Manufactured in 1982 and later upgraded by Fleming. Short barreled 5.56mm automatic rifles have been seeing growing popularity in the Armed Response/SWAT role, giving many of the size/maneuverability advantages of a pistol caliber submachine gun combined with increased range and hitting power. Hooded post front and four-position drum rear sight, with a checkered forearm, birdcage flash hider, three position "S/E/F" (safe/semi/full) hinge pin configured trigger group and an extendable buttstock. The magazine well bears the HK nomenclature and "(eagle/N)IC(antler)" (1982) date code on the left side, the Germany/Arlington, VA address on the right side, and the Fleming address on the left side of the receiver, concealed by the trigger group.