HK MG36
Heckler & Koch GmbH · Machine Gun · Discontinued · 1995
Also known as: MG36, MG50, HK MG36E
Overview
The HK MG36 is a German 5.56x45mm NATO light machine gun developed by Heckler & Koch as the squad automatic weapon variant of the G36 assault rifle system. It pairs the G36's gas-operated rotary-bolt action with a heavier free-floating barrel for sustained fire, a bipod attached to the handguard, an integrated 3.5x optical sight in the carrying handle, and a 100-round dual-drum C-Mag magazine. Unusually for a light machine gun, it fires from a closed bolt. Trialed by the Bundeswehr in the mid-1990s alongside the G36, it was never placed into series production after a standard G36 fitted with a bipod and C-Mag was judged to offer comparable support-weapon capability.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4250 g (149.9 oz) |
| Overall Length | 999 mm (39.33") |
| Barrel Length | 480 mm (18.90") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Magazine Capacity | 100 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Drum |
| Muzzle Velocity | 920 m/s (3018 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 1693 J (1249 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 600 m (656 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 800 m (875 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 750 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 178 mm (7.01") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Polymer |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| Finish | Phosphate |
Calibers
- 5.56x45mm NATO · primary · 5.56mm NATO — also known as 5.56x45mm, 5.56 NATO
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Dual Drum Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety, Ambidextrous Selector
- Features: Bipod, Carrying Handle Optic, 3.5x Optical Sight, Closed Bolt Operation, Folding Stock, Rotary Bolt, Free Floating Heavy Barrel
Variants
- HK MG36E — Export
Base model
Service history
Operators
- German Army (Bundeswehr) · as MG36
Production
Production years: 1995
Built only in small numbers for trials; never entered series production and no longer offered by Heckler & Koch.
Origin
Country of origin: Germany
Designer: Heckler & Koch
Notes
Designated under the original HK development program as the MG50, redesignated MG36 on adoption-related decisions in 1995. The closed-bolt operation distinguishes it from most belt-fed light machine guns and limits its sustained-fire ceiling compared to open-bolt designs.
Background
The MG36 emerged from the same HK50 development program that produced the G36. When the Bundeswehr concluded that a regular G36 equipped with a bipod handguard and a 100-round C-Mag delivered effectively the same squad support firepower, the dedicated MG36 was shelved.