H&K Introduces 50-Round Drum Magazine for 7.62 NATO Platforms
Heckler & Koch has introduced a new 50-round drum magazine designed for its 7.62×51 NATO rifle platforms, including the HK417, G27, G28, and MR308 (called MR762 in the U.S.). The system is aimed at professional users requiring extended firepower while maintaining a relatively compact footprint, offering two-and-a-half times the ammunition load in a single magazine.
Heckler & Koch @ TFB:
Constructed with an aluminum housing, the magazine is designed for durability under demanding conditions. The sealed design is intended to protect internal components from environmental factors such as sand, water, and debris. H&K also states that the feed system has been optimized to ensure consistent and reliable operation.
Despite the increased capacity, the drum magazine is engineered with a centrally positioned center of gravity to help maintain balance during handling. It features a rotary loading mechanism designed to simplify the loading process, including use with gloves, and can be disassembled without tools for cleaning and maintenance.
According to the provided specifications, the drum magazine weighs approximately 1,370 grams (about 43 oz) empty and measures 206mm in height (8.1”) with a diameter of 128.5mm (5”).
The introduction of this drum magazine expands the accessory options for H&K’s 7.62 NATO rifle lineup, offering users a higher-capacity alternative for applications where extended firing capability is required.
I saw this magazine in person at EnforceTac about a month ago, and it will be interesting to see where and with which units this magazine will show up. At this moment in time, TFB has no information about the price or availability. A 5.56 drum magazine would be quite interesting as well.
Do you trust drum magazines in terms of reliability, or do you prefer traditional box mags?
All images by Heckler & Koch GmbH.
Ex-Arctic Ranger. Competitive practical shooter and hunter with a European focus. Always ready to increase my collection of modern semi-automatics, optics, thermals and suppressors. TCCC Certified. Occasionaly seen in a 6x6 Bug Out Vehicle, always with a big smile.
More by Eric B
Comments
Join the conversation
AR drum mags are range toys imho. For any application where reliability needs to be as good as possible, I don't think they offer enough to be worth it over the 46 rds of a pmag + extension.
Also it's HK, who i like, but I'm sure a single drum magazine will be $300 or more.
Gary Paul Johnston
30 years ago I introduced a 5.56 98-round "drum type" device to some special folks far away. They fell in love with them and said they were perfect for the jungle. If they took rounds they used the 98's up first then dropped them to use their 40 round mags to finish the bad guys. I don't know what this 7.62 50-rounder weighs, but once empty, I'd can it and go for my mags, or run. Whatever the case I'd ditch that useless thing in front for a bipod.