KWA G36c

[allizard]

KWA G36c Review

By Allizard

 

Part I – History and KWA G36c Specification

 

The following is shamelessly stolen from http://world.gun.ru

 

HK G36c History

 

“The Heckler und Koch G-36 assault rifle had been born as HK-50 project in early 1990s. The reason behind that project was that the Bundeswehr (the German army), after the cancellation of the G11 and G41 projects, was left with outdated G3 rifle and no modern rifle, compatible with the current NATO standards at hands. So, the famous company Heckler & Koch was set to develop a new assault rifle for the both German army and the export. The new rifle should have been a flexible, affordable and extremely reliable design. And a modern of cause. It seems that the HK succeeds in every respects with the G36. The new 5.56mm assault rifle had been adopted by the Bundeswehr in the 1995, and in the 1999 the Spain adopted its slightly different, export version, G36E as its standard infantry rifle. The G36 also found its way into the hands of various law enforcement agencies worldwide, including British police and some US police departments. So far I've heard very few complaints about this rifle, and a lot of good revives and opinions. In fact, the only complaints about G36 that I know are the overheating of the handguards during the sustained fire, and the loose of zero of built in scope on some G36KE rifles, used by US police. Otherwise it is a really fine rifle, accurate, reliable, simple in operations and maintenance, and available in a wide variety of versions - from the short-barreled Commando (some even said that it's a submachine gun) G36C and up to a standard G36 rifle and the MG36 squad automatic (light machine gun).”

 

The following is shamelessly stolen from http://www.kwausa.com/downloads/KWA_KG36C.pdf

 

KWA G36c Specification

 

Overall Length = 28.5” (20” when stock is folded)

Barrel Length = 247mm

Magazine Capacity = 470 Rounds

Caliber = 6mm BB

Velocity = 380+ FPS

Weight = 3120g (with battery)

Battery = 8.4v 2000mAh

 

Standard Features

 

• An external magazine stud locking system allows magazines to interlock together providing faster reloading.

• Skeletonized side-folding butt stock equipped with rubber recoil pad

• Under barrel and sides’ standard steel rails provided easy access to attach tactical accessories, tactical light, laser point, fore-end grip, etc.

• Adjustable Hop-Up system

• Functional Selective Fire and Safety Lever

 

KWA Advantages

 

• Fiber Reinforced Plastic Body for realistic look and feel

• 9 & 8 mm steel ball bearing bushing for ultra smooth operation

• Large Hand Guard accommodates large 8.4v 2000mAh battery

• Reinforced metal gearbox engineered for rigidity and reliability

• Hardened metal gear set for longevity

• 120spring – 380+ FPS

• 1000 RPM motor

 

Part II – First Impression

 

With the airsoft market flooded with G36c from various manufactures (TM, CA, Stars, JG/Echo1, TSD/SRC… did I miss any?!) I wonder why KWA decided to add another G36c to the mix. However, ever since I saw KWA G36c up close and personal at USairsoft Expo back in June 8th 2007; I have been itching to get one for a hands on review. Around 3rd week of June, Maria from KWA contacted me and ask if I am still interested to review their gun. I couldn't let this chance slip by so so here we are, got it right in front of me ...

 

Box packaging, I didn't receive a user manual. However, you can download the user manual here.

http://www.kwausa.com/downloads/KWA_KG36C_manual.pdf

 

Close up shot on the fore grip, those metal side rail looks pretty solid.

 

Close up on shot the mid section and folding stock. You can clearly see KWA marking on where the HK logo is suppose to be.

 

 

 

 

A closer look at the KWA markings, also notice the magazine is using a clear type mag so you can see the amount of BB's inside.

 

G36c in the folded position.

 

 

 

Comparing the fore grip between a KWA G36c (Top) vs. JG G36c (Bottom)

 

As you can see, the JG's body finish seems to be a bit shinier than CA and KWA. In fact, the KWA body material is pretty close to CA. It matched up very well with a CA fore grip and the top Rail. And for the record, JG is ABS Plastic, KWA is Fiber Plastic, should be the same as CA.

 

The fire selector switch is Ambidextrous, meaning you can selected it on the left or right side. Definitely a plus if you are a lefty. The switch feel solid flipping ups and downs and you can hear a clear audible 'Click' when you turn the dial.

 

The over all body is excellent quality. There is no body flex, no loose parts. The butt stock is comfortable against my shoulder. I would like to compare it with a TM G36c but I don't have access to one at the moment. However, since the KWA G36c body material is close to CA G36c; I think it's probably better than TM as the majority of the users agrees CA G36c have the best feel.

 

As for the large fore grip, this is something I have to get used to. I already tried installing a JG G36c fore grip and it fits perfectly so I can safely assume it will take CA G36k or G36e parts. ** More details and pictures are in Part VI.

Edited August 20, 2007 by allizard

[allizard]

Part III – Stock Performance

• FPS - using a Guarder Chronograph at Airsoft Advantage, I got an average 387 fps after the piston head is been warmed up. And the very last 6 shorts I got the following result.

 

386, 379, 387, 389, 388, 393 using Tsunami .20g BBs

 

 

And for those who's using .25g, I used Airsoft Elite .25g and I got 365 fps on average.

 

• ROF - I used two methods to measure the Rate of Fire. First one is just counting the amount of bb's shooting to a BB's traps in 5 seconds full auto in 5 succession. Then I calculate the average BB's per second in each session and average them from all 5 times.

 

Second method is using Audacity on my Powerbook to record the the sound for 8 seconds and count the mount of "SPIKE" shown on the sound graph.

 

Using a 9.6v 1200mAh Mini battery (not fully charge). The result is 15.4 bb's per second using method 1. Using method 2, I got 15-16 SPIKE per second on the graph. That match up the result using the first method.

 

As KWA claim the motor is 1000rpm, I think getting 924 bb's per minute is close enough. Bare in mind this gun is pre-upgraded shooing at 380fps. The spring obviously have higher tension and will slow down the motor. Further more, I'm using a low mAh battery. The result will change if the battery is full charge and using a bigger mAh rating battery. As soon as I obtain a large 8.4v I'll do another ROF test.

 

Using a 8.4v 1500mAh Large battery and method 2, Audacity shows 13 SPIKE per second. I definitely would get a higher mAh or stick with a 9.6v to achieve better RoF.

 

Using a 7.4v 2200mAh Lipo battery, Fuse removal and mether 2, Audacity shows 17.5 SPIKE per second. This is the best record I have.

 

• Range & Accuracy - The inner barrel length is 247mm. I don't have a precision caliper so I e-mail KWA for more information. They said the barrel diameter is 6.05mm with a +/- .03mm allowable margin and the end products rarely deviates that much. That is very close to a tight bore measurement. And for the record, most AEG have 6.08mm stock inner barrel. To perform the test, I used a camera tripod to stabilize the gun, using Tsunami .20g BBs and shoot Six rounds from 20 feet, 30 feet, 40 feet and 50 feet.

 

- 20 feet, no optical assist, grouping is less than 2 inches.

 

- 30 feet, no optical assist, grouping is 3.5 inches.

 

- 40 feet, no optical assist, grouping is 3.5 inches.

 

- 50 feet, no optical assist, grouping is.... I can't hit anything!!! WTH?! I then remembered after 40 feet, the hop-up kicked in and it's over shooting the target. So I re-adjust hopup to almost zero and test it again. This time I'm using a optical assist.

 

- 50 feet, optical assisted, hop-up adjusted, grouping is 3.5 inches.

 

I was disappointed with the initial test. However, after the hop-up dial in correctly shooting at 50 feet and still get 3.5 inches grouping; I don't even think I can do the same with a TM P90(also a 247mm inner barre)l. However, I am still expecting more from a 6.05mm barrel. Maybe after the gun past the break in period I'll test it again. It is still pretty new anyway.

[allizard]

Part IV – Internal

G36 are modular design and taking it apart is a piece of cake. To get to the gearbox, you only need take the mag well off. Then unscrew two screws on either side of the body and a long screw behide the receiver when you folded the stock. Push the hopup unit forward and the lower receiver will just come out of the top receiver. Don't forget to disconnect the Tamiya connector.

 

 

Pushing up the lever in front of the trigger and you can push the body pin out. After that the entire gearbox with motor will come out as a single unit.

 

 

 

The gearbox are definitely re-enforced, steel gears, large bearing bushings, good quality bearing spring guide. The piston head is the weirdest thing in the gearbox. Looks like a aluminum piston head but without any vent holes. And with that note, the Cylinder head is Polymer. You really don't want a metal piston head hammering on the metal cylinder head anyway. Gears have plenty of grease, and it's shimming seems to be done correctly. I didn't feel any moving left and right when I spin the gear. I didn't notice anything I don't like except the odd metal piston head without vent holes. That's something I might change somewhere down the road. But the moment I want to keep everything stock and keep using the gun for the next six months and see if anything breaks.

 

 

 

 

 

The hopup unit is also very easy to take out and replace the inner barrel and hopup bucking. While I got it out, I replaced the stock inner barrel with a Mad Bull 363mm tight bore barrel. I'll do another range test soon. Oh, one thing about the hopup unit, seems like I cannot turn it off completely. I have it turned to the minimum setting but I still can see a little bump when I look through the inner barrel. I'm not sure if it's the design of the G36 hopup or only happen on this gun. The hopup bucking itself is a soft marui like rubber bucking.

 

[allizard]

Part V – Upgrade

I have installed a Mad Bull Tight bore 363mm barrel. A Teflon mod to tighten the seal in the hopup and replace the stock cylinder with one that's matched the 363mm length (non ported). I tried keeping the existing stock cylinder but I'm only getting 300fps. The reason why is the barrel isn't getting a full compression because the inner barrel is now longer. Replace with a non-ported cylinder solved the problem.

 

As for the power, I removed the fuse and rewire it with Dean connector and now using Lipo 7.4v 2200mAh battery. The result is 17 - 18 BB's per sec. RoF improves quite a bit.

 

 

 

Part VI – External Accessories

As I had mention I had CA G36k parts that's installed on my JG G36c. Those parts have no trouble installing on the KWA G36c. And if you look closer between the KWA body and CA foregrip and rail, the color and texture pretty well match together.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It will even work with Private Parts, M4 mag well converter. It feeds flawlessly as well. Picture shown a G&G 450rd hi-cap.

 

 

 

Part VII – Conclusion

 

Summary

During these few weeks of ownership I really get to learn quite a bit of the G36 design and now I understand why it's so easy to work on them. KWA G36c version certainly got my thumbs of approval. It offers CA like external, pair with a top notch re-enforced gearbox. I've never thought of bearing bushing is so good looking until I looked at this gearbox. And the gun is shooting consistancely over 380-390 fps stock. Besides it's too hot for indoor CQB, it's perfect for outdoor skirmish.

 

At the moment, I'm afraid I'm going have to put down my VFC 416 and use this as primary.

 

On a final note, do not assume this is the same as the KSC G36c version. I am aware that KSC also have a G36c and in fact, the KSC version have the HK trade mark. However, this version is release exclusively for USA market only. I will not able to tell you what are the differences on the Taiwan version and KSC version.

 

 

Pros

– Solid build

– CA like external

– 380+ fps. Stock

– Large fore grip for bigger battery

– Comes with metal rails

– Lipo Battery friendly

 

Cons

– More expansive than Classic Army

– A little too hot for CQB

– Accuracy is acceptable within 50 feet.

 

Credits:

Thanks to Spiggy on helping out with range test.

Thanks to Omega on the quick course in G36c takedown.

[otherrandomhero]

Hm, I may have to rethink "CA all the way" when it comes to buying a G36. Very good review.

[Noodle_2000]

Nice review man, NVM just read your post on Trader

Edited August 20, 2007 by Noodle_2000

[BP-anon]

No, you're doing it wrong. When you put your review on another site, you need to buy a new g36c and have results that conflict with those in the original review

 

Thanks for putting up the gearbox impressions... that's the most important part

 

I eagerly await the new range tests.

 

<edit>

hey... i have a Q. Is the flashhider neg or pos 14mm?

Edited August 20, 2007 by benplaut

[cl_metal_snake]

KSC Make a G36c??

Link please.

[DarkLite]

15rps on a 9.6v, even at 380fps, is a bit slow. And by "a bit slow" I mean "I can get that on a 8.4v and solid bushings, not on the monster 8/9mm bearings."

 

That either points to ######-poor shimming, wiring or motor.

 

Other than that though, it seems all good.

[allizard]

KSC didn't really make it. It's still a KWA label as KSC. And it's only available in Asia which have a different spec than the US version.

[emptied]

benplaut, wanted me to talk about my gun. so here i go.

it's a real nice gun. first thing i did was go to walmart and get BSA 1x30 redot sight and ordered a verticle grip.

a week later i found this review(on asr, where one day it just vaporized and i got sad ), and ordered a lipo battery and charger from evike. After i shot it with the battery, i knew i had a very special gun. never have i shot a gun like it. Let me digress for a second. When i had my 8.4v large battery, man that thing was slow. It was like a elephant, powerful though very slow.

Now with the lipo battery, it does not shoot insanely fast, which i really would not like it if it did. But It does shoot faster than my friends' normal 8.4vs.

Sometimes it shoots 2 at a time. No big deal.

Today, i just installed a JB Unicorn 247mm tightbore barrel (my girlfriend got it for me for my birthday. How did she know!!?). Accuracy is better now.

I have it turned to the minimum setting but I still can see a little bump when I look through the inner barrel.  I'm not sure if it's the design of the G36 hopup or only happen on this gun.

I can confirm that i too cannot turn the hop-up completely off. I might want to get a metal one sometime in the future.

 

Overall, it is the best g36c on the market. The highest quality by far. and i'm getting km4a1 when it comes out too, because i am so impressed with this one.

[Bangla_Black]

Will this and the M4A1 be available in asia?

[PC2]

Will this and the M4A1 be available in asia?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

The KWA KG36C is readily available in Asia. The KWA KM4A1 will be released in the US first and according to KWA's web site it's within weeks. I've already got one on pre-order!

[Spencerman]

Personally, the nicest thing that I like about this, is also one of the smallest details. It doesnt have that really annoying 'electric air gun' stamped across the side of it. I can live without the correct trademarks and all that, and I know that it is an electric air gun, but to have it stamped all over the thing you may as well paint it bright yellow. That has always really bugged me, so much so that I bought the Army Code body for my CA. I am glad that I did and I consider it money well spent, as the charging handle is tons better than the CA one. I cannot quite see the charging handle on this model in the pictures, but it also looks miles better than the crappy plastic thing on the CA. I dont suppose that there would be much chance of a picture of it, and maybe with the dust cover open (ejection port) to show the hop unit adjestment from the outside?

[AliceHKfan]

tad confused, does the KWA G36C like the M4A1 require the user to use the original outer body?

[Azulsky]

That looks 100% V3 to me, i think they only felt gearbox alterations were necessary for the V2 in the M4

 

And for where you are going with this, im right behind you hehe.

[allizard]

I'm pretty sure you can put the KWA gearbox in another body. Someone already did it with the M4A1 and put in a Hurricane 416 kit.