Walther HK G36

The 22 rimfire, military look-a-like shooter is well catered for these days, with guns as diverse as the German MP40 SMG up to the latest Beretta ARX 160 and everything in between! But it’s to Carl Walther we look to this month who make the Colt Tactical, Uzi and Heckler & Koch 22 rimfire clones; to this they have added the German Army’s current battle rifle the Hk G36. In terms of popularity it has become the thing; with many countries opting for it as their 5.56mm battle rifle and police forces worldwide. It also seems to have replaced the MP5 as ‘the gun’ in many films and TV programmes.

NOTORIOUS

The G36 is the latest in a proud line of German combat rifles - from the first true assault rifle the StG44 to the 7.62 NATO G3. However, in the real world the G36 seems to be having accuracy issues due to it overheating in fire fights and it looks like it might be replaced! But that is of no concern to us, as the Walther copy proved pleasingly reliable and accurate!

I noticed the rimfire version is not identical to the military gun, which has a large carry-type handle with an integral ZF 3x4° dual optical sight that combines a x3 scope with a piggy back red dot above it, made by Zeiss/ Hensoldt. The Walther is based on the sport/ civilian version the Hk243 (European) and HK293 (US) versions, which has a Picatinny rail with iron sights on top and uses the generic M16 magazine with a STANAG-type well, with side-mounted mag catch as opposed to the military rear-mounted lever release with dedicated magazine.

 

POLYMER-TASTIC!

The G36 uses a lot of synthetic with the butt, mag well, pistol grip, forend and receiver all made of a carbon fibre-reinforced polyamide; doubtless the rimfire version uses something similar. The rifle is not that small at 37.8” overall with an 18” barrel, though not heavy at 6.75 lbs. It features a skeletonised, sidefolding butt that reduces length considerably and makes for a compact carry. It gives a decent length of pull (LOP) and is rock solid in the shoulder. The pistol grip is comfortable but not overly large, above this is an ambidextrous, 2-position safety lever based on the selective fire Marine trigger group but with pictograms for SAFE and FIRE (semi-auto).

Moving forward to the mag well, the release catch is at the left/front and you have to pull the empty free while pressing the catch with your thumb. The forend too is separate and also pinned in place with stabilising yokes and lugs at the rear. It generously free-floats the barrel and at the tip is a block with twin sling eyes, which I assume is also there to stop your hand sliding forward. There are integral, metal thread inserts; doubtless there to accept Picatinny rails for mounting accessories, though Walther does not included them.

The top of the receiver shows a raised, Picatinny rail for optics, with the front and rear iron sights pinned to it. The front is a fixed blade in a ring protector and the rear offers an L-flip aperture and is adjustable for windage and elevation (Walther include Allen keys to suit). Scope mounting is not a problem but due to the rear sight block you will need reasonably high mounts. Saying that, if you don’t want irons then it takes seconds with a 1/8” pin punch to remove the roll pins and take them off. I shot the rifle for accuracy at 50 yards with a Vortex Viper PST 1-4x24 and for general work fitted my x1 Leupold Prismatic compact scope.

 

DIFFERENT STROKES

The butt folds to the right and is unlocked by a large, slotted button on the left of the hinge. When stowed, it locks into the case deflector and is deployed by simply giving it a good pull to open. You can fire it in this position as there’s a cut-out to allow case ejection. Most unusual is the cocking handle, which is an ambidextrous, hinged lever that sits below the Picatinny rail. Just reach in and pull it out at 90° and retract the bolt and let it go, it’s made of polymer but certainly seems strong enough. The magazine is the same as that used on Walther’s Colt Tactical and HK 416 22s and holds 20-rounds; 10s and 30s are also available. It has external, pull down tabs that makes loading easier and offers an automatic last round hold open. However, there’s no separate bolt release like on an M16, instead you have to cock the gun with a full mag in to close the action. Inside the trigger guard is a small push up catch that allows you to manually lock the bolt open.

Slinging points are provided forward (left and right) on the forend, another on the rear left of the action and a fourth inside the butt plate web, a snap hook sling is required. Visually I like the G36 though would be the first to admit that in terms of controls it’s less sophisticated than the generic 22 AR15! It has a good feel and heft and offers a decent length of pull and is a generally pleasing design.

 

REAR ENTRY

Action-wise it follows the superior AR15 build with a bolt that is easily removed from the rear as follows: Remove the magazine and cock the action, push out the pin at the rear of the mag well and remove it. Remove the pistol grip pin (rear of the receiver) both pins move left to right, fold the butt and press in on the grooved lug at the rear and pull the grip down and off. Finally pull the complete bolt assembly/spring rearwards. This included the integral cocking handle, which gives the assembly an L-shaped look. Assemble in reverse order noting the mag well has forks at the front that engage with lugs on either side of the receiver. The job is quick and easy and there’s good access for cleaning.

The forend can also be removed by pushing out the pin below the front sight block. It’s then pulled forward and over the barrel, it has the same fork and lug fixing system as the mag well. The free-float is generous on the barrel and Walther has even included a dummy gas block. The barrel is solid and not the slim, rifled steel liner with an alloy sleeve over the top like that of the Colt Tactical and Hk416 guns and better for it.

 

THE NITTY GRITTY

Reliability is all with 22 semi-autos and I decided to push the gun to the limit. Ammo consisted of a cross section of over 600-rounds of mixed makes and powers. This included Winchester (Expert), Eley Match Xtra, PMC Match Rifle and RWS Rifle Match. Along with Fiocchi Standard and High velocity, with quicker loads from Remington Yellow Jacket and Cyclone and Winchester Laser. I tried both Winchester and MagTech sub-sonics but it was having none of it; no big deal as it’s no hunter! The one major fail was the Remington Cyclone, which kept giving light strikes, whereas their Yellow Jacket was fine. Reliability was awesome as it ate everything else I fed it and spat it out! Accuracy was acceptable at 1 – 1.5” @ 50 yards but the heavy trigger was not conducive to tackdriving performance; certainly unsupported. But in that it is what it is. Control-wise the L/H safety is too short and easier operated by the R/H lever with the thumb and trigger finger. Due to the position of the mag catch the empty has to be pulled from the well, though it goes in and out easily!

The butt is wide with a reasonably high comb. The Leupold Prismatic was highmounted to clear the rear sight yet an acceptable cheek weld was maintained, equally so the LOP. Removing the rear allowed me to fit the Vortex Viper PST 1-4x24 in low rings, but the front sight obstructs vision a bit. If you’re going with glass; take them both off! As the test progressed I found myself really liking it for its simplicity and reliability. OK, control functions are not as slick as my S&W M&P 15/22 and there’s little you can do about the trigger apart from learn how to control it. But if I was looking for a more fun gun, with a deal of individual flair and 100% reliability, I’d go for the G36.

PRICE: £599
CONTACT: www.bisley-uk.com for dealer locator