Heckler & Koch HK36

The HK36 was an experimental assault rifle introduced by Heckler & Koch in the early 1970s. At the time, research in small-caliber military cartridges had become more popular thanks to the United States' adoption and combat use of the M16 and its 5.56×45mm round.

Heckler & Koch HK36
Type	Assault rifle
Place of origin	West Germany
Production history
Designer	Müller[1]
Designed	early 1970s
Manufacturer	Heckler & Koch
Variants	models with fixed and folding stock known to exist, as are models with detachable box magazine[2]
Specifications
Mass	2.85 kg (6.28 lb) empty, 3.14 kg (6.92 lb) loaded[1]
Length	79.7 cm (31.4 in) with stock retracted, 89.0 cm (35.0 in) with stock extended[1]
Barrel length	38.1 cm (15.0 in)[1]
Cartridge	4.6×36 mm
Caliber	4.6 mm (0.18 in)
Action	Roller delayed blowback[1]
Rate of fire	1100–1200 rounds/min cyclic[1]
Muzzle velocity	857 m/s (2,812 ft/s) (soft-core bullet), 780 m/s (2,559 ft/s) (hard-core bullet)[1]
Effective firing range	300 m (328 yd)[1]
Feed system	Integral box magazine loaded from 30-round, pre-loaded, disposable box[1] (early models used detachable box magazine[2])
Sights	Reflex with daylight screen and Beta light[1]

Not to be confused with the HK G36

The HK36 rifle fired a 4.6×36 mm round whose bullet has a "spoon point" (German: Löffelspitz) designed by CETME's Dr. Gunther Voss. Low bullet weight and the straight-line layout of the rifle reduced recoil, while the high velocity of the round gave it an almost flat trajectory out to 300 metres (330 yd), which was also the limit of its effective range. Beyond that point, the bullet lost velocity very quickly.

Operation

The HK36 used H&K's delayed blowback system, with a four-position selector switch for the firing mode. In order from top to bottom, these were safe (marked "0"), single-shot ("1"), full-automatic ("25" or "30") and controlled burst ("3")—however, the weapon was intended to be available with 2-, 3-, 4- or 5-round burst mode.[1][2]

Ejection of empty cartridge cases was to the right, while the bolt remained open once all ammunition had been expended.[1]

Magazine

Early versions of the weapon had a standard detachable box magazine made from stamped metal.[2]

The method of reloading for the later prototypes was an unusual departure from modern systems, being intended to reduce weight along with eliminating the handling of individual rounds. The rifle had a metal box mounted permanently below the receiver, in front of the trigger guard; this magazine had a side-opening "door" through which a pre-packaged box of 30 cartridges could be inserted once a knob on the rifle had been pulled down.[1] The box had an open top and bottom,[1] closed by tape, so that the magazine follower could push the rounds up into the rifle during firing.

Variants

As mentioned, early models used a conventional detachable box magazine while later versions had the integral one. In addition, most of the rifles appear to have been fitted with a telescoping stock[2] of a completely different type than that fitted to most other Heckler & Koch weapons (such as the G3 and MP5), but some are known with a fixed, plastic stock.[1]

Legacy

Despite never being accepted for military service, the rifle was notable for introducing the three-round burst concept and integrated optics to Heckler & Koch weapons. The various innovations gave H&K some interesting ideas for the future, which have resurfaced in the Heckler & Koch MP7 PDW and G36 rifle.

See also

• List of assault rifles

Notes

1. Hobart, Major F.W.A. (1975). Jane's Infantry Weapons 1975. London: Jane's Yearbooks. pp. 239–241.
2. Hogg, Ian V.; Weeks, John (1977). Military Small Arms of the 20th Century (3 ed.). London: Arms and Armour Press. pp. 162–163. ISBN 0 85368 301 8.

External links

• HKPRO