The Rimfire Report: A Closer Look at the “New” HK G36 22LR

Hello and welcome back to another edition of The Rimfire Report! In this ongoing series, we cover anything and everything rimfire, including ammo, history, and, of course, new guns. While it may be “new” for the reorienting USA division of Heckler & Koch, today’s rifle has garnered a lot of recent interest from the wider community, so I secured a T&E copy for a full review here on TFB. Today, we’ll start at the beginning and take a closer look at this “new” rifle, its brief history so far, and what the rifle has to offer just on the surface. In subsequent articles, we’ll also test it for reliability, accuracy, and all that other good stuff. For now, let's take a look at the HK G36 22LR rifle’s humble beginnings - from the German airgun company Umarex.

More Rimfire Report @ TFB:

• The Rimfire Report: A 30-Year-Old Box of Federal Lightning 22LR
• The Rimfire Report: Daisy 2202 .22 LR Rifle – BB to Rimfire
• The Rimfire Report: Federal Classic 40 gr CPRN - Still Good?

The Rimfire Report: A Closer Look at the “New” HK G36 22LR

Umarex has been around since the early '70s. Founded and headquartered in Arnsberg, Germany, Umarex initially focused on airguns, blank-firing guns, and starter pistols under the company name Mayer & Riem. By the early 90s, Mayer & Riem changed their name to the more recognized Umarex and were quickly acquired by Walther in 1993 because of their immense success. Umarex began producing licensed airgun replicas from companies like Walther, which would eventually lead to the production of 22LR replica firearms and training guns.

With the release of the G36 in 1996, it's only natural that the rapidly growing replica firearm market would desire one of the coolest-looking guns to come out of the end of the 20th century. While it wasn’t the real deal like most of us wanted, it was at least something that looked and somewhat behaved like the real G36, and for customers, it was a real hit. With its folding stock, Picatinny rail, and blowback action, it offered affordable fun and a training platform that mimicked the real thing’s ergonomics, including a realistic last round bolt hold-open that didn’t rely on the magazine being inserted in the gun for it to work properly. In the U.S., it landed in late 2010 or early 2011, retailing for around $500–$600. But by the mid-2010s, it started fading from shelves. Forum threads on HKPro and AR15.com from 2015 onward have mentions of a lack of availability from US retailers, with used examples popping up on GunBroker for double the original price. Was it discontinued? Not officially, it seems—just sidelined as Umarex shifted focus and the rimfire market got crowded with cheaper alternatives. For years, it felt like a ghost in the HK lineup - until now.

The gun is still made by Umarex, but according to the authorities at HK, the gun has gone through some “refinements,” which include some new features that make it different than the original:

• Barrel: Now threaded (1/2x28) for suppressors or muzzle devices, includes 4-prong flash hider
• Weight: Around 6.74 lbs with a magazine, keeping it light and handy.
• Magazines: 10, 20, and 30-round magazines available
• Sights: Adjustable rear, fixed front, plus picatinny rail
• Extras: Compatibility with original G36 accessories like handguards and stocks

Nathan Schueth, HK USA’s Director of Sales & Business Development, called it a “labor of love,” hinting at some behind-the-scenes effort to refine this reissue. While it’s not a ground-up redesign—the blowback action and polymer frame are identical to the 2010 model—the threaded barrel and renewed focus suggest HK’s responding to modern shooter demands. Suppressors are hotter than ever, and a .22LR G36 with a can sounds like a lot of fun on a budget, at least compared to the 5.56 variant everyone really wants.

Will It Succeed in Today’s Market?

American gun owners are constantly going through new waves of fads, trends, and availability of certain firearms. 22LR replica firearms have never been front and center, but the 2010s offered a litany of options to satiate almost anyone who wanted to have a 22LR replica of a firearm - even if that meant stuffing it in an Archangel stock. I still think that the desire for these types of firearms is there; I just don’t know yet how fast or how well they will take off again.