German special forces could adopt HK437 submachine gun

Hartpunkt reported that on February 26, 2024, the German armed forces placed an order for a specialized silenced weapon from Heckler & Koch. This weapon, based on the HK437 model and chambered in .300 Blackout (7.62 mm x 35 mm), will be introduced into the armed forces under the designation G39. According to Hartpunkt’s sources, the contract was awarded in mid-February 2024.

The selection process for this project began in the fall of 2022, aiming to replace the silenced version of the MP5 – used by special forces and, among others, by long-range reconnaissance troops – with a more modern and effective weapon. The tender required a complete weapon with accessories and ammunition (soft-core, supersonic, and subsonic) capable of engaging soft and armored targets up to 200 meters away. The specifications demanded a semi-automatic weapon capable of “over the beach” operations, not exceeding 3,300 grams with a handguard, mechanical sight, adjustable stock, and an empty magazine inserted, without the need for a sound or signature suppression device.

Initially, the special forces are expected to receive 176 basic sets of this specialized silenced weapon, according to publicly available information. The Federal Office for Equipment, Information Technology, and Use of the Bundeswehr indicates that a total of 988 sets is required for full operational capability.

The HK437 is a .300 BLK (7.62 mm x 35) caliber weapon, designed to meet the needs of the armed forces and special units in terms of power and versatility on the battlefield. This weapon operates on an indirect gas-operated principle with a short-stroke piston, reducing recoil and improving handling during firing. It is equipped with a locked rotating bolt head system, ensuring high reliability and increased shooting accuracy.

For feeding, the HK437 uses a magazine mechanism, with a standard capacity of 30 rounds, providing a good rate of fire before needing to reload. Available firing modes include single fire or single fire/sustained fire, allowing the user to quickly adapt to different combat situations. The trigger pull ranges between 25 and 35 N, offering a balance between safety and responsiveness.

The rate of fire can reach 850 rounds per minute, an impressive feature that, combined with the magazine capacity, makes the HK437 particularly effective in close or prolonged engagements. The barrel profile is designed with a groove/land profile featuring 4 grooves and an 8-inch (203 mm) right-hand twist, optimized for accuracy and projectile stability over long distances.

The HK437 features advanced ergonomics, with a safety/fire selector lever that moves 45° for quick switching between firing modes. The weapon’s width varies from 73 mm to 106 mm, depending on the configuration, and it has an adjustable stock with 84 mm of travel and 7 locking positions, as well as an adjustable cheek rest with 21 mm of travel and 4 locking positions, allowing the user to customize the weapon for optimal comfort and shooting precision.

The height of the weapon with a 30-round magazine is 242 mm, and 210 mm without the magazine, indicating a compact and manageable design. The sight radius on the receiver is 332 mm, and the sight rail length on the receiver is 375 mm, providing ample space for mounting various optical accessories. The barrel bore axis position at 43 mm above the mounting plane ensures a low sight line, reducing parallax and improving accuracy. The empty 30-round magazine weighs 158 g, highlighting the design effort to minimize the overall weight of the weapon and facilitate user mobility.

In the G39 variant, the HK437 is equipped with a 9-inch (229 mm) barrel and is presented by Heckler & Koch at the Enforce Tac event with an A-TEC silencer. Heckler & Koch and the Norwegian signature reduction specialist A-TEC have been collaborating since 2022 on the development and distribution of their respective product lines. Suppressors, commonly known as silencers, aim to reduce the noise of the gunshot and muzzle flash, thereby minimizing hearing damage to the user, facilitating communication during combat, and making it more difficult for the enemy to detect the shooter. Ensuring the reliable operation of the weapon requires precise coordination of all components to avoid malfunctions and meet strict accuracy requirements.