Got to fire a G36 and P8 today

[Ohen Cepel]

Was able to go out and fire a G36 today with some of the Germans.

Overall I liked it. Folding stock is sturdy and a nice feature.
Like the fact that the mags snap together and that they can be seen through.
The red-dot was good but didn't seem to allow me to be as precise as I would like, think this is an issue with most red-dots though.
Recoil in full auto was very controllable, bit better than an M16.
Ambi charging handle was a plus over the G3.

Probably the only thing that I didn't care for was that I had to hold my head a bit higher than normal to use the red-dot, didn't like that. However, with training it wouldn't be an issue.

Recoil was nice and it was good to not get that d*$m "boing" sound in my ear everytime I fired like the 16.

Overall I liked it. Don't think it's the "holy grail" though.

The P8 is pretty much the USP with real cap mags. Again, these are see through which is a good feature if you're using polymer anyway.
They have the controls set for fire/safe, and decock. Carrying locked and cocked is an option for them. Not sure, but I think nite sites are issue for them. Also, has the light rail on all of them.

Was a real treat and a great way to spend the day

 

[Badger Arms]

The G36 I fired had iron sights. I'd like to see an Elcan or ACOG scope on it, otherwise a set of irons. A good red dot scope is appropriate for close-in work though.

 

[rock jock]

Use gun grease on the recoil spring to eliminate the boing.

 

[ShaiVong]

Where can such a reagent be had?

 

[Badger Arms]

The grease to use is the high-temp white stuff you'd use to pack brake calipers. This stuff won't melt when the gun gets hot (in the sun for instance) and won't wash away. Me, I don't like the grease. I prefer to take a large patch meant for a 45 caliber bore, soak it in CLP or oil and then wedge it in the last coil of the recoil spring... the one that is at the rear of the gun. This cuts the BOING down to about nothing and doesn't interfere with the operation of the gun. Neither does the grease, but then I always have a patch with me and almost never have my gear grease when I'm cleaning the gun!

 

[boing]

But...I like the boing....

 

[Badger Arms]

Hmmmm, couldn't have guessed that. I like a solid feeling rifle with a solid report. Toys go boing, guns go bang. I really don't want to confuse my suction-cup dart gun with my AR.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

Badger,
These were all issued with the optics. I don't recall any iron sites at all, and I looked. I would like the iron for back up at least.
I can only assume that the comercial ones come with irons so the depts can pick their optics.

For the boing I have never tried to get rid of it, I just took it to be the nature of the beast. I fear grease on a gun or telling "Joe" to put something into the buffer spring housing. I'll be pulling packs of Marlboro's from the things! Or God only knows what else!

Another thought from the day is that I don't recall a SINGLE jam/misfeed/misfire during the entire range day. I have NEVER seen that happen on an M16 range. These are new weapons though, some of our 16's have years on them and have been abused so it may not be a totally fair comparison.

 

[Badger Arms]

I don't recall a SINGLE jam/misfeed/misfire during the entire range day. I have NEVER seen that happen on an M16 range.

Just in case nobody caught it. For those of you who claim the M16 is the cat's meow, they've always got tons of stories about weapons jamming. They'll always blame it on worn guns, bad maintenance, bad ammo, bad powder batch, poor cleaning supplies, bad training, blah, blah blah. When my kids quibble like this, I call them on it. It's time to stop the excuses and get a gun that won't need them!

 

[ShaiVong]

Only problem i've ever had with my AR was a FTF when I didn't seat the mag completely (inserted one of those 9.5 round BM mags against the bolt and it didnt seat).