Heckler & Koch P11
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| HK P11 | |
|---|---|
 HK P11 with a test device attached |
|
| Type | Underwater Pistol |
| Place of origin |  West Germany |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1970s |
| Produced | 1976 |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 1.2 kg (2.7 lb) loaded Battery pack 700 g |
| Length | 200 mm (7.874 in) |
| Width | 60 mm (2.362 in) |
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|
|
| Cartridge | about 100 mm (4 in) long, miniature solid-fuelled rocket with fins |
| Caliber | 7.62 mm x 36 |
| Action | Electric actuated |
| Effective range | 30 m in air, 10 to 15 m underwater |
| Feed system | 5 rounds, each in a barrel |
| Sights | 14.6 cm between sights |
The HK P11 is a Heckler & Koch pistol designed as an underwater firearm. Since ordinary-shaped bullets are inaccurate and have a very short range when used underwater, this pistol fires steel darts about 10 cm long. 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.[1] After firing all five cartridges, the barrel unit must be sent back to its manufacturer for reloading.[2] It is very similar to its predecessor, the M1 Underwater Defense Gun.
The P11 is reportedly in service with German Kampfschwimmer[3] and KSK, the British SBS,[4] and 100 units of U.S. Special operations forces.[5] It is also used by Dutch, Danish, Italian Navy COMSUBIN, Norwegian, French and Israeli combat divers.[6]
In the past, Heckler & Koch has denied knowledge of its existence,[7] but despite this the P11 has become relatively well-known, appearing in the 2003 film Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life,[8] and the 2002 video game James Bond 007: Nightfire.[9]
Contents |
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- HKPRO: The HK P11
- Securityarms: Heckler & Koch P11 Underwater Pistol
- Modern Firearms: Heckler Koch HK P11 underwater pistol
[edit] Notes
- ^ Heckler & Koch HK P11 Underwater Pistol (HTML). Modern Firearms. Retrieved on 2008-03-29.
- ^ Underwater Pistol - HK P11 (HTML). Special Boat Service: Information on the SBS. Retrieved on 2008-03-28.
- ^ Straight Dope Staff Report: How far can bullets go when fired into water? (HTML). The Straight Dope. Retrieved on 2008-03-28.
- ^ SBS Weapons - HK P11 Underwater Pistol (HTML). Elite UK Forces. Retrieved on 2008-03-28.
- ^ HKPRO: The HK P11 (HTML). HKPRO. Retrieved on 2008-03-28.
- ^ Southby-Tailyour, Ewen (2005). Jane's Special Forces Recognition Guide. New York: Collins, 366. ISBN 0-00-718329-1.
- ^ Dockery, Kevin (2004). Weapons of the Navy SEALs. New York: Berkley, 68. ISBN 0-425-19834-0.
- ^ Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life corrections (HTML). Movie Mistakes. Retrieved on 2008-03-28.
- ^ Nightfire Weapons (HTML). [009] Nightfire Pro Fair Play. Retrieved on 2008-03-28.
[edit] 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.
