Heckler & Koch P11
| HK P11 | |
|---|---|
|
OS P11 | |
| Type | Underwater Pistol |
| Place of origin | Germany |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1970s |
| Produced | 1976 |
| Specifications | |
| Weight |
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 x 36 mm, 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 |
The HK P11 is a Heckler & Koch pistol designed as an underwater firearm.
Design
Since ordinary-shaped rounds are inaccurate and have a very short range when used underwater, this pistol fires steel darts about 10 centimetres (3.9 in) 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 Mk 1 Underwater Defense Gun. In the past, Heckler & Koch has denied knowledge of its existence.[3]
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
Denmark[4]
France[4]
Germany: German commando frogmen.[5] 
Israel[4]
Italy: Italian Navy COMSUBIN.[4]
Netherlands[4]
Norway[4]
United Kingdom: Special Boat Service of the British Royal Navy.[6] 
United States: 100 units have been issued to members of U.S. Special operations forces.
See also
Notes
- ↑ "Heckler & Koch HK P11 Underwater Pistol". Modern Firearms. Retrieved 2008-03-29.
- ↑ "Underwater Pistol - HK P11". Special Boat Service: Information on the SBS. Retrieved 2008-03-28.
- ↑ Dockery, Kevin (2004). Weapons of the Navy SEALs. New York: Berkley. p. 68. ISBN 0-425-19834-0.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 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 2008-03-27. Retrieved 2008-03-28.
- ↑ "SBS Weapons - HK P11 Underwater Pistol". Elite UK Forces. Retrieved 2008-03-28.
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
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||