Heckler & Koch’s G36C And MP7 PDW

Guns Magazine ^ | February 2003 | Charles Q. Cutshaw

[45Auto]

[45Auto]

The MP7:

[Lurker]

Another marvelous solution to a problem that doesn't really exist.

L

[LibKill]

Another marvelous solution to a problem that doesn't really exist.

Agreed, but I'll look at anything that shoots at least once.

[Hugin]

PDWs are intended to arm soldiers whose duties are not near the forward combat area, soldiers whose duties require their hands to be free, and soldiers whose duties do not normally require an infantry rifle. They essentially bridge the gap between pistols and rifles, being chambered for a cartridge whose ballistics exceed those of the former, but are less than those of the latter.

The more things change, the more they stay the same! That was the exact descrition that led to the development and adoption of the M1 carbine during WWII. Then in the 60's the M16 was adopted as a gun that would be as light as the carbine but would have more firepower than the anemic M1 cartdridge, and would replace both the carbine and battle rifle. The benefits were supposed to include standarization of ammo for simpler logistics. The standard battle round was changed from a 7.62mm to 5.56mm, which already has questionable knockdown power (at least using non-expanding bullets the military is required to use). Now a 5.56mm is "to much" and they will go to a 4.46 for rear echelon troops? So much for standardization. What's next, pellet guns?

[Rain-maker]

The PDW/MP7 Newest Innovation Cal. 4.6mm x 30

It goes without saying that the engineers at HK are not content to rest on their laurels.  There is much under development whose information will only be released to the public perhaps years from now.  Latest to become from HK, and first seen here in detail is the "PDW."  PDW stands for 'Personal Defense Weapon.'  This unfortunately is going to be a bit confusing for the student of HK, because this is the third firearm by HK to have 'PDW''as either all or part of its name.  The others are:  MP5K-PDW, and the prototype G11 PDW.

What appears upon first look to be a weapon design to compete with the FN series P90 in 5.7mm x 28, the PDW promises to be a huge improvement on that system.  Though no one could fault the engineers at Fabrique Nationale for their vision, the P90 has one reported serious flaw.  If you drop a partially loaded magazine, or the gun with a partially loaded magazine, rounds will go flying, get disoriented in the magazine and seriously jam the mechanism.

The heavy use of polymer again shows the design direction that the HK engineers are taking.  With a conventional 20 round magazine in the pistol grip or an optional 40 round magazine that extends below the gun, one of the most amazing aspects of the gun is its size, or lack thereof.  It is only slightly larger than a SOCOM pistol!

Sporting a retractable shoulder stock and a very small heads up display sight reminiscent of the Eotech/Bushnell Holosight, the PDW also has a T-shaped cocking handle somewhat like the M16 series.

Select fire, with safe, semi and full auto modes of fire, and production models sporting the now familiar red and white bullet in box pictograms, the stated cyclic rate on full automatic is 950 rpm.  The PDW has a foldable forward vertical grip.  The magazine is conventional staggered box, and the magazine release behind the trigger guard looks almost interchangeable with the USP series handguns.

Several features of the G36 series are present in the PDW as you can see in the photos below.   Extensive use of polymer, the rotating bolt and gas system all reflect the G36 series.

The PDW is a quintessential reminder of the lead that HK continues to take in small arms design.

Update: 11/2001:  The PDW has been named MP7 now that it is in production.  Below is the production version.  Notice the heavier buttstock, slightly changed markings, locking system on foregrip, flash hider and open sight option.

PDW Technical Specifications
Overall Length:	13.38 in./ 340mm (stock closed)	21.19 in./ 541mm (stock open)
Barrel Length:	7.09 in.	180mm
Width:	1.89 in.	48mm
Height:	6.77 in.	172mm
Unloaded wt. (20 rnd. mag):	2.64 lb.	1.20 kg
Loaded with 20 rounds:	2.86 lb.	1.30 kg
Loaded with 40 rounds:	3.39 lb.	1.54 kg

4.6 x 30 Ammunition Technical Specifications
Cartridge Length:	1.5 in.	38mm
Projectile weight:	24.7 grains	1.6 g
Case length:	1.18 in.	30mm
Ballistics/Velocity:	2379 fps	725 m/sec
Ballistics/Muzzle Energy:	312 ft/lb	420 joule
Projectile composition:	Copper plated solid steel bullet

PDW v. FN P90 HEAD TO HEAD COMPARISON
Test:	PDW	P90
Gelatine block at 50 m.*	280mm	230mm
Energy Transfer thru armor**:	220 joule	180 joule
Titanium/Kevlar Penetration*	>200m	140m
Energy xfer thru armor 100m**	115 joule	65 joule
* 20 % Gelatine block 300mm long  ** 1.6mm Titanium + 20 layers of Kevlar

PDW v. FN P90 Ammunition
	PDW (4.6 x 30)	P90 (5.7 x 28)
Projectile weight:	24.7 grains	31 grains
Muzzle Velocity:	2,378 f/sec	2,346 f/sec
Muzzle Energy:	310 f/lb
Armor Penetration 1.6mm Titanium/20 layers Kevlar	> 200 m	150 m
Max. Effective Range:	> 200 m	200 m

PDW featured on the cover of the 1/1/00 issue of Deutsches Waffen Journal

Engineers in Oberndorf with CAD model of PDW on computer screen.

 

Left side of prototype model PDW, serial number 164-002.  The production models are reportedly identified this way, but the white and red circular dots for the fire selector have been replaced with the familiar bullet pictograms.  Note the USP style mag. release.

 

Right side of prototype model PDW, serial number 164-002. 

 

Closeup of the illuminated reticle sight.

 

Cocking handle of the PDW retracted.  Directly below is retracted buttstock. 

 

The PDW stripped into major sub-assemblies.  40 round magazine at far right.

 

Bolt assembly. PDW bolt is strikingly similar to the G36 bolt.

 

From left to right, prototype cartridges 1 &  2,  production round, and blank.

 

Prototype PDW  test fixture. Notice similarity of the gas system to the G36 series.

[Milwaukee_Guy]

The MP7 PDW looks like an overwrought Ingram but uses an inferior cartridge. 4.6 X 30MM? Buy an airpowered nailgun and save alot of money!

The G36C is also rather unremarkable. That short barrel will flash and bark too much firing 5.56 X 45MM. A bullpup design would have offered much more barrel length in the same small package.

I never was a big HK fan. Saw a "combat" rifle match were the only two jams were from the big 7.62mm HKs. Both had the cartridge case heads ripped off during ejection. Apparently one cannot use civilian spec ammo with the weird fluted chambers.

IMHO - German firearms are like German cars, overpriced and underpowered.

[Blood of Tyrants]

It may be a neat toy for close quarters fighting, but next to useless in distances of more than 40 yards. (Well, maybe for supressing fire.)

[DCBryan1]

The MP7 PDW looks like an overwrought Ingram but uses an inferior cartridge. 4.6 X 30MM? Buy an airpowered nailgun and save alot of money!

You are correct. We tested the gun and round in our store (class 3 SOT) and the ballistics were less than ideal. The FNP90 5.7mm fared little better, even though our LRPD Swat chose it. I still prefer the UMP 45 (though cumbersome) or the ubiquitous Mp5. My favorite though for controlibility in pistol calibers is a Colt 9mm or an Uzi. You just cant beat the accuracy and reliability, esp in closed bolt configuration.

The G36C is also rather unremarkable. That short barrel will flash and bark too much firing 5.56 X 45MM. A bullpup design would have offered much more barrel length in the same small package.

I disagree with you. We have a Post1986 demonstration G36C and has had over 100,000 rounds thorough it w/o cleaning. It is a near perfect design and with FRANGIBLE ammo, the ballistics are comparable to a shotgun blast in #4 buck at 15 feet. The G36 package is a remarkable piece of work. I liked it so much, the store bought 2 more demos and I get to take one home with me at night :)

happy shooting...and tell your congress critters to dispose of the 1986 civilian machine gun ban and you can own one too!

[Rain-maker]

German cars underpowered?...LOL, go drive an M series, and keep the crazy metaphors for the democrats.

You just totally lost any reputable comments in your article by that last bit of nonsense.

[IronJack]

I gotta give it to H&K -- they make some of the butt-ugliest guns in the world. It must be the German penchant for minimalism, because there's nothing esthetically pleasing about these shootin' arns.

[xsrdx]

The HK G36 series is proving itself worldwide as an excellent alternative to the M4/M16 series, the US Capitol Police in fact chose the HK over the M4 in a rare departure from the (justifiable) US law enforcement love affair with the Stoner design.

The PDW is an answer to a question nobody asked. The only possible *advantage* over the SMG is it's utility against body armor, a benefit that hardly seems worthwhile given the needlelike projectiles they fire and their *suspect* terminal ballistics.

The MP7 may be cheaper than the MP5 design to manufacture, but HKs own UMP provides the best argument against the PDW.

[Bob J]

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[xsrdx]

Oh, and super short barreled 5.56mm carbines are trendy, but one also has to wonder exactly why losing 1000-1200fps in 5.56mm velocity makes it's tiny projectile superior to the UPM 45's 230gr pill moving at over 1000fps from the UMP, especially in light of the UMPs lack of muzzle blast and remarkable controllability.

"Overpenetration" is usually the argument against SMG's for CQB, but if that's an issue, choose an autoloading 12ga like HK's own M1014.

BTW, nobody complains about the M855 62gr pills lethality from the 20" M16 - only the 11.5" and 14.5" carbines. Go figure.

[Noumenon]

These and many other fascinating and useful items will be found at the Dead U.N. Weapons Confiscator Sporting Goods Emporium.

You and the rest of Clan Lurker need to vote with your feet Real Soon Now and leave the PRM - or you'll be voting from the rooftops instead.

Take care...

[Atlas Sneezed]

"Overpenetration" is usually the argument against SMG's for CQB, but if that's an issue, choose an autoloading 12ga like HK's own M1014.

But shotguns aren't "cool" to JBTs.

I lean towards:

[CPOSharky]

If they are looking for something between the wimpy 9mm issue pistol and a rifle they should look at the 1911 45 ACP.

The more things change the more they stay the same.

[Yasotay]

I'll just stick with my USP (.45) & my M1911A1 .... and my USC (.45) .... God I love .45

[Atlas Sneezed]

HKPRO.COM rocks!

(You beat me to the post!)

I saw and held the MP-7 at the SHOT show a few weeks back. Cool, but not the solution to any problem I suffer from.