Heckler & Koch HK41

The Heckler & Koch HK41 is a semi-automatic version of the Heckler & Koch G3 battle rifle. It was produced by Heckler & Koch for civilian sales and Bundeswehr reservist market for a rifle that could be privately owned in Germany but which would duplicate the handling of the G3 for reservists to practice with. The field manual for shooting training (ZDv 3/12) authorised the use of HK41 by reservists in place of a G3 during special reservist range firings (mostly on the weekend), but not for use in any other military activity. Usually it was called “Reservistengewehr” (reservist rifle). The HK40-series was designed for sale to conscripts so they could be familiar with their service rifle before entering military service, a common practice in Germany and Switzerland. According to H&K's numbering nomenclature, the "4" indicates that the weapon is a paramilitary rifle, and the "1" indicates that the caliber is 7.62 mm.

It is not to be confused with the similarly titled Heckler & Koch G41. The HK41 (and the civilian-version HK91) was distinctive in its class because it didn't have a gas-operated mechanism. It instead had a roller-delayed blowback system based on two roller cams that delayed cycling action without mechanical tilting or rotation. Another unique feature of the HK41 was a fluted chamber which had longitudinal grooves machined into it that gave ejected brass the appearance of having been slugged through a barrel with no-twist rifling. The fluting reduced friction between the cartridge and chamber as the roller-block mechanism began cycling.