H&K G36: Germany Adopts the 5.56mm Cartridge

/ forgottenweapons
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When the G11 program was cancelled and German reunified, the West German military was still using the 7.62mm G3 rifle, while the East German forces had AK-74 variants. Neither of these were suitable for a new unified German NATO-member Bundeswehr - a rifle in 5.56mm NATO was needed. Heckler & Koch had been working on just such a weapon, designated internally as the HK50.
The rifle is fundamentally an AR-18 derivative, with a multi-lug rotating bolt and a short stroke gas system of the G43 and SVT type. It is made with extensive use of polymer parts, and it extremely easy to strip. It is fitted for an integral optical sight, on the Bundeswehr model a combination laser, fiber-optic red dot, and magnified scope. The weapon was adopted as the G36 by the German military, and was also adopted by Spain to replace the CETME-L. A multitude of smaller police and security agencies have also adopted it, including the US Capitol Police.
Thanks to H&K USA for generously granting me access to bring there to you!
Contact:
Forgotten Weapons
PO Box 87647
Tucson, AZ 85754

[@-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-k]

Day 30: HK still hasn’t noticed Ian is hiding in the room

[@pcarrierorange]

Day 90: They have noticed, but they’re to afraid of Ian to do anything about it.

[@georgebaggy]

Day 120: the police were called to force him out but instead found themselves sitting down for a three-day lecture on the history of their entire arsenal.

[@mikemasaki8193]

Day 150 after the failure of the police forces the national guard is called in. And also found themselves sitting down for a 3 day lecture on the entire arsenal.

[@dankovac1609]

Day 165: HK put chairs in the hall and just sold tickets for Ian's lectures about their arsenal. They're making great money.

[@chrisdatwhiteboi5368]

Day 169: ian is being offered a job at heckler&koch

[@samuelwatson8460]

Ian has broke into the HK Gun Room with enough supplies to last him a while and barricaded himself in there with a camera and is recording these for our pleasure Security have tried entering but have opted to starve him out. Ian is a true martyr

[@alexm566]

He's working towards Hos sainthood!

[@normanroscher7545]

If he brought some ammo too, I would not want to go in there and try to get him out either...

[@patrickbo2045]

Most important fact: You can open a beer bottle with that folding stock.

[@apoth90]

The german army can open a beer bottle with anything

[@derprovokateur3496]

Bilbo Baggins First thing I learned in basic training.

[@someguy3766]

That sounds so German. Good engineering and good beer!

[@geronimo8159]

You can open a beer bottle with almost any blunt edge.

[@themasterofdisastr1226]

@@apoth90 Which is important cuz most modern stuff in the german army is broken..

[@philboom9136]

I love the G36. Im part of the Bundeswehr and i never thought that any other rifle would serve me better. -Light -accurate (Yes it is) -reliable af -easy to clean and take tare of -you can use it lefthanded without Problems -ergonomic -VERY easy to use It's like a more ergonomic, modified glock of the AR-Class

[@sonnenregen3300]

"Easy to clean" tell that to my StUffz, he always found dirt one way or another :D

[@B20C0]

The only issue is that if you drop it just a bit you have to zero the optics again.

[@ahnafahmed9545]

@@B20C0 Is that an issue with the Bundewehr G36 only? IIRC the export version G36V has different optics.

[@UncleDan_]

One my favourite modern military rifles. I'm a Scot, and can't actually serve because of life-long medical issues, but if I had to pick a rifle to use in another life, I'd go with the G36. It's just so cool in my eyes

[@feefreyer8506]

@@B20C0ive never had that problem and i crawled with the fucker

[@jannisschmidt3167]

About the optic: I don't really know if you've got there another type of red dot, but our service red dots were mainly battery powered and only used that Fiber light catch in case the battery dies. The "laser" you were referring to takes in ambient light to adjust the dots brightness. That lever on the right activates the battery and can be pushed and held to brighten up the dot temporarily. We were actually trained to keep the fiber part covered, because when being powered by battery that fiber light catch glows brighter than a cigarette, giving your position away. To get an actual laser we mounted a laser light combination to the side of the 3.5 power optic. Thanks for your vids and keep up the good work ^^

[@willowrabbit]

cool!

[@Starcha007]

I agree. On our BW rifles the power switch was used to power the red dot. We didn't have a laser.

[@AGTJacke]

Thanks for your comment. I remember the optics as you describe them. Ian confused me a bit here. Thanks for clarifying, gives me peace of mind^^

[@badkingjohn5235]

Oh and we where told to just use the port on top to save battery Life, expect for low light situations. If the sights are not powered they don't glow. ( but that's Lustwaffe doctrine of course )

[@satanmitdengeilenbarthaaren]

@@badkingjohn5235 Lustwaffe? Hmm, ihr kleinen perversen Schweinchen ;-)

[@Nhosto]

In Lithuania we also selected G36 as a standart issue rifle. No issues at home or in Afghanistan. After this scandal we had to freeze deliveries due to our own testing. Basically as long as you dont take for an LMG there are no issues. Thanka for a great video!

[@electronicgrinsch]

@@LeutnantJoker the day of the rope will come for all traitors.. And this was about to weaken the German defense industry..

[@Montrala]

@@LeutnantJoker This nonsense was all about some other rifle manufacturer from neighboring country had a new rifle that did not sell as good as they believed and wanted it to sell, so they wanted to kick G36 out and sell their stuff. Black PR campaing went right on with anti-HK sentiment of German left politicians with all this "HK is mass murderer!" nonsense. BTW This "tiny difference" in barrel between MG36 and G36 actually made huge difference in sustained fire capability. MG36E was used by USMC as one of test samples in their initial research and tests into fisibility of IAR and it performed very well. Several years later this ended up with adoption of slightly modified HK416 as M27 IAR.

[@arnekrug939]

@@LeutnantJoker I have heard that they used the wrong ammunition in the tests wich led to the barrel getting much hotter than usual. Is this true?

[@Presbiter]

@@electronicgrinsch Thats wrong man. Thats how you sell to your voters why there are now billions needed for adopting a new rifle. Its the only way you get that trough.

[@iTzGerimaxx]

Man, I'm jealous of you. In Estonia we still mainly use the ancient G3 alongside the Israeli Galils. But soon we will get new weapons (Lewis & Machine Tool Company AR15 style rifles).

[@jackncoke8527]

One of the things I love about the G36 is it was clearly designed with the End user in mind, the holes for the pins, the easy of cleaning compared to an AR-pattern rifle. It’s all so beautiful to an Infantryman!

[@Adrianxmusic]

3:18 - when your custom skin was loaded in cutscene.

[@anthonypritchard2798]

was that an mp5?

[@n1k622]

@@anthonypritchard2798 yes

[@Hurricane2k8]

Wow, what a throwback to my conscript days. Seeing this disassembled really brought back some memories. A few notes: The german standard issue optic did not include a laser anymore, there were seperate units that could be clipped to the side of the carrying handle. The red dot could either be powered by sunlight or the battery with various brightness settings. The 3X scope had a terribly narrow field of view, tricky eye relief, and sub-par clarity that made it hard to use it in the dark. Both optics would fog up rather quickly in cold and wet conditions if you weren't careful and could potentially lose zero if you dropped the rifle hard (due to the way they were held in place in the carrying handle). The clip on night vision device shown in the video was still in use during my service. It is heavy, but worked pretty well. I found myself using the red dot way more often than the scope because it worked much better. All the issues with the optics were addressed eventually. First, the G36A2 got rid of the integrated red dot in favor of a picatinny rail above the scope, which held a Zeiss RSA-S red dot, which is a major improvement. Some units who had the G36K variant (primarily paratroopers) had similar setups, but with EOTechs instead of the Zeiss red dot, designated G36KA2. More recently, the future soldier Program IdZ-ES spawned the G36A4, which replaced the entire carrying handle with a lower, continuous rail with superior optics. They often come with the Zeiss ZO 4x30 scope, the Zeiss RSA-S or both stacked on top of each other, as well as a new folding stock which is adjustable in length and cheekweld while still retaining the possiblity to be fired with a folded stock. Mechanically, the G36 is completely fine imo. During basic training, I was issued a rifle with a very low serial number (

[@jonesmiguelmelendres6896]

Guten tag! Thank you for this detailed information! I'm a Bundeswehr reenactor hailing from the Philippines and I was always curious as to what those optics were. Now I can hunt for them and improve my weapon setup. Thanks again! 🤙🏼

[@StevenL00]

do you have anything to say about the accuracy issues the G36 has after shooting over time in combat (or any situation really)?

[@44WarmocK77]

@@StevenL00 that one's basically a total exaggeration by our totally incometent ministry of defense: it originated from that infamous firefight with the taliban where our boys n girls had to use their assault rifles like machineguns because they didn't have any at hand. However, NO assault rifle is designed to do that! As a consequence, the barrels ran reeeeaaaaally hot and started to warp, throwing accuracy out the window in the process. Heckler & Kock later on stated during the investigation that the G-36 wasn't supposed to be used like a light machinegun (they won the case against the german government btw), however there was a modified barrel available which could be swapped onto the weapon which allowed it to fire longer (in fact, it was supposed to be the barrel for the MG-36!). The Bundeswehr didn't buy any of these, though - they deemed it too expensive and unnecessary because our troops have their MG-3s anyway ....

[@hvymtal8566]

Inb4 US Marines chime in with their M27s about how they can dump mags all day and still be accurate, never mind it's an apples and oranges comparison xD

[@StevenL00]

@@hvymtal8566 I thought both the M27 and G36 use a short stroke gas piston design? which means it's not much of an apples and oranges comparison?

[@sportfreundrollins]

No laser on the G36 Bundeswehr-sight, sorry. This is just for ambilight detection so the sight can chose if sourcing from the batterie or the prims

[@jasondoe2596]

Yeah, this makes more sense...

[@klappstuhl2167]

i can confirm that

[@waswolltihr1526]

Yep, no laser on my gun back then. The switch is to power the red dot optic in the dark when there isn't enough ambient light to power it.

[@coppercount]

can confirm this

[@RolandDrehtRaeder]

Confirmed

[@bunkerratte_]

I have so many good memories of this rifle from my time in the German Army back in '09 - interesting time back then; we still had some UZIs and G3s to use. We had a night shoot with LUCIEs and "LLM"s (Laser-Light-Module); you could accurately shoot at targets from the hip about 300m away if the laser was well adjusted to the gun, the Beta-CMags were also a blast. Using the Red Dot sight became second nature very quickly and I'd love to shoot it some time again. Great video as always Ian, I have been looking forward to this for a long time! Edit: clipping ridiculous amounts of magazines to each other in the barracks was also huge fun :D

[@MattBargain]

Red dot was cool but hard to hit stuff especially at night. I preferred the optical version. Very accurate if you had a good specimen.

[@Necromancer_88]

How accurate it was compared to ar15 ?

[@SuperFusselbuerste]

Hey that's right. Iam in the German army in 2000 in the Luftlandepionierkompanie 270 and we use the ak74 Bayonet as a knive, not as a bayonet.

[@commandercody2980]

@@SuperFusselbuerste I'm sorry what does that long word mean

[@idrathergetaidsthangetwoke9145]

@@commandercody2980 Airborne Combat Engineer Company 270. A self-sustained unit thus not attached to a battalion or regiment in the nomenclature .... Close enough.. It's been nigh on 15 years since this former German MP dealt with this shit before. Emigrating.out of that shithole.

[@floriandeutsch388]

I absolutely loved carrying / using this weapon. Very easy to operate, and highly accurate with its optics. Our unit was one of the first Luftwaffe units to get it issued in 2001!

[@boobe92]

Cant hear the crap of the rifle being inaccurate anymore. Soldiers state it is an accurate, solid rifle. The tests leading to the statement are ridiculous. In which scenario you magdump 3 or 4 mags fullauto and then shoot semi at targets far away. Testing like this EVERY rifle would change Point of impact...

[@BountyFlamor]

They tested it like it were a machine gun, not an assault rifle that isn't supposed to fire non-stop. No wonder it became inaccurate after too much of that.

[@MongolordD]

i used it in my Bundeswehr times. It's a good/modern design and a solid rifle. Unfortunately we usually didn't shoot it long enough to heat it that much so you can see potential inaccuracy issues. For normal use there were no problems and the results for me were quite good.

[@boobe92]

@@SpikeVike27 heard that too. First of all if you look back in the 90s the Bundeswehr's specification was for a 'defensive rifle' and being used in european environment. (Not deserts or Jungle). So with being uses abroad in environments suddenly it doesn't match its own criteria. Bundeswehr got what they ordered back then and try now to buttf**k the Manufacturer...

[@derfurz8618]

pls i support your statement but read the test first: The test found that after a high roundcount the pint of impact in 1 of 5 groups was off. The armys reaction was its the guns fault but they later found out that it was faulty ammo of only one of the many providers that caused these problems. The Ammo wasnt designed for high temps. It was redesigned and now everything is fine except that the G36 is probably gonna be replaced by the HK433

[@Killerpixel11]

@@boobe92 They didn't. If they did, they wouldn't have turned around and straight bought the next HK rifle without even asking for proposals or holding a competetion. The new G38 is just a standardized 416A5 (Edit: until the completely new 433 is available and issued...made by guess who). They also bought MG4s as the new (and first) SAW , MG5s to replace the only widely-issued non-HK small arm (the MG3) with an HK one, 417s, MP7s...see a pattern? Von der Leyen wanted at least one procurement project to actually go through without issues. Because everything else the Bundeswehr bought in recent years turned out to be a giant crapshoot. From fighter jets, transport planes and helicopters, to IFVs and all the way to the listing frigates. She could be reasonably certain HK would deliver, as they have in the past. Only if she just came out and straight asked for a new rifle, she wouldn't have gotten permission, because the G36 works fine, it's actually combat proven. They created a bit of drama with false reports and bullshit "studies", basically turning the G36 into a scapegoat to get a shiny new toy (that actually works, for once)

[@dasco1178]

As someone using the g36 on a daily basis I have one thing to add: There is no laser in the optic. Switch is to power the red-dot in low light, while the little Glas thing in the front is to judge ambient light for making the dot brighter when you actually press the switch down without making it too bright. I hope that makes sense, come back to me if I have to explain it better or you have any other questions 👍

[@herosstratos]

And the hood of the red dot has to be closed at night, to stop reflection of the light of the illuminated red dot at the soldiers helmet.

[@kenb.1096]

Heros Stratos it won’t reflect on helmet if you use your issues cover but ur right in terms of being visible if the hood is open

[@martinlatvian5538]

For 5 years in the army I did use G36 KV2 made in 2006. It was made specially for Spanish and Latvian armed forces. It is my favorite AR so far. never ever it did jam or had any other problem. Its working flawless and with the Aimpoint was very easy to hit targets from 100-300 meters. Very little recoil easy cleaning high quality light weight. I miss it every day since I left the army.

[@Tobascodagama]

So not only did HK develop the ultimate futuristic assault rifle with the G11, they also invented the IAR decades before the US Marines decided they would want it?

[@tutes0133]

Kraut Space Magic remember?

[@overlord165]

If you mean the concept then the Russians, yet again, were two steps ahead with the RPK

[@forrestgumball]

IAR is a waste of money. Shouldve adopted the HK21

[@johannesdolch]

@@overlord165 And yet, nobody cared. So while historically interesting it never actually went anywhere.

[@overlord165]

@@johannesdolch Oh so it didn't see deployment? I get what you mean but then the G36 didn't really go anywhere as well if you apply the same logic. Are you just saying this because you're German (judging by your German-sounding name, I'm not a Russian BTW)?

[@aidansangster6355]

One of my favorites KZbinrs comment section. Solid respectful discussions regarding munitions and arms i love it

[@ThrillaWhale]

This must be like the most mundane aspect of the rifle but the fact that the case deflector also locks in the folded stock perfectly just...gets me.

[@revolverDOOMGUY]

The g36 is simply a well thought lightweight easy-to-maintain rifle that understood how removable modular parts can keep a weapon relevant after decades becaue of it's ease of modernization. A modern g36 with the new handguard, top rail, stock and magwell is as good (or better) as any modern rife while it costs very little to adapt. I still belive that replacing this weapon is an even bigger waste of money than the sig m17 and that those money could be used somewhere else (considering how the bundeswehr has bigger issues in other sectors). I am not a H&K fanboy but credit must be given when it is deserved and this is a rifle that still has a LOT to give and that serves as an example of what are the features that defines a good modern military assault rifle that big weapons companies should take notice of. All the bullshit about accuracy is starting to sound like nonsense to me and many times it has been demonstrated how accuracy has little to do with hit probability (the entier SPEW program and ACR program come from this well known fact) if an army wants weapons for more open long range terrains thatn having a 308 DMR in it's arsenal it's a far better solution than changing your main service rifle IMO. Long live the G36

[@Anvilshock]

> because of it is ease of Oh, if only the apostrophe was just as easy to use … oh wait, it is, you just have to not be a knuckle dragger!

[@k_ir3868]

They have much bigger issues than replacing the mg3 as well..

[@GeorgeCowsert]

I love almost everything about the G36. The handguard and magwell being easy to remove and swap is something way more rifles need to do, but I still have gripes regarding the charging handle. I get wanting an ambidextrous charging handle and a snag free one, but when you have a bolt hold open you should be valuing rail space over charging handle access. With a bolt hold open, you should only rack the charging handle for your first mag or for emergencies. A more AK or AR style charging handle would be far more efficient, free up a lot of rail space, and make it easier to be accepted by consumers.

[@forlornfoe352]

G36C, G36E, G36K, MG36... Intense nostalgia to good old Battlefield 2. Thanks for featuring this not-so-forgotten beauty.

[@Fight4MyCountry]

@Eugene Stoner lmao

[@rudidower]

@Eugene Stoner Gun nerd? 😉

[@yourmomsnewman7784]

G36C is stil my go to for BF4 :)

[@PACKERMAN2077]

I remember it called the *"Prototype Rifle"* in the *Advanced Weapons Drop* The first to get that reference gets a cookie.

[@Helljumper012]

@@PACKERMAN2077 if memory serves that was Mercenaries 1 on the PS2 and Xbox

[@TheYoss94]

The fire selector left between safe and semi at 5:48 gave me an anxiety attack.

[@chancepaladin]

no shit!

[@arnekrug939]

Isn't this the export version? It's propably this way to be language independent.

[@rhettshepherd4245]

You just had to say something didn't you? I was fine till I clicked your time stamp lol

[@neilwilson5785]

Oh boy... I didn't notice. Tense.

[@PACKERMAN2077]

That kind of firearms negligence could cause him to shoot his eye out kid. 😎

[@rymal93]

Is it just me that loves all the little clicky noises these guns make

[@frederiklikesgames6481]

That was my gun during service, together with HK P8 and Uzi, believe me, you ll never get tired of playing with the charging handle while standing around somewhere to fight the boredom :)

[@David-eh9le]

Pocket Billard does the jop too.

[@florianwilke2162]

*Brrr**brrr**brrr*

[@davidca96]

Germans have a really nice style to their firearm design its got its faults but it also has its extremely positive aspects. This rifle was a bit ahead of its time.

[@MrTiti]

see all the weapons from war. you cannot say faults at all. better than their cars

[@krebgurfson5732]

pretty sure it's basically an AR-10, not really that advanced.

[@OrtadragoonX]

@@krebgurfson5732 Nah it’s an AR-180 with composite furniture. Which is fine.

[@Wulff291186]

Nice Video as always Ian. I had the G36 back in the german Air Force in 2008 and there are two things I should add/correct: 1. The optic doesn´t have a laser, but that was written by others already... 2. Although the bayonet lug fits an AK74 Bayonet, the ring is too narrow to fit on the muzzle device, without modifications. There were plans to adopt a new bayonet, but the idea was scraped, because of the tremendous stock of east german ones. The AK74 bayonet was, for a short time, intended to be used as a replacement of the old combat knife and had the designation "Kampfmesser Schwer" and was used as such in the cosovo conflict. After that it was replaced by the Eickhorn KM knife series.

[@d.k.o.9751]

The Eickhorn variant was called SG 2000 WC if you want to buy one.

[@LukeSlowMo]

2:16 "Made in Dermany" ... wait what!? :D Where? :DDid they want to write "Deutschland" but then went on with "Germany"? :D

[@misterwombat9043]

Hallo Kevin

[@clockandballtorturewithcra5010]

No.

[@Snagabott]

If you look more closely, you can make out that it actually says "Made in Bermany". So there.

[@Ugly_German_Truths]

@@Snagabott Does that make it a Voyager-Gun?

[@Nick-rs5if]

It's an export version gun, english is a lingua franca in most of the world. It makes sense, really.

[@anthonycolby8424]

I was stationed in germany for a couple years, and got to fire the G-36 while we were in Baumholder. It was for the German Marksman Badge, the schützenschnur, and got to fire the P-8 pistol and MG5 as well. So much smoother than the M-4 by far.

[@BoltThrower321]

As a German: This video is extreme accurate and perfect for educational purposes. Sir, I would use your material at school to teach the pupils some details about the German weaponry (I'm not a teacher I just wanna salute you for your incredible good video). This channel should be archived and part of every war museum and referenced by every military&weaponry books.

[@MrTiti]

you throw a bad light, like you are superficial and have no clue. what oyu wrote is not german.

[@hopfinatorischerkuchenkrieger]

@@MrTiti kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4SnhYOGgp6kqcU

[@4skintim962]

@@MrTiti look at his channel dumb dumb

[@insertnamehere001]

Funny how you tried to describe the picatinny rails and quad rails on the Special Forces G36s with your hands when there is one on the wall behind you.

[@noplesnono9656]

That g36 behind him is the g36c the lighter version

[@pcarrierorange]

noplesnono Yeah and it has the quad rails

[@Mrgunsngear]

great info as always

[@85gamingwot55]

Yeeter mosqueeter

[@kenhelmers2603]

Very slick. The demo/cutaway/transparent model is/was done very well. Thanks Ian!

[@leonswan6733]

Its a H&K Christmas Thank you Gun Jesus / Santa

[@isekaiexpress9450]

Thank you for the video, that reminded me of my times at Bundeswehr! I thought it was worth mentioning that the lever could be locked in by applying force forward to dislodge a round and released by "flipping" it.

[@elguusko5481]

Fun Facts about the G36: - The collapsible stock has four holes to hold the push pins so you don't lose them. The production G36 have only three push pins while the HK50 has two pins for the handguard making a total of four. HK never changed the number of holes. - As mentioned the Bundeswehr intended to continue to use the Ak74 Bajonetts from existing NVA stock. Sadly you have to widen the hole in the muzzle ring because the muzzle devices of both rifles are different. - When HK developed the rifle they had contracted designers from the German automotive industry to "engineer" the rifle stock. While the stock looked cool and stylish it would fall apart if you look at it the wrong way. Needless to say, they went for the practical design. - There are two of the basic style stocks available. The standard one and another one that is about 3cm shorter so it is more comfortable to shot the rifle while wearing the SK4 vest (plate carrier for level 4 hard-ballistic plates). - The standard issue G36A1 optic module used in the Bundeswehr doesn't have a laser built into it but the red dot can be powered by either battery or ambient light. If you leave the cover open and activate the battery-powered light you can actually see it glow. What looks like a laser is actually an ambient light detector. The next two are well known but Ian didn't mention those: - The latch on the charging handle can be fixed to either side by pressing it in. This way it acts as a forward assist. - The carry handle has built-in backup iron sights which are only usable with the export version. - Regarding the controversy: One should not forget that there is a multitude of factors that influence the precision of a rifle. The rifle itself, ammunition and the capabilities of the shooter have the biggest influence. If you change one it can have a big impact and indeed, one thing changed in the last decade.

[@nixxblikka]

Man I love your videos. The way you talk about is pure interest driven, so many facts. And also too it brings back great memories shooting the G36 at my time at Bundeswehr

[@480JD]

A lot of these arent really "forgotten" weapons, but Ian's delivery is just so eloquent and he doesn't try and project a tough guy alpha know it all personality, he's just a regular dude who loves guns and the videos of him on the range are just of a happy guy living in the moment. Would love to go punch holes in paper with him any time he would be in AZ.

[@desantos1234]

All of the British Armed Police use G36 Carbines, MP5's and MP7's. Hk is loved over here Considering it was a British owned company up until not so long ago, I'm not surprised

[@desantos1234]

@@theodorkorner1497 yep

[@desantos1234]

@@theodorkorner1497 we've got the L85A3's coming in now, HK is doing everything. The rifles have the HK logo above the rear TMH pin just in front of the butt of the rifle. It's on the A2's as well. I used to use the A2's. Used the LSW (L86) as well, just before it was retired back in June. Haven't touched an A3 (yet)

[@stevenbobbybills]

@@desantos1234 lovely.

[@Heidelaffe]

When I did my basic training in 2006 my group was also given the G3 a couple of times. The extra weight, the lack of modern straps to carry it decently while walking and the complex setup while cleaning it, made us appreaciate the G36 a lot more. But I can‘t say anything about firing it.

[@loganvan358]

Me: Man, Ian is really smart... Ian: worky bits! Me: :O

[@larrymcjones]

Having holes in the stock for the pins since they aren’t captive is so simple yet blew my mind

[@KulinBan777]

G36 is by far the coolest looking gun ever made, and pretty damn good too

[@jasip1000]

No it’s a fucking ugly rifle.

[@sectphiro607]

@@jasip1000 yeah. No soul.

[@jasip1000]

@@sectphiro607 exactly no soul at all, it’s just an IKEA riffle that they picked real fast now that the G11 riffle was canceled caused by the cost of the German reunification.

[@korgothofbarbaria2841]

I find it unbelievable ugly.

[@nickmerino9440]

Lol its fugly. I think the m14,k98. Bar, very beautiful guns. Fg42 too

[@PokemonHaloFan]

Great video Ian. I've always kind been a fan of the G36 so it's great to see you go so in depth into it's internals and history.

[@johnnywrjackson]

The cutaway thing is such a treat. Enormously helpful in visualizing the whole family of rotating bolt guns.

[@PatchMcHarg]

Well since you're there.. Can you do the 416 please.

[@PenumbraDev]

@Robomann Well it uses a different gas piston system or something (I don't know if I'm 100% correct) and was a contender by... NATO? Under the name M416 but it wasn't adopted because of its full metal body and expense of it.

[@PureCountryof91]

Its a piston driven m4/m16. They used to prefer the E-mags. And they have f/a versions with a crazy fire rate.

[@JohnHughesChampigny]

@RobomannThe bottom is a M4, the top is a G36. Best of both worlds.

[@gergelymarton1667]

@Robomann I heard its more reliable and i think thats what the us said as well but they arent enough of an upgrade to justify the price of a full switch from m4s so the idea was dropped. If memory serves me right.

[@ThePieMaster219]

It's all he needs, aye.

[@garysherwood2501]

Absolutely love all the H&K stuff.

[@maverick4462]

I learn so much every time I watch your videos, thank you for all your hard work an countless hours of research.

[@SomnathRoyGrimfangs]

I'm in love with the Engineering of Heckler and Koch after watching you describe their guns in detail.

[@darthhodges]

Both Forgotten Weapons and InRangeTV have, since this video came out, done videos about the G36 "inaccurate when hot" scandal. The short version is that some of the claims are obviously ridiculous and some of those promoting them have political or financial motivations (i.e. German politicians with ties to HK's competition). But there appeared a nugget of truth in the pile of fabrications and exaggerations. Karl at InRange was initially unable to replicate the loss of accuracy the way the claims described (polymer trunnion leads to drifting zero after as little as a single mag dump) at a regular range trip. But he also shot a G36 in a 2-gun match, in an Arizona summer, with an original Hensoldt optic (the over/under style seen here). During the match he did encounter an unacceptable loss of accuracy but it was noted that the optic was quite easy to bend off axis despite the mounting screws being quite tight. It seems the polymer of the optic and the polymer at the top of the receiver are both flexible enough that it can't maintain zero in a hot environment when also being shot a lot. I haven't seen a follow-up to see if a metal pic rail adapter or a metal-bodied optic has the same problems.

[@arcane_rogue3440]

"Is not a roller delayed action" BLASPHEMY! On a serious note I didn't know that, i kinda just assumed it was roller delayed.

[@jbspencer77]

I'm surprised their tanks dont use roller delayed blowback 120mm guns

[@kalebbarrett8419]

@@jbspencer77 "120mm case flies 80yds to the 2 o'clock"

[@dergipsyking6265]

@@kalebbarrett8419 Killing 3 People and a dog in the safe zone 2 Miles away 😅😂 another way of coleteral damage.

[@kammerj4ger348]

Back in the day's when i was a Bundeswehr soldier, i liked the gun pretty much. There were some minor things i though were worth changing, for example the not adjustable shoulder stock length or the charging handle that is hard to operate with thick gloves. But nothing particulary bad. On the other hand, the gun is light, pretty accurate in single fire, comfortable to carry, has good optiks etc.

[@jwgfoto5419]

Someone once asked me to fix an Airsoft version of the G36K. I asked if he tried to fix himself. He said not really. The rifle arrived in a bag! It had been completely taken apart! Putting it back together was like a jigsaw puzzle. What amazes me is how many parts look almost identical to the actual real steel(or plastic in this case) rifle. Thanks for another great show!

[@archerbascha8757]

14:59 @Ian, little correction here. The Red Dot optic is batterie powered, and it does not have a laser sight build in. That whould be new for me since I used the gun in the Bundeswehr. As far as I remember, the batterie didn't need to be changed that often since the top where the sun can shines into is also a solar charger for the batterie. At day the top cover is open to let the sun shine through to create a red dot, at night it is closed because the light of the powered red dot could give away your position. At least, that is what I was told. The switch turns the power on and off, and when you push it for a few seconds the powered red dot becomes brighter for 30 seconds. I am sure that the version I used didn't had a laser sight, but there is prototype equipment which is built at the left and right of the optic with laser, IR and other functions. Never seen it in real, but it is discriped in the Reibert. My guess is that this is a light sensore to adjust the brightness of the powered red dot automaticly. Other than that, nice video.

[@tacomonsternick]

The G36 line of weapons is one of my favorite. It was weird how after I watched the video on the G11, I was hoping for a video on a G36... cool how things work out like that.

[@mysss29]

It's always awesome to see these cutaways! Turns out the G36 is way simpler (and cooler? more modern?) than I expected!

[@atracin]

I'm actually stoked to see a Forgotten Weapons/InRange video about the G36 and the supposed heat issues it has.

[@rinakabane555]

I See German Maid My favorite

[@bbm36c32]

Ay this man knows the best maid in gfl (I oathed g36c first lol)

[@advisorv]

"Guten Tag, Master"

[@bbm36c32]

@@advisorv lol yes ( still working towards mod 3 I'm a en scrub)

[@samalbury9183]

Is she guten tight?

[@bbm36c32]

@@samalbury9183 lol funny

[@Magnymbus]

I've never fired a single gun, but H&K G11 and G36 are incredibly interesting. Also, I love that their safety selector has pictures rather than letters. Edit: Also also, I have a strange fascination with guns that use a large amount of plastic.

[@cranks2682]

normal ones have letters in S,E and F

[@mikejunt]

@@cranks2682 Using the images on the export model for cross-language clarity is ingenious and Im surprised its not more common since it removes the need to worry about cross-language compatibility of abbreviations

[@cranks2682]

@@mikejunt I agree it's a lot better since single letter abbreviations can be misunderstood even by native speakers.

[@BigWheel.]

Plastic guns aren't as pleasant ti shoot as something with nice wood furniture.

[@jacehendrix3194]

The use of pictures is because Germany doesn't even have a set language anymore. Its been overrun

[@DemonsGalore]

Seeing you disassemble the gun brought back some good old memories from my time at the army. When you were reaching the bolt carrier, I thought you'd take that thing apart too, as we occasionally had to take it apart when we were cleaning our rifles. I just wanna point out, that atleast in my Military training the bipod was not attached to the gun by default. The first time I saw it, was at the shooting range, when they showed us some extras for the gun, like the bipod or the drummag. Interestingly enough, we never actually used the bipod, but instead laid the gun on some sandbags, when we were shooting it.

[@Mully6566]

Fun fact: Brockton Massachusetts police department use them as their cruiser rifle

[@MostlyPennyCat]

I remember when the police at airports started carrying these instead of mp5s. I thought it crazy, how can you shoot that in a crowded airport? If you miss, or even if you hit, it's going to go through a few plasterboard walls and hit someone. Wasn't that point of being armed with 9mm? That's it less likely to go through 2 civilians and their dog? UPDATE1: Specifically, this was at Southampton airport in Hampshire, England. It was about 5 years ago.

[@HingerlAlois]

Aquatictoaster 5.56mm NATO has a much higher penetration power than 9mm.

[@hellcatdave1]

@@aquatictoaster 5.56 has far more penetration than 9x19mm...

[@jonmeray713]

556 has less barrier penetration, look on youtube. Theres a reason ARs are the go to home defense rifle now.

[@AKK5I]

I guess they never miss huh?

[@Albeerox]

@@AKK5I you got a boyfriend I bet he doesn't kiss ya

[@klapper25]

The reflex sight is solar powered when you open the lit and has a battery with a leaver to turn it on. Also the leaver from the boltcarrier is fixable when you press it in. You also have a pin to lock the boltcarrier

[@alexvogel610]

Really digging these videos. I know the G36 is neither forgotten nor even uncommon, but it's nice to get an overview of some of the current hardware in addition to the classic and antique equipment. Keep up the good work.

[@lorrispain4125]

I googled grey room, since I wanted to find out about the term from Ians HK videos and the result was way less guns than I expected...

[@frankengelhardt6766]

Thanks for this video. Remembers me of my service time in the Bundeswehr. Actually, our instructors would have killed us if we disassembled the rifle like Ian did. His was cocked (as seen when he pulled out the fire control group), and also the safety was not engaged. Gave me that little heart attack as like back in the days. :D

[@eltadashi1]

I really loved my G36 rifle during my service time back in 2007 in the Bundeswehr. An awesome rifle to shoot, and so userfriendly. The only weapon i loved equal to the G36 was the MG3, holy what a gun! Those 50 round belts are fired so fast, haha. Great memories. Thank you Ian for this Video.

[@moriskurth628]

Isn't the MG3 basically the MG42, just converted to fire NATO rounds?

[@nathag4490]

@@moriskurth628 Basically. But Rheinmetall also modified the Bolt, the main spring, the feed tray, added an AA sight and used bakelite instead of wood.

[@MightySavagE]

Well, MG3 was exceptionally great in Bad Company 2 ^^

[@beavisbutt-headson3223]

I absolutely hated shooting the MG3. I was pretty light-framed at the time and we never got enough trigger time to actually properly practice with it so I just never managed to make it hit anything other than with the first 2 rounds

[@StevenL00]

@@beavisbutt-headson3223 aren't you supposed to fire bursts? should be manageable no matter what right?

[@antagonist99]

I have two corrections for you. First of all, field stripping in the Bundeswehr includes removing the gas system by pulling just the operating rod out of the piston, then swinging it out to the side and removing it from the housing. After wards the gas piston can be easily slipped out. Secondly, the reflex sight does not include a laser, you'd need to fit a Laser-Lichtmodul on the gun for that. Instead, the switch is used to light a diode in the roof of the sight so it can still be used at night. That's also the reason why there is a sliding cover on top of it.

[@Soundwave85]

Thank you for the H&K videos! I love H&K. Though they are not perfection, they are certainly my favorite.

[@aga080]

This guy needs to be deemed a national treasure. Literally one of the most important historians of our time.

[@-BuddyGuy]

He's great and all but they're just guns man calm down

[@sveng35]

Like the other guy said, great historian, but of importance?

[@xXxTripleHxXx]

Tests that lead to the current scandal are garbage. All rifle change their point of impact after magdumping 4 mags and then shooting at targets far away...this seems like politics or someone high up wanting another rifle for whatever reason

[@neues3691]

xXxTripleHxXx It’s a scapegoat for all the logistic problems the Bundeswehr has currently.

[@Hassan-qf3hr]

Reason is called Konjunktur-Programm

[@jimmydesouza4375]

They aren't garbage. They also aren't what led to the current scandal. Initial stages of the scandal were rifles melting, bursting into flames or just becoming so inaccurate that they were no longer effective while in combat in IIRC Iraq. The tests were done later just to see if there was anything to it.

[@iikkuowo6735]

@@jimmydesouza4375 i think you need to open a history book, the german army hasnt been in another country until afghanistan

[@StevenL00]

The barrel on the G36 is held onto the rifle by a *polymer* part, which is causing all the problems it has now. As good as it is problems are problems, can't overlook that

[@mysteriousstranger9920]

This video is one more thing I get for my birthday, :). Thank you Ian, this is my favorite gun right next to the AK. Due to a tight budget and age at the time, I have the officially licensed H&K G36 C airsoft gun.

[@brucer81]

Very comprehensive. Thank you.

[@TiberiusZahn]

i have served with this rifle and i have to say, the power switch is not for some sort of laser, but to battery power the reddot at night

[@quatro_quatro]

You can say about the G36 what you want but once you‘ve had the pleasure of carrying around the MG3 for a couple of days, with it‘s very ergonomic strap, you‘ll fall in love with the 3,6kg of polymer perfection that is the G36. :D

[@einalt]

In nem feuergefecht trag ich liebend gerne die 12,5 kg, 7,62 geht wenigsten durch ein bisschen durch. Das G36 geht in Afghanistan nicht durch die lehmwände, das g3 wäre aber meine erste Wahl, ein Kompromiss aus beidem 4,5 kg und trotzdem die 7,62 mm Durchschlagskraft.

[@quatro_quatro]

Paul HeymanGuy Hmmm...wenn es danach geht, nehme ich die GraMaWa. :D

[@einalt]

@@quatro_quatro Ne zuwenig mun für das Ding am Mann und ziemlich kacke in Räumen ;)

[@jhwheuer]

Try carrying it for a few years

[@einalt]

@@jhwheuer macht niemand nebenbei gibt es das MG 3 so gut wie gar nicht mehr in der Truppe es wurde durch das HK MG 4 und das HK MG 5 abgelöst. Das MG 3 findest du nur noch in AGA Kompanien oder als Unterstützungs Waffe auf bestimmten Fahrzeugen und schiffen. Im infantrie Einsatz ist es nicht mehr.Und sorry aber ihr hört euch an wie memmen wenn ihr über 12,5 kg zusatzgewicht jammert als solltet ihr nen 2,5 Tonnen unimog tragen Oder meinst du etwa das G36 ist dir auf Dauer schon zu schwer? Weil dann biste definitiv ne memme.

[@fishfashfosh]

G3, G36 and 36c, mp5 and mp5k are just great guns that so happened to look like futuristic weapons

[@scottsanders4589]

Cool I'm only 3 hours from where you are right now! It's nice to see my state get a little recognition

[@Hadeseffect]

A friend of mine who was in the military said that the G36 was absolutly ok, the polymere on older models was not so great and sometimes you could break the folding stock. One of the origins of the inaccuracy rumors came from the fract, that you return your rifle when you are off duty and got a completely different one the next day. That mend that you could get a rifle that wasnt zero-ed by the previouse user. If you are deployed somewhere you sometimes wouldnt have time to check the zero or recalibrate the rifle.

[@maxdark9462]

Thats not true. When you join a company, they give you a card with the serial number of one of the companies rifles. When you get your gun from the armory, you give them the card and they give you the corresponding rifle and when you turn in the weapon again, you get your card back. That way you always have the same rifle. The actually origin of this inaccuracy issue is because of afghanistan: The gun was designed with european climate in mind, if it is used in significantly hotter climate, some accuracy is lost to thermal expansion. But since i haven't been to afghanistan in my time of service, i can't say how big off an issue this really is.

[@vampyr2936]

The G36 is personally my favorite rifle of all time. Including all of it's varients and modifications.

[@caltrop8359]

Mine too

[@soqq7037]

Can confirm all that is written below: -No laser on the Bundeswehr sight. The switch is to power the red dot optic when it's dark and the ambient light can't power the optic by itself, then you have to close the port on top to prevent the enemy to see the light. -the big advantage of the red dot optic, is that you can shoot with both eyes open (you need that in a buildings or in chaotic situations) and you can see all around like normal, the whole sight blurs and become invisible and you see only the red dot. -no problems with that weapon in hot desert environments, with sand and dust. No problems in Germany with ice, snow and mud. That is a damn good weapon, reliable, accurate and light, i loved it. -only downsize is the lack of punch if you need to go through walls, 7,62 can do that, no chance with the 5,56. Great videos by the way!

[@Alecks1990]

the sights are amazing, i havent shoot many other weapons, but i was very impressed by the hk36, its red dot and 3x scope, you can switch very fast and engage targets with the best accuracy

[@cranks2682]

the sigths aren't good and are only used in the old versions of the G36

[@Arthurzeiro]

I'm just finishing watching the HK G41 video in the Full30 page of forgotten weapons, I wonder why it hasn't shown up in the youtube channel yet.

[@the_gary]

@ejmuerte rise from the dead ??? Full30 hast nothing to do with patreon and you can go watch it yourself right now. Normally he allays uploads the videos to both platforms at the same time.

[@smarty7713]

Germans: Better engineers than you can ever hope to be just don't measure the exhaust levels of their vehicles

[@TheMeilinger]

what about the exhaust levels of a g36?

[@comradecosmonaut7746]

To be fair most car manufacturers tinker with their exhaust level test results VW just got caught in the process

[@jarroddraper5140]

Smarty 771 if it works I’m not going to complain

[@Yutter89]

*designs a system to change it's emissions output when it detects resistance in the exhaust.

[@FrancisJoa]

Americans should really not even to dare to open their mouths about this topic because fact is German cars have the cleanest engines world wide. American cars are much worse. Do you know why the former American government came up with this nonsense? Answer : Volkswagen was building and finishing an engine factory in Russia (while sanctions were/are in place) and that was the reason why the American government (aka deep state) during Obama´s turn came up with this bullshit.

[@TommyTarkov]

H&K did a very clean job here. its my favorit rifle design of all times. i did shot 2 times "golden shooting string" 0 misses with that rifle. in arround 10 month of serving bw. good rifle g36bw

[@laramfol]

East Germany invented an AK-47 inspired version with NATO rounds. Only a few models were produced before the reunion. The plans got lost und the models got destroyed.

[@davidfinch1616]

As a Bundeswehr soldier, i am in love with this video

[@timo4463]

dann bedanke ich mich für deinen Dienst

[@bonelessdoritoslocostaco5984]

Hey, Ian, could you please take a high-quality picture of only the transparent G36? I'd like to add it to my gun picture collection.

[@1337penguinman]

I actually appreciate the fact that they put the red dot on top since you're not quite as concerned with consistent check weld with a sight that's essentially a reflex "oh crap" optic.

[@ae1aea363]

We have been waiting a while for this!

[@dennisg.7777]

Die upper optic is just a "Reflexvisier" without a Laser! The battery is for the red dot, when it's dark outside and then the cap on the top will be closed. With open cap you don't need the power of the battery for the red dot, the day light is enough for that. Greetings from Germany.

[@Snagabott]

I believe you, random person on the internet! "Die upper optic" gave you the proper credentials.

[@cookiefighter6382]

The thing I called laser is actually an IR „flashlight“ do get better close range view with NVG and stuff like that. Also the red dot is actually also powered with the battery of the IR Light. Otherwise u wouldn’t be able to use the red dot in dark spots. U also could give the red dot like a „boost“ if u push the power switch it will get a bit brighter

[@noncompliant209cali]

When the video started I was really trying to figure out why there was a trigger in the stock

[@loupiscanis9449]

Thank You , Ian .

[@meladath5181]

Awesome! Any chance you could ever look at a G36C? Hardly forgotten... but I would be interested in seeing the changes. I love the videos where you compare different "versions" of the same firearm!

[@OfflineTillee]

Basically the only difference between same-generation variants (G36A2 vs G36KA2 for example) is the barrel-length, the fitting shorter handguard, and a shorter folding-stock. All of these parts are interchangable between variants. More modern versions still retain the same base bodies, and the C dumps the HKV and carryhandle for the C-rail, whilst our G36KA4 replaced the toprail and handguard with slimline-railed versions, and added the new, also interchangable, adjustable buttstock.

[@gunsmithgeoff8218]

The C variant has shorter gas system parts also (including the piston aft of the gas cylinder). The C kept the original style gas block (since it cannot mount the AG36 40mm GL) but has always had bevels ground on each side for clearance, so the gas system can be dismounted.

[@fimsfirearms5643]

Another feature that might have been overlooked. I am almost certain the charging handle can be locked in either the left hand or right hand configuration. It is done by orienting the handle at 0 or 180 degrees and pushing it in

[@dksdg]

It can, for use as a forward assist, thought I broke it first time it happened

[@rodrigogascagomez5190]

DKSDG1 Guess it wasn't soldier-proof. I've had a Spanish soldier tell me of a comrade who didn't press the button correctly to fold the stock, but he'd put so much force on it anyway that he broke it. He didn't give details on the breakage, but I can see it happening.

[@zhufortheimpaler4041]

@@rodrigogascagomez5190 if you handled a G36, you know, that to break the folding stock by folding it with force against the locking mechanism, you have to basicly break it across your knee. that locking mechanism is quite solid

[@rodrigogascagomez5190]

@@zhufortheimpaler4041 I have handled a G36, but didn't have the opportunity to test this. It did seem robust to me, which is why this story I was told was surprising at first, but I'm of the belief that anything can be broken by someone both sufficiently stupid and sufficiently determined

[@zhufortheimpaler4041]

@@rodrigogascagomez5190 yeah if you put enough determination into it, you can break/destroy basicly anything. i served my mandatory service and volunteered in the local firebrigade., considering what i have seen that my comrades broke.... "indestructable" high quality fire brigade laptop designed to be used in worst conditions. tough enough to drive a tank over it. "yeah ups dropped it and then it kinda exploded into its separate parts". high endurance aluminum/steel nozzle for the firehose: "ups i didnt know that you couldnt turn the handle this way" Mindblowing wwhat people regularly do. but yeah, for the G36 folding stock to break you have to be really determined and put alot of force into it

[@BradPittishere]

Great Video! Can't wait for the follow up video as to why it is said that this rifle has so much trouble in hot weather :)

[@alanvonify]

I was able to shoot one of these many years ago at a competition. They took it off me after I started cutting the target frames in half from standing at 100m. Accurate and easy to shoot. I really liked it.

[@bastiaan0741]

0:07 am I the only one that thought, for a split second, the weapon had a double bipod? And a reserve trigger in the stock, just in case?

[@kyrozudesoya1829]

Well it's just H&K all month ain't it, not that I'm complaining, Happy New Year.

[@TheMeilinger]

idk how old these videos are when they get released to the public, but when ian gets the chance to visit this hk facility he probably went ahead and made as many videos as he could

[@combatengineer8575]

I was waiting for this weapon's video for a long time

[@Galildoughty]

Excellent as always, thanks Ian.