POTD: From G36 to G95 - Germany’s New Service Rifle Arrives

by Eric B

Published: January 28th, 2026

potd from g36 to g95 germanys new service rifle arrives

Photo Of The Day: Panzergrenadier Battalion 122 in Oberviechtach has officially received the first G95 rifles, marking an important step in the Bundeswehr’s transition to a new standard service weapon. The G95 is a Bundeswehr-specific variant of the HK416 and retains the familiar AR-15 layout while using a primarily metal construction said to improve durability, stability, and overall precision. I’d love to do a comparison with Sweden’s Sako Ak 24 version, and a few others, of course.

The rifle will be fielded in two configurations: the G95A1 with a 16.5-inch (419 mm) barrel and the shorter G95KA1 with a 14-inch (355 mm) barrel. Both versions differ visually from the longstanding G36 by adopting a greenish-brown finish instead of black. According to the Bundeswehr, the shift away from black reduces the infrared signature and makes the rifle less detectable.

Standard equipment includes optical sights and an integrated laser light module (LLM), giving soldiers illumination and an aiming reference point during low-light conditions.

The delivery to Panzergrenadier Battalion 122 represents the first issuance of the new rifle as the Bundeswehr continues modernizing its infantry small arms fleet.

For more details, check Matthew Moss’ masterpiece: German Army Issues First New Heckler & Koch G95s.

All photos by: German Bundeswehr and Mario Bähr.

#GermanArmy #HecklerKoch #G95

Eric B

Ex-Arctic Ranger. Competitive practical shooter and hunter with a European focus. Always ready to increase my collection of modern semi-automatics, optics, thermals and suppressors. TCCC Certified. Occasionaly seen in a 6x6 Bug Out Vehicle, always with a big smile.

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4 of 8 comments

Frederick Douglass 17 hours ago

It's great to see Militaries and LawEnf agencies slowly moving to Piston and away from Di.

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- Wolfgar 13 hours ago
  
  The AR is a piston lol and not a true DI. Plug the gas key and you will turn the AR into a true DI and you will see how well it functions lol. The internal piston uses an expansion chamber that has a longer dwell time and why Stoner's internal piston can meter the gas way down to cycle the action. American showman P. T. Barnum had a saying for external piston fan boys who fell for HK propaganda.
  
  1
- Heat is still overrated 11 hours ago
  
  The external gas piston adds more problems than it supposedly solves.
  Also, Germany is replacing one external gas piston rifle with another external gas piston rifle, “coincidentally” from the same company.
  
  The only reason that the HK416 is as successful as it is, is through a combination of deceptive marketing practices and being able to produce mass quantities of the guns.
  Besides, external gas piston guns are for “men” who sit down to urinate.
  
  1
JeffHewitt 13 hours ago

Let's hope those Elcans arrive soon...

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POTD: From G36 to G95 - Germany’s New Service Rifle Arrives

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