Heckler & Koch G36

From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Heckler & Koch G36
The H&K G36 rifle
TypeAssault rifle
Carbine
Light machine gun
Squad automatic weapon
Place of originGermany
Service history
In service1997–present
WarsKosovo War
Afghan War
Iraq War
2008 Russo-Georgian War
2011 Libyan Civil War
Mexican Drug War
2013 Lahad Datu standoff
Iraqi Civil War
2015 Paris attacks[1]
Production history
Designed1990–1995
ManufacturerHeckler & Koch
Produced1996–present
Specifications
MassG36: 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)
LengthG36, G36V, 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 lengthG36, G36V, MG36, MG36E: 480 mm (18.9 in)
G36K, G36KV: 318 mm (12.5 in)
G36C: 228 mm (9.0 in)
Width64 mm (2.5 in)
HeightG36, G36K, MG36: 320 mm (12.6 in)
G36V, G36KV, MG36E: 285 mm (11.2 in)
G36C: 278 mm (10.9 in)

Cartridge5.56×45mm NATO
ActionShort-stroke piston, rotating bolt
Rate of fire750 rounds/min cyclic
Muzzle velocityG36, G36V, MG36, MG36E: 920 m/s (3,018 ft/s)
G36K, G36KV: 850 m/s (2,788.7 ft/s)
Effective firing range800 metres (870 yd), 200–600 m sight adjustment
Maximum firing range2,860 metres (3,130 yd)
Feed system30-round detachable box magazine or 100-round C-Mag drum magazine
SightsReflex sight with 1× magnification, telescopic sight with 3× magnification (export version has a 1.5× magnified sight) and back-up fixed notch sight

The Heckler & Koch G36 is an assault rifle designed in the 1990s by Heckler & Koch (H&K) in Germany. The weapon is gas operated and has a standard magazine that holds 30 of the 5.56mm NATO rounds. It can also be used with a 100-round 'drum'. The G36 has a 3x scope and often a red dot sight, too in the carrying handle. The G36 is the main weapon of many special units and the army of Portugal, Spain and Germany (Bundeswehr).

Before Heckler & Koch started building for Germany, the G36 has had the name "HK50".

Variants[change | change source]

  • G36K is 17 cm (7 in) shorter (K=kurz: German for short)
  • G36C is 28 cm (11 in) shorter and looks like a submachine gun (C=compact)
  • LMG36 is the normal (1 meter long) G36 with a bipod and a 100 rounds magazine (LMG=leichtes Machienen Gewehr: German for light machine gun)

References[change | change source]