Heckler & Koch G36
Overview
G36V
Lithuanian soldier with full size G36V with B+T aluminum quad rail handguard.
Source: KASP -
© GNU Attribution - Share Alike license
Spain - Santa Bárbara Sistemas
Saudi Arabia - MIC Al Kharj
HK 50 (project name)
Spain
Description
Introduction
The G36 is an assault rifle of German origin. It was developed by Heckler & Koch in the early 1990's as a new assault rifle for the German army. The G36 is a departure from H&K's high quality, but very expensive and heavy roller locking system. The G36 has been influenced by various weapon systems and the internal mechanism is rather similar to the AR-18. The name G36 stands for "Gewehr 36".
Design
The G36 is a modern assault rifle that has been influenced by The G36 is gas operated, has a short stroke gas piston, uses a rotating bolt and fires from a closed bolt position. Most of the exterior is made of high strength polymer and results in low weight. The German model has a dual sight unit consisting of a 3x scope with a non-magnifying reddot scope on top. The export model has a 1.5x reddot sight and later a Picatinny rail for mounting various optics became available. From the full size G36 model the G36K carbine and G36C compact models were derived.
Firepower
The G36 fires the 5.56x45mm NATO round from a 30 round translucent magazine or 100 round C-mag. It is a select fire rifle that is available with a variety of trigger groups. The cyclic rate of fire is 750 rpm. The effective range is 400 meters for the full size G36 and 200 meters for the sub compact G36C. The G36 and G36K can be fitted with the AG36 under barrel grenade launcher.
Users
The G36 was adopted by the German military as the standard issue assault rifle. The G36 has been adopted by Spain and several smaller nations as its standard issue weapon. Additionally various law enforcement, counter terrorist and special forces units around the world have the G36 in their inventory.
Variants
G36
Full size rifle variant of the G36. Those adopted in 1997 for German military service featured a dual sight setup. This consisted of a red dot sight on top of a 3.5x scope. For export purposes a single sight setup with 1.5x optic was offered as the G36E. The G36E was superseded by the G36V, which introduced a new type of adjustable stock, various options for sight rails with or without iron sights and various types of handguard, including aluminum ones instead of polymer.
G36K
Carbine variant of the G36. The K stands for Kurz, which is German for "short". The G36K has a shorter barrel and handguard. It cannot mount a bayonet or fire rifle grenades. The AG36 underbarrel grenade launcher can still be used.
The G36K has the same German dual sight setup as the G36. The G36KE has the 1.5x export sight. The G36KV has the modular design with various types of stocks, sight rails and accessory options.
G36C
Compact assault rifle variant of the G36. Sometimes referred to as a sub machine gun. The G36C has the shortest barrel length of all G36 variants. It also has a shorter shoulder stock. Many varieties exist.
The G36C is described in further detail in a separate article.
MG36
Short-lived light machine gun variant of the G36. The MG36 was to serve as a light machine gun in the squad alongside the G36. It has a slightly heavier barrel and is fitted with a bipod. Never went into series production.
The MG36 is described in further detail in a separate article.
Details
Media
G36KV
Latvian soldier with H&K G36KV assault rifle with AG36 grenade launcher.
Source: US Army
Copyright: Public domain
G36E
Spanish marine with H&K G36E full size assault rifle with export sight setup in 2004.
Source: US Navy
Copyright: Public domain
G36
Italian soldier with German army G36 full size assault rifle during an exercise in 2015.
Source: US Army
Copyright: Public domain
G36KV
Right side view of modern G36KV variant with various accessories.
Source: Heckler & Koch
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
G36V
Right side view of full size G36V assault rifle with accessory rails.
Source: Heckler & Koch
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
G36KV
Right side view of G36KV with low Picatinny sight rail.
Source: Heckler & Koch
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
Related articles
Heckler & Koch G3
The G36 replaced the G3A3 as the standard issue assault rifle in German military service.
Heckler & Koch AG36
The AG36 40mm under barrel grenade launcher was developed for use on the G36 and G36K.