Modernizing the G3 

How to modernize a rifle in two steps: 1) Add a bunch of rails 2) Replace wood with polymer

"The other being the FN FAL" He has an FN fal under his desk doesnt he... *pulls out FN FAL from under desk* typical fn fal privilege

You can be Team AR or Team AK, but I will forever be cheering for Team G3.

I Am a swedish officer that train our sharpshooters and we use the G3 ak4D, il have to say that i love the ”new” rifle. Its a easy to hit tagets 600-800 meters out with a x4 scope

The balance on the magazines is pretty freaking sweet.

"If it's not broken, slap rail all over it."

I'm always amazed how good Ian says foreign words. His pronounciation of Sturmgewehr is flawless.

The Portuguese Marines just receive a bunch of this modernized H&K G3

Congrats on 2M!

Makes sense considering that Scandinavian defense doctrine at this point involves all personal sitting on the slope of a mountain and shooting however many bullets equals the number of Russians who made it out of Finland alive

The aesthetics of that Norwegian collapsing stock version are so perfect.

I live in Sweden and my dad was in the homeguard when I was a kid. He had a G3, or a AK4, in the house. When I was 12 he took me out to the shooting range and let me shoot it. Was a blast for sure.

My dad was in the Norwegian home guard "Heimevernet" in the early 2000's, he'd bring his AG3 home after service ( without a bolt or firing pin if memory serves, no ammunition atleast ) Don't think it was a F2 variant though, as it didn't have any fancy sights on it if i remember

*casually pulls FAL from under the table*

That Swedish variant is gorgeous. Nicest looking G3 pattern I've seen.

I have a late HK41 that my dad bought new in 1974. I love it. Highly reliable and accurate. The only downside is it chamfers every shell casing to a polygon and throws it about a mile away. If they are running left to right in front of you and you miss the empty shell casing will likely take him out anyway...

"I wish there Was a modernised Version of this" Gun Industry: "a bunch of unnecessary picatinny you say?"

"need bigger rounds cus everyone now has armor" solution phased plasma rifle in 45w range lol

Great presentation, we have the G3 in Greece for the Home guard . Quite a few upgrades in inventory. Greek G3 Originally manufactured by EVO under license from HK . Great weapon .

My dad served in the Greek Army for 35 years (now retired as Lt Gen) and I had the pleasure of shooting several Greek Army G3s in my younger years! One heck of a reliable gun with a powerful 7.62mm punch and man I really like that Swedish update to it! Coincidentally the Greek Army is currently in talks regarding replacing the circa 220,000 G3s in the various Army branches, it would have been nice to see them keep some in service and do a similar update as Sweden. It will be sad to see it go, the end of a very successful 40 or so years of service! Great video.

Bundeswehr adopted the FAL as the G1. There's an "ancient" Bundeswehr rifleman training film on YT with instructions on the G1 as well as the G3. Tactics of use explained, including using automatic fire only for close engagement and an actual assault.

Ian mordernizing the G3 in less than 14 minutes? Seems legit

This used to be secondary weapon, when I was in the Danish army. With a 7.62 mm it packs quite a punch and a lot of guys got laceration in the cheek, due to the recoil. My primary weapon was the Carl Gustav btw :)

"HEY, SWEDES!" "They're Norwegian, Mac."

As a Swede in the Home Guard/Hemvärnet I can say that the Spuhr-stock has changed plenty for the better. How can you have a military branch meant to represent the "common folk" but a weapon that is unwieldy and clumsy for anyone that has too short arms and/or stature? The general consensus is that the Spuhr-variant is a much-need and welcome addition to our equipment and combat capabilities.

Argentina still using modernized FALs, and here in Mexico, Some special forces use modernized G3s like DMRs or some operators still using it like a battle rifle because the extra power of the 762x51

So, regarding Norwegian AG3F2. Dug some info 15 years ago, here it is 1. Made in house, Kongsberg Vapenfabrik 2. The bolt carrier has distinctive etching to the side open to ejection port, the form of fingerprint to help with silent closure of the bolt 3. The charging handle has a very distinctive shape: more beefy, full steel and with a hole in it, presumably to force-cock the gun in cold weather utilizing round as a handle (T-shape similar to MG-42) 4. Different bayonet mount 5. Reportedly, the collapsible stock had longer rails than on German model, approx 1cm longer. 6. AG3-F2 is, in fact, a field modification first performed by Norwegians deployed in Afghanistan with available parts. The very first rifles that later were designated as AG3-F2 were just issued AG3-F1s with KAC rails bought privately. The reason for AG3 being brought back to active service was field experience: 5.56x45 shot from fancy HK416s couldn't defeat thick mudbrick walls and the target behind it, hence not only AG3-F2 was back to service, but also good old MG3 retrofitted with the same aimpoints M2/M3s 7. NFM group (one of the main Norwegian Military contractors) has a long standing relationship with B&T and naturally provided all the modern stuff (rails, optic mounts and rings, etc) for "official" AG3-F2. thinlineweapons.com/MG42/AG3.htm is a leftover from the mg-42.net, the Norwegian weapons enthusiast provided some pictures and info on demand as well. It's now defunct, but I believe some traces could still be dug out.

G3 was my default gun in the Bundeswehr 20 years ago. It's such an incredibly satisfying gun to shoot.

Not so fun fact: The swedish soldiers based in Afghanistan asked for the G3 (AK-4) to be sent there. They were being shot at by talibans from long distance and the AK-5C, issued by the time, was not effective at that range. The AK-5 has continuously been modified for urban warfare with the barrel getting shorter and shorter, it's also chambered in 5,56 as Ian mentioned. The request was denied, so the swedes had to manage with the LMG and USAF. But it's a pretty big leap between a 5,56 bullet and a Mark 82.

Someone at Battlestate Games is probably furiously jotting down notes for when they eventually patch in the G3 for Escape From Tarkov.

As a Swede, it warms my heart to hear so much approval from Gun Jesus towards our tried-and-tested version of the G3. It's a gun that goes bang, yes, but it's a gun that goes bang the way _we_ want it to.

Another great video Ian. Thanks a bunch! There's definitely something about the roller delayed and roller locked designs that have stood the test of time whether it's the G3, the MP5 or the MG3; These guns really just have that perfect combination of elements that have been relevant to combat small arms for the last 100 years.

I'm a simple Norwegian. I see G3, I click G3.

As someone who uses the G3 as the standard issue rifle in the Cypriot national guard I can safely say we would love upgrades like this. Much love from Cyprus. ❤️🇨🇾

The .308 when you need the guy in the body armor and his buddy behind him to stop moving.

Thank You Ian! Please keep adding more content on the G3, old and new, such a venerable weapon. A video on the evolution of early cold war infantry doctrine and how the FAL and then the G3 became so successful would be awesome!

RU-vid - ‘Forgotten Weapons uploaded: ‘Modernizing the G3’ Me - ‘Oh fuck yeah *closes PH*’

A few points about the Swedish G3's: * The red dot sight in the Swedish Armed Forces is not a CompM4 but rather an Aimpoint CS. * The Ak 4B has had its iron sights ground off entirely (same goes for 4C and 4D). * The Ak 4C "package" when compared to the 4B only has the new Spuhr buttstock. * The Ak 4D has both the new Spuhr buttstock and Spuhr handguard and is (to my knowledge) only issued with the Kikarsikte 09 optic (a Hensoldt 4x24 optic used on the old Ak 4OR rifles). * The Ak 4C is issued only to the Home Guard whereas the Ak 4D is issued only to the Army. * The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) made an announcement in December of 2020 that it was planning to refit all Ak 4B rifles in Home Guard use to the Ak 4C standard. * The Ak 4D is issued exclusively as a designated marksman rifle in the Army. * The Ak 4C is issued with both the Aimpoint CS red-dot sight and the Kikarsikte 09 optic though there is no special designation to distinguish these from eachother. A very well done video, Ian! Thank you for taking a look at the modernization of the G3!

Norwegian national guard haven't used AG3 for many years. It's all HK416 now. After 20 years in that service, mostly shooting the AG3, then switching to the HK416 - I must say that I kind of miss the G3. It's a very nice weapon. So accurate. Prone to errors and problems, but easy to fix. You really, really, really don't need a scope. You need a scope for the low caliber stuff like the 5,56 - but that 7,62 just goes where ever the iron sight is - if you can't see it through the iron-sight then the laws of gravity will pull your projectile down before it ever hits anyway - so it's all about the breathing and the pull on the trigger. Inside fact though; most of the army gunsmiths will give you a shortened or the retractable stock if you want that. The shortened stock, my personal favourite, is just 2 inches shorter than the default of the G3 - perfect for not crushing your chin in to the gun - but brilliant for that extra comfort of carry. Never seen a scope used. Ever. I had a mount for it - a clamp on mount, but I never bothered getting a scope. Never saw anyone else either. I guess the aim point is good under "optimal" conditions. The iron sight is something you get a feel for over time and that will work in any circumstance. But don't get me wrong, the HK416 is a very good weapon. I just got a little melancholic seeing the G3 again :) And just to add to that: In peace time, training, the HK416 is an upgrade (for sure). But given (God forbid) a real war-scenario, I would prefer if the guys had that added range of the G3 to create a bigger "radius of security". Because doing 600-meters(ish) with the G3 is not impossible for someone used to that rifle. I don't think that is even a remote possibility with the 5.56 platforms.

Fun to see. It brought back memories from my service as gunsmith in the norwegian army some 30 years ago. Handeling, curing and prevented all the small issues with the AG3. All in all a companion you could trust in all kind of weather and action.

When Gun Jesus speaks with this much energy, you should listen.

When I did my national service in the danish armed service, we were issued the G3. I liked it alot Reasonably accurate and I liked the 7.62 round far better than the 5.56 that we were later trained with. These upgrades look nice. Would have liked to try to shoot the G3 with these upgrades.

Great Review. I used the G3 when I was in service 40 years ago and I still love it.

Nice one... brings up memories of my service years in the german army... I "learned the craft" on G3, P1, MP2A1 and MG3; later then for ISAF after KFOR / SFOR, adopted the modernized LIneup including G36 and P8. Loved all of them, because every one of them has it's niche, that it fits quite nicely. But there's something really special about aiming through "the drum"... something that draws (tunnels?!) your focus right in on target, I'll never forget that sensation that caught me every time i got to use it. In any case, reasonable upgrades! the .308 is a more demanding caliber, of course, but it packs a punch! My perfect combo would be a red-dot-sighted MP7 as PDW and short- to mid-range (for obvious reasons) and a slanted red-dot + 9-16x X scoped G3 for accuracy and power, (the swedish stock makes lots of sense then) But that's just me :-P Anyway... enjoyed the insight, thanks a lot... keep up the good work. S.

The FAL is still in service in a few countries... the argentinian army has three "modernized" versions of it (DSA kits). Same thing as the G3.

this is the gun equivalent of "how do you do, fellow kids" meme

I carried that G3A (On the left side of the screen) almost 24/7 365 days a years for 550 days. (AT least 20 hours a day with it). It is heavy weapon but after 3 months, it becomes like part of your body, you do not even fell the weight, that additional weight almost gives you advantage for accuracy. G-3 may not be a first choice of weapon for the urban close distance warfare like the Felluce or very close distance special force etc. task like conflicts inside buildings etc. but it is like a full auto and semi auto DMR or sniper rifle beyond 100 Meters. With a good scope and some proper shooter that knows how to handle weapon, this is one of the best overall assault rifles ever built. It can easily take down a human being down from at 600 Meters. Beyond 600 meters, it is hard to land shots but it that bullet even hit a human being from 1000 meters (The bullets really reaches 1000 meters with more than enough punch and power) that guy is done. İmagine you are at 5000 Meters above sea level, having conflict from one mountain/hill to the other, distance is about 1000 Meters between two sides, mountains around 1200 Meter high. 60 Soldiers in one side using all G-3, the other 60 soldiers in the other side using 5.56 AR-15 etc. Guys getting the 7,62 mm G-3 fire, will think that they are getting shot by 7,62 mm sniper rifles, machine guns etc. Yes, 20 bullets a bit problem, not agronomic as AR-15 or as durable as AK-47 but way accurate than AK-47 at way longer range and hits way harder than AR-15.

My modernized G3 is my go-to. I used the collapsing stock, but had HKParts notch it at the halfway point for the shortest usable length of pull I could get, and even with an 18" barrel, it's about the same length as 16" AR's. I did use the clamp on mount, got a really high quality low profile one and loctited the screws in place and have zero issue with it loosening or anything. Running a vortex 3x ACOG style optic and an offset RMR, extended MLOK handguards with a SAW grip and bipod out front, put a real bayonet lug in the cocking tube so I can use it, and last but not least a $50 Manticore Nightbrake that absolutely kills any muzzle rise. Threw a carry handle on too just because. Altogether it weighs 14.5 lbs loaded. And mags being $5-7 a piece, I'll never go back to an AR or 5.56 platform for my primary rifle. Thanks for putting this video out so people know what's possible with this platform that still rocks

Hellenic army : *write that down, write that down!*

Noteworthy: The BW still uses G3 ZFs as "unofficial" DMRs. However they are not upgraded at all and the way the scope is mounted on those old school G3s is just bloody horrible.

Thanks for more H&K,cetme and related stuff,I can't get enough of it. Please keep it coming when you can, thanks again.

I served in the Norwegian Army during the transition to the HK416N from the AG3F2. Me and my squad kept ag3 two years longer than a lot of other others, during our deployment overseas, purely because we much rather wanted to keep the range and power advantages it had. HK416 is a good gun, but the G3 is the best gun I've ever used.

*gently patting my g3* it's okay, you're perfect the way you are, I'm not updating you

The F1 pattern was the version with collapsible stock, which existed for use by mechanized troops and airborne forces. F2 was the modernization with Picatinny rails on the hand guard and scope rail with red dot Aimpoint sight. The rifles selected for this upgrade were ones that had very little service life, with little wear and tear, and the stocks put on them were mostly new ones that could be partially collapsed(to be more suitable with body armour?), but these ran out, so the rest were given standart F1 stocks.

Loved my AG-3 way back in the days. Sturdy, accurate, reliable and powerful. Never failed once. Excellent rifle for marching drills too ( or so my drill sergeant would hammer into us)... And the recoil to the eye only happens once. You quickly adapt as it is painful af. Thanks for the flashback! Cheers!

Nice to see you built your clone to fit a lefty. It does show how the G3 can be modernized or tailored to the shooter. The first kit I ever built was a G3 in semi of course. I have always liked how it shoots and even with my heavy handed build it shoots very well years later. Thanks for letting some of us G3 believers see that the rifles are still a viable option.

How come Ian gets to pull out a beautiful FAL like that on a whim? Why must I suffer in silence as Gun Jesus performs my dreams daily?

also the axis of recoil is more in line with the shoulder using the Spuhr stock mitigating a lot of the recoil climb issue

the G3 is my all time favourite weapon, glad to see some light on it!

I loved my G3 as member/soldier in Danish Homeguard from early 80's to early 00's. It was a standard G3 but with wood instead of plastic

I love my G3 but it's so loud people at the range flee when I fire it. lol

"Length of pull is awkwardly long" he said clearly not possessing orangutan arms.

My man has finally reached 2M and I am here for it.

Congratulations to 2 million subscribers 👍🏻 Great video as well !

I really hate that we (the swedes) cut off the iron sights on our G3's and ended up with a rifle that relies 100% on the red dot. Was told the built in battery (that needs to be changed at the factory, which is fucking retarded for a weapon that's meant to be used in the field) would last for 10 years. Guess what, I've run out of battery juice three times the last 10 years using it, turning my rifle to a heavy piece of useless iron. Absolutely useless. Asked to be moved to a marksman position so I got a 4x scope instead so I can at least count on it working if I need it.

That's a pretty Finnish thing to do A rifle from the 60s? Just slap an adjustable stock and some rails on it

When I served my mandatory service in 2005 there was a temporary ban on the F1 collapsing stock as it had collapsed during fire at one incident. I would also point out that the Norwegian Kongsberg produced base AG-3 had a 2cm longer stock than the standard G3A3, so a collapsing version probably looked even more attractive

this one was worth the price of my patreon subscription. thanks Ian !

We use the folded stock aswell in the Swedish homeguard, but only for the drivers.

So when can we expect a "what would H&K do 2021" for the g3 lol

I thought you were going to say “the US had the M14 which wasn’t used unless we gave it away - pause - and then it still wasn’t” 😀

So happy with the ptr I just picked up these things were really ahead of their time. Good content right here.

The only thing you can still slap In 21st Century and not get in trouble

Us Roller Delay fanboys are doing good on content. Hoplopfheil did a PTR/G3 video yesterday and Gun Jesus did a G3 video today.

I think you should do more field strip videos of the guns you can. It is enjoyable to see how it all goes together. You spoke of how modular this gun is but didn't show it on this one.

Love the Elbonian hoodie. I ran into another Forgotten Weapons fan at a local vet and he had on his Elbonian shirt.

I love the g3. Very reliable. The Greek army had them back in 02-03 when I was in Afghanistan. I traded my my dumb old cold weather mittens to shoot a few magazines through one behind the ISAF base outside kabul

Last time I was this early the G3 still had a full length of pull

I was in one of the few units issued with the G3 in the SADF in the 1980s and got to use it alongside the R1 (FAL), R4 (Galil), various flavours of AK and Beretta AR/SC-70. The G3 wasn't a popular weapon because of the perceived lower quality (plastic buttstock, stamped vs milled receiver etc). On the other hand, I loved it for all the reasons Ian mentioned - accuracy, simplicity and most of all, reliability. I never had a single blockage - ever - with the G3. One afternoon, a small group of us were told to dispose of 4 or 5 boxes of dirty ammo. Rounds that had been taken out of the box and had been out on patrol or similar and were not safe to send out again. I must have put 400 rounds of the dirty ammo through my weapon, many on full auto - without a problem. The fluted chamber was a stroke of genius and I'm surprised it wasn't used on more weapons. If anyone wants to know, the next favourite was teh AK/G4 and the R1/FAL at the bottom of the pile - it was just too fussy to work reliably in our conditions. The Beretta was never really taken seriously.

Additional facts on Norwegian G3 designations; AG3= Polymer buttstock and handguard AG3F1= 2 position collapsible steel buttstock, but still polymer handguard and std iron sights. AG3F2= 4 position collapsible steel buttstock, Aimpoint Comp M4, B&T optic rail and aluminium handguard. Love your work Ian 👍

I can personally atest to the fact that the Portuguese Fuzileiros (marines) love this weapon, great vid like always.

Our love story with the G3 (or AK4 as we call it) is a point of Swedish pride.

As an owner of the c308 variant I agree that it is an awesome rifle, I love mine for sure, yes it is big and a little cumbersome but I am a bit big and cumbersome myself lol. I need to find that Magpul grip module for sure and would love to see more stuff come out for these wonderful rifles.

Best things to add to a bone stock 91: Port Buffer, Heavy Buffer, hk21 buttpad, #17 Locking Piece, hk21 charging handle, and if you can find one a hk21 rear sight.

I got a Sphur stock myself and it's night and day, the gun went from something functional to something fun.

I like the "Fun Switch" on the rifle in the front; Safe, Semi, FUN

You do such a great job informing someone who just wants to know more about firearms,,,Thanks Heaps Mate...

Great video, much info. Thanks for all you do.

Actually, F1 is the designation of the AG3 with the retractable stock, it has nothing to do with optical sights (I know, since I was issued one of those when I served)

So timely, Ian. I’ve been looking at buying a PTR-91. Thanks for the review.

Cool, never heard of the AG3F2. I believe the AG3F1 added a collapsing stock. Mine had no optics rail, just the regular iron sights. I think it must be the other way around... the F2 added the optics rail. Served with the F1 from 98 to 00. I've had the regular AG3 in the home guard up until recently when we were finally issued the HK416. I miss shooting the AG3. It feels so much powerful but isn't unpleasant to shoot at all. The red dot optics on the HK416 is a fantastic upgrade though. Thanks for all the great videos Ian!

@forgottenweapons 2 million subscribers! Gratulations! (:

In the case of Sweden, the "Hemvärnet" IS the front line. Funny anecdote, when I joined in '99 every homeguardsman had 400 bullets tucked away at home along with the complete AK4. As I got issued my rifle the departement of defense must've realised 400 cartridges along with a assault rifle in the hands of 70.000-100.000 men between the ages of 20-60 was lunacy so my platoon members along with everyone else had to turn in their ammo in order to be "swapped out" for brand new cartridges. As the year went on no new bullets arrived and excuses were made about the logistics of the whole affair. One year later nobody had any bullets, we were issued a weird anti-theft barrel lock that I failed to lock properly the first time around which meant a visit to the armorer who was quite fed up with all these rifles turning up "locked" and everyone seemed to be of the opinion that it was quite silly to have a non-usable/usable rifle under the bed in case "Ivan" showed up. I got out a couple of years later. As I understand it all service rifles are locked up nowadays?

I don’t know what it is about the G3, but I really love the look of it, I’m glad it’s sticking around. The Left Arm of the Free World.

My PTR came with the top rail welded on and poly furniture. I bought a set of G3 wood and damn that looks nice.

My service rifle was an AK4 with marksman role upgrades like the Magpul PRS 2 gen 1 buttstock and a added RIS rail to the handguard so I could attatch a foregrip and a bi-pod. The gun was made in 1985 I believe and still ran smooth. To bad the optic I had to use was the original Hensoltd Z-24.

You do not feel the "hump" while shooting, but You feel it afterwards, some low pain and some small yellowing, no blue colours, then You learn to back of some mm.

*It’s German. You adapt to it. Not the other way around.*

Suberb video! You might find it interesting that it is not only used by Home Guard and reserves though! In the regular forces. squads can be outfitted with one that has a mounted scope, in which case it is used kind of like a DMR

Brazil and Argentina are currently modernizing their FAL's, by shortening their barrels and making them kind of "carbines". Hope that you'll get one of those some day