The Heckler & Koch G3 was one of the 20th Century’s most prolific arms. In production since 1958, with over 7 million built, and used by dozens of countries, it ranks with the FAL, M16, and AK-47 as one of the most iconic Cold War service weapons.
Heckler & Koch ceased production of the G3 in 1997, although the rifle continued in service and was employed in the Afghanistan conflict. It remains in front-line service with the Greek, Turkish, Pakistani, and Mexican armed forces. Many other countries still have the rifle in their inventories, including Sweden.
Carl Gustafs and Husqvarna license-produced the G3, for several decades, for the Swedish armed forces. It was designated the AK4. Starting in the 80s, it was superseded by the AK5, a 5.56mm assault rifle based on the FN FNC. The older AK4 rifle continues in service with the Swedish Home Guard, and that’s where Spuhr AB came in.
Håkan Spuhr, the owner and founder of Spuhr AB, designed a new buttstock for the G3 pattern rifle. While the G3 is durable, reliable, and cheap to mass-produce, some consider its ergonomics to be sub-optimal. The stock is long, giving the rifle a length-of-pull in excess of 14”. For tall shooters, or for shooting from the prone, this doesn’t make much of a difference. For people of smaller stature, or people wearing body armor, equipment, or heavy clothing, this can leave the weapon feeling unwieldy. An overlong stock also inhibits accurate shooting from the standing position.
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