1 G36 Type Assault rifle Place of origin Germany Service history In service 1997–present Used by 20+ countries (see users) Wars Kosovo War, Afghan War, Iraq War, War in South Ossetia (2008), Operation Banner(PSNI) (Northern Ireland The Troubles), 2011 Libyan civil war G36 History At the end of the cold war after the rejection of Heckler & Koch’s case less round and the G11 rifle the German army (Bundeswehr) had really three options: to continue to use the G3 rifle, to start using the AK-74 (of which there were tens of thousands in the armories of the former East German state), or to have yet another competition for a new assault rifle. After much deliberation the choice was finally made: the G3 was becoming obsolete, the AK-74 was politically untenable (but it would have been the most economic choice). So a new design competition was held. The winner of this competition was a new rifle system from H&K, which was adopted as the G36 (Gewehr 36 = Rifle 36). The standard G36 rifles fitted with the HK AG36 40mm under barrel grenade launcher. The new 5.56mm assault rifle had been adopted by the Bundeswehr in the 1995, and in the 1999 the Spain adopted its slightly different, export version, G36E as its standard infantry rifle. The G36 also found its way into the hands of various law enforcement agencies worldwide, including British police and some U.S. police departments. So far I’ve heard very few complaints about this rifle, and a lot of
Transcript
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G36
Type Assault rifle
Place of origin Germany
Service history In service 1997–present
Used by 20+ countries (see users)
Wars Kosovo War, Afghan War, Iraq War, War in South Ossetia (2008), Operation
Banner(PSNI) (Northern Ireland The Troubles), 2011 Libyan civil war
G36 History
At the end of the cold war after the rejection of Heckler & Koch’s case less round and the G11 rifle
the German army (Bundeswehr) had really three options: to continue to use the G3 rifle, to start
using the AK-74 (of which there were tens of thousands in the armories of the former East German
state), or to have yet another competition for a new assault rifle. After much deliberation the choice
was finally made: the G3 was becoming obsolete, the AK-74 was politically untenable (but it would
have been the most economic choice). So a new design competition was held. The winner of this
competition was a new rifle system from H&K, which was adopted as the G36 (Gewehr 36 = Rifle 36).
The standard G36 rifles fitted with the HK AG36 40mm under barrel grenade launcher.
The new 5.56mm assault rifle had been adopted by the Bundeswehr in the 1995, and in the 1999 the
Spain adopted its slightly different, export version, G36E as its standard infantry rifle. The G36 also
found its way into the hands of various law enforcement agencies worldwide, including British police
and some U.S. police departments. So far I’ve heard very few complaints about this rifle, and a lot of
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good revives and opinions. In fact, the only complaints about G36 that I know are the overheating of
the hand guards during the sustained fire, and the loose of zero of built in scope on some G36KE rifles, used
by U.S. police. Otherwise it is a really fine rifle, accurate, reliable, simple in operations and
maintenance, and available in a wide variety of versions – from the short-barreled Commando (some
even said that it’s a submachine gun) G36C and up to a standard G36 rifle and the MG36 squad
automatic (light machine gun).
The G36, in severely modified form, also is used as a “kinetic energy” part of the U.S. XM-29 OICW
weapon. It also appears that in this form it also can be adopted by U.S. Army as the separate XM-8
light assault rifle, to replace in the near future not so successful Colt M4 carbines, which are now in
service with U.S. military.
Description and Specifications
From the technical point of view, the G36 is a radical departure from all the previous H&K rifles,
based on the proven G3 roller-delayed system. The G36 is a conventional gas operated, selective fire
rifle, made from most modern materials and using most modern technologies.
The receiver and most of the others external parts of the G36 are made from reinforced polymers,
with steel inserts where appropriate. The operating system appears to be a modification of the older
American Armalite AR-18 rifle, with its short stroke gas piston, located above the barrel, square-
shaped bolt carrier and the typical rotating bolt with 7 locking lugs. Of cause, there also are many
differences from the AR-18. The bolt carrier rides on a single guide rod, with the return spring around
it. The charging handle is attached to the top of the bolt carrier and can be rotated to the left or to
the right. When not in use, the charging handle aligns itself with
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the axis of the weapon under the pressure of its spring, and reciprocates with the bolt group at the top of the
receiver. The gas block is fitted with the self-adjustable gas valve, that expels all the used gases
forward, away from the shooter.
The ejection window is located at the right side of the receiver and features a spent cases deflector
to propel the ejected cases away from the face of the left-handed shooter.
All the major parts are assembled on the receiver using the cross-pins, so rifle can be disassembled
and reassembled back without any tools.
The typical H&K trigger unit is assembled in a separate plastic housing, integral with the pistol grip
and the trigger guard. Thanks to this feature, a wide variety of firing mode combinations can be used
on any rifle, simply by installing the appropriate trigger unit. Standard options are single shots, full
automatic fire, 2 or 3 round bursts in any reasonable combinations. The default version is the single
shots + 2 rounds burst + full auto. The ambidextrous fire selector lever also serves as a safety switch.
G36 is fed from the proprietary 30-rounds box magazines, made from translucent plastic. All
magazines have special studs on its sides, so two or three magazines can be clipped together for
faster reloading. The magazine housings of the G36 are made as a separate parts, so G36 can be
easily adjusted to the various magazine interfaces. By the standard, the magazine release catch is
located just behind the magazine, in the G3 or AK-47 style, rather than on the side of the magazine
housing (M16-style). A 100-round Beta-C dual drum magazines of U.S. origins also can be used (these
magazines are standard for the MG36 squad automatic versions of the G36).
The side-folding, sturdy skeletonized butt stock is standard on all G36 rifles. It folds to the right side
and does not interfere with rifle operation when folded.
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The standard sighting equipment of the G36 consists of the two scopes – one 3.5X telescope sight
below, with the second 1X red-dot sight above it. The sights are completely independent, with the
former suitable for long range accurate shooting, and the latter suitable for the fast target acquisition
at the short ranges. Both sights are built into the plastic carrying handle. The export versions of the
G36 are available with the single 1.5X telescope sight, with the emergency open sights molded into
the top of the carrying handle. The subcompact G36K Commando version is available with the
integral Picatinny- type scope and accessory rail instead of the carrying handle and standard sights
(see also page 7).
The G36 uses an AK-74-type bayonets, which are left from the now non-existent East Germany Army
stocks.
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AG36 grenade launcher
The AG36 grenade launcher has been developed by the famous German company Heckler& Koch as a
replacement for its previous add-on 40mm grenade launcher, the HK79. The initial platform (host
rifle) for AG36 was the HK G36 assault rifle, which is now in service with German and Spanish armies.
Later on, the AG36 has been adopted to British L85A2 assault rifle, and to Diemaco C7A1 assault rifle,
which is in service with Dutch army. The latest version of the AG36 is the AG-C/ EGLM (Enhanced
Grenade Launcher Module), a modification which can be mounted on the M16A4 assault rifles and
M4 carbines using Picatinny type rails under the for end. A version of the AG-C grenade launcher,
known as XM320, is now considered by the US Army as a possible replacement to the venerable
M203 under barrel launcher under the OICW Block 1 program. If it will be adopted, it then would
receive the M320 designation. A special kit is available to convert AG36 into a stand-alone weapon.
This kit includes a detachable shoulder stock.
AG36is a single shot, break open weapon. The barrel opens by unlocking and swinging its breach to
the left. This allows the operator to use projectiles of any length, including extra-long less-lethal
'baton' and tear gas warheads. The trigger of AG36 is of double-action only type, and it is provided
with ambidextrous manual safety. Standard sight is of ladder type, with electronic range finding sight
being developed for future precision applications. AG36 can fire all standard types of 40x46 mm 'low
velocity' grenades.
The standard G36 rifles can be fitted with the HK AG36 40mm under barrel grenade launcher:
AG36 grenade launcher mounted under the barrel
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Caliber 40x46mm
Type single shot
Overall length 348 mm
Weight 1.5 kg unloaded
Effective range up to 400 m area targets; up to 150 m point targets
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Types
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HK G36 The standard G36 rifles used by the Bundeswehr. HK G36K A shorter carbine version. It comes with iron sights and Picatinny-type accessory rail instead of the carrying handle (used by the Bundeswehr). HK G36E Export version, sometimes called as the G36V. It is fitted with a singe 1.5x magnification sight. Iron sights are molded on top of the carrying handle and are used only in case of emergency. This variant is in service with Spain (not used by the Bundeswehr).
Export version G36E
HK G36KE A shorter export version (not used by the Bundeswehr). HK G36C A compact assault rifle, intended for the special operation forces and airborne troops. It has been developed from the G36K (used by special forces of the Bundeswehr). HK MG36 Squad automatic weapon. It is a heavy-barreled version, fed from 100-round dual drum magazines and fitted with folding bipod. However this version has not been produced in quantity and is no longer offered (used by the Bundeswehr). HK G36A2 (KV) An upgraded variant, it is fitted with detachable red dot sight, new foregrip with three Picatinny-type rails (used by the Bundeswehr).
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Optical sight
The standard German Army versions of the G36 are equipped with a ZF 3x4° dual optical sight that
combines a 3x magnified telescopic sight (with the main reticule designed for firing at 200 m and
bullet drop compensation markings for: 200, 400, 600 and 800 m crosshairs and a range-finding
scale) and an unmagnified reflex sight (calibrated for firing at 200 m) mounted on top of the
telescopic sight.[2] The reflex sight is illuminated by ambient light during the day and uses battery
powered illumination for use at night. Electric illumination is activated automatically by a built in
photo sensor and can be manually activated to boost the brightness of the reticule in daytime low
contrast situations.[6]
The export versions have a single telescopic sight with a 1.5x magnification and an aiming reticule
fixed at 300 m. All rifles are adapted to use the Hensoldt NSA 80 third-generation night sight, which
clamps into the G36 carry handle adapter in front of the optical sight housing and mates with the
rifle's standard optical sight.[7] The sighting bridge also functions as a carrying handle and features
auxiliary open sights molded on top of the handle that consist of a forward blade and rear notch, but
these can only be used with the reflex sight removed, as in the G36V. The optical sight system is
produced by Hensoldt AG (a subsidiary of Carl Zeiss AG).
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Optical sight reticule pattern
1 Point of aim at 200 meters range
2 Lead mark for firing at targets moving from left to right at a speed of approx. 8 km/h at a range of
200 meters
3 Circular reticule (Interior diameter 1.75 m man size at 400 m range)
4 Lead mark for firing at targets moving from right to left at a speed of approx. 8 km/h at a range of
200 meters
5 Horizontal line to determine whether the weapon is canted from the horizon
6 Point of aim for firing at approx. 400 meter range
7 Point of aim for firing at approx. 600 meter range
8 Point of aim for firing at approx. 800 meter range
9 Person size of 1.75 meters at range X (800m, 600m, 400m, 200m
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Maintenance manual
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Production history
Designed 1990–1995
Manufacturer Heckler & Koch
Produced 1996–present
Variants See Variants
Specifications
Weight
G36 (BW) 3.63 kg (8.00 lb)
G36K (BW) 3.30 kg (7.3 lb)
G36C (BW) 2.82 kg (6.2 lb)
G36E (export version) 3.50 kg (7.7 lb)
G36KE (export version) 3.33 kg (7.3 lb)
G36A2/KV (BW) 3.0 kg (6.6 lb)
MG36 (E) (BW 3.83 kg (8.4 lb)
Length
G36, G36A2/KV, MG36, MG36E 999 mm (39.3 in) stock extracted / 758 mm (29.8 in)
stock folded
G36K, G36KV 860 mm (33.9 in) stock extended / 615 mm (24.2 in)
stock folded
G36C 720 mm (28.3 in) stock extended / 500 mm (19.7 in)
stock folded
Barrel length
G36, G36V, MG36, MG36E 480 mm (18.9 in)
G36K, G36KV 318 mm (12.5 in)
G36C 228 mm (9.0 in)
Width
64 mm (2.5 in)
Height
G36, G36K, MG36 320 mm (12.6 in)
G36V, G36KV, MG36E 285 mm (11.2 in)
G36C 278 mm (10.9 in)
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Cartridge 5.56x45mm NATO
Action Short-stroke piston, rotating bolt
Rate of fire 750 rounds/min cyclic
Muzzle velocity G36, G36V, MG36, MG36E: 920 m/s (3,018 ft/s) G36K, G36KV: 850 m/s (2,788.7
ft/s)
Effective range 800 metres (870 yd), 200–600 m sight adjustment
Feed system 30-round detachable box magazine or 100-round C-Mag drum magazine
Sights Reflex sight with 1x magnification, telescopic sight with 3x
magnification (export version has a 1.5x magnified
