HK SL8-4 accuracy and reliability

Chronos

Chronos

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Ottawa
Hi,

I'm looking in purchasing an SL8 but I would like to know from those that own one:


  • How accurate and reliable are they?
  • Are the new batches no longer prone to receiver cracking?
  • How's the maintenance?

I was lucky enough to have held one today in my hands, and it felt very light and well balanced compared to say a Mini-14 Target Hogue-molded (which is very unbalanced). I was thinking that I would do a lower-receiver conversion to a standard buttstock/pistol grip, but after manipulating it, I'm thinking it might not even be necessary.

Thanks!
 
I had an SL8 for a while. Accurate as hell, I never cleaned it (because Im a douchebag) and it worked flawlessly still. Never heard of any cracking problems with the newer versions. I put several thousand rounds through mine, no problems.
 
Mine has worked flawlessly. Accuracy is pretty good (.75" to 1.5" @ 100yds) considering I've only used 45gr and 55gr factory loads. I've just handloaded some heavier 69gr ammo and am looking fwd to trying them out.
 
Just too mine to the range yesterday and couldn't be happier with it.

Ate every brand of ammo(Winchester white box, AE 62 grain, rem UMC, S&B) i put in it and shot them all well.

I find it kind of front heavy but its just something you have to get use to. Other than that its a great rifle.
 
Mine is great also. Loves PMC 55gr, goes bang every time, and puts the brass in a nice little pile. Don't know about cracking, but as I haven't seen it, not worried about it. Maintenance is fine, with the only niggle being that a hex wrench is required. I store one on the rifle now, so that isn't even an issue anymore. Hmmm, makes me wonder why I'm selling it now. Might have to rethink that.
 
Personally, if I had the money I would buy the Robarms XCR over the HK... less money, and more fun. I didn't like HK that my friend has, and he is selling it as well... so my guess is he did not like it either. I did like the XCR though...
 
I tried an XCR and was somewhat disappointed by the quality/finish, but even more with the accuracy (but I only tried cheap-ass ammo, as that was what my friend had).

I wanted to get one, but I'm gonna pass for now. My 5.56 semi will be the HK, perhaps I'll go back to an XCR for my 6.8 needs....
 
rivetc78 said:
The HK is a sporting rifle. No barrel attachments....sporting stock...etc.
The XCR will be prohib with the rest of the black rifles in a few weeks
Click to expand...

Man, you have no proof whatsoever that the XCR or any other black rifle for that matter will be prohib anytime soon. So please, the fearmongering has to stop somewhere.

The HK, in my opinion, is a fine rifle. The damned thing shoots better than I do, and that's a fact. Even with the cheapest of the cheap, namely Winchester White Box. And once I get to reloading and feed it some nice, heavier bullets I expect that it will hold it's accuracy past 300 easily so long as I do my part.

In terms of reliability, I've yet to see a stoppage of any sort, save the bolt fully to the rear after I've emptied my mag. It functions flawlessly and smoothly. I swear, the trigger and the movement of the bolt/action are silk-smooth and the recoil is extremely mild, even for an already pretty gentle caliber.

The weight of the gun definitely plays to your advantage here.

Also, there ARE aftermarket parts to modify it, but they tend to be on the pricy side of things. After all, it's not quite as popular as AR's.

And in the extremely remote and hypothetical possibility that semis go restricted or prohib, it would be fairly easy for a good gunsmith to permanently weld or remove the pistol assembly so that it'll turn into a straight-pull bolt action.
 
Why no one says that trigger is a be... and almost impossible to improve?
This is just and only recreational rifle, has anyone shoot any tactical matches or
IPSC rifle with this.
For that kind of money, I will go with nicely tweaked AR15 or any Swiss rifle,

my two cents
 
I don't see why you couldn't shoot action rifle with an sl8, collapsible stock, ar15 magwell, pistol mags, some sort of sight. Really pricey way to set a rifle up, but it's unrestricted :)
 
PeterPan,The SL8 is a civi version of the G36.* The G36 (XM8) beat all others in the latest DOD dust testing down south.* G36's are one of the most reliable combat rifles in the world.*

Having said that, I perfer Swiss Arms guns as well.

Rich
 
Rich,
we talking sport rifles here?
If yes,
tell me ways to modify SL8? For example the trigger group?
What about different stock?
 
PeterPan said:
Rich,
we talking sport rifles here?
If yes,
tell me ways to modify SL8? For example the trigger group?
What about different stock?
Click to expand...
I think you can find the answers to all your questions is here: http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=270868

I have owned AR type rifles, the SL8, Swiss arms, etc. if we are talking all orig factory stock rifles of these types, I would take Swiss arms, HK SL8, and finally the AR type rifle in that order. Sure a modded AR with the ammo "It likes" will out perform the HK and even the Swiss, but these rifles can be modded as well to perform as well and even better than the AR..... It comes down to personal preferance more than anything.
 
Rich LPS said:
PeterPan,The SL8 is a civi version of the G36.* The G36 (XM8) beat all others in the latest DOD dust testing down south.* G36's are one of the most reliable combat rifles in the world.*

Having said that, I perfer Swiss Arms guns as well.

Rich
Click to expand...
Quite right, SL8 is a liberal-safe G36: no pistol grip or bayonet lug, cannot accept G36 magazines, cannot accept full-auto G36 parts, and a less scary paint job. But everything that makes the G36 a great piece of engineering is still there.
 
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