Back in the 1980's I had a penpal who was a Bundesgrenshutz (border police) in Munich. Even as a police officer, he had to abide by laws restricting the number of firearms a person could generally own. That's why the HK4 was popular. You had the ability to shoot inexpensive .22LR in the same gun you could shoot centerfire. Most often this would be .32. Uwe Weber, I hope you see this post and finds you well.
I was offered one of these in Venezuela in the late ‘80s. Multical option was a fantastic thing to have in a country where supply of any one cal was spotty.
And you might actually find ammo left over because nobody really owns or shoots .25 or .32 anymore, but there is a lot of it just floating around out there.
its awesome but, usually too expensive. sometimes for less or most of the time for not much more money you can get another firearm in whatever caliber you wanted... and a gun that can be 22 or 380 is nowhere as good as a 22 and a 380
I agree. I've got an EAA Witness (large frame steel) that, with a couple minutes of parts swapping, can shoot .45, 10 mm, .40, .38 Super, and 9 mm (and the 9 mm can, in theory, shoot 9x18 Ultra and .380, though they might not cycle reliably). A spare barrel and chamber reamer would add .357 Sig to that list (.38 Super barrel rechambered, 10 mm slide and mags). I'd love to get a Keltec P32 and a .380 conversion for it, then ream a spare barrel for .32 NAA. Oh, I've also got a .22 LR conversion for my Witness, but it's picky on ammunition -- needs the hotter stuff with no wax.
I've owned one of these guns, read about them and have recently handled a second HK4. If I may add some notes from my experience: 1) The .380 had a tendency to crack the frames, usually at the trigger pivot pin. A steady diet is not advised. 2) I don't know how, but it *is* possible to assemble the gun with the rimfire breech face and centerfire barrel. It is quite difficult to disassemble once done. 3) I believe the safety needs to be engaged to disassemble the gun. 4) Some guns had a polymer buffer and a buffer plate. The plate is tiny and expensive to replace. Do NOT lose it!
@@charlesadams1721 theoretically, you shouldn't be able to install a center fire barrel with the rimfire breech face and assemble the gun, but I handled and fixed one that some how managed to be assembled this way. It was a pain in the ass to disassemble. Also, he missed the small detail of the safety needing to be engaged.
I found parts for the HK4 at Numerich about 3 years ago, they had internals I needed and buffers too. I've also heard of some owners making homemade buffers from a piece of nylon. I also bought a couple of replacement .380 mags, but they didn't fit my pistol. They were about .005" wider than the original and the fit in the mag well is tight enough that an extra .005" wont go. I returned them for refund.
@@onemoremisfit back when I had mine, I bought some buffers from them but they refused to stay put in the gun. I found someone on HKPro forum offering some which worked very well.
My father and I took ours out to the range, he got a couple shots with it, and on his last shot, before I got to try it out, the buffer plate broke. This took what felt like 3 months before we went back out to the range and got to shoot it again.
My question is just how reliable that pistol was with different calibers. Too bad a field test of all 4 calibers was not possible, especially in .25 ACP.
I have one of these in all four calibers, plus an extra .22 barrel with a threaded extension. I also have five magazines in each caliber, several extra replacement buffers, both of the brown and black grips and all of the different versions of tools and cleaning accessories. It took me almost two years to find everything. Extra 6.35mm (.25 ACP) magazines are especially scarce...I found two in Alaska (still wondering why the hell anyone in Alaska would want a .25) and two in Poland. This is probably my third favorite HK in my collection, after my MP5s and P7.
I purchased a 4 caliber set when I was deployed overseas. It then became my Aircrew survival vest gun. It has literally been around the world with me twice. It is a fun little gun and fits the hand quite well. I carried it rather than a .45 or 9mm simply because it would make it easier to find some kind of ammo to fit it anywhere in the world.
This was my ultimate "never meet your heroes" gun. Lusted for years after one, finally found one at a show. Terrible reliability, unobtainable parts. Couldn't justify keeping it just to fondle, heartbreaker.
I´d imagne that this was their actual thinking. Since in Germany one can only on a restricted number of handguns. But with unlimited caliber change systems.
@@feuerfrei7070 From a modern point of view, they essentially just developed a single weapon system that's compatible with several different calibers. Much like the modern Glocks and Sig p320s which all have different barrels and magazines which are interchangeable with each other. But back then, that was a very unique thing to accomplish. What I like most about this HK4 is that it is available in 25 ACP and .32. Don't see modern full size guns in those calibers.
@SQunX Fisher True im Germany the licence is on the pressure bearing components (aka the barrel) but once you have a licence for a gun you can buy spare barrels for it without applying for new licence. And that includes barrels with a smaller calibre than original gun / licence.
I happen to own one of these, full kit. It is one of "the best" training pistols, especially for women, with smaller hands, and complete lack of experience. We used the ability to start with very small rounds, training the users to do proper handling, safety use, reloading, assembly, and similar such user knowledge. After familiarity for small rounds, and getting used to the blast, noise, and gaining lack of fear to the recoil, they were move to larger calibres. As a result, all our trainees could shoot accurately and fast, without getting the "fright of the gun", as opposed to where they start with some huge 1911 or sharp recoil short 40, or similar crappy hard to rack and handle monster pistols. Some of the women came with a gun given to them by their husband or boyfriend, and were completely unable to handle it. Hands to small, hands to weak to rack it, and often with triple safeties which were impossible to understand, for them. The HK4s were ideal tool to get them into actual shooting. One warning, we bought some of the "extended magazines" with more rounds, but we found that these often do NOT work. Original magazines are very hard to get. Its an ideal pocket pistol, but the sights may need to be rounded off, to avoid catching...
Some things to know before you go down this rabbit hole. 1.: The buffer is very, very important. If it has hardened up over the years, replace it with a new aftermarket one. Otherwise, you may crack your frame firing 9 K (.380 ACP). 2.: The .22LR conversion also needs the .22LR extractor to work correctly. This is contained in the red plastic tool that came with the conversion kits, but usually aren't with them anymore when you buy them. My .22 LR kit had a conspicuously empty cutout inside the cardboard box where this tool once lived. 3.: The more interesting versions, in my opinion, are the police contract ones, which run approximately in the 40,000 - 52,000'ish serial number range. 4.: Be patient when it comes to picking up the other calibers you need. I've seen people on GunBroker asking over $600 for the .22LR conversion (without the tool and extractor), which is ridiculous. 6,35 Browning (.25 ACP) seems to be the unicorn caliber for these...I don't see that one come up very much.
In some ways, something like that is still very popular in Germany. If, for example, you have a green gun ownership permit (as it is usually issued to anyone with a valid hunting license), you can own two handguns, no questions asked. If you want more than two, you have to convince the issuing authority (depending on your state that's either the county, rural district administration, city, or police) to issue you another stamp. However, conversion kits in equivalent, weaker or smaller calibers are permitted, again, no questions asked. So you get yourself a .40 S&W pistol, a .357 Sig conversion kit, a 9 mm Luger conversion kit, a .22 conversion kit, and still have one spot left over for a nice Revolver. I have not checked recently if there are any handguns on the market with which you could ride it all the way to the bottom from 10mm Auto (10, 40, 357, 9, 22), but it wouldn't surprise me if there were Glock conversion kits to do just that. Plus, 10 mm will stop angy charging wild boar dead in their tracks, so maybe it's something to consider. 🐗
I bought one of these in the late 70s. When I went to the gun shop to pick it up, they had sold my gun to someone else. I wound up with a Mauser HSc American Eagle. Still have it.
I had one of these in 1974 in Germany. Dm 399,- Never had a single malfunction in any calibre in 5 years. You could use the 6.35mm and 22LR magazines for either calibre too. Not recommended, but it worked. It did de-cock. You could chamber a round, apply safety and then pull the trigger and the hammer would drop onto a strike-blocker safely. You could then carry it with safety off, round in chamber and rely on the double action trigger to prevent negligent discharge. It was terrifically light, with no protuberances and was an ideal carry inside the trouser waistband, and with minimal lubrication requirements, you never got your trousers oily. It was a lovely angle for sense-of-direction shooting and it was a natural eye-line fit for the sights right-handed. I trained mostly with single-handed outstretched arm "sense-of-direction" shooting. I bought it for the purpose Ian describes - to use cheap .22 to train and to carry 7.65mm (which was the issued calibre) but I could also scavenge and reload 9mmK cases found at the training ranges. It was an ideal pistol to use to carry "ready-to-fire" because the double action trigger reduced the likelihood that you would shoot yourself in the thigh when trying to draw it from a trouser-band holster quickly. Sold it in 1979 to a colleague for Dm 499,- so not only had 5 years good use of it, but made a small profit too! What's not to like about it?
Sounds like you were West German Zollamt, Bundesgrenzschutz, or Polizei? I was stationed in Germany 1983-90, in Günzburg and Pirmasens. Believe a Polizei officer I met in Günzburg-Leipheim a.D. area was armed with the HK4 in 7,65mm, and he was complimentary of the reliable, deep penetration of the round. (I presume ammo was Geco blue box) He also had a MP-5 mounted inside the driver's door of his patrol car (BMW, I think). Many wonderful memories of those years!
One of the advantages to this gun and other conversion is that some locations in Europe limit you to a number of guns on your firearms license. By having one of these its 4 guns in one but your license is only charge for one. Same concept today with the Blaser 93 or the older SIG SAUR 200 rifle with interchangeable barrels/bolt heads.
GOTTA keep that slick old school OG HK styling in a modernisation, it doesn't NEED to look modern, they got it right the first time. German design typically doesn't receive near the recognition that German engineering does, and in fact if anything their design is often criticized for basically being run by heavy handed engineering minds(re: simplistic design over top of such incredible engineering that it's a fragile unreliable POS). But these damn things almost make you want to open carry...
In the 1970's and 1980's this was considered to be and interesting novelty, and as Ian mentioned, somewhat derivative of the Mauser HSC, and at a somewhat reasonable price. I of course, am speaking of the markets where I was familiar, the Mid-Atlantic and the Southern US. (Shotgun News prices notwithstanding). Generally It was considered to have some significant problems, at least seen in the light of pistol doctrine of the day: one it had the magazine disconnector, secondly, the magazine heel release (all real pistoleros know that John Browning's decision to go with a trigger-guard magazine release was right and proper) and the calibers that the pistol "pack" came in. It must be remembered that prior to today's bullet technologies, anything less than a .357 Magnum was not considered to be a reliable 'man-stopper.' In fact, there were many law enforcement organizations who would not consider the .380 to be an acceptable defensive pistol round, except in the case of deep undercover. Of course, outside the US, the .380 or even the .32 Auto was considered to be "acceptable." And this was before the real availability of PCP and similar street drugs. Today, with current bullet technology, things might be different.
The knowledge and history this channel gives is absolutely amazing! I would like to know where you studied or if it is just a passion that brought you to this point! Great videos, and thanks.
I bought one of these at a gun show early 90s, I was 18 and it had been my dream gun for years that I drooled over the few gun magazines and buyer's guides I could find with articles about it. It was a beautiful piece of engineering. It also worked about 1/3 of the time and was incredibly involved to switch between calibers. It was my first gun heartbreak.
I had watched this video the day it came out. Today I ran across one at my local gun shop on consignment. So I bought it. Mine came in .380 with a .22 conversion and two spare .22 magazines. It's very cool, and seems beautifully finished as I would expect from H&K. I had wanted one back in the 1970s when I was in the Army, but they were too expensive for a PFC. So now I have one just over 40 years later. It seems to be unfired, and in the box. I'll remedy that shortly.
The Mauser HSc was Alex Seidel's first design while working for Mauser back in the 1930's so he wasn't just "familiar" with the gun, from which he draws much inspiration to design the HK4 later on. IMO the HK4 is perhaps the finest small frame blowback pistol ever designed and the one with the cleverest features.
Very Cool, I remember seeing one at a gun shop, back in the day, I so wanted it with the conversation kit, it was way out of my price range as a college student
I know what you mean. I wanted one of these back in the day. I heard they didn't shoot all that well. It's versitility was good if you traveled were ammo supplies were iffy. Like S&W making relover that would shoot 38, 357, 9mm and 380. (it didn't work) I do regret selling a pistol I bought when I was in high school (a fairly long time ago) It was a nickle PPK in 32 ACP with Nazi proof marks ( damaged grips no magazine). I just didn't like the 32, I would not have sold it if it was 380.
Great little pistol. The frame is an alloy makeup like some sort of magnesium. Found out when in front of the mag well cracked down towards the trigger guard. Factory repaired or made another frame for me before leaving Germany. Mentioned the cracking in case somebody wants to avoid dry snapping the slide forward. Noticed the break when firing.
My local laundrymat? HK washer and dryers. The machines work far better than any other washer or dryer I've used and I wish they had home appliances available around here.
The 32ACP police trade-ins that were imported in the early 80s came with a plastic handled screwdrivers that had a handle slightly smaller than the barrel opening which held the driver centered, making undoing the breech screw a lot easier. They were stupid cheap even with the 22lr conversion kit. They were early versions with the fluted chambers. Weak 22 ammo wasn't very reliable even with the fluted chamber in the one I shot.
I can relate to the desire for a pistol with caliber conversion kits. When 22LR was cheap, it was a great way to practice. Same grip, trigger and weight as my fullsize .45 ACP, just no recoil. Much easier to correct "bad habits" with cheaper ammo and lots of practice! Great for practicing misfeed/misfire drills (.22 LR rarely fed an entire magazine).
I've recently binged all the Anvil episodes (again). I'm itching to clean up that breach face screw slot... Along with every other screw I see...Thank Mark when you see him 😉
I have this gun. It never worked reliably. I got the updated rim fire extractor and it solved most the extraction issues. It would only cycle stingers as well. I trimmed the recoil spring back .250 at a time until it would cycle Winchester super X. It runs about 95% now but still fails to eject or extract now and then. I'll sell it or trade it eventually. I really wanted to like it. This would be a awesome gun to revive today with 9mm/22lr and threaded barrels. Total James Bond rig.
What an accomplished design. Competent, well engineered, and very well finished. I mean, how many others have tried and failed to produce such a simple multi-calibre solution? Why would you buy one? Now that, as you say, is the question.
This is just a crazy coincidence. Just this evening I had a chat at the range with someone saying that he was once offered a HK pistol with a conversion kit for 4 different calibres, but didn't buy it. And I thought: What?! Four different calibres?! Never heard of such a thing! Now returning home from the range and watching Ian's latest video my jaw dropped. Next week I'll have to tell the guy that he missed some opportunity for a cool collectible.
I have one of those, with the original conversion kits for .22LR and .32 ACP. Well, technically my dad owns it, but it is a great little thing. My great grandfather used to carry it when he went on walks.
I have a Sig-Saure P-250 in .40/.357 Sig. I can change between calibers with just a barrel swap in just seconds. To go to 9mm I change the barrel and mag. Works great.
Germans never say hold my beer! We empty it fast as possible, maybe burp and bring it on. "lieber Frau und Kind erschießen, als einen Tropfen alk(ohol) vergießen"
Cool. One of the few collectors type guns on here I've actually touched before. When I was a kid a friend of my father's had one of these that I got to hold it when I was a kid in the 70s. I didn't get shoot it, but got to hold it. All started because of my blue plastic squirt gun that was molded almost exactly the same as the HK. They got it out to compare it. *:-)* I think I was 6 or 7. I only remember because of the case with all the barrels and "stuff". Wonder where that one is now.
I remember when these first came out, and every gun mag had a review. I think a few had some no-feeds with the 22 but that wasn't exactly uncommon in small pistols back then. Everyone liked it but kind of wondered "Why?" The recoil buffers can be a problem but otherwise if you see a good deal on one get it while you can.
I don't see much reason for that except for places with restrictions on the number of guns someone can own. Both .32 acp and .380 are less common in all countries where 9 mm is legal. .32 is slowly dying since .380 took it's place of pocket gun caliber. For countries with restrictions on gun ownership? Yeah. For ammo availability? No.
Imagine in a firefight, you realize the firing pin is on the wrong setting and you had to disassemble it to the correct setting. LOL Love this gun. My dad used to own this while I was a kid.
It’s seldom that you cover a gun that I’ve actually owned. By that I don’t mean that you don’t cover the right guns, just that you cover so many that are unique that many of them I’ve never even heard of. But I had one of those years ago in 9mm Kurz as well as 2 caliber conversion kits. H&K sold individual conversion kits as well and with each one you got the barrel with recoil spring and one magazine. I had the the 7.65mm and .22 LR conversions. I didn’t find the gun to be very reliable though and sold it.
I own of these, serial 2xxxx, and the later models feature a magazine accessory that make the gun easier to hold and reload. Also, the polymer buffers break super easily.
Ian's statement at 2:45 in the video "there is no decocker to it" is incorrect. I have an HK4 I purchased in1973. With a round in the chamber and the hammer cocked, putting the safety in the "Safe" and pulling the trigger will decock my HK4.
A lot of different things. As a german i am astonished with the problems native english speakers have with the german ,ch' sound. In Oberndorf/Neckar please visit the Waffen (weapons) museum there. It is in a former building of the Mauser company. You can see weapons of the Royal Wurttembergian Arms Factory ( the forerunner ???) of the Mauser company, products of the Mauser company (weapons, a car !, measurement tools, steel furniture!, bureau machines), weapons of Heckler & Koch and target arms of the Feinwerkbau company. The opposite door of the weapons museum is the door of the Heimatmuseum/ home region museum. Please visit it also! There are blades of seaxes and spathas, spear and arrow points from alemannic graves, drums and pictures from the former town militia and photographs from a world war I air raid done by british airforce. The photographs show the graveyard ceremony for two shotdown british pilots . A german priest and in the background a number of german soldiers with spiked helmets. Those elderly german non frontline soldiers visited the burrial of two enemy soldiers, a sign of old style courtesy. Note for american readers: In Oberndorf an american square dance club exists. Note for british readers: Near Oberndorf the Teck family had a castle, Mary von Teck was the grandmother of current queen Elizabeth Ii.
Convertible pistols, Yep Had a 22LR/22Mag Single Six. Also back in the day looked real hard at the Single Six in 38sp/357mag/9mm combo. Somehow ended up buying a Smith & Wesson Model 19, LOL I was reading a lot Bill Jordan's writings back then, not going to go into a long post that would be a good video for Ian to make.
In some European country’s like Germany and the Netherlands they have a limit on the number of firearms you can own (max 5 in the Netherlands). In these country’s conversion kits are popular because they don’t count as a firearm.
