H&K SL8 legality questions...

Xero

Xero

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I've always been a fan of the H&K G36 series, and I'm well aware that it's next to impossible to get any kind of real G36 as a civilian in Canada. Therefore I searched around for alternatives and fell in love with the H&K SL8, that brought of a few questions...

1) The SL8 is Non-Restricted, correct?

2) .223 is illegal for big game hunting in Alberta (and most other provinces), correct?

3) The SL8 can be used as a "varmint" hunting rifle, or a target rifle, and that's about it right?

I've searched around and attempted to read into the current Firearms Act but it just makes my head spin... I get contradictions when I try to talk to firearms dealers and ranges in my area, and no one really seems to know squat about said firearm...

Help?
 
1) Correct

2) I don't hunt but I believe that the cartridge lacks sufficient power to guarantee a clean kill on big game.

3) Yes, 5.56/.223 is adequate for Varmint use and excellent for target work

It's not hard to get a genuine G36, there's at least one on the EE right now, since there aren't many in the country they are incredibly expensive though. To my knowledge a standard length G36 would be non-restricted, the G36K is only restricted as a result of it's barrel length (under 18.5" is restricted) Some SL8 owners have reported cracks in the rifle when dry fired. The SL8 can be modified to accept AR15 magazines (including RRA 10 round pistol mags) Any of the major dealers at the top would be happy to sell you a rifle (they aren't cheap) ArmsEast will sell you a conversion to a true pistol grip and AR15 collapsible stock (also not cheap)
 
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Yea, .223 doesn't really pack the required punch for big game from what I've read. I've also read contradicting statements to that, saying the .223 is a decent caliber for a "bush gun" (< 100 yards in trees generally). Most of the time I end up getting deer in that range so I was hoping that .223 would be sufficient to replace my current "bush gun", a 30-30 lever action...

I've heard about the cracking issue with the SL8 series as well, but I thought that the issue was fixed with the SL8-4+ models?
 
in Alberta it has to be .23 caliber or larger. so the .223 is not legal for big game its fine for yotes and such though.
 
Xero said:
Yea, .223 doesn't really pack the required punch for big game from what I've read. I've also read contradicting statements to that, saying the .223 is a decent caliber for a "bush gun" (< 100 yards in trees generally). Most of the time I end up getting deer in that range so I was hoping that .223 would be sufficient to replace my current "bush gun", a 30-30 lever action...

I've heard about the cracking issue with the SL8 series as well, but I thought that the issue was fixed with the SL8-4+ models?
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I would use the SL8 for deer. I loaded up some 80gr A-max for my rifle this year that I'm sure would put the animal down just fine.
 
An SL8 would probably make a decent deer gun in dense bush where encounters can occur at less then 30 yards, there's just less margin for error in case of some sort of screw up.

Sadly we're not allowed to use anything less then in .23 in Alberta... Precludes any of the fun guns for hunting.
 
From things I've heard, the cracking issue isn't fixed with the G36 I would assume they'd fix those first.
 
ian_in_vic said:
It's not hard to get a genuine G36, there's at least one on the EE right now, since there aren't many in the country they are incredibly expensive though. To my knowledge a standard length G36 would be non-restricted, the G36K is only restricted as a result of it's barrel length (under 18.5" is restricted).
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I'd assume that the genuine G36's in Canada are modified to be non-prohibited firearms though? I'm 99% sure that fully automatic firearms are prohibited... Aren't they? I know that the G36K is under the barrel limit (I've got an airsoft G36K) but it's pretty damn simple to do a G36-G36K-G36C conversion and back again. It's pretty much only the barrel, hand guard, and a couple more small things that are different iirc.

Gopher Slayer said:
in Alberta it has to be .23 caliber or larger. so the .223 is not legal for big game its fine for yotes and such though.
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*sigh* To bad it's not .22 caliber or larger, at least that would let all the .223 'fun-guns' to be had allowable for hunting. I honestly think that .223 is enough to stop a deer at 50-80 yards depending on the cartridge used, I've heard stories of people bringing down moose with .22 caliber rifles. The validity of said stories may not be totally accurate though, shooting a moose through the ear for a kill sounded pretty far-fetched to me when I heard it...
 
The semi-auto G36's that are here are fitted with the semi-auto trigger pack (and according to reliable sources, that's all). They would be prohib if the trigger pack was changed to one which allowed burst or burst and F/A fire. Given the costs of the G36 (about 9K) you're probably better off with the SL8.
 
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Xero said:
I'd assume that the genuine G36's in Canada are modified to be non-prohibited firearms though? I'm 99% sure that fully automatic firearms are prohibited... Aren't they? I know that the G36K is under the barrel limit (I've got an airsoft G36K) but it's pretty damn simple to do a G36-G36K-G36C conversion and back again. It's pretty much only the barrel, hand guard, and a couple more small things that are different iirc.
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No, the G36, G36k, G36c that are in civilian hands in Canada are all semi-auto only. They are manufactured that way and I do not believe they will take full-auto parts. Only difference between owning one here is the class based on barrel length.
 
.223 is used quite often in Labrador to take adult Caribou legally. Inuit/Innu have even used it on Polar Bear, although they like the .22-250 for the "big" stuff.:) .223 & .22-250 along with .222 is regularly used to harvest harp/hood seals.

I'd personally prefer using a larger caliber for big game, but it you put the bullet where it counts most, you'll put it down humanely. If I did use a centerfire .22, however, I'd opt for a premium hunting bullet in as heavy a weight as my rifle could handle. Something like the Barnes X-Bullet or Triple Shock which are available in weights ranging from 53-70grs or a Nosler Partition 60 gr.
 
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