Data Quality88%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ 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)
—
ⓘ 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
- Barrel Length450 mm
- Sight TypeRear rotary diopter drum; hooded front post
- Optic RailYes
- Iron SightsYes
▤Construction5MOD.5
- Receiver Materialsteel
- Furniture Materialpolymer, wood
- Folding / Collapsing StockNo
- Bullpup LayoutNo
- Modularityinterchangeable barrels, feed units, and variants for different cartridges
⬢Features3MOD.3
▲Production & Cost2MOD.2
- Production Start1961
- Variants7
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1961Production started
65
years in service
34
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
04 / Operators
Operator Countries34country
05 / MASS Score
GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG) RANKING General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) · Early Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
24GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG)8EARLY COLD WAR · GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG)94GERMANY · ALL WEAPONS16PERFORMANCE/PRICE · GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG)
ⓘ Rankings are within theGeneral Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)category.
📖 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