[Gerg]

So, my G36 will catch and hold open when manually charged, but won't catch after the final shot. I've tried numerous different mags (new, old, HK, PMag) with absolutely no luck, so I'm pretty sure it's not them. It cycles rounds perfectly, but just won't catch at the end.

Tommy suggested I try a standard G36 bolt head (I've got a US one in there currently). But I don't have one of those laying around to switch out. (I've still got my SL8 bolt, but that's not doing anyone any good

Anyone else had this issue? Any thoughts on what else I can try? Anyone have a spare HK bolt head they'd be willing to lend me so I can test further (I'll cover shipping, of course).

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[holshot36]

So, my G36 will catch and hold open when manually charged, but won't catch after the final shot. I've tried numerous different mags (new, old, HK, PMag) with absolutely no luck, so I'm pretty sure it's not them. It cycles rounds perfectly, but just won't catch at the end.

Tommy suggested I try a standard G36 bolt head (I've got a US one in there currently). But I don't have one of those laying around to switch out. (I've still got my SL8 bolt, but that's not doing anyone any good

Anyone else had this issue? Any thoughts on what else I can try? Anyone have a spare HK bolt head they'd be willing to lend me so I can test further (I'll cover shipping, of course).

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Gerg..I have an extra factory G36 complete bolt that I'll loan you to test for function..just PM or email me..also you might check to verify that your spring in the trigger group is set to hold the bolt open..

 

[dwillHK]

Do you have a G36 magwell or an AR magwell conversion? Could be a problem with the BHO, which is notoriously finicky on the SW/TN AR magwell conversions, if that's what you have. Never heard of the bolt being the problem. Either the bolt goes back far enough and the BHO comes up high enough to catch the bolt, or it doesn't. Don't think the lugs in a US bolt would be so out of spec that the BHO wouldn't catch.

 

[NWTS_Mike]

I went the same route with mine (factory G36 bolt assembly) and it solved the hold open problem.

Got a great deal from HK Specialist.

 

[tbostic]

I have run into this a few times now on the some of the USA made bolt heads .

 

[dwillHK]

What's the mechanism that's making the bolt not catch when it's fired, but the BHO works when you manually pull it back on an empty mag? If the lug on the US bolt is so out of spec that the BHO won't catch it, I'd think it shouldn't make a difference whether the bolt is manually operated, or being operated by the gas system.

 

[saboteur7271]

Did the little spring lever in the trigger pack slip over to the notch for "bolt closed on empty" from "bolt open on empty"?

May be an easy fix.

 

[Gerg]

A forum member had a spare G36 bolt that he's going to lend me to test (thanks again, Mike!) and I'll go from there.

To answe some of the other questions:

I'm using a G36 magwell.

I would think that the us bolt wouldn't catch at all either way, but I've learned to trust the experts on this kind of thing. I'll test out Tommy's theory... He's worked on these a little more than I have.

I guess it could be the spring, but wouldn't that disable the manual charge catch as well? (it's still worth a look when I get home... Simple, easy, cost free fixes are always welcome in my book)

 

[saboteur7271]

The Bolt hold open lever will still work manually to lock the weapon open for inspection.
It just disables the spring so the magazine follower won't grab the catch on empty if you turn it off.

 

[Gerg]

Perhaps I should clarify... By "manually charge and catch" I mean that with an empty mag inserted, I can pull back on the bolt carrier lever and the bolt will catch (without having to push the bolt hold open lever). To me, this would insinuate that the magazine follower is triggering the BHO lever, and thus that the spring is in place. But again, it couldn't hurt to check.

 

[saboteur7271]

Yea, if you can pull the charging handle back on an empty magazine and it will lock, then your switch is set correctly to "bolt hold open".

Must be something else as you suspected.

 

[PSG1 Nut]

I had the same problem with my US bolt head, switched to a German one and no more problems.

I also had a problem with my pack sitting to low and not allowing the BHO or hammer to work. A new FBI lower fixed the problem.

 

[Bastiat]

This discussion is confusing to me, I just installed a Spuhr Stanag mag adapter, in a G36, it came with an extended BHO ,I believe, I have not tried it yet. So, with the Spuhr in place and the oem BHO catch , the BCG does not stay in the open position , on last round. How can this be a bolt issue. I have to play with this a little more, I will compare the supplied BHO with the OEM one, I expect to find a difference.

 

[Lumbergh]

(8 Year old thread...)

 

[Bastiat]

(8 Year old thread...)

Hahaha, I'm new, so, I have some catching up to do. I forget to look at the timeline of these threads some times. Thanks for the reminder.

 

[Lumbergh]

I believe another issue with the G36 and the last round BHO is using full power ammo.

The G36 is designed for 5.56 NATO and if you use .223 it won't always activate the BHO.

Maybe not your issue, but something to be aware of.

 

[Bastiat]

I believe another issue with the G36 and the last round BHO is using full power ammo.

The G36 is designed for 5.56 NATO and if you use .223 it won't always activate the BHO.

Maybe not your issue, but something to be aware of.

I
Thanks Lumbergh
I was using dummy rounds to test function. I noticed a problem on loading one of the snap caps, as well; not a good simulator, something I will be watching for at the range. Thats a good point about the ammo. I have 5.56, but I don't normally use it. I try to avoid products from China, but I do use the Norinco ammo or whatever else, when Im not reloading. Im just getting into this thing, so I am sure it will get smoothed out, these forums and the people on them are helpful.