New For 2025: Heckler & Koch G36 .22 LR

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posted on April 5, 2025
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HK G36 22LR 01
Images courtesy of HK USA.

When introduced in 1997, the Heckler & Koch G36 marked a departure from the company’s tried-and-true roller-delayed blowback system, with its rotating bolt, short-stroke gas system and extensive use of polymer. The G36 has remained elusive in the American market, available only in the form of expensive custom-made firearms or H&K’s “sporterized” version, the SL8. Though still not the real thing, H&K USA is going one step further to getting a G36 into the hands of American enthusiasts with the company's new-for-2025 G36 chambered for .22 LR.

Left side of the HK USA G36 rifle chambered in .22 Long Rifle.
The G36 .22 LR is a rimfire version of the centerfire G36 rifle.

H&K’s partnership with German manufacturer Umarex (the parent company of Walther Arms) has yielded several .22 LR versions of classic H&K products, including the HK416 and MP5. The G36 .22 LR follows these models as a full-size version of the original, but chambered for the rimfire cartridge and employing a blowback-operated action. H&K calls it “the most realistic civilian version of the G36 yet,” and the G36 .22 LR is so close to the real thing, H&K claims that many original accessories and pieces of furniture designed for the centerfire rifle will fit. 

Top-rear view of the HK USA G36 .22 LR rifle.
Authentic features include a folding stock and pronged flash hider.

Controls are ambidextrous, like the original, and the magazine well follows the pattern of the STANAG (AR-15) conversion available for the G36. The rifle utilizes the same magazines as H&K’s .22 LR 416. A 20-round magazine is supplied with the rifle, a 30-round version is available as an accessory, and a 10-round option can be had for those who live in jurisdictions with capacity restrictions.

The buttstock folds, and the handguard is of the original G36 full-length, six-vent style. The rifle has an 18” barrel with an authentic four-prong flash hider and its muzzle is threaded 1/2x28 TPI. Sights are like those used on the G36A3, They consist of a Picatinny optics rail mounted on the rifle’s carry handle with built-in folding back-up iron sights. Disassembly is similar to the original, with the rifle using push pins that attach components together. The rifle weighs 5.5 lbs.

A law-enforcement officer aims a Heckler & Koch G36 rifle over a police cruiser door.
The G36 .22 LR mimics the centerfire G36 rifle (pictured) used by military and law enforcement personnel around the world.

The H&K G36 .22 LR has an MSRP of $679. For more information, see the company’s website.

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