You know we’re big fans of HK’s classic Cold War era roller-delayed blowback firearms, and particularly the all-too-often forgotten HK33 5.56x45mm calibre assault rifle and its derivatives.

The HK33 was developed in the 1960s by Heckler & Koch GmbH (H&K) primarily for export. It built upon the company’s success with their 7.62x51mm NATO G3 rifle that had been adopted by the West German Armed Forces, the Bundeswehr. Although the 5.56x45mm cartridge offered several advantages over the larger 7.62mm round, neither NATO nor the Bundeswehr were interested in switching calibers at that point in time though.

The HK33 would however go on to almost become the new French Army assault rifle when NATO re-standardized on the 5.56x45mm calibre in the early ’80’s, and modified version – the G41 – was also unsuccessfully trialed by the Bundeswehr in the 1980’s. On the international commercial market the HK33 was also quite a successful design, even if it did not sell as well as the G3, and license made versions are still produced and used around the world to this day.

As in real-steel, so also in airsoft? RedWolf TV obviously think so – that’s why they called the LCTairsoft LK33 “The Most Under-The-Radar Gun of 2021.” Check out their comprehensive video review below!