The G36 Goes Rimfire

By
Ben Battles
-

The G36 Goes Rimfire

By: Ben Battles

HK’s legendary polymer rifle returns in .22 LR form

For decades, the G36 Bundeswehr Infantry Rifle has lived in the imaginations of American shooters as one of the truly iconic infantry rifles of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Its original 5.56 NATO incarnation set standards for ergonomic design, polymer construction, and modularity that other manufacturers chased like a dog after a mailman. Now, thanks to a partnership with Umarex in Germany, HK has introduced the G36 .22LR — a rimfire rifle that preserves the silhouette, controls, and essence of the original while cutting recoil and ammunition cost down to something sane.

Controls on the .22lR G36 mirror those of the original, real-deal 5.56mm NATO G36, including the ambi fold-out charging handle riding beneath the optic base, the short-throw ambi safety selector, and the left-side magazine release.

Years ago, I had a unique opportunity to spend time behind a real G36, not just its rimfire understudy, and it left a lasting impression. During formal accuracy testing, I managed a five-shot group measuring just 0.35 inches at 100 yards using the rifle’s factory 3-power optic — a result that still raises eyebrows when I mention it. That kind of precision isn’t an accident; it’s the product of German overengineering, consistent barrel quality, an operating system that simply works, and a good night’s sleep the night prior. It also explains why the G36 earned the reputation it did among professional users. While the .22 LR version plays in a very different arena, that same attention to ergonomics, balance, and shootability is immediately recognizable the moment you shoulder it.

Bore down the spec sheet, and it’s clear this isn’t some glorified toy. With an overall length that ranges from about 28.2 to 38 inches (stock unfolded), an 18.1-inch barrel, and a weight hovering near 5-1/2 pounds, the G36 .22LR sits comfortably in the hands and shoulders like a real rifle should. It ships with either a 10- or 20-round magazine and accepts 10-, 20-, or 30-round mags, depending on your appetite for plinking.

Out back, nods to the original G36 continue with a true-to-form side-folding polymer buttstock and integral polymer handgrip. While the rifle ships with one 20-round magazine, 10- and 30-round versions are also available.

Mounting this rifle into the shoulder puts you smack into that familiar G36 ergonomic territory; it’s square-shouldered without being clunky, and the polymer frame feels rugged in the way only HK polymer can. The charging handle — a reciprocating affair mounted on the elevated rail that is both left and right-handed friendly, just like the old 5.56 rifle had — is a small detail that sends the heart rate up if you’re a fan of realism in your rimfire guns.

The .22LR G36 is fitted with an 18.125-inch barrel, shrouded by a polymer handguard that pays homage to its centerfire counterpart. The rifle ships with a four-prong flashider attached to the muzzle’s 1/2×28 threads, but EchoCore’s new Topo 22 suppressor — which also happens to be 5.56mm rated — was used for the majority of testing.

Sights ride atop the classic G36 carry handle rail, giving you a robust platform for optics or irons, but sorry, no built-in 3X optic on this model. An ambidextrous safety, uncomplicated controls, and a foldable stock leave no ambiguity about what this rifle is: a grown-up toy that plays like the real deal. Even better, it is said that many furniture bits from the real G36 line will fit this rimfire version, so if you’ve got parts lying around from other builds, you just might be able to mix and match to your heart’s content.

The elevated Picatinny optic base provides plenty of real estate for your preferred optic arrangement, and comes equipped with a hooded-post front sight and fully-adjustable, dual-aperture rear sight attached to the far ends of the rail. Trijicon’s RCR red-dot, mounted in an American Defense QD mount, was the primary optic used for testing.

Range sessions with the G36 .22LR fall into that rare category of “serious fun.” Unlike some .22 fun-guns that feel like they wandered onto the range by accident, this one feels composed. Recoil? What recoil? That’s the point of .22LR — the round merely acknowledges that it exited the barrel. The direct blowback action cycles cleanly, magazines drop, and seat with no nonsense, and the rifle tracks downrange with remarkable composure.

The trigger isn’t nearly as bad as the original, but it is close. I tempted fate by stringing shots as fast as my trigger finger would let me, but the rifle just shrugged — a testament to its solid rimfire execution and an example of how the heavy trigger doesn’t affect shootability when you’re just having fun.

Talking routine maintenance and cleaning, pulling two pins, removing the magwell and grip module, folding the stock, and pulling the bolt and recoil assembly out of the rear of the upper receiver is considered fully field stripped — a process that can be completed in under 10 seconds.

Speaking of range time, let’s talk about sound management. Rimfire rifles are already mild-mannered, but you’ve got to try them suppressed to really appreciate the experience. That’s where EchoCore Suppressors (www.echocoresuppressors.com) Topo 22 came in. With the Topo 22 attached, the report went from ear-ringing to barely a thud.

The Topo 22 is super light, balances well with the G36’s front end, and makes any range sessions easier on the ears and virtually unnoticed by neighbors. Couple that with the availability of affordable subsonic rimfire rounds, and it’s a combo you can plink with all day.

Even with a less-than-ideal trigger pull, On Target’s .22LR G36 managed exceptional downrange precision from the 25-yard line. While all three loads printed sub one-inch groups, Federal’s AutoMatch 40-grain came out the victor with this 0.35-inch five-shot group.

During accuracy testing, the G36 .22 LR delivered one of those moments that makes you pause and double-check the calipers. Using 40-grain Federal AutoMatch, the rifle produced a 0.35-inch, five-shot group at 25 yards — the exact same group size I shot more than a decade ago with a real G36 firing 5.56 NATO, albeit at 100 yards. For nostalgic symmetry, I mounted a Trijicon TA33 3-power ACOG, matching the magnification level of the factory 5.56mm G36 optic used during that earlier test. While the distances and calibers differ, the parallel was hard to ignore, bringing a smile to my face and fond memories. It speaks to the inherent accuracy of both centerfire and rimfire platforms and to how closely this rifle mirrors the handling and shootability of its service rifle predecessor.

The G36 .22LR is one of those products that resonates on multiple levels. It’s nostalgic without being derivative, accurate without being finicky, and most importantly, fun without exorbitant cost. If you’re looking for a rifle that bridges the gap between tactical aesthetic and rimfire practicality, you’ve found it. Add in a quality rimfire suppressor like the EchoCore Topo 22, and you’ve essentially bottled a perfect day at the range.

It’s not uncommon for a rimfire semi-auto rifle to be finicky and ammo-sensitive; the HK G36 .22LR, in our testing, was neither. Dependable, extremely precise, and an absolute blast to shoot, we can’t think of too many better ways to kill off your stash of .22LR ammo.

The G36 .22 LR also offers something less tangible, but no less real — it’s a conversation piece. Few rifles draw knowledgeable shooters in the way the G36 does, and this rimfire version is a remarkably faithful replica of a service rifle that remains out of reach for most US civilian buyers. From its proportions and controls to the way it handles, it delivers an authentic G36 experience without pretense. Add in reliable performance, practical accuracy, and strong suppressor compatibility, and the result is a rifle that stands on its own merits while giving shooters a legitimate way to own and enjoy a modern military icon that would otherwise remain unattainable. See it at your nearest HK dealer, or for more information, contact Heckler & Koch; Tel.: (706) 568-1906; E-mail: [email protected]; Web: www.hk-usa.com

Specifications

Action:                                    Direct blowback, semi-auto

Caliber                                   .22LR

Barrel Length                          18.125 inches

OAL:                                       28.20 to 30 inches

Weight:                                  5.50 pounds

Capacity                                10-, 20-, 30-rds

Sights:                                    Picatinny rail, BUIS

Finish:                                    Black

MSRP                                    $749

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