HK21 or Portuguese m/968: The H&K G3 Grows into a Light Machine Gun

[@teomamalos]

Greek here. I trained with the G3 during my time in the Army. Multiple exercises. Never knew what the hell i was shooting at or if i was even close to the target. Thit is more of a criticism of our training regiments of course but i can safely say that i am NOT a good shot.....Anyway, i managed to train ONCE with the HK11A1 which is a HK21 variant with a magazine feed, and let me tell you. This thing is ACCURATE. I dont know if its the heavy barrel or some strange voodoo kraut magic, but i felt like a damn sharpshooter with it.

[@davidholman6276]

Really G3’s are actually really cool guns. I never actually fired a select fire G3, but my brother has a semi auto only rifle, which was built from CETME parts. Pretty much the same as a G3. That thing was mighty fun and accurate to shoot

[@SuperFunkmachine]

Odd are you had a newer HK11A1 and older beat up G3s.

[@robertmao9390]

It is a rare closed bolt GPMG where most are open bolt.

[@martindonat3249]

Funfackt , in germany this was used by the goverment as the G8 , a rifle designition , not a mg , propably because it was used mostly by the borderpatrol/police ,i belive the navy used them to though

[@fernandoguzmanfernandez3466]

A G-3 with a heavy barrel? It sounds so close to PSG-1...

[@emersonchattin9512]

RIP Paul Harrell.

[@ARGAR_GAMES]

this

[@abowden556]

It's a damn shame

[@LogicalQ]

It’s not the end, just a shatner-esque pause.

[@Infurnace]

Miss him

[@georgegordonbrown9522]

RIP

[@henriquecardosoferreira8994]

I served in the portuguese military and got to shoot both HK21 and the MG3 at the firing range. the 21 is a kicker allright. Veterans from the portuguese colonial war would prefer the MG3 over the HK21, not olny because of the recoil but also for feeding issues that would cause the gun to jam.

[@martinh2783]

​@@BenJamInn-q3oWell, technically any fault in a human made system is human in origin.

[@Obi-WanKannabis]

@@martinh2783 Think he means operator, rather than designer/manufacturer

[@craigthescott5074]

My HK 21 only becomes unreliable after many rounds and it’s not cleaned or oiled.

[@JoaoSoares-rs6ec]

my dad was one of them, i have a picture of him with it,

[@JoaoSoares-rs6ec]

@@BenJamInn-q3o no they aren't

[@papeep2694]

In 1974 I purchased an H&K91. Today I can take it to the range and it functions as it did in 1974. H&K makes a very solid product.

[@BrettBaker-uk4te]

The 21 alas, beats itself to death pretty easy.😢

[@Darth-Nihilus1]

I have a 1978 dated H&K91 that I picked up in 2012 for under $3000 and it’s been the most rewarding and relatable rifle I’ve ever owned outside of a bolt action. I put different grain ammo in a mag from the lightest 130 grain 308 to 200 grain with different grains mixed in and never had any jams 😮 I also put an HK21 rear sight and stock on my 91 with a HK G28 DMR flash hider

[@papeep2694]

@@Darth-Nihilus1 I can't remember exactly but mine with a 6% sales tax added was under $300. I should have purchased a few dozen of them as an investment but back then who knew prices were going to go the way they did.

[@Darth-Nihilus1]

@@papeep2694 $300 🤯 even for the time that is beyond a steal!

[@altblechasyl_cs2093]

HK... not H&K... it hurts... 😢

[@jaredthehawk3870]

And all of Portugal's HK tooling was later purchased by JLD industries and shipped over to South Carolina and the PTR-91 was born. This is also why PTRs are near totally compatible with parts and accessories made for the G3.

[@henrilopes7337]

As a portuguese citizen living in the USA I'm glad PTR exists, love my PTR 91

[@TW-SB]

I put the HK21 recoil buffer in my PTR 91. Significant reduction in recoil.

[@Claro23]

As a portuguese that loves your videos, this is very cool to see. Keep the good work

[@canal10centrado]

@@Claro23 Também há um canal em português, já conhece?

[@acaribouintheattic8345]

PORTUGAL CARALHOOOOO

[@canal10centrado]

@@acaribouintheattic8345 e temos canal de armas em português também.

[@acaribouintheattic8345]

@@canal10centrado sorry, i dont speak portuguese 🤷

[@canal10centrado]

@@acaribouintheattic8345 no problem

[@goncalo33]

It's a damn shame we killed off our gun industry. Thank you for keeping its history alive. Greetings from Portugal.

[@M8Military]

Winchester model 70s are made in Portugal right now

[@goncalo33]

@@M8Military Really? That's awesome! Do you happen to know where's the factory at? I would like us to eventually set up our own manufacturers, though.

[@flavio_spqr]

FN has a factory near Viana do Castelo, if I'm not mistaken. I think they do mostly sporting shotguns, but still...

[@canal10centrado]

@@goncalo33 Há mais armas feitas em Portugal: Browning BAR, winchester xpr e sxr2. Passa no meu canal tenho alguns vídeos lá sobre algumas delas

[@goncalo33]

@@flavio_spqr Still, it's something. I assumed that all we had was our own military stuff, so I'm glad to know that isn't the case.

[@matthiasredler5760]

I had two girls in my service. One G3 and sometimes my MG3. They both need love to work fine. But these girls never let me down!

[@devindunne]

I was friends with the guys that ran a range out in FL when they had a 21 i was able to get my hands on it for a min, absolute blast to run

[@jonsm114]

Qualified Manufacturing did a bunch of 21 conversions. Some of the best.

[@HH-uj5ln]

been a huge fan of the HK21 for ages, great to see you cover it!

[@scottrobinson3281]

South Africa bought about 100,000 FMP G3's in the early 1970's to supplement R1 (FAL) inventory. It was designated the R2 and used mainly by the South West Africa Territorial Force (Namibia) and the SA Air Force. With the help of Choate Machine and Tool, USA, a new stock and handguard were developed to better withstand the hot SWA environment.

[@ForgottenWeapons]

Yep, I have a whole video on the R2: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eovIi5d-Yqp1qKM

[@herosstratos]

SWABP used G3s too.

[@davidgoodnow269]

I do miss Choate Machine & Tool, their trigger kit and furniture for the Hecklar & Koch were excellent!

[@canal10centrado]

My father was a Portuguese Marine and he used this machine gun. Thank you for this video.

[@AlexandreSilva-eo5ty]

In my military service i have fired one of these Hk21. I have fired also the heavy machinegun Browning .50 caliber, the MG3, the HK G3, and had oly instruction about the MG42. Greetings from Portugal ✌️🇵🇹

[@grandpaweber2097]

I have to admit this is the first video I've ever seen about this gun; I was aware of the HK21 but until now I knew nothing about it. Thanks for filling in the gap, Sir.

[@andreferreira5789]

holy moly, Portugal mentioned

[@nelsonbrum8496]

Finally 🇵🇹 (no Açores flag 🤔)

[@CatBoyCass]

🇵🇹🇵🇹🇵🇹🇵🇹🐓🐓🐓🐓

[@pantera90001]

Um milagre

[@TimPimentel3006]

Yeah!

[@filipebernardino2152]

Engraçado por estava a pensar em comprar uma. Agora esta como $1000. Na tropa em lamego era a companheira.

[@Ashphinchtersayswhat]

First time I fired an HK 91 was just down the street from where Ian’s at. 😊 grew up down there

[@vegard2000]

Norwegian special forces had these in the 90s and early 00s. Oddly paired with Diemaco c8 and c7s.

[@lyedavide]

If this machine gun adaptation of the G3 is anything like the FN FAL heavy barrelled "squad support" light machine gun, I would say that not only is the recoil unpleasant, it would be a beast to keep it firing on target. That's why the MAG or M240 was designed specifically to be used in the sustained fire role in conjunction with the FAL. All the same, it's amazing to see how such a "crudely" made gun actually got put into production. Great video as usual.

[@darkiee69]

The MAG was a Swedish idea of taking a BAR and turn it in to a machinegun turning it upside down. They couldn't really get it to work so they asked FN to fix it. It was first chambered in 6,5x55. It's known in Sweden as Ksp 58.

[@Seth9809]

Is it just down to weight?

[@davidgoodnow269]

The HK 21 was known for brutal recoil, yes. 19# and 1,200 rpm with 7.62 NATO gave it the name "jackhammer." Best compared with the M-60E3. The 21E changed to a longer receiver, also used on the PSG-1, preventing the bolt from directly striking the rear of the receiver -- greatly reducing transferred recoil impact -- and reduced the cyclic to 900 rpm (paralleling the early and late MG42). Weight increased by about a pound, but it was still lighter than the M-60, MAG-58, or even some kitted M-249!

[@matthaught4707]

You know when you see the Bear Arms logo in the background that you're gonna see something rad.

[@boblawblaw892]

The life and models of the G3 is what the U S. Army vision for the M-14 was. The idea for what the M-14 was ment to do wasn't flawed. The weapon design itself was incapable of filling the intended roles. The 7.62 cartridge wasn't the problem. The weapon system was. I know this because the FAL and G3 did most of what the US Army asked of the M-14, and they did it for decades long before NATO largely switched to 5.56 .

[@borjesvensson8661]

The g3 and fal never did all those roles tho. The basic rifles were often restricted to semi only or never really used un full auto exept to impress on the range. Most armies that used one of these rifles kept the submachineguns both in the front line squads and for the pdw role until 556 rifles became available/adopted. And most of them had the mg3 or fn mag as the gpmg. The one rifle does everything seems to me to be a bad idea, specially in full rifle caliber. Hell even the same cartridge submachineguns and pistols led to lots of busted up pistols as most armies soon adopted extra strong subgun ammo the pistols could not handle

[@rodneyalaking8241]

The M14 was supposed to replace the Tommy Gun and the Grease Gun, and the M1 Carbine. As well as the Garand and BAR. I agree with previous poster…probably a bad idea for a “do it all” system.

[@dark2023-1lovesoni]

The FAL failed heavily as a DMR due to fundamental flaws affecting long-range repeatable precision. While the G3 and M14 could be gussied up into a proper DMR (SG1/MSG90 and Mk14 EBR) or even an acceptable sniper rifle (PSG1 & M21). Accurized FALs were pretty uncommon, but it *_was_* adequate as an automatic support weapon (especially the heavy barrel variants). The M14 platform has more-or-less the opposite issue (can be made into a DMR or Sniper rifle, but makes a subpar SAW). Plus, the manufacturing and quality assurance issues on military production models caused numerous problems. Also, the M14 is the least durable in long-term use, since the receiver cracking is less a question of IF, but rather WHEN. Only the G3 could/would effectively serve all 3 roles with some notable alterations, but it's the most punishing to actually fire. Meaning it's the *_only_* platform, of the 3 mentioned, that can legitimately "do it all", but it won't necessarily be pleasant or well liked by the intended users. Plus, there aren't any production belt-fed FALs or M14s. Personally, what I'd love to see is a custom HK21 type belt-feed system combined with a PSG1 stock, trigger pack, and barrel assembly. A belt-fed precision rifle, just for the pure hell of it.

[@Geyer70]

The Bundeswehr issued a few HK21 as G8. They where used by the Kampfschwimmer, the German navy seals. By the way Ian, please make a video about the Walther P5. If I'm not wrong, this is the last pistol of the "Munich Trio", you didn't show yet.

[@paulgro7255]

The G8 is still in use with the riot police in several german states.

[@maj0mi23]

The G8 was also used as a remote controlled mounted machine gun on the roof of BGS (German border police) armoured cars

[@samuelgarrod8327]

Germany doesn't have navy seals, America does. The rest of the world is not an American colony, thank God.

[@haviiithelegogunner907]

The Kampfschwimmer predate the Navy Seals ;)

[@AviationJeremy]

⁠​⁠@@samuelgarrod8327 LOL, you got triggered over calling the German equivalent to the American Navy Seals (comparable equipment and missions, and are the special operations forces of their respective nations’ navies) “the German Navy Seals”? That would be like an American getting upset over these phrase “Amerikanische U-Boote” or “Vereinigte Staaten Luftwaffe”. That would be ridiculous, wouldn’t you agree? Perhaps take a moment to stop and think before posting drivel like “tHE reSt oF THe wOrLd iS NoT AN AmeRiCaN coLonY”. Besides, in the US, Navy Seals are generally viewed with great admiration and respect, and someone calling a foreign force by that title is unlikely to be intended with any disrespect.

[@hoilst265]

News from Down Under: someone broke into the Lithgow Small Arms museum and nicked $200,000 worth of historic firearms.

[@shaunbrennan5281]

So , a mk1 Bren with all matching numbers that still works?

[@AnonEMus-cp2mn]

Speaking of Cold War lmgs, the Aug H BAR would be a great weapon to revisit, and clear up any mistakes from the first STG77 video from several years ago: (the recoil springs are located inside the guide rods, not in the stock).

[@davidgoodnow269]

I second that! I remember when the AUG came out; 12 (14?)" SMG, 16" carbine, 18" (or was it 20?) assault rifle, 24" squad automatic, and 24" marksman. I have hardly seen anything except the standard rifle anywhere.

[@JWMoore89]

I just picked up 2 of the fmp hk21 kits. Looking forward to getting them together. First personal belt feds! I'd prefer a mk48 but one of these will do for now.

[@dinklberg3065]

this one has always been one of my favourites

[@tomwinterfishing9065]

That’s perfectly alright, Ian. Thanks for posting!

[@itsapittie]

You're not kidding about the recoil. I've fired the Turkish license-built paratrooper version of the G3. It had a shorter barrel and a collapsing stock with a butt that is apparently designed specifically to slide downward and peel a layer of flesh off with each shot. It was simply brutal. Years later, I had an opportunity to shoot an HK91. It was less brutal but still not a lot of fun compared to an AR-10 or an FN FAL. Obviously it can be used effectively, but I don't think I'll be buying one.

[@ayuvir]

Portugal mentioned! ❤

[@maximbodnariuc8748]

Rest in peace, Paul Harrell!

[@raonoodle]

Rio de Janeiro's BOPE still uses the HK-21 and I find that pretty neat :D

[@FGB1201]

thank you Ethan, thank you very very much, now i only hope i could see a video of yours about the portuguese FBP

[@FGB1201]

when i saw this video my heart almost stoped of how much hapiness i had

[@solo_boy_music]

Finally after what, 1 year, after I mentioned that you should talk about this one too, since you spoke about our portuguese MG contract. Thank you! Also, don't forget we had our SMGs from Lisbon, FBP (Fábrica Braço de Prata), you can check them in Lisbon, Mafra, right beside the Mosteiro of Mafra, you have the Mafra Infantry museum that you can enter by asking.

[@davidgoodnow269]

Interesting! Thank you for making mention of this museum!

[@LuminaryCursorem]

I've always wanted a G3, one with wooden furniture. Absolute classic!

[@KillingMachine44]

When I was in the army in 1995 I disassembled this gun several times but we never shot it because there was no money for ammunition I only shot the G3 and was only 10 rounds I also shot the Walther P38 when I went to the Army corporal's school and I shot 19 rounds. Crazy 🤪

[@sethmoyer]

I first learned about this gun from its inclusion Metal Gear Solid 3, cool to see it on the channel.

[@diogoduraes715]

im portuguese and i love your videos, please keep up the good work and dont get into career-ending drama🙏🙏🙏

[@davidgoodnow269]

He does have two separate hosts for subscribers, paying for the subscription means that you get to ask questions for the Question and Answer videos.

[@SUMTlNGW0NG]

As much as I wish someone made an HK33 version of this it pains me that even in semi auto it would cost $15k... Shot one of these, HK21E I believe, and they're great shooters but definitely heavier than they look. The recoil impulse took a while to adjust to as I had just been running and M60 and a 1919a6 just prior. Great guns and I wish there were more of them here in the states.

[@davidgoodnow269]

Hecklar & Koch made several machine gun variations on the G33: the HK 13, 23, and a couple more I can picture but don't I'm not recalling the numbers. My favorite was based on experiences with the M193 cartridge -- a 300-meter urban sniper-machinegun. It has a scope with electronic reticule for better visibility, low-light capability, and a 90-round cassette feed (something HK was developing in the 1970s). A lot of features later used on the PSG-1 to reduce noise when setting up and to improve accuracy, too. The idea was precision burst delivery for counter-terrorism; and a loaded weight between 6-7 kilograms.

[@SUMTlNGW0NG]

@@davidgoodnow269 i meant something available on the us market rt now

[@davidhansen5067]

Thanks! I did indeed enjoy this one a lot, I love bits on the HK roller-delayed family specifically.

[@nilsherloff-petersen249]

South African SF used them in Angola (probably left over from Portuguese colonial war) for increased firepower for small units against numerically superior forces.

[@spiderjerusalem1019]

A Cold War era 7.62x51 close bolt LMG that is lighter than a M60 and with a higher Rate of fire... makes me think why it didn´t get more popularity. A few years ago it still was quite common to see them in service here in Mexico mounted in Army Pick-up trucks along with it´s sibling the G3 used by the infantry.

[@herosstratos]

9:05 it is possible to fire a 20mm Rh202 w/o locking the barrel. Yes, the unlocked barrel does fly out of the gun.

[@blacktemplar5970]

I really like the couple of videos you did looking at firearms in movies, would love to see more

[@Goc4ever]

The HK21 may have been the first machine gun that is modular and had the least improvements and quite a few flaws but it's hard to deny it's a very interesting gun that followed the footsteps of the AK-47 and its variants that predatesa lot of modular guns that are interchangeable with the assault rifles the're based on like the HK21 with the G3, one of the best battle rifles in the world.

[@Clyde__Frog]

Used this baby back in zombies mode in Black ops. Got me through quite a few rounds!

[@draskk3471]

Been looking for this comment I been using this thing in customs just this morning

[@scottrobinson3281]

The legacy of Herr Vorgrimmler et al, at CETME.

[@454FatJack]

Evige Mauser

[@BrochachoEnchilada]

I've been waiting for you to do this early version, awesome!

[@mascadadelpantion8018]

Well I believe that this was a comfortable gun issue in my opinion and actually I would say that this is the history's world's greatest gun

[@pantera90001]

I had a G-3 1972 as primary weapon

[@Able-Man]

As always, Thanks for the education, Ian!!!

[@lindenhoch8396]

Ouch, that thing would surely leave a mark! I was issued the G3, and never thought of firing it fully automatic, it just wouldn't make any target sense. At least the way I was able to handle it. And it regularly rewarded me with a swollen cheek after range days.

[@davidgoodnow269]

I would ascribe your sore cheek to poor hold, but it depends on how much you fire! Yes, this was known for brutal recoil requiring considerable live-fire practice to use well . . . with that nasty recoil. Where most fully-automatic weapons require in the vicinity of 1,000 rounds to gain a good level of familiarity in training, the HK21 required 2,000-2,500; usually with no more than 100 rounds per day and a padded shooting vest or jacket, or shoot 2 days, heal bruises 3 days. But it earned a reputation for brutally hammering enemy units in Central American jungles, where ranges were often under 150 meters. The high cyclic rate contributed greatly to feed problems, while the severe impact of the bolt hitting the receiver rear after every shot tended to contribute to the disintegrating-link belt kinking; extending the receiver and changing both recoil spring and bolt to prevent that impact and reduce the cyclic by 1/4 greatly reduced those problems in the HK21E.

[@claywurzlow8487]

Top 5 great videos for me ! Appreciate it....

[@PalKrammer]

Having an HK91A2, I know I need to add this weapon for my life to be complete.

[@JMartinni]

The 21 looks huge with that large not-really magazine well and handguard/barrel casing. Pretty cool even if it's probably a bit unwieldy.

[@DevonReclaimed]

Still one of my favorite LMG's it has ao many awesome qualities for a light support weapon

[@jahnreznov]

I strongly dislike that it never clicked for me until now that an MP5 is literally just a submachine gun version of a G3

[@davidgoodnow269]

Wait until you look at what H&K did to make the MP5SD's integral suppression reduce velocity of standard 115-grain ammunition to make it subsonic -- while radically improving the accuracy of bullets engineered specifically to increase dispersion!

[@KyChristell]

​@davidgoodnow269 why would they engineer bullets to be..less accurate? Increase dispersion? Same thing or no? Im asking I have no idea

[@davidgoodnow269]

@@KyChristell When the U.S. was doing the M9 trials, it ran into a serious problem: _No_ 9mm handgun in the competition could pass the basic pistol marksmanship test! Not in expert hands, not from a machine rest -- _no one_ could qualify Marksman, never mind Sharpshooter or Expert, in the decades-old regulation test! Not with _any_ of the pistols, not with issue 9mm Luger ammunition issued by _any_ member of N.A.T.O.! But the P08 9mm Luger pistol had tested as extremely accurate, when the U.S. Army had trialed it before adopting the M1911 .45! So, what changed? The American company that was known since the 1940s for producing the most accurate competition bullets in the world, Speer, was contracted to engineer accurate 9mm ammunition. Speer examined all of N.A.T.O.'s various 9mm ammunition, and then scrounged until it found some of the by-then extremely rare World War One German ammunition and bought what it could from collectors. Speer discovered that the original German ammunition was made with bullets that had a center-of-gravity in the base, stabilizing the bullet through centrifugal force imparted by the Luger's specific rate of rifling twist. All later 9mm ammunition changed the ogive of the bullet, adding mass forward to pull the center-of-gravity ahead of the base of the bullet, the part of the bullet in contact with the rifling. This meant that the nose of the bullet, rotating, would induce a wobble. This would pull a sequence of shots farther apart; further, the rate of rifling twist was altered to enhance the effect! These changes turned out to be due to the testing of 9mm submachine guns, where an increased "cone of fire" was considered desirable. Speer then engineered a bullet, full metal jacket, to be as accurate as possible, and loaded by Federal Cartridge Company for the M9 competition, and the result was adopted as the M882 (I hope I have that number correct, I frequently get its number mixed-up with one for a particular .50 caliber cartridge -- a serious problem for an acting Supply Sergeant!) 125.6 grains, with a then-revolutionary shape, at a higher velocity than normal (125.6 grains, at a velocity normal for 115 grains, and so, slightly higher-pressure than SAAMI specification. Just as Georg Luger's had been, and reverting also to his rifling twist-rate.) The surplus production was sold by Federal as its Model #9MP, which quickly earned its reputation as the World's Most Accurate Production Ammunition. To improve accuracy compared with other submachine guns, including the normal MP-5, Hecklar & Koch -- which was founded by WW II Mauser engineers, familiar with the whole situation of developing intrinsically less-accurate ammunition for submachine guns -- engineered not only their own rifling twist-rate, but their own rifling _design_ and _barrel_ design to improve the accuracy of the 115-grain service ammunition issued by the West German Bundeswehr, for the MP-5SD, while simultaneously reducing that normally supersonic ammunition to subsonic velocity to reduce the weapon's firing signature!

[@gilm3853]

RIP Paul Harrell

[@Stuntman175]

Well, since we're going down the Portuguese built weapons rabbit hole, have you ever seen an FBP or Lusa SMGs? Both are Portuguese designed and built submachine guns, the Lusa even having been produced in the US in the early 2000's after INDEP sold everything to an American arms manufacturer.

[@YouLookLikeAMfUhhhhh]

Really hope he can get his hands on one of those for a video

[@_f355]

> smaller countries > Nigeria population equal to that of both Germanies back then, 2.5 times larger today

[@DianaCasey-uq1nt]

If you love someone, set them free. If they come back they're yours; if they don't they never were.

[@Revener666]

Yeah G3 full auto can be a bit of a ride. I trained a bit with swedish G3's doing full auto off hand shooting.

[@axelk4921]

I wish you could show us more of the EXOTIC HKs, such as the gold-plated MP5k from the Saudi Arabian sheikh or G3 "export models" with Greek or Arabic characters, which is what I would like the most...! the individual conversions by Vollmer and Co. e.g. the "HK 51b" or the little-known conversions used by the GIGN. The French have a "special tactic to confuse their opponents with extremely short-barreled fully automatic weapons that actually only have/had one purpose... to distract the opponent with extreme noise or the bayonets or rifle grenades that are "not" actually used maybe also a report on the .22 conversion kit for the G3 for small caliber shooting

[@Militaristics]

wonder how Sphur's updates would work on a 21? the stock seems like a no-brainer to help with recoil and control. does anyone make a quality SF trigger for HK's

[@RS-lw1hz]

(12:21) I can confirm this, the HK21 was horrible to shoot... And to carry, specially with the 100 round side drum that they made us carry during training. The MG3, although heavier, was easier to carry and way easier (and fun) to shoot.

[@craigthescott5074]

You can’t be a small person and control a HK21 comfortably, I’m 6’1” 230 lbs and I can control mine with some effort and a lot of experience. Smaller guys that have shot it get thrown around a lot. My cyclic rate is around 900 to 1000 rounds a min which is very high for 7.62.

[@RS-lw1hz]

@@craigthescott5074 I'm 5'11 and 180 lbs, I was probably lighter back then (I'm talking 20 years ago) it was during my first year in the military, not much experience with automatic weapons... Firing the HK21 (the exact same model from the video) was my first experience with machineguns, after that was the MG3 and it was like night and day, although bigger, heavier and with a higher rate of fire, it was so easy to get the bursts on target comparing to the HK21.

[@craigthescott5074]

@@RS-lw1hz yep the HK 21 is so fast it’s puts a lot of rounds in an area quickly and if you need to be accurate it’s has semi capability. It is a very brutal recoiling weapon especially for a first time beltfed experience.

[@RS-lw1hz]

@@craigthescott5074 yeah I'm aware of its accuracy advantages over the MG3, we even had 4x SUIT prism sights for it. But we could also get a similar accuracy with a regular G3 rifle with the same sight.

[@Hymenaei]

as a portuguese silly billy i thank you for presenting this

[@canal10centrado]

@@Hymenaei tenho uma entrevista com o ian no meu canal

[@thelaughinghyenas8465]

Thank you for more on thsi fascinating and underloved system.

[@MsJoao101]

Dang!!! I knew those existed, i never got to see one... Cada vez gosto mais do canal...

[@THESLlCK]

to me this is the best looking LMG of all time. FG42 is up there as well

[@senseo2848]

Germany used some here named G8 in SOF service like Kampfschwimmer and KSK

[@MarkErikEE]

Good video again, Ian. I burst out laughing at 12:30 "hammering recoil". You have like 500 grams of iron jackhammering your shoulder at 800 rpm - not a pleasant experience. When shooting G3/AK4 you can hear the bolt go clunka-clunka back and fort. I wouldn't want to try this with a 200 round belt.

[@mannywilliams6409]

I'm pretty sure these saw service in Angola, and some are probably still thee today.

[@ForgottenWeapons]

Yes, they absolutely did.

[@davidgoodnow269]

​@@joelfernando1 It could have been Portuguese, but more likely came from Saudi Arabia with the person carrying it!

[@swampwyag676]

Couldn't tell you for sure why, but I've always felt that the HK21, like the Beretta 92, has a strange beauty to it.

[@Autobotmatt428]

I read and heard Delta Force use some of these in the units early years.

[@dlistmemer591]

I want this recreationally

[@LD-Orbs]

This is how it should be.

[@dreamingflurry2729]

Well, the G3 is a good weapon no doubt (the only "problem" it has it that it mangles brass because of the roller delay system and the barrel fluting, but a military is not reloading their own ammo anyway, so yeah they don't care!), so yeah good choice Porugal :)

[@FirstLast_Nba]

Ok now I need to see the HK21E.

[@stevea9828]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/oYu6pXqferiEatUsi=aEBUkCJYofbyz4sg

[@shura0107]

He has a video on it. It's kinda interesting he did a video on the 21E before the 21, but I imagine there are more 21Es than 21s.

[@MrM2hb]

I have a Volmers conversion and love I.

[@MrM2hb]

It :

[@jameswhitaker1324]

I’ll bet that thing is a party to clean.

[@jeromethiel4323]

I have a G3, and the back 1/3 looks just like mine. The rest?!? Hooo boy!

[@InNominePraxis]

1:06 Alberto Barbosa enters the chat

[@Banosauro]

Hi there. Just a small correction. The portugueses state arsenal where all weapons where designed and produced was FBP (Fabrica de Braço de Prata -Silver Arm Factory) and not FMP (Fabrica Militar de Portugal)

[@thomas_jay]

I would like to see a modernization of the gun like Ian did with his Spuhr G3.

[@DarkSoulSama]

2:35 - "OLÉ!" XP

[@allanlarrett6015]

Thanks!

[@ForgottenWeapons]

You bet!

[@norwegianwiking]

Norwegian Home Guard had these in for trial back in the 80s/90s. They liked them, but we went with Turkish made MG3s instead, which were less of a success.

[@Milspecpoptart]

I remember the hk21 from playing MGS4. Dont remember it in any other titles, but im sure its out there.

[@lyletorok]

i Shot one of these in poland not that long ago ..... its heavy I'm a big dude 6'2 and build like you expect. This thing's heavy barrel and with that bipod fixed at the front it makes it real workout to use it kicks like a mule ... full auto was only recommended from prone ... I was told there is a video running around of a polish special forces chap duel wielding it ..... 😖

[@mbr5742]

Well, they get selected at birth and fed a steady diet of Bigos and Pierogi to make them really strong ;)

[@davidgoodnow269]

If you look up the ASh-12, try to find the anti-terrorism team shoot house try-out where the recruit goes through using that 12.7x55 bullpup assault rifle on full-auto all the way through the simulated hostage-rescue mission. 8-mag mag-dump . . . .

[@elycraig2802]

Hi Ian i have a series 25 Kokura Arsenal type 99 Arisaka in mint condition as far as mint goes you can do a video on if your interested

[@dmg4415]

Would love to see the latest edition in a comparison video.

[@Americanstruggle]

As always, stellar content. How about a 6.5 grendel video/run and gun type event, with pistol of choice? Obviously semi auto variant 16" barrel minimum for AR, the rest is up to you and preference for the caliber. Pistol, again, your choice.

[@rustymiller194]

Ian has my dream job!!!!!!

[@manythingslefttobuild]

Great video Ian. Is there a reason why the stock only has 2 pin holes, on a gun with 3 pins? I think other HK guns have 3 or 4 hole stocks for all their pins.

[@rodneyalaking8241]

Ian has probably forgotten more about weapons than I will ever learn.

[@samobispo1527]

Mexico purchased many of these.

[@ericbergfield6451]

G3 a handsome design 😊

[@DevinMoorhead]

Fricking early gang reporting for duty

[@MarksmanDynamics]

same

[@nithiwatchattranukul9448]

bro so fast

[@jamesallred460]

Yo!

[@idovolodarsky]

Alrighty

[@amorchis0671]

Oh boy, Ian's favorite weapon system, the G3 😭

[@noobmaster4412]

Have you made a video about hk 25 machine gun or you don't have it yet,if so i would like to

[@ForgottenWeapons]

I have not; I haven't even found one. If any still exist, they are probably only in Oberndorf's reference collection.

[@Cartoondude135]

There's a short barrel version of this HK LMG, but... which one was that again? Gah! It's on the tip of my tongue!

[@joshuaford4460]

Just going off of google fu (ModernFirearms/Popenker), the HK23(5.56 belt fed), HK11(7.62 mag fed), and HK13 (5.56 mag fed) are all shorter barrel variants of the HK21.

[@marekm2561]

Dzięki Ian za ciekawy kolejny film. W tych portugalskich koloniach w Afryce było dużo niemiaszków , sprowadzonych po II wojnie. 👽🖖