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Introduction
As it stands, Airsoft players looking for a high quality G36 usually end up purchasing CA or TM models. While some players know of the STAR G36 series, very little is actually known about them.


I began looking at the G36's about two months ago. The financial setup of the airsoft team revolves around a central fund, which we all contribute to. I'm the unofficial team treasurer, and as such, I was a little nervous about the cost of arming the entire team with acceptable Stoner Type Rifles, M249 SAWs, and M14s. The solution lay with the G36. Here was a rifle that, in real steel, was designed around the concept of a weapons family, that met all the requirements of my team. My next task was to find the best Airsoft option for the team.


The problem with the TM G36, is that only the C is available. As for CA, following the spontaneous breakdown of the CA AK we had, our trust in that company is somewhat reduced. Also, on the STAR G36, you get more bang for your buck. The K comes with a short Weaver rail, (the CA K doesn't) and the STAR G36 regular comes with a folding bipod, and an integrated scope/RDS (the CA has no bipod, and only the scope) for marginally more money.


Now, on to the meat of the review.


The STAR G36 Series
This review can be applied somewhat to the entire STAR G36 series. They all run off the same internals, and they are all built to the same standards. As I acquire the rest of these AEGs, I will review the specific features each offers.


There are 5 AEGs in the STAR G36 Series. These are:
-The G36K
-The G36
-The SL9 (A made-up rifle.)
-The SL8 (A civilian hunting rifle.)
-The UMP Submachinegun (Note that the UMP is not actually part of the G36 Family. STAR Includes it with its G36's though.)


Please see below for a listing of differences of these different weapons.


The H&K G36 Series
The Heckler und (and) Koch G36 is a gas operated, select fire assault rifle, (available in Safe-Semi-Auto, or Safe-Semi-Burst) chambered for the 5.56mm NATO round. The rifle is made from polymer, except for the internals, which are steel. This makes it an extremely lightweight rifle. Internally, it has many similarities with both the AR-18 and AK series rifles. It is a very reliable rifle, which requires far less maintenance and cleaning than rifles based off of Eugene Stoner's design. Also, all controls are usable by either left or right-handed operators. It is the main rifle of the Bundeswehr, (the German Army) and the Spanish Army and is becoming popular with American Law Enforcement agencies and unfortunately, well funded terrorists.


There are many different weapons based upon the G36 internals.


The first is the G36 regular. This is the longest assault rifle G36. It features an integrated red dot sight and 3.5 magnification scope, which also serves as a carry handle. It also features a foldable stock.


Second is the G36K. As with all H&K products, 'K' stands for 'Kurz' which is German for short. This is the mid-length G36 assault rifle. The G36K can be considered a carbine length rifle. It has an integrated 3.5 magnification scope, which also serves as a carry handle. This rifle also has the foldable stock.


Third is the G36C. The C stands for Compact. This is the shortest G36 rifle. It is about the same size as a sub-machine gun, and excels at close quarters combat. It is the shortest G36 assault rifle. The G36C has a Mil-Spec 1913 Weaver type rail, which can be mounted with many types of optics. This rail may also be used as a carry handle. The G36C also commonly has rails on the forward handguard, allowing for the attachment of tactical accessories. This rifle also has a foldable stock.


Fourth is the G36E. Contrary to popular belief, this is not the standard G36 rifle. The G36E has all of the same characteristics as the G36 regular, but it has only an integrated 3.5 magnification scope. It has no red dot. This is the model that is most commonly offered for export to non-military or non-law enforcement customers.


There are some G36K and G36 regular length rifles that are seen with G36C Weaver rail carry handles. There is no official designation for these rifles. They are simply G36's of longer lengths with a G36C style Weaver rail attached.


There is a Squad Automatic Weapon version of the G36. This is known as an MG36. In reality, this weapon is a regular G36 with an integrated bipod, and and Beta Co. C-Mag drum.


Finally, H&K produces a civilian sporting rifle, designed to comply with US firearm laws. This weapon is known as the SL8. It is made of the same polymer as the G36, (though, it is in a light shade of gray) but fires only in semi-automatic. Also, it cannot accept regular G36 magazines, (although it fires the same cartridge) and has no flash hider. The SL8 features a Weaver rail carry handle, although it is very different than the Weaver rail on the G36C. The SL8 also features a thumbhole stock of adjustable length, and an adjustable cheek rest.


H&K makes a sniper rifle known as the SL9SD. This rifle is based more closely off of the SL8, (or perhaps vice versa) but it has some features of the G36K. The SL9SD has the thumbhole stock of the SL8, (as well as the adjustable length and cheek rest) and, like the SL8 it only shoots in semi. It also has the same Weaver rail as the SL8, and it also has no flash hider. However, because it is an assault weapon, it has the darker G36 polymer. It has a threaded muzzle, to accept a silencer. The front handgrip is as long as the G36K, and takes an American Harris Bipod.


Note that STAR makes an SL9, not an SL9SD. The SL9 does not actually exist. (I find it a much more appealing design than the SL9SD, and an SL9SD could be easily made into one.)


Initial Impressions
The G36 comes in a plain, brown box. There is a sticker on it with a blueprint of the G36K and some text. Very plain, but come on, who pays for packaging?


When I first opened the box I was overwhelmed by the beauty of this gun. The only problems with it had to do with customs laws; the disgusting orange tip and a piece of plastic glued over the HK logo that I can't get off.


Otherwise, I was impressed. It was a little bigger than I imagined, but that's not an issue.

The manual is made of sturdy paper, but is not entirely detailed. It provides the basics of operating the gun. Fortunately there is almost no "Engrish."


Also, the enclosed loading tube is useless. BB's fall right out, and the plastic used to make it is weak. I hope you have another method for loading.


External Details
The G36 is made up of a polymer, which makes it weigh less. STAR has replicated this, and in fact, uses the same polymer. They have also replicated the weight. This is a very light AEG. Much more so than an M4 with a metal body.


While there are seams, its a non-issue for me. I'm pretty sure the real steel has them as well. It's hard to avoid with any sort of plastic.


There are a few lines of text molded into the left side of the gun. From front to back they are:


WARNING
REFER TO INSTRUCTION MANUAL


ELECTRIC AIR GUN
STAR AIRSOFT


Then the is a box that has the trademarks in them. The actual HK Logo is covered up, but I know it's there.


HK
G36
Kal. 5.56mmx45
48-000922
04 15


Operation
The STAR G36 operates exactly like the real steel, which is excellent, because the real G36 is an exceedingly easy gun to operate.


The hop up is exposed by pulling back the ambidextrous charging handle, and is than adjusted by rolling a small drum inside. The hop up turns smoothly, but firmly, and will not fall out of place. It is possible to make very fine adjustments. The charging handle is all polymer, and the bolt is metal. There is a lot of unwanted vertical play, but not enough to be a serious issue.

A great feature of the G36 is the folding stock, which makes it easy to take the gun into CQC. To fold the stock, press the button on the side of the stock, and fold it onto the right side of the gun. It should click when it is in place.

I was originally concerned that there may be a small amount of stock wobble, but I am happy to report that there is none whatsoever. There is also a thick rubber pad on the stock, which makes it very comfortable to shoulder.


The magazine release is of the AK style. (i.e. In front of the trigger guard.) The fire selector is the traditional H&K type, with little pictographs showing the fire mode.

The Integrated Scope
The coolest feature of the G36, by far, is the integrated scope, which also functions as a carry handle. On the STAR G36K, there is a small 1913 Weaver type rail, which can be used to mount additional optics. Only the STAR version has this. It gets in the way of the iron sights, but the rail can be removed if you want to use the sights. (Although, many consider them to be useless anyway.)


The scope is a great item. It is very clear, and magnifies 3.5 times. It's very useful, and it replicates the pattern used by the actual G36.


Unfortunately, it suffers from the same problem all airsoft G36 carry handle scopes do. It has poor eye relief. The shooter's eye needs to be about .5" away. However, the scope is very easy to calibrate, which is an issue that most other guns with this type of scope seem to have.

(Borrowed from Redwolf, where I ordered the gun from.)

The Battery
To insert the battery, remove the forward pin, unscrew the flash hider, then slide off the grip.


Unlike most other G36s, the STAR version uses a STICK type battery, not a mini. I find this an advantage. The mini battery used by other G36s rattle around in the gun while the stick battery does not.


Like all G36s, the battery goes into the forward grip. This is where the G36 has its only major problem. Reinserting the pin that keeps the handgrip on is very difficult. In fact, I had to apply so much pressure to the pin that my fingers began to hurt. I plan on replacing it with a screw and nut system.


Performance
Before I get onto how well the gun performs, I want to clear up a common misconception abut the STAR G36. If you only read one paragraph in the whole review, make it this. The STAR G36 Series does not use a polycarbonate gearbox. It uses a metal, version 3 gearbox.
A quick glance into the magazine well proves this.

Now, this thing fires great. I have it chronoed at roughly 350 FPS, and it shoots farther and more accurately than my M4 with an M120 spring. I estimate its range to be just a little bit over 100 feet.


It's got a great RoF. I estimate perhaps 20 RPS.


The following is a picture of the gun's grouping, at 15ft from the kneeling firing position, in a windless shooting environment. The target was pinned to a styrofoam block. A single 30 round magazine and proper breathing techniques were used for all tests.





My shots were all low. The area outlined in yellow is from 30 rounds in full auto. The area in blue is from 30 rounds of aimed semi-automatic fire. As you can see, during the full auto test, all of the shots fell within 2 inches of each other, and totally shredded the target. The semi shots are also well grouped, and would have been closer, but there was some operator error involved.

Note: For this image, the Tokyo Marui catalog is used to provide contrast.

Magazines
One of the unique features of the G36 is the magazine. It is possible to interlock an unlimited amount of magazines together, although, more than three is not recommended.

G36 magazines are a lot bulkier than M16 mags, so it may take getting some used to for most airsofters.


The STAR comes with a lowcap. There are no feeding problems, and it is well made, using high quality ABS plastic. The only issue is that they may not feed the last round or two, and it is hard to pull the BB release without a pen.


I ordered a bulk pack of the STAR mags, and they are exactly the same.

Accessories
There are many accessories available for the G36 Series. Most of them tend to be handguards, and many of therm have rails on them.


There are several different carry handles available. These are: scope handle, scope/RDS handle, and Weaver rail.


Also, a solid stock is available, and that can hold a larger battery, for those who need more MAH.


Magazine options are plentiful. They can accept any CA or TM magazine. In addition, STAR makes a Beta C-Mag, (which is a battery-powered, autowinding hicap drum.) and the bulk pack I mention before.


Since it's a standard version 3 gearbox, any applicable upgrades can be preformed.


Overall, it's an excellent gun, perfect for anyone who is looking for an alternative to CA's or TM's lineup.


Pros:
Well built.
Easy to operate.
Lots of accessories.
Interlocking magazines.
Accurate and powerful.


Cons:
Handgrip pin is difficult to reinsert.
Little eye relief for scope.

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