HK G3 vs. HK G36: which is the all-around best military assault rifle?
March 14th, 2010 by eranio
I especially want to know about the efficiency of each rifle, performance vs. cost. Also, I know that the G3 has way more stopping power; that’s good but that’s what sniper rifles are for. Likewise the G36 may have less kick and be more accurate, but it may not have enough stopping power. Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t the G36 cheaper because its body is composite rather metal?
One last thing, make sure account for the durability of each rifle.
Thx Grizzly, but I suppose the G36 wouldn’t be considered so underpowered in the G36C variation, lots of power for its size at that point.
Posted in Military Rifles
March 14th, 2010 at 1:56 am
Neither the G-3 or G-36 are ‘assault rifles’.
They are both ‘BATTLE Rifles’.
As I doubt that anyone here has handled the real H-K G-36 even in a semi-auto version, I doubt you will get a qualified answer here. As it is almost impossible to modify the G-36 to meet the silly BATFE Boys importation criteria, even a semi-auto only version will never be seen in the U.S.
The G-36, designed & produced as a replacement for the G-3, is probably technologically superior to the G-3, except for its’ 5,56×45 (.223 Rem.) ammo, which even Uncle Sugar’s minions are finally admitting is ridiculously substandard in any combat applications.
P.S: The SL-8 is NOT a ‘neutered’ ANYTHING. It is a ‘sniper version of the H-K G-3/H-K 91, NOT a G-36 of ANY model.
March 14th, 2010 at 1:56 am
The G36 *IS* a true assault rifle. It fires the 5.56×45 or .223 round. The G3 is a battle rifle, which fires a much heavier 7.62×51 round. Within 150-200 yards, they should have roughly the same effectiveness (assuming full length barrel on the G36). The 7,62 round shines at extended ranges (which is why it’s used for sniping).
As far as manufacturing either of them today, the G36 would probably be cheaper to produce- less parts, lots of plastic, etc. The G3 has a lot of small parts in the roller mechanism and such which require extra machining.
If we’re talking about assault rifles, the G36 is the only true assault rifle of the two. It has plenty of reach out to 500-600 yards max. The G3 will reach out to 900-1000 yards, but accuracy will probably be slightly less (the G36 has a free-floating barrel).
The G36C will also have LESS power than the standard G36, as it has a much shorter barrel. You would have to shoot frangible or hollow point ammunition to stop a threat effectively.
As far as durability goes- the G3 feels much more solid, but you can neverbe sure with a well made polymer firearm (i.e. Glocks). Some of the early G36 rifles had problems with the hand guards melting if the barrels got too hot (sustained full auto fire), but later versions came with heat shields inside the forends. The G3 has also been field proven for decades, while the G36 is still a newcomer. IMO, the old rifles like the MP5 and G3 were designed to be serviceable, while newer designs like the G36 and UMP are meant to have entire compnent pieces thrown away and replaced (example: the horrid process of servicing the trigger pack in SL8/G36 rifles).
On a final note- it IS possible for a civilian to have a G36 rifle- or a functional equivalent. The HK SL8 rifle is basically a neutered G36- with the right parts, you can make yourself a G36 clone with the exception fo a few extra inches in length (due to the adapter block in the rear). Go to http://www.hkpro.com for details.
For the G3, look for the HK91 or PTR-91.