Heckler & Koch HK69A1

HK69A1
The HK69A1 of the German Army, with stock collapsed.
Type	Grenade launcher
Place of origin	West Germany
Service history
Used by	See Users
Production history
Designer	Heckler & Koch
Designed	1960s
Manufacturer	Heckler & Koch
Variants	MZP-1, HK79, HK79A1, GL-40/90
Specifications
Weight	2.60 kg (5.73 lb)
Length	683 mm (26.9 in) stock extended 463 mm (18.2 in) stock collapsed
Barrel length	356 mm (14.0 in)
Width	55 mm (2.2 in)
Height	205 mm (8.1 in)
Cartridge	40×46mm grenade
Action	Break-action
Muzzle velocity	75 m/s (246 ft/s)
Effective firing range	50 to 350 m sight adjustments
Feed system	Breech-loaded, single-shot
Sights	Aperture flip short range sights (50 to 100 m), folding ladder sight graduated from 150 to 350 m

The HK69A1 is a 40 mm grenade launcher developed and produced by the German arms manufacturer Heckler & Koch (H&K). The weapon was designed to engage enemy troops and strongpoints out to a distance of 350 m; it can also be used to deploy smoke grenades and illumination flares.

The launcher’s history dates back to the late 1960s, when development began of a weapon intended to be fitted (using a special mount) under the barrel of the 7.62×51mm NATO G3A3 rifle. In 1972 the prototype was unveiled of what would ultimately become the Granatpistole HK69. After being evaluated, the decision was made to develop an autonomous stand-alone version of the grenade launcher, which was created in 1979 and designated the HK69A1. In the 1980s the weapon was adopted into service with the German Army as the Granatpistole 40 mm (known also in the abbreviated form GraPi). It is also used by the special forces and security personnel of several other countries.

The grenade launcher is a single-shot, shoulder-fired, breech-loaded weapon that fires a projectile using the High-Low System. The main component is the frame that contains and integrates all of the weapon’s mechanisms and assemblies. The weapon features a rifled barrel, which is hinged at the front and tilted upward ("break action") for loading and removing spent shell casings. The barrel in the "combat ready" position locks into the frame with a rotary latch, mounted at the rear of the frame. The grenade launcher does not have an extractor; instead notches were cut into the base of the barrel that enable the operator to remove spent shell casings manually.

The HK69A1 has a single action firing mechanism with an exposed hammer that is cocked manually with the thumb after loading a round. A manual safety secures against accidental firing; the safety is ambidextrous and provides a lever on each side of the frame, above the trigger (the lever in the "S" position – indicates the weapon is safe; "F" – ready to fire).