Looking at the HK SL8 magazine question

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scianna54

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I did my homework online and see that the Canadian versions 4 and 5 need double stack magazines. TI has G36 magazines for a fairly reasonable price and stated in one post that they would fit, others say that I have file down inside the mag well, which I am not keen on doing.

Or is it best to drop $100 plus tax and shipping on a magazine which fits?

I also saw reviews stating that the rifle is heavy but it says 8.6 pounds online which is the same as a SKS.
 
It is a bit bulky. I thought only version 4 has the bolt that works with double-stack mags. SL8 factory mags are single-stack anyway. G36 mags need modification to fit.
 
I can confirm that the HK G36 mags and the Magpul G36 mags will not fit an SL8-4 or 5 without taking a dremel to the mag well. The rifle is heavier but manageable. Its a treat to shoot and super accurate.
 
Brian46 said:
You can modify the G36 p mag to fit in the SL8 without any modification to the rifle
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Great, thanks a lot!

Found both the rifle and the mags at great prices and ordered. I read up on all the conversions in the sticky and online but I will just use it as it is as version 5 with the open sights. I read that they are superb. Yes sure, TNA has the version 1 but that's too steep for me.

Now, how do I hide it from my wife, lol?
 
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nitroxace said:
I can confirm that the HK G36 mags and the Magpul G36 mags will not fit an SL8-4 or 5 without taking a dremel to the mag well. The rifle is heavier but manageable. Its a treat to shoot and super accurate.
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I was not sure about that one. Internet is 50/50 if you have to mod the rifle. But I am certain now that it works just by modifying the magazine. There is a guy on gp selling the modded pmags for $99 and he says it works 100%. I just bought them at TNA and mod myself.
 
G36 and SL8 operator here.

The Canadian market HK SL8 are mostly the European version, and take the HK SL8 double stack magazines. The European version require slight modification with a Dremel to accept G36 magazines. The modification takes about 5 minutes but I understand your apprehension - I was upset about the pinned magazine marring the inside of my G36 mag well to the point that I replaced the mag well.

The SL8 5 sights are quite nice but I ditched them for a low profile 2pc rail and a red dot.

It really isn’t that heavy. I find it quite quick to point and carry in the bush. I’ve flipped my rear sling loop to the top and use an HK 3 point sling that distributes the load quite nicely.

My advice - bite the bullet and do the modification otherwise you’ll always be limited to the modified magazines. But then I already owned a whole bunch of HK and Magpul G36’s mags. They used to be $29.00 each for the Pmags, and $60 for the HK, and I’ve picked them up cheaper in bulk.

$100 for a Pmag is steep.
 
kb007 said:
Or you could find a Spuhr magwell and use stanag mags.
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The old NorthEast Arms (NEA), pre-cursor to Black Creek Labs, manufactured a G36/SL8 STANAG Magwell back in the day. They work very well if you can locate one to buy, usually on the EE. I happened across mine at a Gun Show for $25 all-in. Works like a charm!'


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zupermann said:
Beware of the Magpul G 36magazines. I bought a bunch that were incorrectly pinned to hold 7-8 rounds instead of 5.
Me thinks that someone at the distributor level messed up.
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Were you the guy that reminded the teacher they forgot to collect the homework?
 
Sniffer said:
Drop in, at least the NEA is.
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I have a SL8-5, new import, so I don't know about the older ones but the AR magazines do not fit into the receiver without shaving. I have lots of people claim this but even when I take the magwell off completely, the AR magazines do not go past the 2 tabs. I would like to see some pictures from people claiming this.

Edit: Thinking about what lead to the confusion, here is my take.

The SL8-1 and SL8-6 US versions with single stack magazine are different. I haven't had a chance to look at one yet, only at the magazines, and those magazines only have the indentation on one side, unlike the double stack which have it and need it on both sides.

Hence the receiver also must have only one tab for the single stack SL8 - so the magwell conversion to AR will probably work without shaving.

There is a way to get the AR plastic magazines in without the shaving on double stack rifles, but only if you modify the magazines. But this means you are running a prohibited magazine if it is a 10 rounder pistol magazine, lol.
 
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