Heckler Koch HK P11 underwater pistol (Germany)

Heckler Koch HK P11 underwater pistol (Germany)

Heckler-Koch HK P11 underwater pistol, left side

Front view on the five-shot barrel cluster of the HK P11 underwater pistol. Note that all barrels are fired and seals penetrated.

Type	Single Action multi-barrel
Caliber(s)	7.62mm underwater
Weight unloaded	about 1200 g
Length	200 mm
Barrel length	n/a
Magazine capacity	5 rounds in disposable barrel cluster

The HK P11 is one of the least known weapons to emerge from the Heckler & Koch factory. Developed during the early 1970s to arm frogmen (combat divers), this weapon is apparently in use with the Navies of Germany, Italy, France, Norway, the UK and the USA. This highly unusual weapon is probably the only serious rival to the Soviet underwater pistol, which appeared in late 1960s. The P11 and its ammunition is somewhat bulkier than its Soviet counterparts (the SPP-1M), but, on the other hand, the P11 has one round more capacity and a larger caliber, probably resulting in better lethality.

The HK P11 pistol is mainly unusual in the fact that it is not self-loading. Instead, it uses a quick-detachable cluster of five barrels, each factory-loaded with a powder charge and long, needle-like, drag-stabilized projectile. The pistol is reloaded by the replacement of an entire barrel cluster. In combat, the empty clusters are discarded, in training these are collected and later sent back to factory for reloading. Loaded barrels are protected from salt water by thin diaphragms, which are destroyed by the fired bullet at the instant of firing. Powder charges in each barrel are ignited using electricity, provided by two 9-Volt batteries, stored in a sealed container in the grip of the pistol. The effective range underwater depends on the depth, and is about 15 metres near to the surface. Above the water, the effective range is quoted as being around 30 metres, and while long and relatively heavy bullets can be lethal at longer ranges, the chances of hitting any target beyond the given range is minimal. This is because the barrels are not rifled, and bullets are not stabilized in the air, thus tumbling and yawing in flight through the air.
Heckler-Koch HK P11 underwater pistol, left side

Front view on the five-shot barrel cluster of the HK P11 underwater pistol. Note that all barrels are fired and seals penetrated.

Type	Single Action multi-barrel
Caliber(s)	7.62mm underwater
Weight unloaded	about 1200 g
Length	200 mm
Barrel length	n/a
Magazine capacity	5 rounds in disposable barrel cluster

The HK P11 is one of the least known weapons to emerge from the Heckler & Koch factory. Developed during the early 1970s to arm frogmen (combat divers), this weapon is apparently in use with the Navies of Germany, Italy, France, Norway, the UK and the USA. This highly unusual weapon is probably the only serious rival to the Soviet underwater pistol, which appeared in late 1960s. The P11 and its ammunition is somewhat bulkier than its Soviet counterparts (the SPP-1M), but, on the other hand, the P11 has one round more capacity and a larger caliber, probably resulting in better lethality.

The HK P11 pistol is mainly unusual in the fact that it is not self-loading. Instead, it uses a quick-detachable cluster of five barrels, each factory-loaded with a powder charge and long, needle-like, drag-stabilized projectile. The pistol is reloaded by the replacement of an entire barrel cluster. In combat, the empty clusters are discarded, in training these are collected and later sent back to factory for reloading. Loaded barrels are protected from salt water by thin diaphragms, which are destroyed by the fired bullet at the instant of firing. Powder charges in each barrel are ignited using electricity, provided by two 9-Volt batteries, stored in a sealed container in the grip of the pistol. The effective range underwater depends on the depth, and is about 15 metres near to the surface. Above the water, the effective range is quoted as being around 30 metres, and while long and relatively heavy bullets can be lethal at longer ranges, the chances of hitting any target beyond the given range is minimal. This is because the barrels are not rifled, and bullets are not stabilized in the air, thus tumbling and yawing in flight through the air.

Steyr GB (Austria)

Steyr GB


Steyr GB - cut-out drawing

Type: Double Action
Chamber: 9x19mm Luger/Parabellum
Weight: 845 g empty; 1285 g loaed
Length: 216 mm
Barrel length: 136 mm
Capacity: 18 rounds

The development of the GB pistol was started by Steyr-Daimler-Puch AG (now Steyr-Mannliher AG), Austria, in the early 1970s, when the Austrian army announced its plans to replace aging P38s and High Powers with the new pistol. Original design, labelled as PI-18, was developed in 1974, and final version, called GB, entered production in 1981. The production of the GB was ceased circa 1988, after some 15.000 to 20.000 pistols had been produced.

The GB is a blowback-operated, gas-retarded blowback semi auto pistol. It uses some of the hot powder gases, feed from the barrel into the front part of the slide, to slow down the retraction of the slide before the bullet leave the barrel. This scheme was developed by German engineer Barnitzke at the end of the WW2. The gas brake is formed by the barrel, its bushing and the slide.
The trigger of the GB is of double action design, with the slide mounted decocker lever. GB also featured firing pin block that unlocks the firing pin only when the trigger is completely depressed.
The frame and the slide is made from carbon steel with special high-strenght finish. Barrel has polygonal rifling and is chrome lined, and solidly attached to the frame.
The sights are fixed and featured white-dot inserts (one in the front sight blade and two - around the rear sights notch).
Some early GBs were manufactured with steel grip panels, with all the rest manufactured with plastic checkered grips.

Thanks to its gas-retarded blowback design and solid weight, that resulted in low felt recoil, and to the barrel with polygonal rifling, that toesn't move when firing, the Steyr GB displayed wery good accuracy. The reliability is also adequate, at least. While the GB failed at the Austrian and USA Army pistol trials (won respectively by Glock 17 and Beretta 92FS-B), it was used by some Law Enforcement and Special Operations forces, and also was sold to civilians in Europe and USA.

Device "D" noiseless grenade launcher / pistol less accessories

Device "D" noiseless grenade launcher / pistol with muzzle launcher cup for grenades and a detachable shoulder stock / holster

Device "D" noiseless grenade launcher / pistol complete with muzzle launcher cup for grenades, detachable shoulder stock / holster and a bipod

9mm PFAM noiseless cartridge, loaded with armor piercing bullet

9mm PMAM noiseless blank cartridge, which is used to propel 30mm BMYa-31 grenade (shown above the cartridge)

Caliber: 9mm / 30mm
Type: single-shot muzzle-loading launcher (with optional 9mm noiseless bullet-firing capability)
Overall length: ~ 400 mm less holster / stock and launcher cup
Weight: ~2.8 kg unloaded, 4.5 kg complete with shoulder stock / holster, launcher cup and bipod
Effective range: up to 300 m
Armor penetration: ~10 mm

The Device "D" (Изделие Д in Russian nomenclature) noiseless grenade launcher / handgun is an unique weapon, which was developed during 1960s or early 1970s for Soviet Spetsnaz forces. One of the main goals of the Spetsnaz at the time (in the case of the outbreak of the 'hot' war in Europe) was to attack and disable / destroy key NATO facilities such as C&C posts, ammunition and fuel storage depots, radar facilities, parked tactical aircrafts, and most important, tactical / medium range ballistic missile launchers. All these targets were relatively 'soft-skinned', so it was estimated that a 30mm projectile could carry enough explosives to penetrate the skin of the vehicle or equipment container and cause enough damage to disable it (i.e. ignite the fuel in the storage tank or make Pershing ballistic missile or fighter-bomber aircraft inoperable). To provide the Spetsnaz operators with maximum stealth, it was decided to make noiseless / flash-less launcher for such projectile, as this would help to hide actual firing position and thus improve chances of getaway. To provide more flexibility for the operators, it was decided to make the weapon dual purpose - it can fire 30mm explosive or incendiary grenades against material targets (aircrafts, fuel tanks, missiles etc) at ranges of up to 300 meters, or 9mm AP bullets against enemy personnel at ranges of up to 200 meters. Designated Device "D" (Изделие Д), this weapon was issued to certain units of Soviet Spetsnaz since ninety seventies, and apparently is still in limited use by elite Russian military Spetsnaz and FSB (former KGB) anti-terrorist units.

The heart of the Device "D" (Изделие Д) weapon complex is the 9mm (9x93) noiseless cartridge, designed along the lines of the smaller 7.62mm (7.62x63) PZ "Zmeya" cartridge. The heavy steel cartridge case holds small powder charge and a piston, which can move inside the case to violently push the projectile out of the case and then jam itself at the case mouth, capturing powder gases (prime source f the gun shot sound and flash) inside the case. There are two types of cartridges intended for use in Device D - the 9mm PFAM "Falanga" cartridge, loaded with AP bullet, and 9mm PMAM "Mundshtuck" cartridge, loaded with pusher rod which transfers the energy of the piston to the separately loaded grenade. The "Falanga" bullet is made of hardened steel with brass driving band at the front. The bullet weight is about 28 gram (432 grains) and the muzzle velocity is about 250 m/s (820 fps). According to available information, PFAM bullet can penetrate 5mm of mild steel at 100 meters. The 30mm grenade, which is used along with 9mm PMAM cartridge, is designated BMYa-31 "Yascheritsa" (Lizard). This projectile is loaded with unspecified amount of explosive or incendiary composition, and can penetrate up to 10mm of steel and then ignite fuel stored inside. BMYa-31 grenade weights about 130 gram (~4.5 oz) and PMAM cartridge propels it out of the muzzle cup launcher with muzzle velocity of about 110 m/s (360 fps). BMYa-31 projectile features pre-engraved rifling and a pusher rod at the rear, which comes into the contact with the piston of the propelling cartridge when gun is fully loaded. Inert grenade projectiles also are available for live fire practice.
The Device D itself is a large, single-shot, bolt action pistol. It is loaded with single cartridge through the opening at the top when bolt is retracted. Once cartridge is placed in the gun, the bolt is pushed forward and then rotated to lock. To provide necessary accuracy when firing a heavy weapon, it can be fitted with detachable shoulder stock / holster and a detachable adjustable bipod. To launch grenades, gun must be fitted with detachable muzzle cup launcher and an additional grenade sight, which is attached to the left side of the gun. Launcher PMAM cartridges are loaded same way as bullet-firing PFAM cartridges, and grenades are loaded into the muzzle cup from the front until locked inside by the spring retainer. Cup launcher is equipped with special manual extractor necessary for unloading of unfired grenades.

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