HK G3A3ZF

About the HK G3A3ZF

The HK G3A3ZF is the designated marksman / scoped configuration of the Heckler & Koch G3A3 battle rifle, where 'ZF' stands for Zielfernrohr ('telescopic sight'). It is mechanically identical to the fixed-stock G3A3 but is issued with a STANAG claw-and-rail scope bracket carrying a Hensoldt Fero Z24 4x24 telescopic sight, whose elevation knob carries bullet-drop-compensation settings calibrated for 7.62x51mm NATO ball ammunition from 100 to 600 metres. Built around the same roller-delayed blowback action, stamped-steel receiver and 450mm barrel as the standard G3, the G3A3ZF served as a squad-level marksman rifle for Bundeswehr and allied forces, bridging the gap between the iron-sighted infantry rifle and the dedicated G3SG/1 sniper variant. Factory test-fired rifles were selected to print a 5-shot group of 80mm or less.

The 'ZF' in G3A3ZF simply means Zielfernrohr, German for 'telescopic sight' - the designation that turned an ordinary issue battle rifle into a squad marksman's weapon by bolting a Hensoldt 4x optic onto a claw mount.

HK G3A3ZF specifications

The G3A3ZF is a standard G3A3 fitted with a claw-mounted Hensoldt Fero Z24 4x24 optic; it is not a heavily accurized rifle like the G3SG/1 (which adds a set trigger, cheekpiece and bipod). The roller-delayed blowback system is derived from the wartime MG42 / StG 45(M) lineage via CETME. Production of the G3 family ceased around 2000-2001.