Heckler & Koch HK43
| Heckler & Koch HK43 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Paramilitary and Sporting Rifle |
| Place of origin | Germany |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Heckler & Koch, GmbH |
| Produced | March, 1974 |
| Variants | A2 and A3 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 8.4 pounds (3.8 kg)(Empty magazine) |
| Length | 36.2 inches (920 mm) |
| Barrel length | 15.5 inches (393.7 mm) |
| Height | 8.26 inches (210 mm) |
| Cartridge | .223 Remington |
| Action | Roller-delayed blowback |
| Rate of fire | Semi-automatic |
| Feed system | 25-round, 30-round, or 40-round double column, detachable box magazine |
| Sights | Protected post front, rotating diopter sight rear adj. for wind. and elev. |
The Heckler and Koch HK43 is paramilitary semiautomatic rifle similar to the Heckler & Koch HK33.
Overview
In the mid to late 1960’s, Heckler & Koch developed the HK33, which was scaled down version of the Heckler & Koch G3, chambered for .223 (5.56 x 45). In 1974, a semiautomatic version of the HK33 was introduced by H&K was designated the HK43. According to H&K’s numbering nomenclature, the “4” indicates that the weapon is a paramilitary rifle, and the “3” indicates that the caliber is .223. HK43s were sold with 25 round steel magazines. Of the approximately 400 HK43s produced, it is estimated that anywhere between 50 and 200 were imported into the U.S in 1974.
Characteristics
The HK43, which was the precursor to the HK93, was for the most part identical in appearance to the HK33. Instead of a “push-pin” grip housing, it came with a clip-on style grip housing marked “SF.” The auto-sear was removed from the fire control group to prevent automatic fire and the fire control group was modified to prevent the selector lever from going into the full-auto position.
Early HK43s were made from the same barrels used on the HK33 rifles, which were 15.5 inches in length and thus had to have a flash suppressor attached to bring the barrels up to the legal length of at least 16 inches. H&K also omitted the grenade launching snap rings on the barrel, as they had for their HK41 models, because the Gun Control Act of 1968 prohibited such features on imported rifles.
Like the Heckler & Koch HK41, the HK43 had a black finish, which differed from the blue-gray finish of the later HK91/93 series, and came with a short slim forearm grip. Moreover, there were no proof marks on the receiver. Only the rifle’s model and serial numbers, as well as date of manufacture were engraved on the left side of the receiver. The date code indicated the month and year the rifle was produced. The HK43 was also fitted with an all-plastic MP5 style butt stock with the recoil buffer attached to the bolt carrier.
History
Before Heckler & Koch had their own importing operations in the U.S., Security Arms Company (SACO), located in Arlington, Virginia, imported and distributed all HK43s (as well as HK41s and HK300s). The receivers were marked:
"Made in Germany excl. for SACO Arl. Va. 22 209 Kal. .223"
As previously mention, some of the early HK43s were sold with 15.5-inch barrels that had spines on the end instead of threads. SACO issued a recall for those already sold so they could have the flash suppressors permanently attached to them. This was done by either welding them on or locking them in place with a blind pin.
HK93
It is not entirely clear why Heckler & Koch re-designated the HK43 as the HK93 in 1975. Part of the reason could have been to change the public’s perception of the rifle from a paramilitary-type weapon to a semi-automatic sporting rifle. After 1975, Heckler & Koch took over their own U.S. importation, which might have prompted the change in name to HK93. In any case, the HK43 and the HK93 are identical and all the parts are interchangeable. There were three times as many HK91s imported into the U.S. as there were HK93s. Consequently, their value is a little higher. In today’s market, HK93s usually sell for anywhere between $2200 and $3000. The HK43 on the other hand, because of its scarcity, usually sells between $3000 and $4000.
The HK43 rifles, as well as the HK41s, were very popular among firearm enthusiasts in California during the 1990’s because the 1989 Roberti-Roos Act prohibited ownership of the HK91/93/94 series rifles. The HK41/43 rifles were never specifically banned by name and thus were still able to be purchased or transferred by California residents. Just prior to the California Assault Weapons Ban of 2000, HK41s and HK43s sold for massive premiums because that was the last time residents of California could own such a weapon in its original configuration.