Heckler & Koch MG4

The Heckler & Koch MG4 (also known as the HK123) is a belt-fed 5.56 mm light machine gun designed and developed by German firearm manufacturer Heckler & Koch. It was developed in the late 1990s and first seen publicly in September 2001. It has been selected to replace the 7.62 mm MG3 general-purpose machine gun in the Bundeswehr at the squad support level; it will complement the MG3 in other roles. It will also be the secondary armament of the new Puma infantry fighting vehicle. Overall, it is designed to be light, provide maximum safety to the user and function reliably under adverse conditions using a wide range of ammunition from different manufacturers, without the need to adjust the gas system. It was known as the MG43 prior to its adoption by the Bundeswehr.

Heckler & Koch MG4
A left-side view of the Heckler & Koch MG4
TypeLight machine gun
Place of originGermany
Service history
In service2005–present
Used bySee Users
WarsYemeni Civil War (2014–present)[1]
Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen
Saudi–Yemeni border conflict (2015–present)
Production history
DesignerHeckler & Koch
Designed1990s
ManufacturerHeckler & Koch
Produced2001–present
VariantsSee Variants
Specifications
Mass8.15 kg (17.97 lb)
Length1,030 mm (40.6 in) stock extended / 830 mm (32.7 in) stock folded
Barrel length450 mm (17.7 in)
Width90 mm (3.5 in)
Height250 mm (9.8 in)
Cartridge5.56×45mm NATO
ActionGas-operated, rotating bolt
Rate of fire890 (± 60) rounds/min
Muzzle velocity920 m/s (3,018 ft/s)
Effective firing rangeApprox. 1,000 m
Feed systemM27 linked disintegrating belt
SightsIron sights; MIL-STD-1913 rail provided for optics, German Army models are equipped with telescopic sights with 3× magnification.

Design details
German Army MG4 with a telescopic sight.

The MG4 is an air-cooled, belt-fed gas-operated light machine gun with a positively locked rotary bolt and is somewhat similar in concept to the Belgian Minimi light machine gun. Safety mechanisms on the machine gun includes a manual safety incorporated into the fire mode selector toggle; setting the fire selector lever on the "safe" position blocks the trigger mechanically and locks the bolt in the cocked position. When the bolt is not pulled back completely, accidental firing is prevented by an integral, automatic mechanism that prevents the bolt from traveling forward. In addition, the firing pin cannot reach the cartridge primer until the cartridge has been fully chambered.

The machine gun is fed from a disintegrating belt and is carried out in two stages from the top left using an enhanced pawl mechanism. As on the MG 42 family of machine guns, the belt is expelled to the right and spent cases are ejected downwards, although sideways ejection to the right is an option.

The MG4 has a hammer-forged quick-change barrel that can be safely exchanged when hot without the need for protective gloves; the carrying handle serves as the barrel change grip. The barrel assembly weighs 1.80 kg (3.97 lb). To reduce the overall length of the weapon for transport, the butt stock can be folded to the left side of the receiver. With the buttstock folded the MG4 remains fully operable. A field cleaning kit is housed within the stock. The MG4 takes zero shifts between barrel assemblies into account by making the front sight of the assemblies mechanically adjustable. In its standard form, the MG4 is equipped with closed type iron sights with range settings up to 1,000 m (1,094 yd) in 100 m (109 yd) increments. The folding front sight element is mounted on the barrel assembly and is adjustable mechanically for both windage and elevation. The sight line radius is 602 millimeters (23.7 in). Optical or night sights or laser pointers can be mounted on a length of MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rail located on the receiver feed tray cover. Bundeswehr models are equipped with telescopic sights with 3× magnification.

A folding bipod weighing 0.70 kg (1.54 lb) is provided. Supporting interfaces are integrated into the receiver to allow the MG4 to be mounted on the standard American M122A1 tripod for increased accuracy and stability.

Variants
MG4KE in the hands of Malaysian Navy PASKAL commando during 57th Malaysian National Day Parade.

MG4 (HK123)

The Heckler & Koch MG4 (HK123) light machine gun is chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO cartridge and has been adopted by the Bundeswehr.

MG4E (HK123E)

An export variant of the MG4 that has been slightly modified and is slightly lighter. The letter "E" in the designation stands for "Export". It has a different gas assembly that reduces the cyclic rate of fire. In 2007, the Spanish Army adopted this variant as their standard light machine gun. The Spanish Military of Defence ordered 1,800–2,000 of these light machine guns.[2][3][4]

MG4 Vehicle Weapon (HK123 Vehicle Weapon)

A variant of the MG4 configured for use as a vehicle or coaxial machine gun. It lacks a buttstock, rear sight, cartridge case deflector, handguard, and bipod mount. It can be fitted with a remote firing device and safety/fire selector lever. It can also be fitted for dismounted use.[2][3][4]

MG4K (HK123K)

A variant of the MG4 with a shorter barrel.

MG4KE (HK123KE)

An export variant of the MG4K.

MG4 A3

A German Army modernized variant is under test that introduces Heckler & Koch MG5 elements such as being fitted with the Hensoldt ZO 4×30 Intermediate Range Targeting Optic combined with a red dot as optical day sights with 4× magnification to promote accuracy of fire. Like the MG5 the MG4 A3 uses a RAL 8000 green brown surface finish.[5]

MG5 (HK121) derivative

The Heckler & Koch MG5 (HK121) general-purpose machine gun is chambered in 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge. It has been adopted by the Bundeswehr as their standard general-purpose machine gun. The MG5 is heavily based on the MG4, however there are only few parts that are interchangeable due to the machine guns having different calibers and their size differences.[4]

Users
A map with Heckler & Koch MG4 users in blue

See also

References
  1. "- YouTube". YouTube.
  2. "Heckler & Koch :: Product Overview | HK123". www.heckler-koch.com. Retrieved 2017-12-17.
  3. "H&K MG4 | Weaponsystems.net". weaponsystems.net. Retrieved 2017-12-17.
  4. ARG. "Heckler & Koch MG4 Light Machine Gun | Military-Today.com". www.military-today.com. Retrieved 2017-12-17.
  5. B, Eric (3 June 2020). "The New German Light Machine Gun – The MG4A3 (HK123)". thefirearmblog.com.
  6. Ministria Mbrojtjes (2017-04-05), Armatimi i ri i FA, archived from the original on 2021-12-13, retrieved 2018-03-21
  7. "wiw_sa_brazil - worldinventory". 2016-06-02. Archived from the original on 2016-06-02. Retrieved 2022-11-21.
  8. García, Nicolás (1 July 2017). "The Chilean Marine Infantry exhibits its most modern rifles and machine guns in Concón". Infodefensa.com. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
  9. "FOTOD: Millega tegeleb eestlaste eriüksus Afganistanis?".
  10. "Maschinengewehr MG4". Presse- und Informationszentrum Streitkräftebasis (in German). Streitkräftebasis. 2006-11-13. Retrieved 2009-05-02.
  11. Arthur, Gordon (August 2015). "Royal Malaysian Navy Special Forces". Combat & Survival: 48. ISSN 0955-9841.
  12. "Combat & Survival Magazine August 2015". Combat & Survival Magazine August 2015. August 2015. Archived from the original on 2015-11-05. Retrieved 2015-11-09.
  13. Dan, Alex (9 February 2016). "PASKAL Malaysian Special Forces Weapons". Military Factory (Small Arms). Archived from the original on 14 February 2016. Retrieved 10 February 2016.
  14. "AFEGANISTÃO: UNIDADE DE PROTECÇÃO DA FORÇA EM OPERAÇÕES | Operacional".
  15. "O GRUPO DE INTERVENÇÃO DE OPERAÇÕES ESPECIAIS DA GNR | Operacional" (in European Portuguese). Retrieved 2022-08-25.
  16. "wiw_me_saudiarabia - worldinventory". 2016-03-12. Archived from the original on 2016-03-12. Retrieved 2023-02-27.
  17. "Spanish Army procures the MG4 E". Heckler & Koch. 2007-08-02. Retrieved 2009-05-02.
  18. "'Made in Europe': Al-Qaida's guns – DW – 11/30/2018". dw.com. Retrieved 2023-02-27.
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