To sidestep the United States assault rifle ban of 1989, Heckler & Koch of West Germany took their HK 91, based on the HK 41 semi-automatic rifle, and reworked/rebranded the product as a sporting and target rifle to become the "HK 911" and then the "HK SR9" (in 1990). Changes to the original included loss of the separate pistol grip, flash suppressor and bayonet mountings - the more common traits of an assault weapon. A shortened, lighter weight barrel was installed and, in 1994, magazine counts restricted to five rounds. Fire was limited to semi-automatic only. Both wood and polymer (black) stocks were eventually featured in the product line.
Overall weight of the rifle was around 11 pounds. Dimensions included an overall length of 42.5 inches with a barrel measuring 19.7 inches long. The weapon was chambered for the 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge firing from a 5- or 20-round detachable box magazine (using a straight box design) through a double-column, spring-loaded approach. The action remained the HK roller-delayed blowback system of operation with a semi-automatic firing function. Sighting was through a standard iron arrangement or optics mounted over the receiver in the typical way. A long-running forend allowed for a landing area for the supporting hand under the barrel with the barrel protruding a short distance ahead of this assembly. The weapon used the traditional HK selector switch near the firing hand's thumb, color-coded for quick recognition.
Two major variants of the SR9 were developed - the SR9T ("Target") and the SR9TC ("Target Competition"). The Target model incorporated the shoulder stock of the MSG90 rifle with an integral thumbhole and the precision trigger group of the PSG-1 sniper rifle was borrowed. The Target Competition model added the PSG-1's adjustable shoulder stock unit while retaining many of the elements seen in the Target model.
(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)
✓Accuracy / Precision
Long-range accuracy / precision capable; suitable for sniping, particularly when equipped with sighting aids.
Overall Length
1,080 mm 42.52 in
Barrel Length
500 mm 19.69 in
Empty Wgt
11.02 lb 5.00 kg
Sights
Iron Front and Rear; Optional Optics
Action
Roller-Delayed Blowback; Semi-Automatic Fire
Semi-Automatic
One shot per trigger pull; self-loading or auto-loading action aided by internal mechanism; trigger management (and initial cocking) typically required by the operator; subsequent shots are aided by the unlocked / moved bolt.
Blowback Operation
Gas pressure from the rearward movement of the ignited cartridge case provides the needed bolt movement, ejecting the spent case and stripping a fresh case from the magazine.
(Material presented above is for historical and entertainment value and should not be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation - always consult official manufacturer sources for such information)
Caliber(s)*
7.62x51mm NATO
Sample Visuals**
Rounds / Feed
5- or 20-round detachable box magazine
*May not represent an exhuastive list; calibers are model-specific dependent, always consult official manufacturer sources. **Graphics not to actual size; not all cartridges may be represented visually; graphics intended for general reference only.
HK SR9 - Base Series Designation
HK SR9T - Target model; adjustable buttstock from MSG90 series; PSG-1 trigger.
HK SR9TC - Target Competition model; PSG-1 adjustable buttstock; PSG-1 grip and trigger.
Ribbon graphics not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Ribbons are clickable to their respective campaigns / operations.
The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com.
Part of a network of sites that includes GlobalFirepower, a data-driven property used in ranking the top military powers of the world, WDMMA.org, the World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft, and SR71blackbird.org, detailing the history of the world's most iconic spyplane.
Germany; South Africa; United States
