Assault Rifles
AAC Honey Badger
The 21st gift added in the 2018 Meatmas event was an AAC Honey Badger. It is chambered in .300 AAC Blackout (making it the first in-game weapon to use the round), and is fitted with an aftermarket ergonomic pistol grip.
AAC Honey Badger - .300 AAC Blackout
The Honey Badger in its gift box. Note the claim about it being an unreleased prototype; this is partly true, as while the select-fire AAC Honey Badger was never produced
en masse, the semi-auto Honey Badger SBR, made by Q (a company created by Kevin Brittingham, who was the creator of the original Honey Badger as well) is commercially available.
Either way, just like a honey badger, it makes a lovely gift. Provided that both parties involved have the proper paperwork, that is.
Loading in a 20-round Magpul PMAG; while one of the major selling points of the .300 Blackout round is that it can fit into any standard 5.56x45mm NATO magazine, such interchangeability isn't possible from a coding standpoint, so these are (presently) the only magazines that the Badger can use.
Pulling the charging handle.
Taking a look at the selector, set here to safe...
...and here to
ooh, look! A slidey thing!
*Ahem*... Right, sorry, and here to full-auto.
Aiming at what's left of a wooden hot dog standee target; as with most of
H3's top-railed firearms, sights are sold separately.
Not that the Honey Badger really cares at this distance. Note the black-colored spent case; the .300 Blackout cartridge in-game comes with multiple varieties of both super- and sub-sonic loadings, with the former having standard brass cases, and the latter having the glossy black finish seen here.
Holding the now-heated Honey Badger at arm's length, both to get a good view and to minimize the odds of it mauling any vital organs. Honey Badgers aren't to be taken lightly.
AK-101
An AK-101 was added on the eleventh day of the 2016 Meatmas update. Update #40 replaced the model, and made its side-mounted dovetail rail functional, allowing for the use of Soviet-type optics (or Western ones, if an adaptor is installed).
"
If you say in the first chapter that there is a rifle hanging on the wall, in the second or third chapter it absolutely must go off."
Giving the asynchronous audience at various homes a nice look at the AK-101.
Of course, when showcasing an AK, always make sure the other side of the rifle actually exists. Same goes for buying one. Damned scammers...
Loading in a 30-round magazine full of
capitalist propaganda 5.56x45mm NATO.
Racking the charging handle.
Looking through the 101's irons...
...and letting some rounds fly.
Out with the old, and in with the new.
One interesting feature of the 100-series AKs is the stock; despite being solid, it is still capable of folding.
Particularly useful for making your rifle useless.
As mentioned, the newer 101's dovetail rail allows for the mounting of various Combloc optics, such as this PK-01VS red-dot sight.
Said sight has an interesting blue-tinted lens. Also note the newer model's somewhat clearer-looking iron sights.
If you're in the mood for something with a bit more magnification, the iconic PSO-1 4x scope is always a good choice.
Looking through the scope reveals that
H3VR is one of a select few games that understands what a PSO-1 reticle actually looks like.
It also shows something about the PSO-1 that even fewer pieces of media depict:
The small switch on the side.
Of course, the switch isn't just there for show; it's used to turn on (or off) the PSO-1's integrated reticle illumination light, as seen in this appalling display of poor range etiquette.
AK-74
The much-requested AK-74 was added in the third alpha build of Update #76.
Loading a magazine into an AK-74...
...before admiring the wood-and-Bakelite-on-steel palette in the Arizona sunshine.
And no, not
that Arizona sunshine. That's a different page altogether.
Hey, since we're on the right side, why not flip off the safety and pull the charging handle?
Taking aim at a poor, innocent watermelon...
...and promptly slaughtering its entire family in a juicelust-fueled hail of gunfire.
All war crimes aside, the AK-74 in
H3 is specifically an AK-74N variant, as it possesses a side-mounted dovetail scope rail.
This allows for, among other things, a look at the improved PSO-1; it'd been bugged for a while prior to Update #76. The update fixed the issue, and also corrected the previously too-high magnification.
AKM
An AKM is one of the available firearms in-game. Added in Update #13 (the 2016 4th of July update), it has an interesting list of updates under its belt; Update #40 replaced the model entirely, with one that lacked the prior model's permanently-attached side-bracket rail adaptor, Update #51 replaced the textures, the 10th alpha of Update #52 added the AKM to the arsenals of SWBs, and Update #58 added a "Tactical" model fitted with a variety of aftermarket modifications; among them are a full set of Magpul MOE furniture, a railed receiver cover, an aftermarket rear sight, an aftermarket selector lever, and an aftermarket muzzle brake.
The older AKM, resting peacefully on a table.
It's then rudely and suddenly awakened, so that the viewers at home can get a better look at it.
I hope that you're happy.
Loading a magazine into the AKM.
Taking advantage of the rail mount, and attaching a...
The other side of the new and improved AKM. "New" in the sense that it's a new model, "improved" because it's an AK
M, not an original AK.
...before completely failing to pull the charging handle.
This failure comes as a result of one of the AK series' distinctive features: the selector lever, when set to safe, also serves as a dustcover, preventing debris from entering the charging handle slot. This, of course, has the side effect of preventing the charging handle from entering the charging handle slot.
Another thing to note about the AK series is the arrangement of the selector's positions; rather than the "Safe-Semi-Auto" model common on most select-fire weapons, AKs generally have a "Safe-Auto-Semi" setup, which means that disengaging an AK's safety sends the user straight into full-auto.
Right, now that that's been sorted, it's time to get back to business.
Taking a look through the AKM's sights...
...and blazing away in full-auto.
Yet another attribute of the AK series is the so-called "tactical reload", made possible by the combination of a paddle magazine release and a shallow, rock-in magazine well; the routine consists of 3 steps: first, knock the old magazine out with a new one...
...second, rock in the new magazine...
...and third, pull the charging handle. There are different ways to do this; the underhand technique seen here is quite popular in the West, whereas the East generally prefers to run the entire process with only the right hand.
Loading the AKM with a 75-round
RPK drum...
...and merrily unloading into the walls, floor, and ceiling.
Speaking of merry, here's a shot from the "How the Gronch Monetized Meatmas" trailer for Update #49, featuring the titular misspelled villain "holding" an AKM, whilst telling players how to spend hours upon hours grinding to obtain loot-crates and in-game currencies in order to access EAPA (Earliest Access Pride & Accomplishment) boxes. Note that, curiously, the Gronch's rifle seems to be a non-railed version of the older model, despite that model having been removed from the game 9 updates prior.
And, for something unrelated, here's what the post-Update #51 AKM looks like, with its newer, darker set of textures. Neat.
For yet another non sequitur, here's an AKM with a bayonet, courtesy of Update #76's 1st alpha (which added the game's first usable bayonets, along with its first attachable muzzle brakes).
Tactical
Century Arms C39 V2 with Magpul MOE furniture - 7.62x39mm. Image provided to show the Magpul accessories; the gun in-game is not a C39.
"CYKA! I SAID RIFLE IS FINE! WHAT IN GOD'S NAME EVEN IS THIS MERZOST?!"
Even the letterboxing seems to agree with this sentiment, doing its best to shield the viewers' eyes from the heresy before them.
Being a Magpul-furnished rifle, it only makes sense that it comes with (interchangeable) 30-round Magpul PMAGs.
Pulling the extended charging handle. Note the aftermarket selector lever; this includes a cutout in the top, which is used to lock the handle to the rear.
A good shot of the rifle's stock.
Aiming through the non-standard rear sight...
Tactical rifle, tactical reload.
And a rather - *ahem* -
tactical firing stance.
AKS-74U
The AKS-74U is one of the available firearms in-game, having been added in Update #18. Update #55 added a "Tactical" version with various aftermarket accessories.
Taking a look at a fresh, new AKS-74U, hot off the presses.
The other side, which shows that, as is standard for guns in
H3, the selector starts out set to "safe".
Taking a look at a magazine, which shows that the rounds have some rather...
interesting deformation.
Loading in the magazine, unconcerned with the headspacing issues that such deformed ammunition can bring with it.
Pulling back the charging handle (after disengaging the safety, of course).
Taking aim at the target...
...and firing. A spent case can just be seen coming out of the ejection port.
Folding the stock, after deciding that the AKS-74U in its prior state was too stable, too controllable, and all-around too useful.
AKS-74U with railed handguard - 5.45x39mm
The "Tactical" model, in all of its polymer-festooned glory. Note how it seems to have the stock from a 100-series AK rifle, such as the
AK-74M.
Loading in an interestingly marbled polymer magazine.
Pulling back the aftermarket rounded charging handle.
...and slinging some lead. Those two words don't rhyme, because English is a very sensible, well thought-out language.
The aforementioned 100-series stock is, as on the
AK-101 above, correctly shown as foldable.
Perfect for anyone who wants to do this. If you happen to be one of those people, please leave your photo here so that everyone else can know to leave the shooting range as soon as you show up.
AS Val
Added on the 14th day of Meatmas 2018, the long-requested AS Val makes an appearance in H3 (along with its sniper-rifle sibling).
The 14th day's gift was a twofer, and a long-awaited one at that.
Loading a 20-round magazine into the Val. The Vintorez's 10-rounders work too, though there's not much point to using them.
Attempting to pull the charging handle...
...before remembering to switch the
AK-style selector lever off of safe.
Firing the rifle reveals why; with bullet trails enabled, it's easier to see where you're shooting without the sights in the way. Bullet trails also reveal the difficulties involved with using subsonic ammunition at long ranges.
Y'know, the Spetsnaz probably aren't going to be happy about you taking that gun. You should probably try and hide it or something.
Oh no it's too late I can hear them coming up the stairs oh god oh f
Bofors Ak 5C
The 13th day of the Meatmas 2018 update added a Bofors Ak 5C.
Bofors Ak 5C with Aimpoint CS sight and vertical foregrip - 5.56x45mm NATO
The Ak 5C's gift box. A rather fitting gift for such a snowy, forested scene.
Loading in the unique-but-interchangeable STANAG variant added with the Ak 5C, a "waffle"-style polymer magazine.
Racking back the charging handle. Note the dustcover, which sits over the charging handle slot, and slides up when the handle is pulled.
Playing with the rifle's stock, which can be extended...
The large, glove-friendly trigger guard is one of the Ak 5 series' noteworthy features; being made for the Swedish military, the reason why should be relatively obvious.
The selector switch is another interesting feature, of the 5C in particular; whereas previous models only had a switch on the left side, the 5C's is ambidextrous.
Lining up the irons. The rear sight is
very wide, which makes for a clear sight picture, though it does also make it somewhat harder to tell whether or not the sights are actually aligned properly.
A quick re-inspection of the rifle reveals that, at some point along the line, it apparently set itself to full-auto.
Somewhat confused, the alpine trooper decides to just roll with it. The rifle probably knows best.
Colt M4A1
The M4A1 is one of the available firearms in-game, and one of the first to be added; it predates even the game's actual name. This model was a publicly-available asset made by weapon artist Nightfrontier, who had collaborated with game lead Anton Hand on disassembling it into the game's systems.
Due to game issues relating to the original weapon model, Update #48 revamped the weapon model, replacing it with a new one that lacks the previous model's folding foregrip, and has a railed handguard, a Crane stock, an extended charging handle tab, and an aftermarket folding BUIS. The update also included a "Left Hook" variant, which is completely mirrored, and meant for left-handed users.
Update #70's 4th alpha added yet another variant, the "Classic"; this version is completely factory-stock, with no non-standard features, and also came with the much-awaited return of a rail-attachable carrying handle.
Colt M4A1 - 5.56x45mm NATO
Well, well, well, what have we here?
Loading a 30-round magazine into the M4A1.
Flipping the rifle over...
...and pulling the charging handle.
Next up on the checklist: the fire selector.
Setting it to semi-auto...
...and to rock 'n roll. Note how the fire selector isn't quite in either position;
H3's fire selectors used to be animated so as to move gradually, but this was later removed in favor of the current instantaneous-switching system.
Blasting away at nothing in particular; the muzzle flash is yet another thing that has long since changed.
Dumping out the now-empty magazine.
One new magazine later, one step to go:
Tapping the bolt release. One feature that's also disappeared is the movable nature of the bolt release paddle; it correctly pops up when the bolt is locked back, and lays flat when the bolt is in battery (compare with the image above).
Should one fail to properly chamber the rifle (i.e. manually riding the charging handle forward into battery instead of letting it snap back under spring tension), the bolt winds up in this position.
Luckily, it's nothing that a quick tap of the forward assist can't fix. This is yet another feature that has since been removed, due to it being somewhat buggy and inconsistent, not to mention difficult for new players to understand.
Grabbing the rifle's forend causes (or rather, caused) the foregrip to somewhat slowly unfold, much like the fire selector. Seems like something's missing here...
Oh. Right. That's... kinda important.
Aiming through the M4A1's now-complete irons gives a good look at the curiously green-painted front post. It's not a standard feature, but hey, it makes the post easier to see, so why not?
The handle-mounted sight also
comes came with a few selectable options, indicated by small white arrows whenever a controller
is was close by. The top arrow allow
sed the player to swap out the standard aperture sight with...
...whatever this
is was...
...while the side arrow
allows (y'know what, just read all the verbs in the past tense, 'cause I'm too lazy to keep track of them all myself) for the adjustment of the rear sight's elevation, between this...
...and this, with 3 other positions in-between.
If that's not your style, you can always tack on a scope...
...the lens covers helpfully popping open when you do so.
...and, a fair while later, watching it settle into its fully-unfolded position.
Aiming; this scope is actually modeled after a red-dot magnifier, but was implemented as a scope at the time due to a lack of a proper scope model. Yet another problem that has long since been fixed.
The right side of the Left Hook, showing the features that the left side is supposed to have.
Fiddling with the foldable BUIS, which takes the place of the older model's carrying handle.
It still has the original front sight/gas block, though.
Playing around with the stock. Upon the weapon's release, this possessed a notable visual bug wherein the entire buffer tube moved in and out of the receiver with the stock; the following update fixed this.
A beautiful pair of fraternal twins.
Loading a magazine into the standard M4A1. This magazine, fitted with a Magpul handling loop, is another Update #48 addition.
A nice touch of the newer M4A1 is the dustcover...
...which pops open when the bolt first comes back...
...and stays there when it returns to battery (though it can be manually closed at the player's discretion). Also note the serrations on the bolt; these serve as points for the forward assist to push on.
Being the same gun, the fire selector still has the same 3 settings: safe...
Aiming, which shows off both the sights and the aftermarket extended charging handle tab.
Making sure the other rifle doesn't feel "left" out, and loading in a magazine.
Another detail; when the charging handle is pulled...
...the aforementioned aftermarket charging handle tab pops out.
Firing the Left Hook. You looked to the wrong side of the picture for spent casings, didn't you?
Examining the "Classic" M4A1. Truly, a most glorious return.
Loading in a magazine, while a familiar sense that something's missing rears its head.
Extending the stock, something which the sling hook apparently isn't aware of.
Fortunately, the stock bug was patched before the alpha build went live. All the more reason to celebrate by pulling the charging handle...
...and dumping the magazine into, well, everything.
With the release of Update #71 came the inclusion of the ability to attach the
M16A1's carry-handle scopes to the M4A1's handle, for that classic 90s SWAT look.
"M4A1 Shorty"
Added in Update #49, the "M4A1 Shorty" is, as the name implies, a variant of the M4A1 with a shorter barrel, gas system, and handguard. It doesn't specifically match any one model in particular; the most appropriate way to describe it would be a commercial "pistol" upper receiver attached to a standard M4A1 lower.
Mk. 18 Mod 0 - 5.56x45mm NATO
Somewhere between this...
Olympic Arms K23B Tactical w/foregrip - 5.56x45mm NATO
...and this.
A close-up shot of the Shorty's forend; it's pretty much just the standard handguard, but with 2 vents instead of 3.
Performing a quick brass check, while simultaneously showing that the rest of the model is more or less identical to the standard M4A1.
Sighting up a Weinerbot with the Aimpoint red-dot sight attached to the carbine.
Performing a quick reload in the middle of a gunfight. Though, granted, considering its size, pretty much anything that happens in the Mini Arena is "in the middle of a gunfight".
While sudden, close-up encounters such as this aren't terribly god for the health of the player's heart, they are good for showing off the Shorty's rather impressive muzzle blast. As to be expected from a rifle with a <10" (<25.4 cm) barrel.
Attempting to perform another brass check, this time with just a
little bit too much enthusiasm.
CZ 806 BREN 2
2018's Meatmas update added a CZ 806 BREN 2, the successor to the CZ 805 BREN, on Day 4. Notably, this is the rifle's first major documented media appearance.
CZ 806 BREN 2 - 5.56x45mm NATO
The 806's advent calendar box, which it shares with its sibling. Believe me, they were
not happy about this arrangement.
Loading in a magazine; the rifle comes with these neat-looking polymer mags, but can accept any other STANAG magazine as well.
Pulling back the charging handle; fortunately, since the rifle doesn't come with an optic, there's no risk of bashing your hand against it.
Unfortunately, this also means that there's no real way to aim it, unless you feel like walking all the way back to the item spawner.
Well,
ç'est la vie. Or rather,
je to pivot.
The selector switch's semi-auto position...
...and its full-auto position. The safe position isn't shown, because the 806 is just edgy like that.
One last shot of the CZ 806, before it proceeded to run up to its room, slam and lock the door, and blast death metal at max volume.
CZ 807 BREN 2
Accompanying the 806 in Meatmas 2018's 4th day was its larger-caliber sibling, the CZ 807 BREN 2.
CZ 807 BREN 2 - 7.62x39mm
They're even less happy about sharing a picture.
Loading the CZ 807; while it might look like an aftermarket 7.62x39mm
AK magazine, it's actually entirely proprietary.
Determined to show
its parents that it's the better child, the 807 happily shows its safe position, without any complaints.
"
See, look! Unlike 6, I do what I'm told without whining. Aren't I your favorite child?"
"
Now, now, 7, we love all our children equally."
"
But-"
"
Equally."
Frustrated by this obviously-false statement, the 807 takes some equally sightless aim...
...and sprays away some rounds in full-auto.
Examining the CZ 807; without a magazine, it's practically indistinguishable from its smaller-bore sibling.
Not that either of them would ever say that.
"
Look, see? My stock can fold..."
"
and it can extend! See? I'm obviously better than 6!"
"
But can't 6 do that too?"
"
Well, yeah, but..."
"
But what?"
"
But, but - UGH!"
CZ SA vz. 58P
The final, full release of Update #59 brought along a series of CZ SA vz. 58 variants, the first of which is a standard, full-stocked vz. 58P ("Pěchotní", Czech for "infantry").
CZ SA vz. 58P - 7.62x39mm
And no, it's not an
AK.
Hlupák.
Not even the magazine is from an AK. Banish the thought of AKs from your mind entirely, for this has nothing to do with them.
Pulling back the charging handle, which gives an excellent view of the rounds in the magazine, courtesy of the vz. 58's distinctive open-topped receiver.
The fire selector is this lever on the side; here it is on semi-auto...
...and here it is on "30".
Taking a look at the vz. 58's iron sights: a simple rear tangent notch and hooded front post, both mounted on the barrel. Serviceable, if a bit dated.
Firing; the combination of straight-upwards ejection and a low ceiling make casings traveling in opposite directions a rather frequent sight in the indoor range.
Another interesting feature of the vz. 58 is its ability to accept stripper clips, as seen here; these clips hold 10 rounds apiece.
CZ SA vz. 58V
To compliment the full-stocked vz. 58P, Update #59 also added a CZ SA vz. 58V, the folding-stocked paratrooper model (the "V" standing for "Výsadkový", Czech for "airborne"). An additional variant with an aftermarket muzzle device, railed handguard, synthetic pistol grip, receiver-mounted scope rail, extended magazine release, and aftermarket ambidextrous bolt was also added, known as the "Custom" variant.
CZ SA vz. 58V - 7.62x39mm
To spice things up a bit, instead of the perpendicularly-angled detail shots you're used to by now, here's an obliquely-angled shot!
"
Haha! With these new shots, they'll never even realize that they're just looking at the exact same gun with a different stock on it! It's BRILLIANT! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
...this thing isn't on, is it?"
*Ahem*
"
Right, moving on..." Folding the vz. 58V's stock...
...which sits nice and flush on the side of the receiver.
Loading in a magazine. Fortunately, the stock was kind enough to recognize that, seeing as this is an indoor shooting range and not a plane, it should unfold itself to help facilitate more accurate shooting. That, or the shot of it being unfolded just wound up on the cutting room floor. One of the two.
Pulling back the charging handle.
Doing the right thing, and letting it go. As nice as it may seem to keep it sheltered and safe at home, a charging handle belongs in the wild.
...and firing. Contrary to what these images might suggest, these are not mutually exclusive actions.
Custom
Loading up the Custom variant.
Examining the rifle reveals a charging handle here...
...and a charging handle there! Char-ging-han-dles-ev-ry-where!
Aiming the tacticool vz. 58; the aftermarket scope rail has a groove down the middle, allowing for a (slightly cramped) view of the irons.
Firing; apparently, one of the spent casings doesn't quite get the idea of a "personal bubble".
This happens sometimes too.
One magazine later, the vz. 58 locks open.
Oh, and the stock folds. Just thought that you should know.
CZ SA vz. 58 Compact
Along with the full-length variants, Update #59 brought along a CZ SA vz. 58 Compact. The vz. 58 Compact in-game lacks its standard side-folding stock; instead, it is compatible with the game's selection of pistol stocks.
CZ SA vz. 58 Compact - 7.62x39mm
The other side of the adorably tiny carbine.
Loading the vz. 58 Compact, which makes the already cartoonishly-proportioned weapon look even more preposterous.
Racking the charging handle.
Aiming; the fact that the rear sight is still barrel-mounted gives the Compact a sight radius that'd be on the shorter end for a
handgun, let alone an assault rifle.
Firing the carbine, producing appropriately massive amounts of sound and muzzle flash. Note the small gray dot underneath the rear sight; this is the vz. 58 series's distinctive short-stroke gas piston.
Oh, and for anyone who wants to try firing this thing one-handed, here's some advice:
FAMAS F1
The FAMAS F1 was the first weapon in the "Bullpup Trifecta" that was added in the ninth day of the first Meatmas update, alongside the L85A2 and the AUG A3.
FAMAS F1 - 5.56x45mm NATO
Loading a magazine into the FAMAS. Fortunately,
H3 understands that the F1 uses its own proprietary magazines, as opposed to the many games that simply shove a STANAG into the magazine well and hope for the best.
Pulling back the charging handle.
Admiring the FAMAS, whilst trying to resist the urge to make a "rich and FAMAS" joke (knowing full well that that's not how it's pronounced).
The FAMAS's fire selector is of note: the switch in the trigger guard toggles between safe...
...and a mode that can be either full-auto or 3-round burst...
...depending on the position of this switch on the stock. Initially, this switch couldn't be used, with the 3rd selector position being exclusively set to burst; a later patch changed this.
Popping open the FAMAS's integral bipod.
A FAMAS mounted on a somewhat inconveniently low table.
The F1's irons, which have 3 settings: "Aim Large, Miss Large"...
..."Aim Small, Miss Small"...
...and "Aim Medium, Miss Medium".
The post-Update #52 version of the FAMAS, which has a pair of rail segments - one on the bottom of the handguard, and one on top of the carrying handle.
FN SCAR-L
The FN SCAR-L is one of the available firearms in-game. It, along with its heavier-caliber sibling, were added in Update #32.
Third Generation FN SCAR-L - 5.56x45mm NATO
Admiring the SCAR-L. Curiously, the upper and lower receivers are in slightly different colors.
Extending the SCAR's collapsible stock. Of note is that this, like many stock-related functions in
H3, served no practical purpose until much later on, when the recoil system was modified to accommodate them.
Loading a 30-round STANAG magazine into the rifle.
Chambering a 5.56mm round.
Looking through the first of the SCAR's 2 optional rear sight apertures...
...and the second, smaller one.
If neither are particularly to your liking, you can always fold them down and attach a sight, such as this Aimpoint red-dot. Note the label on the scope; for copyright reasons, "Aimpoint" has been changed to "Gamepoint".
Flipping the rifle's selector from safe to semi-auto. Note the receiver's markings; in contrast with the sight's obfuscated manufacturer's markings, the rifle itself has near-proper "FN HERSTAL BELGIUM" trademarks, save for the odd rewriting of "HERSTAL" as "HöRSTAL". The markings below that read "MK 16 MOD 0", "Cal 5.56x45 MM", and a serial number of "H3VR2317", an obvious reference to the game itself.
Aiming through the red-dot sight...
30 rounds later, and it's time to retire the old magazine. Along with the sight, apparently.
Of course, if you're a true tactical operator, then it's not really an issue.
Heckler & Koch G11 K1
The 24th day of the Meatmas 2018 event added another frequent fan request, the Heckler & Koch G11; more specifically a G11 K1.
Heckler & Koch G11 K1 - 4.73x33mm
The G11 in its gift box. Rather fittingly-timed for the gun enthusiast community; the very next day, a
very long-awaited
Forgotten Weapons special on the G11 was released, to the joy of watchers everywhere.
Unlike the rifle in that video, however, the G11 in
H3 is an earlier K1 variant, as noted by its somewhat more smooth, less boxy appearance.
Taking a look at one of the G11's magazines; this holds 50 rounds of (proprietary) 4.73x33mm caseless ammunition (essentially a bullet and a primer embedded in a block of solid propellant, without a brass case around it like most normal ammunition). As opposed to most modern rifle mags, which use a staggered-column arrangement, the G11's magazines just have one big stack of 50 rounds, sitting side-by-side. Try not to load them in backwards.
This magazine goes into a well in the front of the rifle, which can be a bit awkward to get used to. This is one of the other differences from the later K2 variant; the K1 just has 1 magazine out front, whereas the improved K2 has 2 extra ones along the sides for faster reloading.
A stray bolt of Kraut Space Magic results in a temporary impromptu teleportation trip, and a good look at the rifle's molded-in markings, which read "ACR 167 Cal. 4.92 MM 2/88"; the "ACR" presumably implies that this particular gun was involved in the US military's Adaptive Combat Rifle program.
"
Hello, is this Customer Service?
...
I'd like to file a complaint, please.
...
Well, it seems that you forgot to put charging handles on the rifles you sent me.
...
Yes, I have looked on the left side of the stock. There's no charging handle there, just this weird flat plastic thing.
...
Wait, what do you mean "that IS the charging handle"?!"
The G11's charging handle, as the above conversation implied, is another unusual aspect of its design; as it uses caseless ammunition, it has no need for a normal ejection/extraction cycle. Instead, it uses a unique rotary chamber setup, and is thus chambered by rotating this handle at the rear. Should the user encounter a dud, this can also be used to push it out through a small hole in the bottom of the rifle.
The selector switch is one of the relatively normal parts of the rifle; just 4 positions, in easy reach of the user's thumb.
Then again, it's not
quite normal...
Aiming at a crystal snowflake, using the G11's integrated low-zoom scope. Being a next-generation rifle, it wasn't even designed with iron sights as an option.
Shattering the snowflake with a 3-round burst so quick it sounds like one shot. This was one of the rifle's main selling points; thanks to lack of a need for a traditional extraction/ejection cycle, the G11 can cycle incredibly quickly, firing 3-round "hyperbursts" at 2,100 RPM. This, coupled with a unique system where the entire barreled action, magazine and all, reciprocates inside the rifle while firing (which is actually shown in-game, though it's not visible here), the end result is a rifle that can fire 3 rounds before the first one's recoil impulse hits the shooter, theoretically tripling the odds of a hit.
For those who like to live in the past, the full-auto setting forgoes this system entirely, instead firing at a steady 460 RPM.
While it seemed like a brilliant idea on paper, the G11 just wasn't meant to be. Despite having an internal mechanism so complex that those who've seen it (and lived to tell the tale) simply describe it as "Kraut Space Magic", and having a price tag to match, the G11 was on the cusp of German military adoption. However, the heavens frowned upon the G11, and destroyed it through their dark, forbidden magic of geopolitics; with the fall of the Berlin Wall hitting at just the same time, the German government simultaneously lost both their budget and their need for a new, advanced rifle, and scrapped the project. Now, it only exists in our hearts. Goodnight, sweet prince.
Heckler & Koch G36
The Heckler & Koch G36 is one of the available firearms in-game. It, along with its shorter sibling, were added in Update #23.
Heckler & Koch G36 with ZF 3x4° dual optical sight - 5.56x45mm
Always have to enjoy a well-modeled full size G36.
Loading in a 100-round dual drum magazine.
Pulling back the G36's charging handle. Note the bipod;
H3 correctly depicts the G36 with a functional integrated bipod, which, when combined with the ability to use 100-round magazines, makes for a handy light support weapon.
Looking through the top red-dot portion of the ZF 3x4° dual-mode optic, another rarity in video games.
The bottom portion of the ZF optic, which consists of a 3x magnified scope.
Choosing the former of the two options, and opening fire with the G36. When it's deployed on its bipod, the G36 is precise enough that one can quite literally sign their initials on the indoor range's target in full-auto, if they so desire.
Heckler & Koch G36C
The Heckler & Koch G36C is one of the available firearms in-game; like the full-length variant, it was added in Update #23.
Heckler & Koch G36C - 5.56x45mm
Taking a look at the G36C.
Loading in a standard 30-round magazine; these are normally translucent in reality, but they're opaque black in-game.
Pulling the charging handle. As with the standard G36 above, the end of the charging handle correctly folds out to whichever side it's grabbed from, though it isn't very visible here due to the angle at which the rifle is held.
Checking some range results, now-readied G36C in tow.
Aiming through the (rather wide) sights; a later update made the flip-up rear aperture usable as well.
Sending a burst of 5.56mm rounds flying at the target.
IMBEL IA2
The 5.56mm carbine version of the IMBEL IA2 is one of the available firearms in-game; it was added in the 1st Meatmas Update.
IMBEL IA2 5.56mm carbine w/ bayonet - 5.56x45mm
Loading a 30-round STANAG magazine into the IA2.
Sometimes, one must observe their Brazilian rifles due to their overall rarity in media.
The IMBEL's other side, which shows off the brass deflector.
Rare-rifle-observation finished, the IA2's charging handle is pulled.
Aiming through the larger of the rifle's 2 rear aperture sight options...
Firing the IA2, although perspective would have you believe that the rear sight has spontaneously spat out a spent casing.
Folding the stock, just for the fun of it.
L85A2
The L85A2 is the 2nd part of the first Meatmas update's "Bullpup Trifecta", alongside the FAMAS F1 and AUG A3. Initially, there were 2 variants available - one with iron sights, and one with a SUSAT scope - but Update #52 removed the latter version, replacing it with an attachable version of the SUSAT.
A nice shot of an iron-sighted L85A2.
Loading in a 30-round STANAG magazine.
Pulling the charging handle, while earning a disapproving glare from the ghost of an English military trainer that watches us all from the heavens; the UK military's official recommended method is to pull the charging handle with the left hand, so as to be able to see the ejection port without removing the rifle from the user's shoulder.
Manipulating the L85A2's interesting (if not terribly ergonomic) set of controls; to set the weapon to full-auto...
...one must first disengage the crossbolt safety located above the trigger...
...then reach back and flip the stock-mounted selector switch. While this could initially be used like any other selector in-game, it was later updated to reflect the 2-part nature of the fire controls.
Taking a look at the L85's irons...
L85A2 with SUSAT scope - 5.56x45mm NATO
...not that anyone actually uses them, anyways.
A broader look at the scoped L85, which gives a clearer view of the excised front iron sight. While this would be an inaccuracy for many weapons, on the L85A2, it's just standard practice (as the reference image displays).
The SUSAT's distinctive single-post reticle.
M16A1
The M16A1 is one of the available firearms in-game, having been added through the first Meatmas update. Update #51 brought along 2 unique scopes for the weapon: a 6-24x variable-magnification scope, and a fixed-magnification 3x20 scope.
M16A1 with 20-round magazine - 5.56x45mm
While he isn't a GI in 'Nam, our invisible range buddy ponders why 2+2 is on his mind.
The right side of the rifle, which shows off the serrations on the bolt; these are meant to interface with the forward assist (the button behind the bolt), so that it can be forced into battery, should you find your rifle in a (little hometown) jam.
Loading in a 20-round magazine. While other 5.56mm STANAGs can be used in it as well, they just aren't the same as the classic straight 20-rounder.
Pulling back the M16A1's charging handle.
Looking through the sights...
...and showing Paper Charlie up ahead that Private Invisible Hands was born to kill.
Attaching a 3x20 scope...
...which interfaces with a hole in the top of the carrying handle.
Aiming through the 3x20 scope. No, this scope isn't attached upside-down; that's what its reticle is supposed to look like, for whatever reason.
Finding this reticle easy to lose among the trees, Pvt. Hands decides to switch it out for a different optic.
Confident that the scope will stay in place, he decides to proceed.
He then adjusts the scope's magnification, while wondering where the small floating box is coming from. Probably the drugs.
Aiming with the 6-24x scope reveals a much clearer duplex crosshair reticle, perfect for fighting someone else's war.
An M16A1 with an M9 bayonet; while the bayonet itself had been in the game for several months prior, it served only as a knife, with the ability to attach it to the M16A1 (along with the game's various
M4A1 variants) came along later in Update #76's first alpha build.
Malyuk
The Malyuk, a Ukranian prototype bullpup AK derivative, makes its media debut in H3, being Day 11's gift in the 2018 Meatmas event.
"
Wait, isn't the baby supposed to go in a manger, not a box?"
(For the 7.654 billion of you out there that
don't speak Ukranian, the joke is that "Malyuk" translates to "baby").
Loading in a magazine.
Pretty sure that they're supposed to rock in the other way...
Racking the forward-mounted charging handle.
The rifle's crossbolt safety, which is conveniently placed directly above the shooter's dominant hand...
...protruding out of the right side when engaged...
...while the substantially less conveniently-placed selector sits at the rifle's rear.
This at least makes sense from a mechanical perspective; this lever is just a standard AK selector switch, with the safe position blocked out due to its redundancy; the positions are even the same, with this setting being full-auto.
As with many of the other rifles in-game, the Malyuk spawns with a bare, sightless top rail, making aiming, shall we say,
tricky.
Still, you'll hit something eventually if you fire enough rounds. Eventually.
Examining the right side of the rifle, confirming that it's still set to rock 'n roll. And that there's a hole clean through the side of it.
Blazing away at nothing in particular.
Mk 18 Mod 1
Update #10 added a Mk 18 Mod 1, fitted with a non-standard railed handguard with rail covers, a Command Arms UPG-16 pistol grip, a Crane stock, and a Magpul AFG, all (save for the handguard) in tan; the latter was removed and turned into an attachment in Update #52's 3rd alpha build. The 4th alpha build of Update #70 attached the word "Custom" to the end of its name, presumably to reflect some of its non-standard features.
Mk 18 Mod 1 with Crane stock, vertical foregrip, and folding sights - 5.56x45mm NATO
A tactical operator observes his Mk. 18 before preparing for some high-intensity training. He's so tactical that sights aren't necessary.
The rifle's other side, which gives a good view of the aftermarket handguard's distinctive vent holes.
A look at the fire selector, which has 3 positions: safe...
...and, interestingly enough, 3-round burst. While Mk 18s are normally fitted with safe-semi-auto trigger groups, they are often modified in various ways; furthermore, since the entire CQBR program (
Close
Quarters
Battle
Receiver, the program that lead to the development of the Mk 18) was designed around creating a short-barreled upper receiver for the
M4A1 carbine, it isn't inconceivable that one could wind up on the lower of a burst-firing
M4 instead. The aforementioned alpha build of Update #70 rendered this whole discussion a bit moot, replacing the burst setting with full-auto.
Tactically loading in a 30-round magazine.
Pulling back the charging handle, using a tactical technique.
Tactically aiming, using the aforementioned high-level tactical "lack-of-sights" method...
...and firing a few bursts. Tactically.
Following a tactical reload so fast and so tactical that it happened before the next screenshot could even capture it, The Operator checks the locked-open bolt of his Mk 18.
He then remedies this, tactically slapping his rifle's bolt release. As with the above M4A1, the Mk 18's bolt release subtly pops out when the bolt locks open.
"What? No! It's not like I
need a sight or anything. I can pull 0.5 MOA groups without sights at 300 yards, no problem. But, y'know, it's not like it'd do any harm to attach a magnifier and a holosight..."
While attaching two holographic sights might seem a bit pointless, there is one distinct advantage in
H3: the fact that they can be individually zeroed for separate ranges...
...allows for this. This dual reticle setup is used for quick transitions between ranges; in this case, the smaller, higher reticle (from the front holosight) is zeroed for 50 meters, while the rear holosight's larger, lower reticle is set for a whopping 2.
"Of course I don't need this! My 6 years of tactical operator training have given me the ability to see 20/20 in total darkness! I'm just... doing it... ironically! Yeah, that's it! I'm attaching this flashlight ironically!"
"That's also why I'm attaching this laser! I don't
need a laser to aim. I don't even
want a laser to aim. I'm just using one for the sake of irony."
"Good, now that
he's gone..."
"...I can finally get to business."
Taking full advantage of the currently-loaded Beta-C drum magazine, and sending out a few (dozen) 3-round bursts.
"Ahhh... perfect. Er... wait, no, I mean... uhh... perfect...ly pointless? Haha, yeah, of course! Perfectly pointless! I don't think that this is good or anything, I'm just doing it as a joke! What kind of non-tactical pleb would actually
need all this stuff to operate? Am I right? Heh... heh...
...right?"
Norinco QBZ-95
The sixth day of the 2018 Meatmas event brought along a Norinco QBZ-95, the game's first and only Chinese firearm (and, as such, the first and only one to use 5.8x42mm ammunition).
Norinco QBZ-95 - 5.8x42mm
The QBZ-95, sitting pretty in its box.
Examining the QBZ's left side...
...and the right. The distinctive oversized trigger guard pegs this as an early-model QBZ-95, and not the improved QBZ-95-1.
Rather than bothering to flip the rifle back around, our friend stuck somewhere on K2 decides to save some energy and just load it like this.
Giving the charging handle a yank.
Finding nothing with his right thumb, our mountain-trapped friend then remembers the other thing that makes this 95 not a -1: the fire selector.
Whereas the QBZ-95-1 has a fire selector placed more traditionally (i.e. in reach of the firing hand), the original model instead has it on the stock. This is the full-auto position...
...and this, perfect for someone stranded up a mountain with limited supplies and ammunition, is semi-auto.
Aiming; the Type 95 uses a relatively standard setup consisting of a rear aperture and a hooded front post, though the rather wide aperture and the luminous dots on the front sight hood do add a bit of variety.
Since it's hard to tell from a still shot whether or not a bullpup rifle with relatively light recoil and a substantial height over bore is firing or not, here's a shot of it from the top instead.
SIG SG 550
Added in Update #53, the SIG SG 550 is one of H3's usable assault rifles, and is fitted with a quad-rail handguard and a permanently-attached folding bipod.
SIG SG 550 - 5.6x45mm NATO
Reaching over to fetch an SG 550...
...before taking a good look at it.
Loading in a 30-round magazine. These were added with the rifle, and are fully interchangeable with the 20-rounders from the earlier-added
SIG SG 552 below.
"Hey, wanna see a magic trick?"
Setting the telescoping-legged bipod down on a range booth table.
Aiming through an Aimpoint Micro T1 sight that found its way onto the rifle, along with a vertical foregrip and a few rail covers. Funny how that works, isn't it.
"Oh, so
that's why it wasn't working."
"So now it should fire, right?"
With all of that sorted, the SG 550 can finally do what it was brought here to.
Releasing the locked-back bolt of the 550, now somewhat-redundantly fitted with a set of Magpul's MBUS irons. "Somewhat" being the key word here; the in-game SG 550 has a front sight, but no rear sight to line it up with.
Firing some more shots, whilst looking through the now-attached M145 MGO (Machine Gun Optic)...
...and a few more through a conveniently-present set of canted backup iron sights.
SIG SG 552
The SIG SG 552 is one of the available firearms in-game, and was added in Update #39. Update #46 added a version with additional rails for mounting attachments.
Spotting an SG 552 on a table...
The SG's other side, which shows off the charging handle.
Loading in a 20-round magazine. With how quickly it fires, the SG 552 goes through these rather quickly.
Giving the charging handle a pull.
A closeup of the selector, which has options for safe...
Deciding upon the latter, Mr. Invisible takes aim at a target...
After realizing that the note from 8 screenshots ago is, in fact, true, Mr. Invisible performs an
AK-esque tactical reload. The specific technique seen here (hitting the magazine release with the new magazine facing sideways, and often going more up than forwards) is common practice in
H3, as it minimizes the risk of hitting one's controllers together.
Update #46's rail-equipped version of the SG 552, seen here in an updated version of
a familiar setup.
Steyr AUG A3
Rounding out the "Bullpup Trifecta" of the 1st Meatmas update is the Steyr AUG A3. Of note is that the weapon's 2-stage trigger is correctly simulated, something which is very rare in games.
Steyr AUG A3 with optics removed and 16-inch barrel - 5.56x45mm
A look at the left side of the AUG reveals a pretty well-done replica of the real steel. Or rather, real plastic, considering the nature of the majority of the AUG's body.
Loading in a fresh 42-round magazine, which is a solid brown color; the real weapon's magazines are normally translucent.
Pulling back the charging handle...
...and locking it into its notch. This functionality wasn't present on the AUG when it was first added, but it was made possible in Update #52.
Doing this allows for the rather odd use of an "HK Slap" on a weapon that isn't actually made by
HK.
"Aiming" the rifle, which immediately reveals a lack of any actual sights.
This, of course, doesn't stop anyone from dumping all the rounds out of the magazine anyway.
Sturmgewehr 44
The famous StG 44 was added to the game in Update #48.
Sturmgewehr 44 - 7.92x33mm Kurz
Taking a good look at the Sturmgewehr's model. Like the rest of the weapons in
H3, it is of excellent quality.
The other side of the StG.
Lining up a fresh 30-round magazine of 7.92x33mm Kurz ammunition.
Pulling the Sturmgewehr's charging handle reveals that the dustcover actually pops up. If one so desires, they can manually push it back into place.
Switching off the safety. The fire selector is the button above it, currently pushed to the left for semi-auto. Also note the "MP44" marking above the charging handle slot; this was one of 4 different ways the weapon could've been marked, along with the prior "MP43" or "MP43/1", and the later "StG44" markings.
Click here to return to the main index page, or click here to view the game's rifles, carbines, and battle rifles.
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