G-36 scandal

[D5CAV]

Issue with G33 was reliability.

If G36 issue is accuracy, that's an easier fix than reliability. Sounds like the Germans made a good choice if they got a reliable, low cost 5.56 NATO launcher.

[Denis]

Issue with G33 was reliability.

If G36 issue is accuracy, that's an easier fix than reliability. Sounds like the Germans made a good choice if they got a reliable, low cost 5.56 NATO launcher.

I've been trying to follow this issue in the German news media. A few observations: both German journalists and German politicians demonstrate execrable levels of understanding of firearms.* In the case of the journalists and the leftist politicians, their ignorance is further compounded by palpable fear and hatred of firearms and all things military.

As far as I can winnow the wheat from the chaff, it seems that the plastic handguard of the G36 is liable to bear on the barrel either in hot environments or when the piece has been shot enough for the barrel to get really hot. At a guess, the issue could - at best - be resolved by relieving the handguards or - at worst - by replacing the handguards with relieved ones of a different, more heat resistant, plastic.

However, the German defence minister, who is not particularly popular with the military, and who is already politically in trouble becase of the scandalous state of German military equipment and training generally, has preferred to pull the emergency brake; she declared in front of TV cameras that the military would be replacing all the G36 rifles.

My crystal ball says; wait for the kerfuffle to die down, then expect H&K to get two very large military contracts for (a) fast delivery of a small number replacements for the G36 (G37s?) plus, later, (b) a large number of improved or remanufactured G36 handguards.

I'm also guessing that large numbers of cheap, little-used G36s are not likely to hit the second-hard/surplus market anytime soon...

* The main German evening news reported on the *accuracy* problem with the G36 by digging up copies of a report in which a German officer had indicated that Nato 5.56 ball ammunition had insufficient manstopping power... Confused, much?

[Langenator]

I can't imagine the G36 being cheaper than the G3, but the current fashion is 5.56 NATO.

The G41/G33 suffers the same problem vis-à-vis the G3 that the M16 suffered vis-à-vis the Stoner AR10. There is only a fraction of the impulse force to work the action with 5.56 NATO as with 7.62 NATO.

As much as Gene Stoner is criticized for his design of the M16, remember that he originally designed it for 7.62NATO as the AR10. A reliable action powered by 7.62 NATO became less reliable when powered by 5.56 NATO. Same for the ultra-reliable G3. When powered by 5.56 NATO, it becomes the less reliable G33.

I've not had any experience with the G36, but IMHO, the most reliable 5.56 NATO launchers are the StGw 90 and Steyr AUG.

You can probably add the FN-FNC/AK5 to that list.

[Combat Controller]

Or H&K 416's...

[Darrell]

Or H&K 416's...

That's what I wondered. The 416 is just a hi zoot AR, is it not?

[slowpoke]

Or H&K 416's...

That's what I wondered. The 416 is just a hi zoot AR, is it not?

Its an AR with basically a FAL gas piston.

[Vonz90]

Issue with G33 was reliability.

If G36 issue is accuracy, that's an easier fix than reliability. Sounds like the Germans made a good choice if they got a reliable, low cost 5.56 NATO launcher.

I meant to reply to this before, but I've never heard concerns with the HK93/G33 for reliability. If you have references I'm willing to listen or is that a supposition based on what?

The G33 action is basically half way between the G3 and the MP5, both of with I have experience with and are very reliable, so it does not seem likely to me that the G33 would have problems.

[Combat Controller]

Issue with G33 was reliability.

If G36 issue is accuracy, that's an easier fix than reliability. Sounds like the Germans made a good choice if they got a reliable, low cost 5.56 NATO launcher.

I meant to reply to this before, but I've never heard concerns with the HK93/G33 for reliability. If you have references I'm willing to listen or is that a supposition based on what?

The G33 action is basically half way between the G3 and the MP5, both of with I have experience with and are very reliable, so it does not seem likely to me that the G33 would have problems.

http://www.dw.de/heckler-koch-g36-the-r ... a-18402772

Straight from the Pferde's mouth.

[Combat Controller]

As you can see H&K is playing true to form by saying "because you suck and we hate you"

"H&K views any negative statements with regard to the accuracy [of the G36] as factually incorrect, irrelevant and possibly illegal," says a statement from Germany's largest firearm supplier, which has played a substantial role in making the Federal Republic the world's third largest weapons exporter.

[Darrell]

The Firearms Blog recently tested a G36 for accuracy after warming up the gun, they saw no difference:

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2015 ... -problems/

Video at the link. I daresay it's not combat conditions, though.