The Keefe Report: Don't Leave Home Without It—Heckler & Koch's G36

by
posted on November 17, 2017
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **

"Bring a G36." Those were my instructions to Heckler & Koch Marketing Manager Bill Dermody as he was preparing to come to NRA Headquarters for an ARTV series we are planning for the first quarter of January 2018. 

                        

The G36 is a selective-fire, gas-piston-operated rifle that is currently the standard rifle of the Bundeswehr, at least for now. It's a gun that is in use around the world.

  

And it is a gun that was almost a standard service rifle of the United States military. A G36 variant was selected to be the "Kinetic" component of the OICW, which stands for Objective Infantry Combat Weapon. This was a pairing of a very sophisticated electronic suite with a grenade launcher call the XM25 airburst weapon with a rifle underneath, and a variant of the rifle eventually became the XM8. 

It looked like the XM8 was a shoo-in to become the next service rifle of the United States military. But it wasn't to be. No, the U.S. Army decided to stick with the M-16/M4 platform. But you can see the G36 in the hands of military forces around the world and also on the streets of London in the hands of armed police officers.

We made sure that we got some serious range time with the G36, and you can see American Rifleman's Christopher Olsen fire some full-auto bursts in this short video outtake from our filming. 

 

Latest

BATFE Report Dissects
BATFE Report Dissects

ATF Report Highlights Trends In NFA Sales, Manufacturing Numbers & More

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives recently released a 61 page “Firearm Commerce Updates and New Analysis” report. Figures included are up to and including 2023, the latest available.

Preview: Bastinelli R.E.D. Fixed Stone Washed

Designed for operators in the French National Police’s elite RAID tactical unit, the Bastinelli R.E.D. Fixed Stone Washed knife is also eminently useful for everyday carry ...

Mossberg Introduces SPX & Professional Models To 940 Pro Tactical Line

Mossberg has expanded its popular 940 Pro Tactical shotgun line with SPX and Professional models, with each adding a slate of upgraded components and accessories designed to enhance the shotgun's capabilities.

Preview: Streamlight Sidewinder X

This high-output, multi-fuel, military-style light with a tilting head is perfect for hunters and home defenders looking for more than just a handheld light...

The Armed Citizen® July 4, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

A Guide To Double-Stack 1911s

The 2011 brings double-stack capacity and modular upgrades to the 1911 platform, but not every wide-body 1911 out there earns that name.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.