@kev french No we had to do a selection in battalion, then a 8 week course down at Lydd run by 14 int and hereford blokes. It was pretty hard but good training, more interesting than the actual job most of the time.
@It’s ya boy covert reconnaissance. Our training, tactics and kit were all modelled on the SAS and SRR. Google COP platoon if you want to know. There's a video of me on my channel on the range in 2005 firing one.
I don’t think anyone should underestimate the level of effort that this man will have gone through to recondition himself, after all that his body went through in his military career. Once you get past, say, 40 years of age, it’s an uphill battle like you wouldn’t believe. There’s a unique take on a popular saying in the armed forces; “Pain is just weakness leaving the body (unless you’ve served, because then it’s probably just arthritis)”. Those that know, know. Those that don’t will post things about weight. Much respect to Mr Vickers.
This is my favorite rifle to shoot. I'll take it over any of my AR's. The gun is brutal and violent. The recoil has never been an issue for me. It's a thumper but very controllable.
it does NOT mean not mean that at all, are you a native English speaker? It means APART FROM. i.e HK has a lot of underrated guns, apart from the G3 and MP5.
Larry, you went from McDonalds employee to proper Delta Operator body wise. I have a ton of respect for the work you must have put in to pull this off. Well done man!
Compared to the Hk33, I was surprised about what a handful they are on auto. Hk33 is a pussycat, very fun to shoot with 40rd mags. Hk53 is more of a novelty.
I've shot them and they have a definite bit of recoil. Full stock is a little bit better. Re-barrelled into 300 Blackout with the proper locking piece and rollers. I'm thinking HK53SD 300 Blackout.
I have one of these and it is a lot of fun to shoot especially on full auto. Not much recoil but puts out a big blast and is an attention getter. Vector made a lot of these 10-15 years ago converted from HK93s and Vector 93s. They are starting to become very popular again. AR style pistols got into the game but there is nothing like a HK53 or clone!
Really liked the editing on this one, particularly the close-up of the chamber and extraction. This time you showed two complete cycles, very nice and interesting to see!
Being used to the G36 in Service, shooting the G3 once was way more fun, it actually felt like doing some work. One time I shot the MP5 and it felt like a piece of cake. All this and watching it rock Larry's shoulder, I bet I would absolutely love the HK53.
Just the right amount of slow motion in this one. I like being able to see the gun firing at full speed too and some of the recent videos didn't have very much of it,
Our Highway Patrol tactical team were issued those in the 90s. I'm retired from a state drug enforcement agency and was a member of our tac team. We were issued M-16 A2 carbines, select fire. We used to train regularly with the highway patrol and they swore by their HKs, until they shot our Colts. I used to give them a hard time with the safety/select fire switch on the HKs telling them the diagram meant "no boom" with a line through the bullet, one bullet means "boom", and the three bullets mean "boom boom boom." They were kind ok like Marines.
That's my "grail" Class III gun. I had the opportunity to carry one in Sarajevo (compliments of a Norwegian CPT that loaned it to me when I needed a gun to leave base). While it IS heavy, and in "serious use" has it's issues, the "Cool by Association" factor is unmatched. Go up behind Mt Igman, to the Olympic barracks/hotel back there, and blow a case of ammo in an afternoon. GOOD times.
I had a 4 pos picto trigger group and a vortex suppressor. You are right, this thing is a beast, but intimidating when you see that watermelon sized flash off the end of it and it's pretty brutal compared to the M16. M16 in 9mm rocks the house IMHO compared to a MP5 in 9mm...much more controllable. Wish I never moved and got out of the NFA stuff...NY is no place for me when I think back to my days of fun and full auto in Virginia.
Got the chance to shoot one once the first burst it got away from me but once I got a hold of it it was a lot of fun to shoot definitely an awesome first machine gun experience
Agreeed, it’s kind of a shame HK was just slightly late to the party on the 33/53 after adopting and making such a superb gun in the G3 and MP5. Even the G41 was behind in terms of what colt was doing with the development of the XM series of CAR’s. Love the roller lock though
I saw a police officer at Edinburgh airport with one of those things. Makes sense. It's a place where you might need the extra stopping power, and the ARU are trained on mp5's.
Why not use the real sound? I always wondered. Something to do with the slow mo? I would rather have no sound on the slow mo parts instead of these fake sounds. You videos are great and I love them, but the sound of the guns always bothers me..
Derp Festor yes I know, what I meant is that I would rather have no audio at all on the slow mo. But the sound is also fake during the real-time firing, so..
As a video editor, it's because a lot of guns honestly sound pretty same-y, so long as they're in the same caliber and don't have an outlandish cycling system. With little exception. Sure, reports are different on AKs vs ARs, but honestly you can't really pick that up on a conventional microphone that well. Even in video games that use "real" sound, it's heavily doctored.
@@Vanalos aye, when I thought about it a bit I did wonder of it was just the MP5 was so much better than the competition in every other area that the issue was ignored. My other thought was: does the g3 style folding cocking handle provide more leverage, while the MP5's shorter fixed handle makes it less easy to knock out of battery? OR does the folding handle even provide a camming action that unlocks the rollers? (I don't know, I've never handled a G3)
The MP 5 is lighter and didn’t lock back the same way when the CH was moved slightly back. The same happened in the 33 and G3. I carried all of these in Ulster.
Much respect to a man with the discipline and grit to lose that much weight with all the injuries sustained defending our country. Larry Thickers no longer!
Issued throughout the troubles as the L101A1 to people who potentially needed to unleash alot extreme violence from close quarters very quickly. Problems with mashed locking rollers. I think the RAF police still have them. Not that they will ever use them.
would it make any sense in 300 blk? short barrel with roller locked reliability for suppressed 300 blk without the gas in your face from open rear receiver...
I would love to see a 80% lower on this channel tested out. Whatever pistol or AR, etc there is out there. Would be cool to see some it come to completion and to get a review on it from Larry.
The issue with knocking your bolt out of battery was one of the reasons SAS were known to ride in vehicles with their MP5's locked open, then they would let the bolt close upon exiting the vehicle.
Used this in Northern Ireland for 2 years back in the day. Still my favourite service weapon.
@kev french Based in Ballykinler mate, 2RGJ
@kev french Cheers, I was COP mate HK53s were standard for us on plain clothes jobs.
@kev french No we had to do a selection in battalion, then a 8 week course down at Lydd run by 14 int and hereford blokes.
It was pretty hard but good training, more interesting than the actual job most of the time.
@It’s ya boy covert reconnaissance. Our training, tactics and kit were all modelled on the SAS and SRR. Google COP platoon if you want to know. There's a video of me on my channel on the range in 2005 firing one.
Snap 🤙 1WG COP. Car drills were loadsa fun with this thing 😎
Not one of the best HK designs but dang - 10/10 on the looks
G3/MP5 looks are always pretty
@@skepticalbadger the SAS and SBS SCUD hunters want to have a word with you
German weapons tend to be the sexiest, at least in my experience
It was designed to tear Spetsnaz apart with body armor. The design is perfect.
The roler delayed system just didn´t work as well for 5.56, but I mean they did nail it later with their short stroke rifles.
I don’t think anyone should underestimate the level of effort that this man will have gone through to recondition himself, after all that his body went through in his military career. Once you get past, say, 40 years of age, it’s an uphill battle like you wouldn’t believe. There’s a unique take on a popular saying in the armed forces; “Pain is just weakness leaving the body (unless you’ve served, because then it’s probably just arthritis)”. Those that know, know. Those that don’t will post things about weight. Much respect to Mr Vickers.
This is my favorite rifle to shoot. I'll take it over any of my AR's. The gun is brutal and violent. The recoil has never been an issue for me. It's a thumper but very controllable.
Personal weapon for 4 years and loved it. Ideal for the job at the time as was a Jack of all trades.
HK has a lot of underrated guns besides the G3 and MP5.
@@BelialsGenuflect He said besides the G3 and MP5, idiot
HeavyDutyTraining He prolly means their 416.. I think
it does NOT mean not mean that at all, are you a native English speaker? It means APART FROM.
i.e HK has a lot of underrated guns, apart from the G3 and MP5.
@@BelialsGenuflect If you think YOUR usage of it is stupid, isn't it more likely the not retarded usage of it is right? Use context.
One of them is the g36c.hell of a rifle.fell in love since the first time I fired it.
Larry, you went from McDonalds employee to proper Delta Operator body wise. I have a ton of respect for the work you must have put in to pull this off. Well done man!
That thing was throwing the empties into the next county..like the forward ejection pattern also. Thanks LAV! ✌
budster mcgreen lol
@@3ric585 👍
It's the same design with the G3,which is ejecting the brass in a similar way.
You should see my 23e. Damn thing ejects spent casings into the next state
For a gun with that much weight the recoil looks brutal.
Like as 7.62mm
Compared to the Hk33, I was surprised about what a handful they are on auto. Hk33 is a pussycat, very fun to shoot with 40rd mags. Hk53 is more of a novelty.
Conan 1812 oh that sucks!
Roller-delayed blowback is naturally violent and anything bigger than pistol cartridges are hard to control.
@@blandpepper2755 I think also due to the very short barrel that doesn't give much room for the powder to completely burn out
great info and cool gun for sure
Thanks brother!
Sir, you are unrecognizable ................. Congratulations on your hard work & dedication :)
You've lost a lot of weight.... congratulations...
You ain't kidding. Look at his PSM video. He should get his lead levels checked..ha.
@@jheichelbech 😂👍
looks like a new person ^^
IKR i though he was someone els
Lets hope its not health issue. If not congrats Mr Vickers !
I've shot them and they have a definite bit of recoil. Full stock is a little bit better. Re-barrelled into 300 Blackout with the proper locking piece and rollers. I'm thinking HK53SD 300 Blackout.
I was thinking the same thing. That looks like the way to go for this platform.
You should rename it « HK 57 » because in HK new nomenclature, 3 means 5.56 and 7 means 300 blackout
Which locking piece and rollers are you using with the .300 BLK barrel? And who made the barrel? Thanks!
I have one of these and it is a lot of fun to shoot especially on full auto. Not much recoil but puts out a big blast and is an attention getter. Vector made a lot of these 10-15 years ago converted from HK93s and Vector 93s. They are starting to become very popular again. AR style pistols got into the game but there is nothing like a HK53 or clone!
The chamber opening and closing detail is great.
Congrats on your weight loss! You are looking great!
I loved this video so much, I understand the drawbacks but I've still been an HK53 fan for a while.
Wow Mr. Vickers, I almost didn't recognized you. You're looking real good.., congratulations and I wish you lots of luck.
I don't care that it's not that great of a gun. I just love the idea of a 5.56 mp5. I need it.
Really liked the editing on this one, particularly the close-up of the chamber and extraction. This time you showed two complete cycles, very nice and interesting to see!
Holy hell Larys lost a lot of weight! Good on you man
Being used to the G36 in Service, shooting the G3 once was way more fun, it actually felt like doing some work. One time I shot the MP5 and it felt like a piece of cake. All this and watching it rock Larry's shoulder, I bet I would absolutely love the HK53.
Looks & sounds lethal ! Love all the types of weapons & knowlege you share with your audience. Congrats on your new lean & mean look. Thanks Larry
Just the right amount of slow motion in this one. I like being able to see the gun firing at full speed too and some of the recent videos didn't have very much of it,
I like how you guys showed the gun firing at actual speed rather than just slow-mo like a lot of the other vids! 👍👍
Keep crushing it Uncle Larry! Looking great bro!
Our Highway Patrol tactical team were issued those in the 90s. I'm retired from a state drug enforcement agency and was a member of our tac team. We were issued M-16 A2 carbines, select fire. We used to train regularly with the highway patrol and they swore by their HKs, until they shot our Colts. I used to give them a hard time with the safety/select fire switch on the HKs telling them the diagram meant "no boom" with a line through the bullet, one bullet means "boom", and the three bullets mean "boom boom boom." They were kind ok like Marines.
There are plenty of Marines with higher IQs than you.
Very much want one of these.
The only automatic rifle compared to the Soviet's AKS-74U & American's CAR-15.
ARMORED KONG what about G36? I’m sorry for being ignorant.
@@Jeragon186 Those rifles came out at about the same period while g36 came out later.
songgut Oh! Thanks for the info!
I dunno the SIG 552 /553 is a nice tiny little package in 5.56,
Big advantage over the M4 variants is the no buffer tube this shorter, no gas in your aiming eye and better reliability
Larry, I've been watching some of your earlier videos and noticed how much weight you lost since then. Great job, man!
Oh snap! You're looking good, Larry! Jeez, man. 👌👍I didn't even notice until watching that old vid from 3+ years ago.
I have an HK93 I bought in 1981. Great rifle. Very reliable.
Been waiting for this one, my favorite firearm
I love your video keep them coming.
And thank you for your service!
Looking absolutely great and fit! Beautiful video btw👍👍👍
This has the to my FAVORITE Roller-Delayed Blowback style weapon. Will EASILY swap out my CQBR Block II out for one
I've always liked the look of those, nice lines. My local police used to carry them, semi-auto only carbines though.
That's my "grail" Class III gun. I had the opportunity to carry one in Sarajevo (compliments of a Norwegian CPT that loaned it to me when I needed a gun to leave base). While it IS heavy, and in "serious use" has it's issues, the "Cool by Association" factor is unmatched. Go up behind Mt Igman, to the Olympic barracks/hotel back there, and blow a case of ammo in an afternoon. GOOD times.
good to see that you're in good shape sir!
I had a 4 pos picto trigger group and a vortex suppressor. You are right, this thing is a beast, but intimidating when you see that watermelon sized flash off the end of it and it's pretty brutal compared to the M16. M16 in 9mm rocks the house IMHO compared to a MP5 in 9mm...much more controllable. Wish I never moved and got out of the NFA stuff...NY is no place for me when I think back to my days of fun and full auto in Virginia.
Nice StG 44 evolution
Got the chance to shoot one once the first burst it got away from me but once I got a hold of it it was a lot of fun to shoot definitely an awesome first machine gun experience
Lookin' good Larry. Keep up the good work.
Interesting insight on it's usability, and outstanding camera and editing work! Thanks
HK is the best small arms company out there the germans really know how to make a gun
If you play Goo Goo Doll's Lazy Eye over Larry shooting slow-mo, it's force multiplies the Badassery by a factor of 5.
Agreeed, it’s kind of a shame HK was just slightly late to the party on the 33/53 after adopting and making such a superb gun in the G3 and MP5. Even the G41 was behind in terms of what colt was doing with the development of the XM series of CAR’s. Love the roller lock though
I like the Hk33 a lot more than the G3. MP5 speaks for itself of course.
Wow man you lost some weight good job,awesome video somewhat rare variant of HK I was looking for
I saw a police officer at Edinburgh airport with one of those things. Makes sense. It's a place where you might need the extra stopping power, and the ARU are trained on mp5's.
Looking good larry!
Why not use the real sound? I always wondered. Something to do with the slow mo? I would rather have no sound on the slow mo parts instead of these fake sounds.
You videos are great and I love them, but the sound of the guns always bothers me..
Ymril slow mo can’t record sound.
Derp Festor yes I know, what I meant is that I would rather have no audio at all on the slow mo.
But the sound is also fake during the real-time firing, so..
Glad I'm not the only one! The dubbed effects have been driving me crazy!
@@Ymril why does he fakes the real firing song?
As a video editor, it's because a lot of guns honestly sound pretty same-y, so long as they're in the same caliber and don't have an outlandish cycling system. With little exception. Sure, reports are different on AKs vs ARs, but honestly you can't really pick that up on a conventional microphone that well.
Even in video games that use "real" sound, it's heavily doctored.
Nice! Thanks for explaining why it didn't fly; looking at the resemblance to the MP5, I was wondering.
Good weapon I carried it in Northern Ireland
I used it too in Northern Ireland.
Looks like it shoots just fine
Great video, very cool firearm. I remember seeing pictures of seal team in Vietnam using licensed copies of g33 made by H&R
The three prong flash hider looked way cooler and massively helped at night
I wonder why the 53 suffered that issue with the charging handle, but you don't hear about it on the MP5?
good question, actually. Maybe the MP5's pros outweigh the cons? But then again, I've never encountered the problem the MP5 being out of battery.
@@Vanalos aye, when I thought about it a bit I did wonder of it was just the MP5 was so much better than the competition in every other area that the issue was ignored.
My other thought was: does the g3 style folding cocking handle provide more leverage, while the MP5's shorter fixed handle makes it less easy to knock out of battery?
OR does the folding handle even provide a camming action that unlocks the rollers? (I don't know, I've never handled a G3)
The MP 5 is lighter and didn’t lock back the same way when the CH was moved slightly back. The same happened in the 33 and G3. I carried all of these in Ulster.
Looking good, Larry!
I love this rifle!!
Like H&K. They are know how to build a great gun.
HK 53 once use by Auxiliary Police Malaysia Airport (APMA) but only limited use with MP5 in KLIA 1
Larry, what are you doing to lose weight? I’m looking to drop about 50, myself. Thanks.
He is doing crossfit. It is high intensity and even better than cardio and bobybuilding.
Much respect to a man with the discipline and grit to lose that much weight with all the injuries sustained defending our country. Larry Thickers no longer!
Loved this gun in Battlefield 3
That looks soo fucking cool.
That brutal brass ejection may kill someone... XD
Damn that roller lock...
Helloo from Greece, my favorite HK system is HK11/21 Light MG....
I know this isn’t what your channel is really about but you look like you’re much better shape.
SAS use this in covert operations in Northern Ireland.
Issued throughout the troubles as the L101A1 to people who potentially needed to unleash alot extreme violence from close quarters very quickly. Problems with mashed locking rollers. I think the RAF police still have them. Not that they will ever use them.
Just want to say damn!!!! Larry way to go with the weight loss, and another damn good video.
Looking amazing man
BCM is one of the best parts I have, they work, take a beating, and look good. Semper Fi 🤠👍🇺🇸
dude, looking good man!! very nice.
Looks like our boy Larry got all fit up!!
An mp5 that fires 5.56 just needs to be in my life.
Looks like my favorite mp5 loving it tho
AWESOME!
Larry you look amazing. Good job on your fitness goals. Its inspiring to me. 💪
Looks awesome despite the recoil. HK should produce more of the HK53.
would it make any sense in 300 blk? short barrel with roller locked reliability for suppressed 300 blk without the gas in your face from open rear receiver...
Militaristics Dakota Tactical does make one like that in 300Blk. Check out the D300 from them
@@david05111 damn!
Larry you lost a lot of weight. Great job man. Neat gun. Doesn't 556 lose a lot of velocity on a barrel that short? And holy flash batman.
man you are so good with guns!
I love this gun, I regret selling my clone.
Our COP Plts used them a lot in the 90's in N.Ireland
We used them in the RUC.
Another gun from my wishlist
I would love to see a 80% lower on this channel tested out. Whatever pistol or AR, etc there is out there. Would be cool to see some it come to completion and to get a review on it from Larry.
We need more 5 guns videos larry, love your picks brother.
I would love one of these
The issue with knocking your bolt out of battery was one of the reasons SAS were known to ride in vehicles with their MP5's locked open, then they would let the bolt close upon exiting the vehicle.
Damn Larry has been working out man..
Damn Larry you look fantastic!
Gangster firearm! Love it.
Looking great Mr. Vickers! You must be on the Keto Diet brother?? I'll take two of the HK53s to go! Thanks for another great video and thumbs way up!
I’m will never ever ganna have a gun in the future but would but this on my playlist
Good...Recommended Channel
Looking good sir.
Larry's looking like a stud! Lean and mean.
WANT! Like an MP-5 for big boys :-)
The sound of that HK 53..............!.
H&K is love, H&K is life.
I really dig the insight you bring to these reviews... 'cause from where I stand, it does look sexy! But guess not so much huh? Great info. Thanks...