Hunter's Guide

TheThe G3G3 RifleRifle

By Charlie Haley

Somewhat more controversial in this part of the world than its highly regarded sibling, the FN-FAL rifle, the G-3 was a parallel development with its roots in the German small arms industry of 1945.

new rifle, the SG 45, was under development but never AAcompleted in that turbulent final year of World War II. After the end of the war, the designer completed his work in The G3 Rifle. in the form of the CETME rifle. The Germans had a long look at the CETME, decided they liked what they saw and the design came back home to Germany. It was worked over by Heckler & Koch and adopted as the G-3 in 1959 (incidentally ousting the FAL, which was in service Koch HK 91 rifle, the West German made polish the working parts and generally with the Germans at the time). semi-auto civilian legal version of the look after them. Furthermore, the bolt The FN rifle was standard issue in the G-3. This was a different beast. The finish mechanism of the G-3 is considerably then Rhodesian armed forces, but the G- was smoother, the plastic butt and fore- more difficult to strip and assemble for 3 started to appear in 1976 as a substitute end were far more robust, and the cleaning and lubrication than the FN bolt, standard rifle. Facing sanctions and an of the working parts was generally more hence it is not done so often. Add this to arms embargo, the G-3 was cheaper and positive. The G-3’s in this part of the the fact that the G-3 operating system easier to obtain. Troops used to the finely world are mainly of Portuguese origin, deposits a lot of fouling on and around made FN found it hard to get used to, as where they are made under licence, and the bolt and we see a pattern emerging. the G-3 was of very “tinny” appearance were obtained (naturally) via The G-3 is a generally reliable design, but and was not as robust. Butts broke, fore- Mozambique. They are not quite the same is vulnerable to long term abuse and ends rattled and some were chronic as the German product. Nonetheless, the neglect. German or Portuguese, the G-3 is jammers. Paradoxically, others swore by G-3’s which performed so well for their a homely looking critter compared to the the G-3, finding it accurate and reliable. A aforementioned owners were Portuguese FN. It takes advantage of modern friend of mine, who had access to virtually rifles, so a blanket condemnation is manufacturing techniques, with many any rifle he liked, used a G-3 by choice. A definitely out of line. Most performed just stampings and spot welds, hence the re- German pen-pal of mine had used the fine, but some individual specimens gave cycled tin can appearance. The method of G-3 during his national service in the trouble and tarnished the image of the operation is also quite different, as it , and stated that he had never rest. operates not by gas but by recoil. The bolt heard of a G-3 breaking a butt, let alone Interestingly enough, those who locks into the receiver by means of two anything else. What was one to think?? spoke highly of the G-3 all obtained theirs roller bearing locking lugs, a system The mystery cleared up somewhat when new, and took the time to thoroughly pioneered by the fearsome German MG 42 I had occasion to examine a Heckler & clean out the packing grease, smooth and machine gun. As the bolt moves forwards,

Page 46 African Hunter Vol. 6 No. 2 these locking rollers move out into corresponding recesses behind the chamber. Upon firing, recoil tries to move the bolt rearwards, but before it can do so the roller bearings must first be forced back inwards. This happens under tremendous mechanical disadvantage, causing sufficient delay to allow the pressure to drop before the bolt fully opens. This system can best be described as a sort of "delayed " rather than a true locked breech. With this system, initial bolt movement can be quite violent, and to overcome this the chamber is fluted. Gas flows down the flutes and “floats” the fired case out on a cushion of gas, which eliminates stuck cases and extractors ripping chunks of rim off. All this ensures that the empty cases are ejected virtually into the next province, and (if you ever find them again) are of seriously grungy appearance, fluted and streaked with powder residue. Amazingly, The G3 bolt disassembled. cases fired from G-3 rifles are readily re- loadable, but don’t expect gasps of admiration from anyone as to the appearance of your reloads! That which resembles a gas tube above the barrel merely houses the bolt carrier extension and cocking handle mechanism. All in all, just what are the pros and cons of this strange beast, the G-3? Well, for one thing it is significantly shorter and thus handier than an FN (specifically, 1025mm as opposed to 1090mm). It is, however, slightly heavier. That the FN rifle was significantly more reliable than the specimens of G-3 found in this part of the world I have established to my complete satisfaction, but would add that the story does not end there. Judicious tuning of the G-3 can make it a wonderfully reliable rifle, and a spot of cleaning and correct lubrication will help considerably as well. I have test fired a great number of The G3 working parts. Note the roller locking lugs. G-3’s (of varying stages of dilapidation), and have found them prone to two equally pressure on the cocking handle alone picture. I will admit to never coming exasperating stoppages. The one occurs when such a stoppage happens requires completely to terms with the close range when loading a new magazine, and when the hand and finger strength of a gorilla. “V” sight on the rear drum (finding that releasing the bolt the working parts fail to Such misbehaviour normally results from the resultant sight picture was more of an lock positively. Sometimes, re-cocking a lack of maintenance, however, and it is insinuation rather than a precise picture), will rectify, but I found that, if a suitably amazing the dirt and crud a G-3 will tolerate but the G-3 was certainly capable of hard floor surface was available, rapping before pulling such stunts. Nonetheless, accurate shooting. “Aha!” I hear you cry, the muzzle upon such surface would the G-3 is one modern which, in “Then why wasn’t (and isn’t) the G-3 bounce the bolt forwards and into battery. my opinion, could have benefited from a used in service rifle competition? All we (Do NOT try this stunt in the bush on soft bolt forward assist mechanism of some see are FN’s, and if the G-3 is so all-fired soil, as the muzzle will clog with dirt!). The accurate, how come no-one uses it?” A sort. second stoppage occurs when, upon good question, and the answer lies in the firing, the bolt would only partially come One particular virtue of the G-3 was its sights. The FN foresight is finely to the rear and stick. Now it was time to accuracy. The sights certainly helped in adjustable for elevation, whereas the only unlatch the cocking handle, find some this - the “circle within a circle”picture of elevation controls on the G-3 are the suitable flat edge or corner, brace cocking the rear peep coupled with the circular coarse adjustments on the rear sight in handle upon said corner and push hard foresight protector certainly aided in the 100 metre gradients. This makes the FN on the rifle. Opening the breech by hand acquisition of a rapid but precise sight much more suitable for fine target work,

African Hunter Vol. 6 No. 2 Page 47 but is no condemnation of the G-3 sighting pressure helps (so does a third hand or a system as a more than adequate practical vice at this stage). Yet another handy tip field sight. The plastic stocking system of - you will note a slot on the underside of the G-3 comes as a shock to the the bolt. This is good for inserting a flat traditionalist. The small of the butt is a object for added leverage. Lacking a large particularly weak area, and any attempt to screwdriver, a $2 coin will do (assuming launch rifle grenades with the butt braced you are sufficiently affluent). Your last on the ground will undoubtedly result in and final tip - have a list of favourite a prematurely foreshortened rifle. expletives and swear words handy, and Nonetheless, a modicum of care and become familiar with them! If you have attention will ensure that all remains intact. managed to assemble the bolt, and find I have also seen fore-ends braced by the that the locking lugs are sticking out and addition of asbestos cloth between it and won’t go back in ... why, you have the barrel. This is a good idea, as not only assembled it incorrectly, with the bolt too is the annoying rattle stopped but the far to the rear. Disassemble and try again. The G3 case (right) compared to a normal hand is also protected from heat. The (See Last and Final handy tip). Don’t fired case. Note the flutes and "smoked-up" appearance. barrel radiates a fair amount of warmth despair - the more you do it, the easier it after a few rounds rapid fire! becomes, and this step is VITAL for proper Field stripping for maintenance is fairly cleaning and thus reliability. One further circles. The steel magazines are far more straight-forward, aside from the “must do” when cleaning is to ensure the robust, but do not despair - the aluminium aforementioned bolt. Even this is mainly chamber and the roller locking recesses jobs are quite capable of firing a great a question of technique, so please take are clean. Remember, the nature of the G- many rounds, as long as they are not heed, as it is important for proper cleaning! 3’s cycling deposits a fair quantity of abused. Also, be aware that the G-3 does Firstly, as always, remove the magazine carbon gunge right in the chamber, so not lock the working parts to the rear after and check that the rifle is unloaded. scrub it well! the last round has been fired, and any Remove the two pins securing the butt to When loading, it is advisable to first rearwards bolt locking is a purely manual the receiver. The two holes in the butt pull the bolt to the rear and lock the operation. This is not a condemnation of behind the sling swivel are there for you cocking handle upwards into the recess the G-3 either, but was done in compliance to put the pins into so you don’t lose provided, THEN insert the magazine. The to some obscure NATO recommendation. them. Pull the butt off the receiver. Pull the magazine locking on the G-3 is not hugely The correct zeroing of the G-3 also cocking handle back and remove the positive, and this step helps ensure the requires some explanation. If one desires working parts. This is all extremely simple magazine is fully home. Strike the cocking to raise or lower the point of impact at and straight-forward. Now comes the fun handle a downward blow to free it, and any particular sight setting, look inside part. Grab the bolt, and twist it a quarter rely on spring pressure to chamber the the rear sight drum. You will notice two turn anti-clockwise (as you are looking at round. Any attempt to guide the bolt horizontally opposed slots, each the bolt face). It will then spring free, forwards by hand will almost guarantee containing a sprung loaded tab. Using a followed by the firing pin, the firing pin an insufficiently chambered round, and suitable pair of needle nosed pliers to spring and the locking piece. All these thus a jam. Speaking of magazines, there squeeze in these tabs, the rear drum is parts can now be cleaned and lubricated, are two types available. The aluminium, now free to be rotated up or down to raise as they will be found to be liberally coated waffle patterned magazine is actually or lower the point of impact respectively. with carbon gunk after firing. Now it comes regarded as being disposable in military Windage is controlled by the small time to re-assemble the bolt, which is the Phillips screw on the right side of the reason most people don’t disassemble it in the first place. It is not enough to simply sight assembly. First loosen the large trot out the familiar cop-out “Re-assemble locking screw to the rear of the sight in reverse order”. A couple of tips are in drum, then make the necessary order. Firstly, it will be noted that a sprung adjustments. Tighten the lock screw once loaded arm is interfering with the the correct adjustments have been made. replacement of the bolt. Secondly, it will All in all, the sighting system is more immediately become apparent that this than adequate for practical field use. It spring is EXTREMELY powerful! only comes short compared to the FN However, note well that, thirdly, this rifle when fine adjustments are needed sprung loaded arm is accessible from the for long range target use. Although fast side of the bolt carrier, and can in fact be fading from the international military pushed inwards with a bit of effort. Now, scene, the G-3 has made a local impact here is the technique to adopt - while with recent sales of surplus military relieving the spring pressure with the hardware. My advice to those fortunate thumb of one hand, simultaneously push enough to own one is to become familiar the bolt in with the thumb of the other with it, understand its idiosyncrasies, hand, but Not Too Far - the bolt mustn’t keep it clean and well maintained and, as go all the way to the rear. Now the bolt with any firearm, use it safely and must be rotated a quarter turn clockwise The despised open-v short range sight, responsibly. You will then discover what (told you the spring was strong, didn’t disliked by the author. an accurate, hard hitting rifle it is that I?). A further tip - relieving the spring you have.

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