heckler-koch

'Smart' grenade launcher heads to Afghanistan

The futuristic-looking XM-25 shoulder-fired weapon, a sort of a souped-up grenade launcher, will soon be getting its trial by combat.

U.S. Special Forces soldiers will be trying out the XM-25 in Afghanistan this summer, according to a report Thursday at Military.com. It's not clear how many of those weapons will be going, but the numbers are likely to be quite small, given that it's still early days for the specialized system.

The XM-25, which fires a 25mm airbursting, high-explosive round, packs a whole lot of smarts to go with its punch. With the click of a … Read more

The Porsche of machine pistols

Whether it's OG ornate or something more discreet, Heckler and Koch has an MP5K maschinenpistole for the dad or grad in your life. Legend has it that the K--which stands for kurz, or "short," in German--was conceived by an HK South American sales rep who saw a market for it as protection for businessmen on the hard streets of Rio.

Marketed as the ultimate close-quarters weapon at 4.4 pounds and less than 13 inches long, the MP5K is easily concealed and can be fitted with an optional folding Choate butt-stock or a sound suppressor.

It's … Read more

The case of the copycat fire serpent

When we hear knock-off, names like Rolex or Gucci usually come to mind. Now assault rifles can be added to that list.

Case in point: Mexico's new FX-05 Xiuhcoatl assault rifle is closely based on the German-based Heckler and Koch's G-36V, Mexidata columnist Allan Hall writes. So close that both the German government and HK accused Mexico of copying the G36V design.

Those aggrieved demanded that Mexico destroy the new FX-05s and pay damages or face legal action. Mexico temporarily stopped production on the Xiuhcoatl--which, by the way, means fire serpent in Nahuatl.

Apparently the whole production of … Read more