HISTORY
The G3 was developed to supply the German military with a new rifle after World War 2. At first Germany opted for the G1 version of the Belgian FAL, but local production was not allowed. The design of the G3 is based on the early developments of the Spanish CETME Model 58 rifle, which itself was based on German development at later stages of World War 2. The G3 successfully competed against the SG-510 as the G2 and the AR-10 as the G4. The G3 was also widely exported and has been produced under license in over a dozen nations. In 1997 Germany adopted the G36 as its new service rifle, marking the end for the G3 in German service. The G3 remains in production outside Germany and of the dozens of nations that acquired the G3 many still have the G3 in service. Lineae
The G3 was the grandfather for a wide range of Heckler & Koch weapons such as the famous MP5 sub machine gun, HK 33 assault rifle, the PSG-1 sniper rifle and the HK 21 machinegun. Production
The G3 became nearly as successful as the FAL. The FAL had the advantage of being in production earlier and being cheaper. G3’s and derivatives have been or are produced, with or without license, in France by MAS, in Greece by Hellenic Arms Industry, in Iran by DIO, in Mexico, in Myanmar, in Norway by Kongsberg, in Pakistan by POF, in Portugal by INDEP, in Saudi Arabia, in Sudan by MIC, in Sweden by Carl Gustav, in Turkey by MKE and in the UK by Royal Ordnance.
DESIGN
The design of the G3 is based on the early development variants of the Spanish CETME Model 58. The G3 has a conventional layout with the magazine inserted in front of the pistol grip and trigger. The G3 features the roller delayed blowback mechanism and fires the 7.62x51mm NATO round from 20 round metal or plastic magazines. The very earliest models had wooden stocks and handguards. These soon changed to a light green plastic stock and slimline handguard, which are available in light brown as well. Later on the wider ‘tropical’ handguard was fitted, which was available in green and black. The G3 features diopter sights, meaning that the operator can predict the point of impact when the hooded front post and rear drum sight are not perfectly aligned. Several variants exist, but all share the same basic principles.
PERFORMANCE
The G3 is a very good rifle. Arguably the G3 is the best among the battle rifles. During many conflicts the G3 has proven to be a good weapon, even when not too well maintained. The roller locked delayed blowback design makes the G3 a very accurate and reliable weapon. The G3 has proven to function well in wet, arctic and desert conditions. Its drawbacks are that the same roller locked delayed blowback design makes it a heavy and expensive weapon that is somewhat harder to maintain than others.
The G3 allows for accurate semi-automatic fire out to long ranges. As with all battle rifle automatic fire is of little use due to the heavy recoil of the 7.62x51mm round. The accuracy makes the G3SG/1 one of the best sniper rifles derived from standard assault rifles. Compared to dedicated sniper rifles, such as bolt action rifles, the G3SG/1 lacks range and accuracy. Out to 500 meters the G3SG/1 will match most sniper rifles and maintain the advantages of being lightweight and a semi-automatic weapon.
The G3 was developed to supply the German military with a new rifle after World War 2. At first Germany opted for the G1 version of the Belgian FAL, but local production was not allowed. The design of the G3 is based on the early developments of the Spanish CETME Model 58 rifle, which itself was based on German development at later stages of World War 2. The G3 successfully competed against the SG-510 as the G2 and the AR-10 as the G4. The G3 was also widely exported and has been produced under license in over a dozen nations. In 1997 Germany adopted the G36 as its new service rifle, marking the end for the G3 in German service. The G3 remains in production outside Germany and of the dozens of nations that acquired the G3 many still have the G3 in service. Lineae
The G3 was the grandfather for a wide range of Heckler & Koch weapons such as the famous MP5 sub machine gun, HK 33 assault rifle, the PSG-1 sniper rifle and the HK 21 machinegun. Production
The G3 became nearly as successful as the FAL. The FAL had the advantage of being in production earlier and being cheaper. G3’s and derivatives have been or are produced, with or without license, in France by MAS, in Greece by Hellenic Arms Industry, in Iran by DIO, in Mexico, in Myanmar, in Norway by Kongsberg, in Pakistan by POF, in Portugal by INDEP, in Saudi Arabia, in Sudan by MIC, in Sweden by Carl Gustav, in Turkey by MKE and in the UK by Royal Ordnance.
DESIGN
The design of the G3 is based on the early development variants of the Spanish CETME Model 58. The G3 has a conventional layout with the magazine inserted in front of the pistol grip and trigger. The G3 features the roller delayed blowback mechanism and fires the 7.62x51mm NATO round from 20 round metal or plastic magazines. The very earliest models had wooden stocks and handguards. These soon changed to a light green plastic stock and slimline handguard, which are available in light brown as well. Later on the wider ‘tropical’ handguard was fitted, which was available in green and black. The G3 features diopter sights, meaning that the operator can predict the point of impact when the hooded front post and rear drum sight are not perfectly aligned. Several variants exist, but all share the same basic principles.
PERFORMANCE
The G3 is a very good rifle. Arguably the G3 is the best among the battle rifles. During many conflicts the G3 has proven to be a good weapon, even when not too well maintained. The roller locked delayed blowback design makes the G3 a very accurate and reliable weapon. The G3 has proven to function well in wet, arctic and desert conditions. Its drawbacks are that the same roller locked delayed blowback design makes it a heavy and expensive weapon that is somewhat harder to maintain than others.
The G3 allows for accurate semi-automatic fire out to long ranges. As with all battle rifle automatic fire is of little use due to the heavy recoil of the 7.62x51mm round. The accuracy makes the G3SG/1 one of the best sniper rifles derived from standard assault rifles. Compared to dedicated sniper rifles, such as bolt action rifles, the G3SG/1 lacks range and accuracy. Out to 500 meters the G3SG/1 will match most sniper rifles and maintain the advantages of being lightweight and a semi-automatic weapon.
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