Heckler & Koch P11
| HK P11 | |
|---|---|
 OS P11 | |
| Type | UnderwaterPistol |
| Place of origin | Germany |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1977–present |
| Used by | see Users |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1970s |
| Manufacturer | Heckler & Koch |
| Produced | 1976 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 1,200 grams (42 oz) loaded Battery pack 700 grams (25 oz) |
| Length | 200 millimetres (7.9 in) |
| Width | 60 millimetres (2.4 in) |
| Cartridge | 7.62×36mm, about 100 millimetres (3.9 in) long, miniature solid-fuelledrocketwith fins |
| Caliber | 7.62 mm |
| Action | Electric actuated |
| Effective firing range | 30 metres (98 ft) in air, 10 to 15 metres (33 to 49 ft) underwater |
| Feed system | 5 rounds, each in a barrel |
| Sights | 14.6 centimetres (5.7 in) between sights |
TheHeckler & Koch P11is anunderwater firearmdeveloped in 1976 byHeckler & Koch.It is loaded using apepper-box-like assembly, containing five sealed barrels each containing an electrically-fired projectile. Two styles of barrel assembly can be used: one containing five 7.62×36mmflechettedarts for use underwater, or five 133-grain bullets for use above water.[1]
Design[edit]
Since ordinary-shaped rounds are inaccurate and have a very short range when used underwater, this pistol fires steel darts underwater or traditional bullets above water.[2][1]It has five barrels, each of which is loaded with acartridge,giving the gun a pepper-box appearance, and it is electrically ignited from a battery pack in the pistol grip.[3]
Both the underwater dart and above-water bullet barrel assemblies use asabotto hold the projectile. Each barrel isrifledin two portions: an initial large diameter designed to spin the sabot and projectile, and a second, narrower section to halt the sabot and spin the projectile.[1]This has two principal benefits: first, it reduces the noise produced when the weapon is fired and second it reduces exhaust gas released by the weapon that would otherwise cause bubbles.
After firing all five cartridges, the barrel unit must be sent back to its manufacturer for reloading.[4]It is very similar to its predecessor, theMk 1 Underwater Defense Gun.In the past, Heckler & Koch has denied knowledge of its existence.[5][1]
This firearm is somewhat bulkier than itsSovietcounterpart, theSPP-1 underwater pistol,but it has five barrels, as opposed to the Soviet firearm which has four. However, the SPP-1 does not need to be sent back to the manufacturer to be reloaded.
Users[edit]
Denmark[6]
France[6]
Germany:German commando frogmen.[7]
Israel[6]
Italy:Italian NavyCOMSUBIN.[6]
Malaysia:Pasukan Khas Laut(PASKAL) of theRoyal Malaysian Navy[8]
Netherlands[6]
Norway[6]
United Kingdom:Special Boat Serviceof theBritish Royal Navy.[9]
See also[edit]
- SPP-1 underwater pistol– Soviet four-barreled underwater dart pistol
- Underwater firearm– Firearms that can be effectively fired underwater
- Electronic firing– Type of firearm action
Notes[edit]
- ^abcdMcCollum, Ian(1 November 2023)."HK P11: NATO's Secret Underwater Pistol"(video).youtube.Forgotten Weapons.
- ^Cawthorne, Nigel (1 March 2012).The Mammoth Book of Inside the Elite Forces.Little, Brown Book Group. p. 220.ISBN978-1-78033-731-9.
- ^Neville, Leigh (31 March 2016).Guns of Special Forces 2001 – 2015.Pen and Sword. pp. 40–41.ISBN978-1-4738-8102-0.
- ^Walter, John (2005).Guns Of The Elite Forces.Frontline Books. p. 115.ISBN978-1-85367-637-6.
- ^Dockery, Kevin(2004).Weapons of the Navy SEALs.New York: Berkley. p. 68.ISBN0-425-19834-0.
- ^abcdefSouthby-Tailyour, Ewen(2005).Jane's Special Forces Recognition Guide.New York: Collins. p. 366.ISBN0-00-718329-1.
- ^"Straight Dope Staff Report: How far can bullets go when fired into water?".The Straight Dope.Archived fromthe originalon 27 March 2008.Retrieved28 March2008.
- ^Dan, Alex (9 February 2016)."PASKAL Malaysian Special Forces Weapons".Military Factory(Small Arms). Archived fromthe originalon 14 February 2016.Retrieved10 February2016.
- ^"SBS Weapons - HK P11 Underwater Pistol".Elite UK Forces.Retrieved28 March2008.
References[edit]
- Dockery, Kevin(2004).Weapons of the Navy SEALs.New York: Berkley.ISBN0-425-19834-0.
- Southby-Tailyour, Ewen(2005).Jane's Special Forces Recognition Guide.New York: Collins.ISBN0-00-718329-1.
External links[edit]
- HKPRO: The HK P11
- Securityarms: Heckler & Koch P11 Underwater Pistol
- Modern Firearms: Heckler Koch HK P11 underwater pistol
- HK P11: NATO's Secret Underwater Pistol
