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Description
Link for Information and Image: www.military-today.com/firearm…

Website: modernfirearms.net/en/

The G38 is a German military designation of the Heckler & Koch HK416A5 assault rifle. Some of these rifles are used by the German military and law enforcement forces. Interestingly in 2021 German MoD announced that a similar but slightly improved Heckler & Koch HK416A8 assault rifle will be adopted by the German armed forces (Bundeswehr) as the G95A1. It will become a standard issue infantry rifle and will completely replace the previous G36. In 2022 German government approved procurement of 118 000 G95A1 assault rifles. So the G38 never reached a widespread use.

The G38 is based on the AR-15 design but has a different gas piston system, similar to that of the G36, which is more reliable. It is a gas-operated weapon. Comparing with the US M4 and M16 the new gas system significantly reduced malfunctions and increased life of parts. The G38 is more reliable than its US counterparts. This weapon is chambered for standard NATO 5.56x45 mm intermediate ammunition. The baseline G38 has a 420 mm (16.5") barrel.

A semi-automatic version of the G38 is used by German law enforcement forces. This weapon is fully ambidextrous. All operating controls, including the charging handle, bolt catch, safety and fire mode selector are fully ambidextrous. This rifle is easy to operate from left or right shoulder. Large triggerguard allows to fire the weapon while wearing winter gloves. The G38 is fed from 30-round magazines. These can be either translucent plastic or steel magazines. This weapon is also compatible with standard NATO 5.56 mm magazines. Ergonomic pistol grip also acts as a storage compartment for field stripping tool. Buttstock can be extended. There is a full-length Picatinny type scope rail. It can accept a variety of mechanical and optical sights, including night vision or thermal sights. In German service this weapon was primarily intended to be used with various optics. Though there are also simple flip-up iron sights available. There is a modular mount for bayonet. A 40 mm grenade launching module can be also installed under the foregrip. This weapon can mount a sound suppressor. The gas regulator has to be adjusted prior to installing the sound suppressor, but this action requires no tools.

Variants

Full size assault rifle version with a (508 mm) 20" barrel.
G38K is a carbine version with a 386 mm (14.5") barrel.
G38C is a compact assault rifle with a 279 mm (11") barrel. This weapon was ordered by the German army.

Country of origin Germany
Entered service ?
Caliber 5.56 x 45 mm
Weight (with empty magazine) 3.81 kg
Length (stock extended) ~ 945 mm
Length (stock collapsed) ~ 850 mm
Barrel length 420 mm
Muzzle velocity ~ 850 m/s
Cyclic rate of fire ~ 850 rpm
Practical rate of fire 40 - 100 rpm
Magazine capacity 30 rounds
Sighting range ?
Range of effective fire ~ 500 m

Description
Link for Information and Image: www.military-today.com/firearm…

Website: modernfirearms.net/en/

The G38 is a German military designation of the Heckler & Koch HK416A5 assault rifle. Some of these rifles are used by the German military and law enforcement forces. Interestingly in 2021 German MoD announced that a similar but slightly improved Heckler & Koch HK416A8 assault rifle will be adopted by the German armed forces (Bundeswehr) as the G95A1. It will become a standard issue infantry rifle and will completely replace the previous G36. In 2022 German government approved procurement of 118 000 G95A1 assault rifles. So the G38 never reached a widespread use.

The G38 is based on the AR-15 design but has a different gas piston system, similar to that of the G36, which is more reliable. It is a gas-operated weapon. Comparing with the US M4 and M16 the new gas system significantly reduced malfunctions and increased life of parts. The G38 is more reliable than its US counterparts. This weapon is chambered for standard NATO 5.56x45 mm intermediate ammunition. The baseline G38 has a 420 mm (16.5") barrel.

A semi-automatic version of the G38 is used by German law enforcement forces. This weapon is fully ambidextrous. All operating controls, including the charging handle, bolt catch, safety and fire mode selector are fully ambidextrous. This rifle is easy to operate from left or right shoulder. Large triggerguard allows to fire the weapon while wearing winter gloves. The G38 is fed from 30-round magazines. These can be either translucent plastic or steel magazines. This weapon is also compatible with standard NATO 5.56 mm magazines. Ergonomic pistol grip also acts as a storage compartment for field stripping tool. Buttstock can be extended. There is a full-length Picatinny type scope rail. It can accept a variety of mechanical and optical sights, including night vision or thermal sights. In German service this weapon was primarily intended to be used with various optics. Though there are also simple flip-up iron sights available. There is a modular mount for bayonet. A 40 mm grenade launching module can be also installed under the foregrip. This weapon can mount a sound suppressor. The gas regulator has to be adjusted prior to installing the sound suppressor, but this action requires no tools.

Variants

Full size assault rifle version with a (508 mm) 20" barrel.
G38K is a carbine version with a 386 mm (14.5") barrel.
G38C is a compact assault rifle with a 279 mm (11") barrel. This weapon was ordered by the German army.

Country of origin Germany
Entered service ?
Caliber 5.56 x 45 mm
Weight (with empty magazine) 3.81 kg
Length (stock extended) ~ 945 mm
Length (stock collapsed) ~ 850 mm
Barrel length 420 mm
Muzzle velocity ~ 850 m/s
Cyclic rate of fire ~ 850 rpm
Practical rate of fire 40 - 100 rpm
Magazine capacity 30 rounds
Sighting range ?
Range of effective fire ~ 500 m