H&K G36K
 

Guys:
I'm in the market for buying a new rifle. I already own a M1A by SpringField Armory and love it. I've fired countless rounds through a friends M4 and enjoyed shooting it. The rifle that has caught my attention is the H&K G36K. I was wondering if any of you gentlemen have fired this rifle and have any comments or complaints about it. I looked around and the price range is about the same. $1000. So I'm not to worried about price. I'm just concerned with it's performance. Thanks.

Why not a proven performer that you can easily get parts and accessories for, like the M-4? Just want to be different?

TR

I was hoping you would answer. No doubt that the M-4 is a proven performer. There are just so many damn clones for the M-4. Don't get me wrong, I like the rifle. It can carry more accessories than a kitchen. I guess you are right. I just want something different. I've looked around and heard nothing but good comments about the G36. H&K "Claims" that it can fire 20,000 rounds without a mishap. I'll believe that the day HRC becomes POTUS. Various other sites have claimed that it is better than the M16/M4 family. As for accessories it can mount a forward grip or an ACOG/AIMPOINT. I have no need for a laser, light or anything fancy. There are a couple of H&K dealers here where I live in Tampa so parts are taken care of. I ask here because I know you guys don't bullshit and will give a straight answer. I'd rather listen to a Professional than some guy posting what he thinks he knows on the net. Thanks for taking your time to respond to my original post TR.

Call your H&K dealers and tell them that you would like to buy a spare fring pin, extractor, and spring kit for the G36.

Let us know what they tell you, after they tell you that you don't need any of that.

I can get an M-4 the way I want it, a rail system, a spare parts kit, and a dozen mags for under a grand, from at least a half-dozen dealers here in this area. Let me know what the H&K runs, IF you can even get that stuff.

How many countries use the G-36 and how many wars has it been tested in?

Get in a jam, yell for a buddy to toss you a spare mag. Good luck.

BTW, stay away from the K model unless you are only doing CQB.

TR

I'll call the dealers in the morning. I'm sure I'll be shocked to find that they don't carry the parts. :eek: Or that they are expensive as hell. As for the countries that use the G-36 I do believe that Germany and Spain use them. As to how many wars they have been tested in.....you probably know the real answer but I'd guess none. Why would I want to stay away from the K model? I'm gonna look into cost of spare parts and accessories in more depth. If they are too expensive I'll take a hard look at the M-4. Thanks again TR.

They also accept M-16/M4 mags. I did check that out.

The 12.5" barrel of the G36K drops the effective range for the 5.56 projo to reliably fragment (2700+ fps) and cause a serious wound to about 20 meters with M855 ammo or equivalent, the older M193 or a comparable load should be good to 50 meters or so.

The M-4 with the 14.5" barrel launches the bullet at sufficiently faster muzzle velocity to stretch the terminal effects of the M855 to 50 meters or so and the M193 to 100 meters.

The 16" barrel variants give you enough more to get 100 meters with the M855 and 150 meters with the M193.

The 20" M-16 stretches the fragmenting envelope to 150 meters with the M855 and 200 meters with the M193.

Shot placement is still the key, but the longer barrels are cheap insurance.

Special ammo, like the LeMas changes these distances significantly. The above data applies to FMJ military and equivalent ammo.

Professional soldiers carry the shorter barreled weapons for specific purposes, are aware of the limitations, and are well trained with those weapons.

You do what you think is best for you with the facts known.

TR

Thanks TR. I'll re-evaluate my options with that rifle. I'll check around for prices on an M4 in the morning. It's late and I need my beauty sleep. Again, thanks for the info.

[QUOTE=The Reaper] I can get an M-4 the way I want it, a rail system, a spare parts kit, and a dozen mags for under a grand, from at least a half-dozen dealers here in this area.

TR:

Major advantage of the HK -- it is modular. Swap barrels and stocks with much less problems than an AR. The AR design is obsolete because it doesn't have modularity. It could have adapted but it didn't. I have seen a distinct need for the Army to obtain a small arms design that is totally modular in order to meet demands for specific purposes. Down to the rifleman level in fact -- not just 'snipers' and SDMs.

I never cared for HK products as IMHO they are made for guys shaped like a box instead of shaped like a human. Boxy stock and butt. Hard to consistently bring up and one has to fit the rifle instead of the rifle fitting them. Ergonomics are even worse than any issued M-16 or variant. Absurd is a kind statement for what the Army passes for small arms ergonomics as well as utility of design.

I went to some show at Aberdeen more than a few years ago and stopped by the Hk tables where they had a G-3 "Counter Sniper" rifle. Of course I had to fuck with the boys there as when ever someone touts a rifle as 'counter' this or 'for' that -- obviously they think the rifle knows the difference.

I will say that Hk thought that the rifle was intelligent enough to know what its purpose was as the cost was over four thousand dollars per copy.

Not a piece of shit but not worth more than five or six hundred dollars unless they were using gold in the innards of the thing.

I also know that once a guy has his eyes set on a particular firearm, he will buy it no matter what anyone else says.

Gene

[QUOTE=Gene Econ]Gene:

Not if you are buying one as a civilian and H&K won't sell you the modular components.

Roger the rest, though I find that the AR is pretty modular, if you put the package together right. Ergonomically among the best for me as well.

Agree on the "I wanna" motivation.

TR

Allow me to chime in late. I worked with the German Army at Khandahar and had the opportunity to fire a real G36 at our range. I dont particularly care for it, although I admit I am predjudiced in favor of the 9X series HKs. TR is right about the M4 type rifle being more practical. Parts availabilty, especially magazines, makes a big difference. Ive got an HK 93 and really like the rifle as far as shooting(it is a bit heavy for carry). HK 93 magazines though....hard to find and not cheap.

An update for you gentleman. I found a store here in town that let me fire a G36, let alone had one. And I've come to the conclusion that I agree with all of you. It felt alittle blocky as Gene mentioned. It didn't sit too well on my shoulders. I really didn't like how the charging handle was on the rifle. Not too impressed with it. I asked about the G36 because when I was searching for a good deal on an M4 I came across it and decided to ask. I've decided to get a Rock River Arms Tactical CAR A4. The same dealer who had the G36 also had the RRA rifle. Brand new for $800. The Eotech and Surefire railing will be added to the $800. The picture I've attached is of the Government Model but is the exact rifle I'm purchasing. Railing and Eotech are included in the purchase. The only difference is that it's stamped Government Model. Now I just have to find a good forward grip. Thank you guys for your knowledge and advice.

Spartan;
Glad you came full circle on that choice. We've all fallen victim to tunnel vision on a weapon/gear purchase at some point, but that M4 is an extension of the American Professional Soldier's body - pay heed to the responses you received and I think you'll be happy with your M4.
regards,
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