POTD: Latvia National Guard Student Battalion with HK G36s

Eric B
by Eric B

The Heckler & Koch G36s for the Latvian National Guard is appearing.

As recently as January, the Latvian National Armed Forces (NAF) signed and announced a framework agreement with a purchase contract with Heckler & Koch for G36s rifles.

Below: Looks like their camouflage is pretty effective in this type of surroundings.

Latvia was given Ak4 rifles (Heckler & Koch G3s) by Sweden, but these will be phased out in favor of the HK G36. The G36 will be used both by the regular forces as well as the National Guard.

One of the goals is to modernize the armed forces and have them use the same firearms.

Considering all the debate about the G36, it’s a bald move to go for the HK G36 but Latvia is not alone. As TFB has reported there are many Police Forces using it, and still buying it new, and the German Armed Forces are in fact still using it.

All photos by the Latvian National Armed Forces.

Eric B
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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  • Gary Evers Gary Evers on Mar 07, 2018

    Is this G36V? The G36A2 has an aluminium hand guard, which provides better heat resistance.

    Does anyone know if the accuracy problems were linked to just the orginal? Or is the whole issue regarding accuracy a non issue?

    • Core Core on Mar 10, 2018

      @Gary Evers I believe the accuracy issues were associated with barrel contract/manufacturer's QC issues. As a side note, it seems a good deal of CHF barrels in 416R (canon steel as they call it) are seeing excessive gas port erosion. I would guess chroming the gas port hole would be a solution, but not sure how this would work in their manufacturing process? This is not discreet to HK barrels, as I have seen DD CHF barrels show significant gas port erosion after several thousand rounds.

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