G36

The **G36** is an assault rifle manufactured by Heckler & Koch

## Overview

Work on a successor for the venerable G3 rifle had been ongoing in Germany since the second half of the 1970s. These efforts resulted in the innovative 4.73mm G11 assault rifle (developed jointly by a group of companies led by Heckler & Koch), that used caseless ammunition (designed by the Dynamit Nobel company). It had been predicted that this weapon would eventually replace the G3, therefore further development of Heckler & Koch's series of firearms chambered for the 5.56×45mm NATO cartridge had been halted. Heckler & Koch, having no incentive to pursue a new 5.56 mm weapon system, was content with the export-oriented HK33 and G41 rifles. However, the G11 program came to an abrupt end when the *Bundeswehr* cancelled its procurement due to defence budget cuts after the unification of East and West Germany and Heckler & Koch was acquired in 1991 by British Aerospace's Royal Ordnance division (known today as BAE Systems).

Increasing interest in Germany for a modern service rifle chambered for the NATO-standard 5.56 mm cartridge led Heckler & Koch to offer the German armed forces the G41 rifle, which, too, was rejected. Design work was then initiated from the ground up on a modern 5.56 mm assault rifle designated *Project 50* or *HK50*. The prototype was then trialled, where it was rated higher than the rival Austrian Steyr AUG system. The final version of the G36 was completed in 1995. Production of the G36 began in 1996.

## Variants

### G36

The **G36** is chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO cartridge. It features a 18.9 in (480 mm) barrel.

The **G36V** (V—*Variante* "variant") is the export variant of the G36. Previously known as the **G36E** (E—*Export*). The G36V has all of the characteristics of the standard rifle with the exception of the sight setup and bayonet mount. It is fitted with a x1.5 or x3 sight and lacks the integrated reflector sight; the bayonet mount is a standard NATO type. This version was first produced for Spain and Latvia.

The **G36A2** is the German military's designation allocated to an upgraded variant of the G36 used by the German Army. The G36A2 is equipped with a quick-detachable Zeiss RSA reflex red dot sight mounted on a Picatinny rail that replaces the original red dot sight of the dual combat sighting system. The G36A2 upgrade kit also consists of the shorter G36C stock (designed for better handling with use of body armour and load bearing equipment), new handguard made of aluminium (provides better heat resistance during long periods of firing) with an optional four Picatinny rails and a vertical foregrip with an integrated switch for operating an Oerlikon Contraves LLM01 laser light module. Throughout its service life it received further modernisation upgrades, designated as the **G36A3** and **G36A4**.

### G36K

The **G36K** (K—*kurz* "short") is a carbine variant with a shorter barrel (fitted with an open-type flash suppressor) and a shorter forend, which includes a bottom rail that can be used to attach tactical accessories, such as a UTL flashlight from the USP pistol. The carbine's barrel lacks the ability to launch rifle grenades and it will not support a bayonet. The weapon retained the ability to be used with the AG36 grenade launcher. G36Ks in service with German special forces are issued with a 100-round C-Mag drum. There are two variants of the G36K. The first and most commonly known has x3 scope/carry handle attached to the top, while the second is equipped with iron sights and a rail (no scope included).

The **G36KV** (formerly G36KE) is the export variant of the G36K, with sights like G36V.

The **G36KA4** is a modernised variant of the G36K made for the German. It first started showing up around 2016 to 2017. It added the proprietary HKey mod system to the handguard, to add more tactical accessories, a heavier barrel, and removed x3 scope on the carry handle, for a lower profile carry handle with an integrated MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rail. The standard G36 stock was also replaced with an IdZ adjustable stock for better handling with use of body armour.

### G36C

The **G36C** (C="Compact") is a compact variant and a further development of the G36K. It has a shorter barrel than the G36K, and a four-prong open-type flash hider or a birdcage type flash hider. The extremely short barrel forced designers to move the gas block closer to the muzzle end and reduce the length of the gas piston operating rod. The handguard and stock were also shortened and the fixed carry handle (with optics) was replaced with a carrying handle with an integrated MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rail. The dual optical sight found on the standard G36 and G36K models was replaced with a set of rail-mounted detachable iron sights that consist of a semi-shrouded front post and a flip-up rear sight with two apertures of different diameter. The short handguard has four accessory attachment points, one of which could be used for a vertical grip. The G36C was developed and produced in January 2001.

### MG36

The **MG36** (MG—*Maschinengewehr* "machine gun") is essentially an automatic rifle variant of the G36 equipped with a heavier barrel for increased heat and cook-off resistance. The MG36 and MG36E (*export variant*) are no longer offered by Heckler & Koch.

### SL8

The civilain variant of the G36 with a thumbhole stock and a longer barrel.

### "Night Shadow"

A custom variant of the G36 with a custom thumbhole stock, a 50 round drum magazine, a canted reflex sight, and a suppressor. The Night Shadow fires black tracer rounds at a rate of 750 RPM. This custom variant is used by Edgar Valentine.

## Users

* Echo Morningstar (G36K variant)
* Trident Initiative (G36C variant)
* Black Mambas (G36C variant)
* Blood Oath Militia (MG36 variant)
* Edgar Valentine (Custom variant)

## Notes

* Most of the information was copied and pasted from Wikipedia, all credit goes to the original source.