Basically its because of what it is….
It has been proven to be more reliable and accurate than the M-16 in testing in all environments. It includes both regular and optical red-dot sights….
But its mainly because it is an extremely simple and rugged design. Making it the perfect infantry weapon.
Standard issue (in basic forms, not modified) with the Spanish and German Army. It is also the assault rifle of choice for the SAS. When the UK wanted to improve the L85A1, they called in HK… the L85A2 has a large number of G-36 components in it. Also the US have recently had HK develop an improved M-4 class weapon. HK took the M-16 and got rid of all its weaknesses by combining the M-16 mechanism with that of the G-36 creating the HK416…. which is being used operationally in Iraq.
http://www.hkpro.com/hk416.htm
FN are doing fine in the pistol marking however its feeling the pinch in the SMG market. The P90 is a fine weapon with a very large capacity mag… but it has a serious floor.
If the weapon is bumped or dropped with a less than full mag loaded, the rounds are all knocked out of place and turned around.etc…. causing the weapon to jam and become useless. In the MG and LMG market though they are still the market leaders with the M249, minime.etc
They are being hit hard by sales of not the HK UMP (Mp5 replacement, mp5 with a g-36 mechanism) but of the MP7… this is a MP5K sized weapon based on the G-36 which has a telescopic butt and a folding front handle…. its small enough and versatile enough to be used as a pistol in one mode… and as a full blown SMG. If you went to Fairford or Farnborough this year you would of noticed a few police with G-36K’s but most were using MP7’s.
http://www.hkpro.com/pdw.htm
Andy
Its not too hard to go and fit a new body design to an existing weapon. The yanks are doing it to the G-36.
The M-8 (currently XM-8) is being developed to replace the M-4 carbine in US service and even possibly the M-16 and is basically a G-36.
Andy
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