Heckler & Koch HK CAWS

The Heckler & Koch HK CAWS (H&K CAWS) was Heckler & Koch's entry in to the U.S military's Close Assault Weapon System program. It was a prototype shotgun co-produced by Heckler & Koch and Winchester/Olin during the 1980s.

It is a 10-round, 12-gauge, bullpup shotgun with three firing modes: safe, semi-auto, and full-auto, and was fully ambidextrous.

Statistics

 * Type: select-fire, recoil operated.
 * Gauge: 12 (special ammunition with belted case, 19.5x76 mm)
 * Length: 762-988 mm
 * Barrel length: 457-685 mm
 * Weight: 3.7-3.86 kg 4.3kg
 * Magazine: 10 rounds detachable box magazine

History
The CAWS - Close Assault Weapon System - program started in the early 1980s in the United States. The main goal of this program was to develop a new generation personal firearm, capable of firing high-impulse, multiple projectiles with effective range of 100-150 meters. Using multiple projectiles should increase the chances of hitting the target in combat. One of the teams entered in the CAWS race was Heckler & Koch Germany, coupled with Winchester Corp. USA. Heckler & Koch was responsible for developing a weapon, while Winchester was responsible for the development of new types of ammunition. Although tested by the US military, the CAWS was cancelled, and production, both military and civilian, has halted.

Technical Definitions
HK CAWS is a select-fire, smoothbore weapon, designed to fire special, high-pressure shotshells, loaded with tungsten buckshot or flechettes. HK CAWS utilised a patented recoil-operated action with a moving barrel and an additional, self-regulated gas assist system (used to help unlock breechblock from the barrel if low-power ammo is used). The main goal of this system was to decrease felt recoil down to a suitable level.

HK CAWS in appearance is somewhat similar to the HK G11 advanced assault rifle, being built in bull-pup configuration, with integral carrying handle. The charging handle is located under the carrying handle, at the top of the receiver, and is ambidextrous. The standard HK-style safety-switch/fire selector has 3 positions: Safe, Semi-auto and Full-auto. It had a rate of fire of approximately 240 shots per minute.