Call of Duty: Black Ops

Black Ops 1 HK21

Light Machine GunsAvailable once Create-a-Class opens at Level 4No CoD Points requiredTakes camo
Light Machine GunsHK21 — Call of Duty: Black Ops weapon render

How do you unlock the HK21?

The HK21 is available once Create-a-Class opens at Level 4 in Call of Duty: Black Ops. The HK21's 30-round magazine and rifle-like handling make it the easiest bridge into the LMG class, but it lacks the deep reserve of the 100-round M60. No CoD Points purchase is required. It accepts all 14 standard store camos plus Gold from 14th Prestige.

UnlockDefault
PurchaseNo CoD Points required
Takes camoYes

Reviewed July 27, 2026. Sources include Activision's original Black Ops overview, the official Xbox 360 manual, official PlayStation release and Treyarch-authored Prestige documentation, contemporaneous multiplayer tables, and a specialist identification reference for the in-game firearm models. Play advice is editorial. Scope: original 2010 multiplayer progression, not Campaign, Zombies, Black Ops Cold War, later games or mods; the 2026 PlayStation port is only described where official platform information is available.

Sources: Activision — Black Ops · Official Xbox 360 manual · PlayStation Store release listing · PlayStation.Blog — Treyarch Prestige reset facts · Contemporaneous multiplayer weapon table · GameFAQs — purchasable-item Prestige reset · IMFDB — in-game firearm identifications

How does the HK21 play in Black Ops 1?

Also written asHK 21
RoleDefault 30-round rifle-like LMG
Real-world basisGerman Heckler & Koch HK21 general-purpose machine gun
StrengthsAccessible default LMG with a conventional 30-round rhythm; Optics and Extended Mags support lane-holding builds
TradeoffsStandard capacity is no larger than an assault rifle; LMG reload and mobility costs remain despite the smaller magazine
Attachments and setupAvailable choices focus on optics and Extended Mags; the HK21 has no Grip or Dual Mags; Extended Mags gives it a clearer support identity when a long lane produces repeated contacts
Challenge noteBO1 weapon challenges are separate from camouflage. Camos are bought per eligible primary with earned CoD Points rather than unlocked through a weapon challenge.
Camo tipSet up before the fight and fire measured bursts. With only 30 rounds, reload from cover before the lane becomes busy again.
Compared withIt is more rifle-like than the M60; the RPK starts with 40 rounds and the Stoner63 applies pressure faster.

Every camo, exact unlocks — see the full Black Ops 1 camo directory.

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HK21 — common questions

What level does the HK21 unlock at in Black Ops 1?

The HK21 is available once Create-a-Class opens at Level 4 in Call of Duty: Black Ops multiplayer. No CoD Points purchase is required. The level cap is 50, and prestige is up to 15.

How do camos work on the HK21?

Camos here are bought, not earned: every standard camo costs 250 CoD Points per weapon once camo purchases unlock at level 22, with no challenges or headshots attached. Gold is the exception — it unlocks for purchase at 14th Prestige and costs 50,000 CoD Points per weapon. These are earned multiplayer CoD Points from BO1's economy, not the premium COD Points used in newer games. Each camo is bought per weapon, so buying one for the HK21 only unlocks it there.

Can you unlock the HK21 for me?

Yes — our Black Ops 1 Unlock All service covers any prestige 1-15, max level 50, max CoD Points and every weapon unlocked (Xbox 360), from $19.99. See the service.

More Light Machine Guns

All Call of Duty: Black Ops weapons →
RPK — Call of Duty: Black OpsRPKLevel 6 · Light Machine GunsM60 — Call of Duty: Black OpsM60Level 21 · Light Machine GunsStoner63 — Call of Duty: Black OpsStoner63Classified · Light Machine Guns

Skip the grind

Our Black Ops 1 Unlock All service includes any prestige 1-15, max level 50, max CoD Points and every weapon unlocked (Xbox 360), from $19.99.

See Black Ops 1 servicesSee exact inclusions on the service page