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HK23

General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) · Germany · 1972
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HK23

* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Sustained Firepower
75
Effective Range
70
Penetration
70
Reliability
85
Accuracy
75
Barrel Endurance
80
Mount Versatility
70
Controllability
80
Portability
75
Cost-Effectiveness
85
Origin Germany
CategoryGeneral Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)
EraCold War
In service1972
Operators5 countries
Data Quality87%
76
General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) MASS Rating
8/18
Cold War
26/131
All-Time
General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) · 10 axes scored
Sustained Firepower
75
Effective Range
70
Penetration
70
Reliability
85
Accuracy
75
Barrel Endurance
80
Mount Versatility
70
Controllability
80
Portability
75
Cost-Effectiveness
85
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the general purpose machine guns (gpmg) category.
01 / Overview
HK23
Country
Production
1972–
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG) · COLD WAR
8
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
80
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
76
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
◎General5MOD.5
  • First Production Year1972
  • Service Entry Year1972
  • Weight (Empty)8.7 kg
  • Weight (Loaded)10.5 kg
  • Currently In ServiceYes
◈Cartridge & Calibre7MOD.7
▣Operation8MOD.8
  • Action TypeDelayed Blowback
  • Fire Modesfull-auto
  • Select FireYes
  • Feed SystemBelt
  • Cyclic Rate of Fire900
  • Practical Rate of Fire200
  • Trigger Typesingle-stage
  • Safety Typeselector lever
◇Ballistics7MOD.7
  • Muzzle Velocity850 m/s
  • Muzzle Energy3,400
  • Effective Range (point)800 m
  • Effective Range (area)1,200 m
  • Maximum Range3,700 m
  • Sighting Range1,200 m
  • Accuracy3
◆Barrel & Sights8MOD.8
▤Construction6MOD.6
▲Production & Cost2MOD.2
  • Production Start1972
  • Variants1
◎Additional Dimensions2MOD.2
  • Width120 mm
  • Height250 mm
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANRetired
  1. 1972Production started
54
years in service
0
countries operating
ⓘ 5 countries retired it.
04 / Operators
05 / MASS Score
GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG) RANKING General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) · Cold War
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE8terms
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.
A firearm stock that can be folded or collapsed to reduce overall length for storage or transport.
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 →