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H&K SL8 Semi-Auto Rifle
H&K SL8 Semi-Auto Rifle
The SL8 is HK’s civil offering to G36 enthusiasts, transforming accuracy from the military into a sporting platform. It’s an extremely popular option for shotgun shooters as well as 3-gun competition.
The SL8-6 features fixed stock with elements for controlling fire. It comes with ten or 30-round magazines.
What is the SL8?
H&K SL8 rifle is the 5.56mm NATO semi-automatic variant of the battle-tested G36. The SL8 is specifically designed for shooters who are interested in target shooting and has a bull barrel that can easily be moved around using the HK Cold-Hammer Forging process. A small Picatinny Rail Mount allows accessory optics. Similar to the military-style version of the gun that it’s designed on the SL8 features a gas short-stroke piston operating system that’s known for its reliability.
The first release was in 1998. the SL8 was ended in 2004. It was revived as the SL8-6 in 2021 that featured significant changes from the predecessors. The SL8-6 is distinguished by its stock made of polymer, which has a rubber butt and adjustable cheek raiser. It also features spacers in stock, which can be used to change the length of pull. The barrel-shaped attachment distinct from the G36’s Knurled Tube.
The bolt is SL8-6 and has a similar design to that of it’s predecessor, the AR-15 direct-impingement bolt. It also has locking lugs that turn into corresponding recesses in the barrel extension. It also features an ejector for the plunger in the front of the bolt. It is possible to access the piston without having to disassemble the entire mechanism, unlike the AK. It allows for fast clean-up and maintenance.
Because of the limitations on the purchase of firearms that resemble military within the United States, SL8-6 owners cannot operate their SL-8s on G36 magazines (the sole magazine that is available is HecklerKochForSale a single-stack translucent 10 rounder made of plastic). H&K claims that they’re working to alter the SL8 to ensure that G36 magazines are able to be used once importation of these magazines is legalized in the country.
Here are a few examples of
The SL8 civilian model is an improved version of the G36 and was created specifically for use in precision rather than for military. The SL8 retains both the piston mechanism with a short stroke, that was the basis for the design of the HK416 model as well as the superior quality material that made H&K guns famous. The SL8 has however been designed to be better suited for everyday use.
The barrel is forged cold-hammer with a recessed target crown as well as the polymer receiver is reinforced with steel at the critical points of wear to minimize the likelihood of failure when under heavy use. The SL8 utilizes the same magazine with a single stack of 10 rounds as its military counterpart, however it’s equipped for.223 Remington and features a match trigger.
The SL8 utilizes a rotating lug bolt similar to the AR-15. The bolt is secured by six bolts that are inserted into recesses of the barrel extension to drive it forward and an extractor as well as a spring-loaded plunger Ejector that is located in the front of the barrel extension. Much like an AR-15, the SL8 also uses a semi-automatic action.
The ambidextrous charging handle is attached onto the carrier of bolts, and it folds away whenever not in use. Controls are also multi-directional. The magazines release, bolt catch, as well as the safety selector is accessible by either. The SL8-6 includes an adjustable stock that allows the user to adjust the pull length.
It’s heavy on the front due to the 20.8 inches, medium-heavy barrel. This may cause it to feel unsteady during fire-and-maneuver exercises or 3-gun shoot-outs. The barrel is designed for stability and to allow the rifle to be used for 3-gun and varmint shooting.
Performance
The SL8 is the import-legal version of H&K’s G36 assault rifle. It has been modified for precision shooting. Its barrel is a one-piece, cold-hammer-forged bull made of chrome lined for maximum precision. Its polymer thumbhole stock is adjustable and is able to be adjusted in length by the aid of spacers. It also has a swiveling charging handle which can be utilized as a forward assist. Its ambidextrous controls make the SL8 one of the best options for left-handed shooters.
The gun is special due to its gas piston mechanism. The rifle also has an MIL-SPEC short optics mount along with a match-trigger and a MIL-SPEC MIL-SPEC bolt carrier group. This system eliminates the need to have a conventional magazine well as well as a bolt carrier group that reduces muzzle rise. The SL8 comes with a brand-new single-stack mag and a strong, recessed target crown for competition shooting or the long-range hunter.
Another selling factor is the SL8’s reinforcement with steel on wear-points that are critical to the polymer receiver. This was a feature first created for rifles used by military forces that adds to the endurance of this high-end rifle. The rifle’s precision also has the ability to shoot quickly and smoothly.
One of the biggest drawbacks to the rifle is that it will only work with single-stack magazines. This can be changed through the expansion of the magazine well or cutting out a small depression on the top of the receiver. H&K has decided to block the SL8 using a cross-bolt within the magazine hole, which will prevent any other magazines fitting. It also blocks using double-stack magazines for fire-and-manoeuvre situations or matches with three guns. The sling pin attachment is located in rear of the handguard that can render the SL8 less solid on the bipod if it is used to shoot precision.
Accessoires
The SL8 is the civilian G36 Marlin 336 For Sale version of H&K created to bring technical precision from the military into a sporting platform. Much like its military counterpart the SL8-6 comes with a single-stack 10-round magazine and a match-tuned trigger group. The SL8-6’s cold-hammer forging, match-crowned bull barrel is floating free to increase accuracy. It includes a matching-chambered, recessible muzzle for improved performance. The polymer thumbhole barrel is adjustable with a bolt catch and the magazine release swiveling to accommodate left or right-handed shooters. Stock is adjustable, with buttplate that can be moved in and out and spacers that can be adjusted so that it is a custom fit.
The SL8-6 is an extremely comfortably gun to carry despite it not having the grip as its sister. It was made this way due https://hecklerkochforsale.com to reasons related to import. The controls are well-designed and ergonomic. They include a magazine release, bolt catch and charging handle that are accessible from both sides.
Its supple recoil is what sets it apart of piston-driven 5.56 NATO guns. This makes it a fantastic option for shooters who want engaging targets in non-supported positions and may need to utilize a bipod to keep the rifle in place for lengthy durations of duration.
The SL8-6 doesn’t come with M-Lok slots, or KeyMod. It does have threaded inserts are able to create rail sections. They are on the side and bottom of the handguards. The rails can accommodate an array of different items, including bipods and optics. The bipod could cause the shifting of the POI, therefore it’s best to rest the optic on a sandbag and backback or other kind of rest.
The FAQ
The firearms designed by H&K has made a splash for them, including the G3 and the MP5, the USP and the G36, the famous assault rifle. The SL8 is a polymer G36 specifically designed for precise shooting. It’s not received enough recognition like the other H&K models made in America, but it deserves your attention if H&K firearm designs might be of interest to you.
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