Heckler & Koch P11
The HK P11 is a Heckler & Koch pistol designed as an underwater firearm that was developed in 1976. It has five barrels and each fires a 7.62 X 36mm dart electrically. Loading is by means of a five-round case. The design resembles that of a pepper-box firearm.
| HK P11 | |
|---|---|
 OS P11 | |
| Type | Underwater Pistol |
| 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-fuelled rocket with 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 |
Design
Since ordinary-shaped rounds are inaccurate and have a very short range when used underwater, this pistol fires steel darts.[1] It has five barrels, each of which is loaded with a cartridge, giving the gun a pepper-box appearance, and it is electrically ignited from a battery pack in the pistol grip.[2]
After firing all five cartridges, the barrel unit must be sent back to its manufacturer for reloading.[3] It is very similar to its predecessor, the Mk 1 Underwater Defense Gun. In the past, Heckler & Koch has denied knowledge of its existence.[4]
This firearm is somewhat bulkier than its Soviet counterpart, the SPP-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
See also
- SPP-1 underwater pistol – Soviet four-barreled underwater dart pistol
- Underwater firearm – Firearms that can be effectively fired underwater
- Electronic firing
Notes
- Cawthorne, Nigel (1 March 2012). The Mammoth Book of Inside the Elite Forces. Little, Brown Book Group. p. 220. ISBN 978-1-78033-731-9.
- Neville, Leigh (31 March 2016). Guns of Special Forces 2001 – 2015. Pen and Sword. pp. 40–41. ISBN 978-1-4738-8102-0.
- Walter, John (2005). Guns Of The Elite Forces. Frontline Books. p. 115. ISBN 978-1-85367-637-6.
- Dockery, Kevin (2004). Weapons of the Navy SEALs. New York: Berkley. p. 68. ISBN 0-425-19834-0.
- Southby-Tailyour, Ewen (2005). Jane's Special Forces Recognition Guide. New York: Collins. p. 366. ISBN 0-00-718329-1.
- "Straight Dope Staff Report: How far can bullets go when fired into water?". The Straight Dope. Archived from the original on 27 March 2008. Retrieved 28 March 2008.
- Dan, Alex (9 February 2016). "PASKAL Malaysian Special Forces Weapons". Military Factory (Small Arms). Archived from the original on 14 February 2016. Retrieved 10 February 2016.
- "SBS Weapons - HK P11 Underwater Pistol". Elite UK Forces. Retrieved 28 March 2008.
References
- Dockery, Kevin (2004). Weapons of the Navy SEALs. New York: Berkley. ISBN 0-425-19834-0.
- Southby-Tailyour, Ewen (2005). Jane's Special Forces Recognition Guide. New York: Collins. ISBN 0-00-718329-1.
External links
- HKPRO: The HK P11
- Securityarms: Heckler & Koch P11 Underwater Pistol
- Modern Firearms: Heckler Koch HK P11 underwater pistol
