More about the G36 BB Gun

Since the second half of the 1970s, Germany had been working on a new gun to replace the old G3. This led to the development of the innovative 4.73mm G11 assault rifle, which was made by a group of companies led by H&K. (designed by the Dynamit Nobel company).

It was thought that this gun would eventually replace the G3, so H&K stopped making any more guns for the 5.5645mm NATO cartridge. Heckler & Koch had no reason to make a new 5.56 mm weapon system, so they were happy with the HK33 and G41 rifles, which were made for export.

But the G11 programme was cut short when the Bundeswehr stopped buying them because of cuts to the defence budget after East and West Germany joined together. In 1991, British Aerospace's Royal Ordnance division bought H&K. (known today as BAE Systems).

As demand for a modern service rifle that could fire the NATO-standard 5.56 mm cartridge grew in Germany, H&K offered the G41 rifle to the German armed forces. It was also turned down. Then, starting from scratch, work began on a modern 5.56 mm assault rifle called "Project 50" or HK50.

The prototype was then put through tests, which showed that it was better than the competing Austrian Steyr AUG system. 1995 was the year that the last version of the G36 was finished. The G36 was first made in 1996.

The HK50 rifle was chosen for service, and a first order for 33,000 rifles, called Gewehr G36 by the Bundeswehr, was placed. There was also a choice to add 17,000 more rifles to the order. The first deliveries were made to the NATO Quick Reaction Force of the Bundeswehr in the fourth quarter of 1997. Early in 1996, the G36 went into production.