Civilian semi-auto Heckler & Koch G36 and future models

elektrobug

elektrobug

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After Heckler & Koch developed the G36 military rifle there was USA consumer demand for a civilian version. HK tried to meet the demand with a rifle that had to simultaneously comply with German export ban on "war material" weapons as well as USA import regulations regarding "sporting weapons". The german regulation required a different barrel, bolt and receiver while the USA import regulations at the time required a thumbhole stock, single stack magazine and no flash hider. This resulted in the SL8 rifle that was quite different then the original G36 rifle.

Having to comply with both the German and USA laws was the major hurdle for HK and has created ignorate points of view in the consumer community such as the "HK. Because you suck. And we hate you." rant that lacks any understanding of the situation. Pistols were virtually unaffected by these laws but all HK rifles were. HK has a history of putting significant effort into creating civilian legal models such as the HK41, HK91, HK93, HK94 and SP89, SR9, USC and SL8 that would receive both German and USA approval but looked different then the military weapons they were based on.

Recently Heckler & Koch has opened a new manufacturing facility in New Hampshire to assemble its MR556/762 line of rifles as well as the HK45 line of pistols and to compete with FNH, Sig Sauer, Beretta and other European firearms makers that have had long standing USA production facilities. Having the new USA facility gives them the freedom to build firearms the USA consumers want without having to meet stringent German war material export laws and USA import laws regarding sporting firearms.

The SL8 rifle is now discontinued and Heckler & Koch Inc (USA) plans to introduce a civilian semi-auto G36 rifle at the 2014 Shot Show. The HK UMP/USC story mirrors that of the G36/SL8. Recently the USC rifle has been discontinued as well and I would not be surprised to see a civilian semi-auto UMP introduced. The new facilities show HKs commitment to the largest civilian weapons market in the world. Also inevitably there will be other exciting civilian models that will come from the new USA production facilities of Heckler & Koch Inc.
 
HK USA discontinued the US version of the SL8 and now the US made USC. HK Europe still produces the Canadian versions. HK USA says it has plans for the US market as per their face-book page. You can also find talk of this on HK Pro. No official word that I have heard.
 
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elektrobug said:
After Heckler & Koch developed the G36 military rifle there was USA consumer demand for a civilian version. HK tried to meet the demand with a rifle that had to simultaneously comply with German export ban on "war material" weapons as well as USA import regulations regarding "sporting weapons". The german regulation required a different barrel, bolt and receiver while the USA import regulations at the time required a thumbhole stock, single stack magazine and no flash hider. This resulted in the SL8 rifle that was quite different then the original G36 rifle.

Having to comply with both the German and USA laws was the major hurdle for HK and has created ignorate points of view in the consumer community such as the "HK. Because you suck. And we hate you." rant that lacks any understanding of the situation. Pistols were virtually unaffected by these laws but all HK rifles were. HK has a history of putting significant effort into creating civilian legal models such as the HK41, HK91, HK93, HK94 and SP89, SR9, USC and SL8 that would receive both German and USA approval but looked different then the military weapons they were based on.


Recently Heckler & Koch has opened a new manufacturing facility in New Hampshire to assemble its MR556/762 line of rifles as well as the HK45 line of pistols and to compete with FNH, Sig Sauer, Beretta and other European firearms makers that have had long standing USA production facilities. Having the new USA facility gives them the freedom to build firearms the USA consumers want without having to meet stringent German war material export laws and USA import laws regarding sporting firearms.

The SL8 rifle is now discontinued and Heckler & Koch Inc (USA) plans to introduce a civilian semi-auto G36 rifle at the 2014 Shot Show. The HK UMP/USC story mirrors that of the G36/SL8. Recently the USC rifle has been discontinued as well and I would not be surprised to see a civilian semi-auto UMP introduced. The new facilities show HKs commitment to the largest civilian weapons market in the world. Also inevitably there will be other exciting civilian models that will come from the new USA production facilities of Heckler & Koch Inc.
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I really hope this is true cuz im in the market for a SL8 and I haven't been loving the aftermarket prices I've been finding. If I'm spending 2k+ I'd like it to be new & not just new to me. Really looking forward to this, hopefully they are in the same $ range as other hi end black rifles.
 
CNADNSL8-5 said:
HK USA discontinued the US version of the SL8 and now the US made USC. HK Europe still produces the Canadian versions. HK USA says it has plane for the US market as per their face-book page. You can also find talk of this on HK Pro. No official word that I have heard.
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There was never a US made version of USC and SL8, they were made in Germany in all configurations. SL8 has now been removed form the Global HK site as well.
 
Their patent just ran out. They should expect others around the world to start making them soon.

Anyone know of a S/A G36 for sale?
 
Don't get your hopes up, guys - they're still imported by RNichols, which means you can order them, and they'll tell you they have them and that they'll ship them, but they don't and they won't. Almost all of the "Because you suck and we hate you" in Canada comes from them dealing with what is quite possibly the world's worst firearms importer
 
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This always comes up a couple times a year. If this time it's actually true I'll be darned happy but I won't hold my breath for it to happen. Facebook page news release isn't credible enough for me to consider, until It's on their site.

Although with how much the full conversions go for, It would almost make sense but they'll ding 3 grand for em :p
 
enefgee said:
Don't get your hopes up, guys - they're still imported by RNichols, which means you can order them, and they'll tell you they have them and that they'll ship them, but they don't and they won't. Almost all of the "Because you suck and we hate you" in Canada comes from them dealing with what is quite possibly the world's worst firearms importer
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yup!
 
CanAm said:
Their patent just ran out. They should expect others around the world to start making them soon.

Anyone know of a S/A G36 for sale?
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Hopefully you can get the chinese to help us out on this one!!!!

I guess the 10,000 $ for one may have just dropped a bit if these american versions come out.
 
BenL said:
What will be interesting to see is if the quality of the US manufacturing plant will be on par with their German built arms.

I'm in for a sub $2,500 H&K.
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They are well aware of sig's woes and do not want to repeat the same mistakes. They truly are much more concerned about their reputation and quality of products. I don't think you will see any drop in quality with the US made products v German made HK products. Time will tell.
 
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