How a Heckler & Koch G36 Rifle Works

Wikipedia: The Heckler & Koch G36 (Gewehr 36) is a 5.56×45mm assault rifle designed in the early 1990s by German weapons manufacturer Heckler & Koch as a replacement for the heavier 7.62×51mm G3 battle rifle] It was accepted into service with the Bundeswehr in 1997, replacing the G3. Since then, it has also been a popular export, and the G36 has seen active service in military and police units in several countries, including Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom. The G36 is gas-operated and feeds from a 30-round detachable box magazine or 100-round C-Mag drum magazine.

In 2012, the G36 was found to suffer from severe accuracy problems when the weapon overheated which prompted the search for a replacement. In 2017, the Bundeswehr launched the System Sturmgewehr Bundeswehr, a program to find a replacement for the G36. The weapons put forth were the Heckler & Koch HK416, Heckler & Koch HK433, and the Haenel MK 556. Due to legal issues surrounding claims of Haenel engaging in patent infringement, the program has been put on hold, and the new replacement, the HK416A8, was selected in 2022 to become the new service rifle.

Type Assault rifle
Carbine (G36C)
Squad automatic weapon (MG36)
Place of origin Germany
Service history
In service 1997–present
Used by 40+ countries (see Users)
Wars

Kosovo War
Afghan War
Iraq War
2008 Russo-Georgian War
2011 Libyan civil war
Mexican Drug War
2013 Lahad Datu standoff
Iraqi Civil War (2014–2017)[1]
Yemeni Civil War
Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen
Saudi–Yemeni border conflict (2015–present)

Production history
Designer Heckler & Koch
Designed 1990–1995
Manufacturer Heckler & Koch
Santa Bárbara Sistemas
Military Industries Corporation
Produced G36: 1996–present
G36K: 1997–present
G36C: 2001–present
No. built 260,000+
Variants See Variants
Specifications
Mass G36: 3.63 kg (8.00 lb)
G36V: 3.33 kg (7.3 lb)
G36K: 3.30 kg (7.3 lb)
G36KV: 3.0 kg (6.6 lb)
G36C: 2.82 kg (6.2 lb)
MG36: 3.83 kg (8.4 lb)
MG36E: 3.50 kg (7.7 lb)
Length G36, G36V, MG36, MG36E: 999 mm (39.3 in) stock extended / 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)
Cartridge 5.56×45mm NATO
Action Short-stroke piston, closed rotating bolt
Rate of fire 750 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity G36, G36V, MG36, MG36E: 920 m/s (3,018 ft/s)
G36K, G36KV: 850 m/s (2,788.7 ft/s)
G36C, G36CV: 722 m/s (2,368.8 ft/s)
Effective firing range G36, G36V, MG36, MG36E: 800 metres (870 yd)
G36K, G36KV: 500 metres (550 yd)
G36C, G36CV: 200 metres (220 yd)
Maximum firing range 2,860 metres (3,130 yd)
Feed system 30-round detachable box magazine or 100-round C-Mag drum magazine
Sights Reflex sight with 1× magnification, telescopic sight with 3× magnification (export version has a 1.5× magnified sight) and back-up fixed notch sight.