with fellow HK engineer Tilo Moller on a pistol that would have a breech bolt with a firing pin operable at different angles. The cool thing about this is that it would allow the gun to accept barrels of a different caliber, in both rimfire and centerfire variety.
  2. ^ a b Eger, Chris (April 20, 2020). "Heckler & Koch's 1st Handgun: The HK4". Guns.Com. Retrieved February 23, 2024. Hitting the market in 1964, the HK4 greatly resembled the old HSc, but used a light alloy frame and plastic grips--which kept its weight down to just 18-ounces-- rather than the Mauser's steel frame and checkered wood grips.
  3. ^ a b c Kinard, Jeff (2003). Pistols: An Illustrated History of Their Impact. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 267. ISBN 9781851094752. The HK4 was manufactured from 1967 to 1984 and issued to the Zollpolizei (Customs Police) among other military and police units.
  4. ^ a b Martin J Dougherty (2017). Pistols and Revolvers: From 1400 to the Present Day. Amber Books Limited. p. 184. ISBN 9781782742661. Heckler & Koch are more famous for rifles and submachine guns than handguns, and have introduced some highly innovative designs over the years. Their first pistol design followed in that tradition, being more like four possible pistols delivered as a kit. With alumninium frame and steel slide, the HK4 could be configured with different barrels (all supplied) to shoot four different small calibre rounds. In keeping with the general German concern for safety, the HK4 was fitted with a safety device that took the firing pin out of alignment with the hammer, unless the trigger was pulled, making an accidental discharge due to dropping or knocking the weapon very unlikely.
  5. ^ Bishop, Chris (1996)
  6. ^ Bishop, Chris (1996)
  7. ^ a b c "HKPRO: The HK4 Pistol". www.hkpro.com. Archived from the original on 11 August 2008. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  8. ^ "H&K HK4 Annex".
  9. ^ Edward Clinton Ezell; Walter Harold Black Smith; Thomas M. Pegg (1993). Small Arms of the World: A Basic Manual of Small Arms. Barnes & Noble. p. 466. ISBN 9780880296014. The German Customs Police (Zollpolizei) have carried the 7.62x17mm HK4 pistol for many years. The official designation is P11.
  10. ^ a b c d 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.
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