G-36

G-36 is a selective fire assault rifle developed by the German company Heckler & Koch (H&K) in the early 1990s. The G-36 is gas-operated and feeds from a 30-round detachable box magazine or 100-round C-Mag drum magazine.

History

The G-36 was designed in response to the German Armed Forces' requirement for a new assault rifle to replace the Heckler & Koch G3, which had been in service since the 1950s. The G-36 was officially adopted by the German Armed Forces in 1997, and has since been used in various conflicts around the world, including the War in Afghanistan and the Iraq War.

Design

The G-36 uses a short-stroke piston system, similar to that used in the AK-47. This system is known for its reliability and ease of maintenance. The rifle is made largely of a tough, carbon fiber-reinforced polymer, which makes it lightweight and resistant to adverse weather conditions.

The G-36 is also notable for its integrated optical sight, which includes a 3x magnification scope for medium-range engagements and a red dot sight for close-quarters combat. The rifle can also be fitted with a variety of other accessories, such as a grenade launcher, bipod, or suppressor.

Variants

Several variants of the G-36 have been produced, including the G-36K (Kurz, or "short"), which has a shorter barrel and is intended for use by special forces, and the G-36C (Compact), which is even smaller and is designed for close-quarters combat. There is also a civilian version of the G-36, known as the SL8, which is semi-automatic and has a number of other modifications to comply with civilian firearms laws.

Users

In addition to the German Armed Forces, the G-36 is used by the military and police forces of many other countries, including Spain, Latvia, and the United Kingdom. It is also used by various special forces units and law enforcement agencies around the world.