Heckler & Koch HK433

Modular Assault Rifle / Assault Carbine

Germany | 2017

"Officially introduced in 2017, the German Heckler and Koch HK433 is presented as a fully-modular assault rifle system"

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 10/05/2023 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

Image from official Heckler and Koch marketing materials.

In 2017, long-time German gun-maker delivered to market its latest vision - a fully-modular, compact, and lightweight assault carbine for the next generation of warfighter. The product relies on the proven 5.56mm NATO cartridge. The rifle/carbine was unveiled during EnforceTac 2017 and maintains an active marketing presence in the Heckler & Koch firearms lineup. The series follows the proven AR15-style HK416 and HK417 marks (detailed elsewhere on this site) into the global marketplace and is influenced by HK's direction with its HK G36 adopted by the German Army.

Being both modular and compact gives the operator essential qualities when engaging foes in urban environments. The base design is chambered for the NATO-standard 5.56x45mm intermediate rifle cartridge feeding from a 30-round, curved, spring-loaded magazine. The general arrangement of the rifle is conventional with a folding / retractable shoulder stock (including a height-adjustable cheek rest), integrated pistol grip / trigger unit, forward magazine well, perforated cooling hand guard, and extended barrel. The entire length of the top of the frame and forend sport a long line of Picatinny rail for the mounting of accessories. Additional mounting points are found under the hand guard and the sides (3- and 9-o'clock) are managed through the "HKey" interface. Iron sights can be retained as backup while various optics, aimers, and lights can be affixed to the gun.

A unique feature to the HK433 is a cartridge "counter" showing available rounds in the magazine.

The upper receiver sports a STANAG 4694 profile with a long-running section of Picatinny rail for the mounting of accessories. The slim handguard also has mounting points at the 3- and 9-o'clock positions for additional tactical hardware. Supported components include bipods, drum magazines, and bayonet. The barrel can be capped with a suppressor for clandestine work.

The entire weapon can be disassembled into its primary components without any tools in-the-field.

Controls are ambidextrous along the side of the frame near the trigger unit and the trigger loop is oversized to accept a gloved hand. The charging handle is non-reciprocating and the weapon can be arranged to suit both left- and right-handed shooters without any tools. Furthermore, the weapon can be charged even with the safety on - making the rifle ready-to-fire at a moment's notice. The internal action is of proven gas-operation supporting single- or full-automatic fire modes.

The shortest compact model in the series measures 22.7 inches collapsed and 33.2 inches extended. The longest is 31.2 inches long collapsed and 41.7 inches extended.

As per HK marketing materials, the base rifle offered has a manageable operating weight of 3.25kg and a rate-of-fire near 700 feet-per-minute. Maximum length reaches 843mm with a collapsed length of 577mm. The barrel measures 280mm in length. These values naturally differ between sub-variants of the line. HK markets its HK433 to current or past operators of its popular G36 assault rifle series and as a suitable replacement for the newer HK416 line.

Content ©MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.

June 2022 - The rifle was showcased at Eurosatory 2022.

Physical
The physical qualities of the Heckler & Koch HK433. Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.

845 mm
33.27 in
O/A Length

280 mm
11.02 in
Barrel Length

7.17 lb
3.25 kg
Weight

Short-Stroke Piston; Rotating Bolt System.
Action

5.56x45mm NATO
Caliber(s)

30-round detachable box magazine (STANAG type)
Feed

Over-Receiver Optics; Optional Backup Iron.
Sights

Performance
Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the Heckler & Koch HK433. Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.

560 ft
170.7 m | 186.7 yds
Max.Eff.Range

700
Rounds-Per-Minute
Rate-of-Fire

3,030 ft/sec
924 m/sec
Muzzle Velocity

Variants
Notable series variants as part of the Heckler & Koch HK433 Modular Assault Rifle / Assault Carbine family line.

HK433 - Base Series Designation.

Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the Heckler & Koch HK433. Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national small arms listing.

Contractor(s): Heckler & Koch GmbH - Germany

[ Germany (possible); United States ]

1 / 1

Image from official Heckler and Koch marketing materials.

Design Qualities
Some designs are single-minded in their approach while others offer a more versatile solution to requirements.

AUTOMATIC FUNCTION

ASSAULT RIFLE

SPECIAL FORCES

Recognition
Some designs stand the test of time while others are doomed to never advance beyond the drawing board; let history be their judge.

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Military lapel ribbon representing special forces

Going Further...
The Heckler & Koch HK433 Modular Assault Rifle / Assault Carbine appears in the following collections:

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