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Who is making G36 clones? (Page 1 of 3)
Posted: 12/25/2025 11:39:35 PM EDT
| Is anyone besides Tracks & Armament making a G36 clone? |
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I’ve got 2 S5 receiver built G36 clones - they’re excellent. No fit or finish issues and I honestly think they feel a little better than the TommyBuilt ones. The G36K is all US parts (except the dual optic) has run perfect for 500ish rounds. The G36C is all German HK with the exception of the receiver - also has run perfectly though I’ve only put 200 rounds through that one. Attached File |
Tax this dick. - Ben Franklin (probably)
SPC James 'Jimmy' Waters - D Co 1-32 3BCT 10th Mountain, KIA Sartak AFG 2011
SGT Shawn M Farrell II - A Co 1-32 3BCT 10th Mountain, KIA Nejrab AFG 2014
SPC James 'Jimmy' Waters - D Co 1-32 3BCT 10th Mountain, KIA Sartak AFG 2011
SGT Shawn M Farrell II - A Co 1-32 3BCT 10th Mountain, KIA Nejrab AFG 2014
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Originally Posted By ClickClickBoom1: I ordered the G36K pistol from S5 Tactical. Now I need to figure out a brace. Why not SBR and throw a proper stock on that dude? |
Stolen Firearm: Colt AR15, Serial # SP342380, 16" carbine. Stolen in California by Kevin Ayres, and taken to Missouri.
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Originally Posted By HK94dude: Why not SBR and throw a proper stock on that dude? Originally Posted By HK94dude: Originally Posted By ClickClickBoom1: I ordered the G36K pistol from S5 Tactical. Now I need to figure out a brace. Why not SBR and throw a proper stock on that dude? What’s the best option for engraving the receiver? Just found out about these, much more palatable than the tommybuilt ones at $1900. With all the fancy 3D printing outfits these days, you’d think you’d be able to find some sort of integral mount for an ACOG, like a more modern take on their classic carry handle scopes. Also, isn’t the Sentis AMR (3d printed aluminum/titanium g36 clone) supposed to be coming in 2026? |
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Originally Posted By Airborne11B: I’ve got 2 S5 receiver built G36 clones - they’re excellent. No fit or finish issues and I honestly think they feel a little better than the TommyBuilt ones. The G36K is all US parts (except the dual optic) has run perfect for 500ish rounds. The G36C is all German HK with the exception of the receiver - also has run perfectly though I’ve only put 200 rounds through that one. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/102803/IMG_8012_jpeg-3682473.JPG Omg dude... Where is the 'like' button. I need a G36C in my life so badly it hurts. |
| Would be nice if S5 could make ARX100 clones, but it's a precision mold without an aluminum receiver "skeleton", so not sure if the cost would be worth it to them. But would be dope if they could do an improved variant with MLOK HG + A3 upper vents, & QD sling mounts in place of the useless strap "loops". Tom Geracci already makes an improved QD barrel latch. |
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Originally Posted By ChickenDaddy: Wow my next buy will be an S5 clone, where to buy mags? There are G36 mags around the internet for about $60/mag. That’s about the cheapest I’ve found them. Maybe a little bit more. I’ve been stacking them for several years hoping for the best. What I am anticipating is that when/if HK does release a S36 version for us, they’ll flood the market with mags. Some sites do say the HK G36 mags are or were discontinued but I don’t buy that. Folks are going to want the correct magazines if they release an actual HK semi version for us. |
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Originally Posted By ChandlerKJ: There are G36 mags around the internet for about $60/mag. That’s about the cheapest I’ve found them. Maybe a little bit more. I’ve been stacking them for several years hoping for the best. What I am anticipating is that when/if HK does release a S36 version for us, they’ll flood the market with mags. Some sites do say the HK G36 mags are or were discontinued but I don’t buy that. Folks are going to want the correct magazines if they release an actual HK semi version for us. STANAG compatibility makes more marketable sense, but HK loves to push their overpriced proprietary mags. |
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Originally Posted By ChandlerKJ: There are G36 mags around the internet for about $60/mag. That’s about the cheapest I’ve found them. Maybe a little bit more. I’ve been stacking them for several years hoping for the best. What I am anticipating is that when/if HK does release a S36 version for us, they’ll flood the market with mags. Some sites do say the HK G36 mags are or were discontinued but I don’t buy that. Folks are going to want the correct magazines if they release an actual HK semi version for us. Or just buy Magpuls for $26. They work just fine. |
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Maybe you guys can help me with this one-does anyone have one of these? https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1145653333 If so, how is it? And how long is the barrel? Basically, I’m after something like a G36E(or whatever you might call an earlier model G36). And I’m wondering how close this would be. |
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Originally Posted By v188: Never even held one, but Im curious if a HK sear and DLO pack works in these clone G36's? If so I am now interested. nope  |
Stolen Firearm: Colt AR15, Serial # SP342380, 16" carbine. Stolen in California by Kevin Ayres, and taken to Missouri.
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I just built two G36's on S5 receivers (All German kits on S5 receivers). Like others have said, overall, they are pretty solid, and I agree that the texture and color is better than the Tommybuilt units. My G36 mags are kind of tight, though, hopefully that situation improves with use. As to Stanag mags, if you want an AR, get an AR. G36 mags belong in a G36. I did an SMP (S5's UMP clone), and that was pretty nice too. |
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How easy is it to swap a barrel on these? I'm considering ordering the rifle for now simply because you get more for your money, then doing an SBR later on. Or even just getting the one it comes with cut and threaded, so i can send it off after removal. I like that I can take it out right away and shoot comfortably if I get the rifle. not sure there are a lot of brace options. |
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Originally Posted By ChickenDaddy: How easy is it to swap a barrel on these? I'm considering ordering the rifle for now simply because you get more for your money, then doing an SBR later on. Or even just getting the one it comes with cut and threaded, so i can send it off after removal. I like that I can take it out right away and shoot comfortably if I get the rifle. not sure there are a lot of brace options. It’s easy if you have the specific G36/SL8 barrel nut wrench and barrel mandrel tools. Not easy at all without them. You can’t just use stuff made for AR15s. Regarding cutting the barrels down, it’s not that simple since it’s a piston system. The gas block has to be in the right position for the barrel length, and you may need different pistons and op rods. Cutting a 20” SL8 barrel down to 16” isn’t a problem, but when going from a 16”+ barrel down to K or C length, it’s easier to get the proper sized barrel and swap it out. |
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Originally Posted By ChandlerKJ: I’d like to know this as well. There doesn’t seem to be any information on their website about the barrels. Yeah kinda what I was trying to ask earlier. There are no specs listed. I’d really like to know how long the barrel is, along with the rest. |
| The photos show 4 vent holes in the handguard, which means it’s a G36K length handguard. The K barrel is 12.5” long, so that’s probably the length of the pistol barrel. It looks like the rifle also uses the K handguard, and eyeballing how far the barrel sticks out, I’m guessing it’s 16”. |
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That’s what I was also thinking about the barrel lengths. I emailed them this morning about barrels and parts and will report back. Bo (the owner) got back to me within 3.5 hours yesterday. Stock options for the pistol appear to be Just the OEM style? Same for the rifle? |
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Just like the real G36, the stock hinge interface is molded as part of the receiver. HKParts makes a rear picatinny rail adapter that fits onto the hinge. https://hkparts.net/rifle-smg-parts/hkp-hk-g36-picatinny-adapter-gen-2/ I’ve heard the barrels and other parts are made by GSG9. |
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I'm really liking these at the $2k price point. Was going to buy a TBT a few years back, and even bought a G36C stock in preparation. Unfortunately the next time they restocked, they were like $200 more expensive, and at ~$2800 after all the fees I lost interest. Really wish S5 had Cs available. I don't dislike the K, but the C is ::chef's kiss::. Not sure it's worth the extra $200 + sourcing tools for a parts kit build vs. just going with the prebuilt K, though. |
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Originally Posted By johnhd: I'm really liking these at the $2k price point. Was going to buy a TBT a few years back, and even bought a G36C stock in preparation. Unfortunately the next time they restocked, they were like $200 more expensive, and at ~$2800 after all the fees I lost interest. Really wish S5 had Cs available. I don't dislike the K, but the C is ::chef's kiss::. Not sure it's worth the extra $200 + sourcing tools for a parts kit build vs. just going with the prebuilt K, though. The C is like G36 meets Krinkov and they look cool but have that big muzzle blast- in case you don't like 7.5" AR-ish like experience - The barrel swap isn't technically difficult if you have the tools - I did a Defgunz C build and it was easy -I was just nervous torquing parts down - But went together fine But its not like swapping AR Uppers easy - I'd think you could recover the cost by selling whatever barrel and or tools you decide you don't want. Someone always seems to want them. |
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Originally Posted By vellnueve: It’s all Bailey parts Originally Posted By vellnueve: Originally Posted By ChandlerKJ: Appreciate the insight. I’d like to know who is making the barrels, where they are sourced etc along with what other folks here have asked with regards to steel composition, twist rate and so on. It’s all Bailey parts Pass |
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Originally Posted By ChickenDaddy: Whats the deal with Bailey? Owner of GSG9, which produces a number of US-made HK parts for the G36 and other platforms (most HKParts G36 parts are also from there). Also produced molds for the G36 receivers (Tommybuilt and S5 use their molds). I don't know the full backstory, but a lot of people hate the guy and there have been reports of past shadiness and questionable parts quality. Unfortunately, his company seems to be the only source of G36 parts outside of an HK factory. Tommybuilt also used GSG9 parts for their TG36. So there are very few routes to a G36 in the USA that don't involve GSG9 in some way:
It's a cost-to-benefit thing at the end of the day. I personally would rather buy a $2k clone and hope HK USA releases the real thing down the road. S5 seems to be getting fairly positive feedback, and TB TG36s did as well later in the production run. |
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Originally Posted By ClickClickBoom1: S5 is building my pistol clone today and it should ship out by the end of the week . I did anger the HK gods by going with a 1/ x28 thread pitch for the barrel. Lucky, S5 only had 15x1mm threads available when I purchased, I even asked them for 1/2"-28, now I've been waiting on a 15mm B&T muzzle device for 4 months for my suppressor. |
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Originally Posted By ChickenDaddy: Ok thanks for the backstory—surely cant be as bad as Hesse/Vulcan/Century in the past? Im trying to decide between the S5 pistol or rifle. Mostly will be suppressed so thats a consideration. Probably worse. Todd Bailey is a double-edged sword to the HK loving community. For the longest time he was the only game in town for MP5 clones other than high end custom builders - some may say he's the reason the market exists and why the big manufacturers eventually entered the market, because his clones proved that the market existed. On the other hand, he's pretty much burned all his bridges, pissed off customers, put out a lot of crap products, and had to continue switching manufacturers for his receivers because no one seems to be able to work with him for more than a few years (Tommy, Wade Bailey, DEFGUNZ all used those polymer receivers at some point). He may or may not be a felon, no one knows, but he doesn't seem to be able to sell the guns himself. His current GSG parts seem to run anywhere from crap to reliable, try your luck. I suspect that dealing with him was one of the reasons Tommy went off and did the T7 on his own and used other manufacturers for his internals, which may be why the tolerances seemed to be more variable in those guns than his previous guns; it also seems that Bailey was also working on a MP7 type frame and may have even encouraged the trashing of the T7 and TBT after those early issues arose (someone purportedly discovered links between Bailey and one of the first youtubers who was dumping on the gun). |
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Regardless of Todd Bailey - My clones both the G36 by Degunz and S5 work and so does the UMP first hand experience- Frankly, I think much of the clone hate is like that Dr Suess story of the Star Bellied Sneetches - The elitism is defeated or weakened by cheap imitations which creates revilement which is the actual distinction between clones an authentic HK. Real HKs are or were difficult get with either high cost barriers or technical challenges offering their brand and owners the pride and distinction of having something uncommon and highly envious of. By making it pedestrian and affordable turns Porsche into Volkswagen and the owners and its industry coffers and stakeholders don't like being dragged down. |
Who is making G36 clones? (Page 1 of 3)
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