Heckler and Koch Sl8 conversion project: questions!

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xopher

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Ive finally decided to stop playing with ARs and move onto something more German :cool:. This project has always been something I've wanted to pursue, however, low funds or poor timing has always gotten in the way. I just have a few questions to ask before I start dumping money into this ambitious project

-Is it easy to swap uppers and lowers of the Sl8 just like Ar15s? The reason why I'm asking this is because I plan on keeping the sl8 heavy barrel upper as precision/target/varmint non restricted upper then import either a g36e,k,c upper for all the tacticool work. I remember reading a thread on swapping something and it required a proprietary wrench... Is this required???

-How would you rate or compare the sl8 trigger? Based on my findings from the hk pro forums, people refer to it as a "match" trigger. What does that actually mean?!? I've tried hk firearms in the past and their triggers honestly suck for precision work (maybe because they were built to be battle rifles..??)

-For you guys with the g36e,k,c clones, how's the overall balance? This is one of my main concerns, the reason being I'm selling off my AR15 because I couldn't get the damn thing to balance nicely. I dumped a pile of money and bought a custom pencil barrel, new quad rails and stocks only to find the balance to be front heavy... I'd appreciate any advice on this matter because an unbalanced rifle ruins all the fun for me. On a side note, instead of using the super light oem folding stock, i was planning on ordering the Hera arms stock adaptor and install the Acr folding stock. How's the balance with this stock?

I have more questions... I'll post them in a bit :)
 
If you didn't like the ar's balance, you'll hate the sl8.
The sl8/g36 feels "chunky" compared to an ar.
The sl8 trigger is comparable to a mid grade ar trigger.
I found even some of my cheaper ar's to be more accurate than the sl8, ones at the same price as the sl8 are much more accurate.
The sl8/g36 mags are of course limited to 5 rounds. The mag adapter from nea was clumsy to use, the button is on the wrong side for right handed people.
You need the barrel wrench to swap barrels, no such thing as an upper swap.
Removing the barrel isn't easy.

The only thing an sl8 has going for it is that it's non restricted.
The only thing a g36 has going for it is that it's unique.
I firmly believe a quality ar is a better rifle in every way.
 
Had a SL8, a SL8 Converted and many G36.

If you want a G36, I would stick with the real thing.

I think the SL8 is an amazing rifle, very accurate.

If you want to get a G36 barrel, you may as well get the real thing.

My 2 cents.
 
ntm said:
If you didn't like the ar's balance, you'll hate the sl8.
The sl8/g36 feels "chunky" compared to an ar.
The sl8 trigger is comparable to a mid grade ar trigger.
I found even some of my cheaper ar's to be more accurate than the sl8, ones at the same price as the sl8 are much more accurate.
The sl8/g36 mags are of course limited to 5 rounds. The mag adapter from nea was clumsy to use, the button is on the wrong side for right handed people.
You need the barrel wrench to swap barrels, no such thing as an upper swap.
Removing the barrel isn't easy.

The only thing an sl8 has going for it is that it's non restricted.
The only thing a g36 has going for it is that it's unique.
I firmly believe a quality ar is a better rifle in every way.
Click to expand...

you must have been shooting the wrong bullets if your sl8 wasn't shooting better than that. It likes the heavier bullets, if you were shooting 55gr bullets its no wonder it wasn't more accurate. The sl8 has potential to be an extremely accurate rifle if you use the right loads.
 
xopher said:
-Is it easy to swap uppers and lowers of the Sl8 just like Ar15s? The reason why I'm asking this is because I plan on keeping the sl8 heavy barrel upper as precision/target/varmint non restricted upper then import either a g36e,k,c upper for all the tacticool work. I remember reading a thread on swapping something and it required a proprietary wrench... Is this required???
Click to expand...
It requires an allen wrench but a new upper will mean a new SL8--I posted more details last year. If I remember correctly (I owned an SL8 for a few months last year) the SL8 upper is the registerable part.

xopher said:
-How would you rate or compare the sl8 trigger? Based on my findings from the hk pro forums, people refer to it as a "match" trigger. What does that actually mean?!? I've tried hk firearms in the past and their triggers honestly suck for precision work (maybe because they were built to be battle rifles..??)
Click to expand...
The trigger on mine was heavier than all of the factory trigger on all four AR15s I've owned. It's a far cry from a true match trigger.

The SL8 could have been so much more than it is. It's too heavy for a service rifle, but not practically accurate (considering both mechanical accuracy and trigger pull) to be a precision rifle. A lighter-weight barrel and a better stock would have made for a much better rifle (but then you'd have a G36).

IMO the problem with G36 conversions is that unless you're willing to spend a ton of cash to get the correct barrel and proper LOP on the stock you'll end up with something close but not quite right.
 
Lyndo said:
you must have been shooting the wrong bullets if your sl8 wasn't shooting better than that. It likes the heavier bullets, if you were shooting 55gr bullets its no wonder it wasn't more accurate. The sl8 has potential to be an extremely accurate rifle if you use the right loads.
Click to expand...

75 and 77 grain match stuff.
It hated 55 grain.
It was okay accuracy, better than an xcr, not as good as a swiss arms, on par with lower grade ar's.
For the clumsy handling and price tag, I expected more accuracy than what it provided.
 
I have an SL8-4 with Hera BCK gen2 and ACR folding stock on it. Rifle looks awesome IMO, but since Sl8 has non-restricted heavy barrel, it makes it a little front heavy. I highly recommend you to look for a bullpup design if you are looking for a better balance, IWI Tavor maybe?
 
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