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HK21
Photo: Armémuseum (The Swedish Army Museum) · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
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HK21

General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) · Germany · 1961
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HK21

HK21
HK21 Photo: Armémuseum (The Swedish Army Museum) · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Sustained Firepower
85
Effective Range
75
Penetration
70
Reliability
80
Accuracy
78
Barrel Endurance
72
Mount Versatility
82
Controllability
76
Portability
65
Cost-Effectiveness
80
Origin Germany
ManufacturerHeckler & Koch
CategoryGeneral Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)
EraEarly Cold War
In service1961
Operators34 countries
Data Quality88%
77
General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) MASS Rating
8/21
Early Cold War
24/131
All-Time
General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) · 10 axes scored
Sustained Firepower
85
Effective Range
75
Penetration
70
Reliability
80
Accuracy
78
Barrel Endurance
72
Mount Versatility
82
Controllability
76
Portability
65
Cost-Effectiveness
80
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the general purpose machine guns (gpmg) category.
01 / Overview
HK21
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1961–
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG) · EARLY COLD WAR
8
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
88
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
77
general purpose machine guns (gpmg) category
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the general purpose machine guns (gpmg) category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
  • First Production Year1961
  • Service Entry Year1961
  • DesignerHeckler & Koch
  • Weight (Empty)7.92 kg
  • Currently In ServiceYes
  • Notable UsersBundeswehr, Bundespolizei, Comando Anfibios, BOPE, Hellenic Army, SEDENA, Fábrica de Braço de Prata
◈Cartridge & Calibre6MOD.6
  • CartridgeHK21, HK21A1, HK11A1, HK21E, HK11E: 7.62×51mm NATO; HK23E, HK13E: 5.56×45mm NATO; HK25: 12.7×99mm NATO
  • Calibre7.62 mm
  • Case Length51 mm
  • Calibre Classfull-size rifle
  • RimfireNo
  • Caseless AmmunitionNo
▣Operation9MOD.9
  • Action TypeDelayed Blowback
  • Fire Modessafe, semi-auto, full-auto, 3-round burst
  • Select FireYes
  • Feed SystemBelt
  • Magazine Capacity20
  • Drum / Belt Capacity50
  • Cyclic Rate of Fire800
  • Trigger Typesingle-stage
  • Safety Typeselector lever
◇Ballistics4MOD.4
  • Muzzle Velocity800 m/s
  • Effective Range (point)0.8 m
  • Effective Range (area)1,200 m
  • Sighting Range1,200 m
◆Barrel & Sights4MOD.4
▤Construction5MOD.5
▲Production & Cost2MOD.2
  • Production Start1961
  • Variants7
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
  1. 1961Production started
65
years in service
34
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
04 / Operators
05 / MASS Score
GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG) RANKING General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) · Early Cold War
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE6terms
A firearm feed system where ammunition is stored in a flexible or rigid container (magazine) inserted into the grip or attached externally, feeding rounds into the chamber via a spring or follower.
A type of semi-automatic pistol action where the barrel remains locked for a short period after firing, delaying the blowback of gases to slow the opening of the breech.
Integral bipod: a permanently attached, built‑in bipod that provides a two‑point support for a firearm, allowing it to be rested on a surface without separate accessories.
Adjustable metal aiming devices on firearms, consisting of a front post and rear notch, used without magnification.
A mounting system for attaching optical sights to rifles.
Select fire is a fire selector mechanism on a firearm that lets the shooter choose the firing mode, such as semi‑automatic, burst, or fully automatic.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) entry →