Is the G-3 still in active service with any militaries anywhere or has it been totally phasd out?
Iran and Pakistan still use it as far as I know.
When I was in Norway in 02 they were using them.
I saw a few in Somalia last year.
…oh you meant regular armies? Yeah I’m not sure…
Didn’t they recently replace theirs with 416s?
I still see them in Mexico occasionally
Not sure if it is the “primary” rifle, but I’m pretty sure Saudi still used them along with a mixed bag of other rifles.
As far as I know the Turkish army also issues the G3 as primary weapon. But they built their own licensed copies of H&K weapons.
I dont really know. I did read that, but I have found a disconnect from time to time between what I read and what is actually going on. Also since most of the G3’s I saw were what I would call reserve troops, that may play a part as well, but as I said I really dont know.
Always had a fondness for the G3/HK-91 series but could never afford an HK-91 when they were still being imported here. Now we have the SCAR-H which (from what I’m reading and hearing) is probably more reliable/durable/accurate than the G3/HK91. Is that a fair assessment?
More accurate and reliable, I’ll buy that. More durable? I doubt it. Still, I’d consider a SCAR 17 to be an upgrade over an HK91 in almost every way (except availability of mags) ha
That is no joke
Their great enemies, the Greeks, still issue G3s to Reserve units. In fact, Greek reservists who live in border areas near Turkey are allowed to keep their issue rifles at home.
The Germans still use them occasionally for DMR purposes.
As a first line weapon in European armies, no.
Sweden and Norway keep them as reserve issue rifles. The G3 is still used as a DMR or a specialized rifle in several countries.
The Swedes took their AK-4’s and chopped the iron sights off and welded a picatiny rail on the receiver, mounted an Aimpoint similar to the M4 on it as the only sighting system. They are still issued to Swedish Reserves/Home Guard.
Outside of Europe; Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, Mexico, and many other countries in Central and South America, Asia and Africa you will find them as primary issue to first line units, in conjunction with a mish mash of many other weapon systems.
The main battle rifle’s day in the sun in Western Armies has passed, at least as a general issue weapon.
And while I understand why, I will always have a nostalgic fondness for the G3 and FAL. And now I understand all the “old timers” who used to lament the passing on of “wood and steel” rifles such as the M1 Garand and M-14 in favor of the M-16.
There was just something so cool about the FAL and G3 in the pages of SOF and the works of Ed Ezell that I read as a youth. When I finally got my very own HK91 it was a significant moment in my life.