HK 33

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	Weapon: HK 33 Type: Assault Rifle Country of Origin: Germany Year Adopted: 1968 Caliber: 5.56x45 NATO Action: Select Fire Overall Length (mm): 920.0 Overall Length (in): 36.22 Weight (kg): 3.00 Weight (pounds): 6.61 Effective Range (m): 400 m Effective Range (yards): 437.45

The HK 33 is a German 5.56x45mm NATO assault rifle developed by Heckler & Koch in the 1960s. It was designed as a scaled-down version of the famous 7.62mm G3 rifle, intended to offer a lighter and more compact weapon to NATO forces using the smaller 5.56mm round. The HK 33 operates using a roller-delayed blowback system, renowned for its accuracy and reliability. It was adopted by several militaries around the world, including Thailand, Portugal, and Malaysia, and became particularly popular among special forces units due to its compactness and versatility. The rifle was produced in several variants, including the HK 33E (export model) and HK 33K (short-barreled carbine version). Though it never achieved the widespread adoption of the G3, the HK 33 saw significant use throughout the latter half of the 20th century, with total production numbers in the hundreds of thousands. Its legacy endures through the development of later H&K weapons like the G36.