Heckler und Koch G36
The Heckler und Koch Gewehr Model 36 (company designation G36, Bundeswehr designation Gewehr G36, Kaliber 5.56x45 mm) is a modular weapon system designed in West Germany in the 1980s and 1990s. It has been the main infantry weapon of the Bundeswehr since 1995 and has been used by the Ejercito de Tierra since 1999.
History
Heckler & Koch started designing the G36 in 1990, when the Bundeswehr asked them to develop a new weapon system to replace the 1950s vintage G3 rifle, which fired the older 7.62x51 mm round. Two earlier HK replacements were both rejected in the 1980s, the unusual G-11 and the more conventional G-41. Initially called the HK50 (or Project 50), the company based the weapon on its previous HK36, VP70 and G11 designs. The firing system may have been influenced by the Armalite AR-18, although parts are also similar to M-16 and AK-47 parts. Whatever the origins, the G36 is widely recognised as a very reliable weapon. In 1995 it was adopted by the Bundeswehr after competing with similar rifles. It is also used in Spain, and is available in the United States.
Technical data
- Calibre: 5.56 millimetres
- Cartridge length: 45 millimetres
- Magazine capacity: 30 shots
- Muzzle velocity (<math>v_0<math>): 920 metres per second
- Cadence: 750 rounds per minute
- Weight with magazine, full: 4.47 kilogram
- Maximum shooting distance: 2860 metres
- Range (maximum): 2860 metres
- Range (reflex sight): 400 metres
- Range (telescopic sight): 600 metres
- Length (shoulder stock extended): 1000 millimetres
- Length (shoulder stock retracted): 750 millimetres
- Barrel length: 480 millimetres
- Rifling: six grooves, spin right
Design
The rifle fires the NATO standard 5.56x45 mm round at a maximum rate of 750 rpm, the gun can also fire semi-automatically, or in two- or three-round burst. The firing mechanism is based on the gas piston and rotating bolt, which uses gas pressure of the fired projectile to reload new rounds, rather than HK's own roller-delay blowback system. This allows the barrel to float freely, increasing accuracy. The design and materials used also help to keep the receiver very clean and jam-free, making the rifle able to fire 10,000s of rounds without cleaning.
The weapon comes in three main variants, G36, G36K (carbine) and G36C (compact, or commando). The full-size rifle is fractionally under a metre long with a folding skelton stock, with a 480 mm barrel, and has an empty weight of just 7.28 lb (3.6 kg). Most of the rifle structure is composed of carbon fiber reinforced polymers, the first production rifle to use such material in the receiver, with steel parts where needed. The weapon can be stripped and re-assembled without tools through a system of cross-pins. The distinctive translucent plastic magazine holds 30 rounds, weighs 400 g, and is fitted with studs to allow magazines to be clipped together easily, a 100 round drum magazine can also be fitted (together with a bipod this is designated the MG36). The weapon is fitted with a small telescopic sight as standard, 3.5x on the Bundeswehr weapon and 1.5x on export versions, the sighting 'bridge' is also a carrying handle. A semi-automatic, 10-round capacity, distinctly different civilian version is sold as the SL8.
The sights system is relatively unique: the rifle comes with a built-in dual sighting system, one being the classic telescopic sight mentioned above. The other is the so-called 'reflex sight', a special system projecting a red dot into the sight alone, not using an infrared source to pinpoint the target. This sight is operated with both eyes open, and if used correctly, the operator will have his normal field of view with a red dot projected into it, displaying the aiming point.
The layout of the controls is ambidextrous and user friendly, although the cartridge always ejects to the right-hand side of the weapon, and the carrying sling can only be used effectively when carrying the weapon right, as the rear socket for the sling is mounted on the left side of the weapon. The rifle can be fitted with the AG36 40mm grenade launcher and an AK-74 bayonet which are left over from remnants of the East German army. The tactical light of the USP can also be affixed to the front easily.
Design Criticisms
- The barrel can overheat, making the gun uncomfortable to hold; this problem has been corrected with a heat shield in newer models.
- The stock is somewhat weak and prone to flex and breakage.
- The lack of a firing pin return spring could lead to accidental discharge upon loading of ammunition.
- The integral sights are very prone to shifting when the guns is knocked against the ground or similar, and due to the lack of a traditional notch/grain aiming mechanism, accurate shooting is not possible.
