Heckler & Koch G3 Country Germany Type Automatic rifle Manufacturer Mauser Introduction 1958 Specifications Weight 4.4 kg (9.7 lb) (G3A3) 4.7 kg (10 lb) (G3A4) 5.54 kg (12.2 lb) with optic (G3SG/1) 4.1 kg (9.0 lb) (G3K) Length 1,025 mm (40.4 in) (G3A3) 1,025 mm (40.4 in) stock extended / 840 mm (33.1 in) stock collapsed (G3A4) 1,025 mm (40.4 in) (G3SG/1) 895 mm (35.2 in) stock extended / 711 mm (28.0 in) stock collapsed (G3K) Barrel length 450 mm (17.7 in) 315 mm (12.4 in) (G3K) Cartridge 7.62x51mm NATO Action Roller-delayed blowback Rate of fire 500-600 rounds/min Muzzle velocity 800 m/s (2,625 ft/s) Effective range 100 to 400 m sight adjustments Feed system 20-round detachable box magazine Sights Rear: rotary diopter; front: hooded post

The G3 is a 7.62 mm automatic rifle developed in the 1950s by the German armament manufacturer HK (Heckler & Koch GmbH) in collaboration with the Spanish state-owned design and development agency CETME (Centro de Estudios Técnicos de Materiales Especiales).

In 1958, this rifle was introduced into service with the Spanish Army as the Modelo 58, firing the 7.62x51mm CETME round. The newly formed West German Army (Bundeswehr) displayed interest and soon purchased a number of CETME rifles (7.62x51mm NATO chambering) for further testing. The CETME, known as the Automatisches Gewehr G3, competed successfully against the SIG SG 510 (G2) and AR-10 (G4) to replace the previously favored G1 rifle. In January 1959, the Bundeswehr officially accepted the CETME rifle. Production of the G3 was assigned to Rheinmetall and HK. The latter company already had ties to CETME, and had worked to further optimize the CETME rifle for use with the full-power 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge (as opposed to the downloaded CETME variant). In 1969, Rheinmetall gave up production rights to the G3. Later in 1977, the West German government ceded ownership of G3 production and sales rights exclusively to HK.

Initial production G3 rifles differed substantially from more recent models; early rifles featured closed-type mechanical flip iron sights (with two settings), a lightweight folding bipod, stamped steel handguard, wooden buttstock (in fixed stock models) and a telescopic metal stock (in folding stock models). The weapon was modernized during its service life (among other minor modifications it received new sights, a different flash hider, a plastic foregrip and stock), resulting in the current production variants, the G3A3 (with a fixed synthetic stock) and the G3A4 (telescoping metal stock). The rifle proved successful in the export market, being adopted by the armed forces of over 40 countries.[1] The G3 was and in some cases continues to be produced under license in: France ( MAS), Greece (Hellenic Arms Industry), Iran (Defense Industries Organization), Mexico, Myanmar, Norway (Kongsberg Våpenfabrikk), Pakistan (Pakistan Ordnance Factories), Portugal (FBP), Saudi Arabia, Sudan (Military Industries Corporation), Sweden (FFV), Thailand, Turkey (MKEK) and the United Kingdom (Royal Ordnance).