SL8 vs G36: some observations

UncleWalther

UncleWalther

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I had my new HK G36P out at the range today, and a friend was down there with his very excellent SL8/G36 conversion (even had the barrel milled to look like a G36). I got to shoot both back to back, so it was a good opportunity to compare.

First off, I didn't realize the SL8 receiver was a fair bit longer than the receiver on the G36. We both had G36C stocks on our guns, and I would say that the length of pull (LOP) on the SL8 conversion was about 2 inches longer. It was certainly noticeable to me. Not necessarily bad, but I do prefer the shorter LOP. The SL8 also has a longer barrel, so overall it seems like a much longer gun (maybe 4 inches longer in overall length).

Secondly.... the trigger! The G36 trigger pull is quite heavy. Mine measures about 8.5 pounds. I am not sure what it is on the SL8, but it feels much lighter. After shooting the G36 for awhile, I switched to my Swiss Arms CQB, and the CQB felt like it had a hair trigger!

I did not get a chance to really gauge the comparative accuracy of the G36 vs SL8. My friend is a far better shooter than I and he was getting excellent results with his SL8. I can say, however, that the accuracy I was getting with my G36 (with Elcan Specter DR) was on par with my Swiss Arms rifles at 100 and 200 yards (I didn't shoot further out than that today). Overall, I thought accuracy was just dandy!

I was nervous to take that first shot today. The G36 was UNFIRED. It is tough enough to find a G36, let alone one that has never been shot before. Anyway, it ain't unfired now! :ar15:
 
Correct me if I'm wrong, but are not the stocks of different lengths on the different G36 models?

I personally think guns are made to shoot. There is little satisfaction in owning something just to handle it and admire the look/feel or engineering of it. If you want to have a wall hanger, buy an airsoft - they make very realistic facsimiles.

If you want to stretch it's legs further, I bet there is room in that dually that comes up to Homestead on occasion....
 
G36 is not longer unfired huh?

istockphoto_3766837_wet_cherry.jpg
 
Is this the G36P that Wolverine had? If so...darn...I wanted that (but couldn't afford it) :(. If anyone is interested I see that Reliable has an SL8 mostly converted to a G36 look-a-like (still needs the folding handle/pistol grip I believe). It's going for $3200 and change (but don't quote me on it though...)
 
I didn't either but this seems reasonable htt p://www.hkpro.com/forum/showthread.php?853963 (remove the space before the p).
 
UncleWalther said:
First off, I didn't realize the SL8 receiver was a fair bit longer than the receiver on the G36. We both had G36C stocks on our guns, and I would say that the length of pull (LOP) on the SL8 conversion was about 2 inches longer. It was certainly noticeable to me. Not necessarily bad, but I do prefer the shorter LOP. The SL8 also has a longer barrel, so overall it seems like a much longer gun (maybe 4 inches longer in overall length).
Click to expand...

2 inch difference you've experience has to do with the SL8 conversion that your friend did. If you look at the Hera Arms conversion, for example, you will see that in order to accommodate the G36 lower without needing to cut the end off the SL8 receiver and then weld on the G36 receiver end, Hera Arms conversion adds about 2 inches to the receiver length.

If you get the correct demilled receiver from G36, and go through the hoops of properly attaching it to the SL8 (what tbostik and chopstix kid do in their latest conversions), then the LOP of the SL8 doesn't change as compared to the original G36.

UncleWalther said:
Secondly.... the trigger! The G36 trigger pull is quite heavy. Mine measures about 8.5 pounds. I am not sure what it is on the SL8, but it feels much lighter. After shooting the G36 for awhile, I switched to my Swiss Arms CQB, and the CQB felt like it had a hair trigger!
Click to expand...

SL8 has lighter springs in the trigger group. Technically nothing stops one from transferring the SL8 trigger group into G36 lower, but my understanding is that military primers are harder then commercial primers, and thus G36 springs are tighter.
 
UncleWalther said:
I had my new HK G36P out at the range today, and a friend was down there with his very excellent SL8/G36 conversion (even had the barrel milled to look like a G36). I got to shoot both back to back, so it was a good opportunity to compare.

First off, I didn't realize the SL8 receiver was a fair bit longer than the receiver on the G36. We both had G36C stocks on our guns, and I would say that the length of pull (LOP) on the SL8 conversion was about 2 inches longer. It was certainly noticeable to me. Not necessarily bad, but I do prefer the shorter LOP. The SL8 also has a longer barrel, so overall it seems like a much longer gun (maybe 4 inches longer in overall length).

Secondly.... the trigger! The G36 trigger pull is quite heavy. Mine measures about 8.5 pounds. I am not sure what it is on the SL8, but it feels much lighter. After shooting the G36 for awhile, I switched to my Swiss Arms CQB, and the CQB felt like it had a hair trigger! :ar15:
Click to expand...

As for the LOP it will have to do with the conversion your friend did. If he added a pistol grip lower the reciever the LOP will be about and inch and a half longer. Add to that the additional length for the folding stock to make up the difference and its almost 4 inches longer. You can shorten that up a bit with a C stock but then you lose the folding ability as it will interfere with the ejection when folded. Heres a detail of my initial try;

P8141223.jpg


If he took the route of cutting the reciever and attaching a dewat G36 folding mechanism then with a little attention to detail you can make the differences almost indistinguishable. This option allows you to utilized a G36 lower as well. Some go so far as to laser engrave the proper markings in their conversions. Heres a copy of how I ended up as I didn't like the long LOP; you can see the difference in length of the reciever attachment point to the lower in the following photos as well as some of the process in the conversion.

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The SL8 has a target trigger while the G36 has the miliary wieght trigger group. They presumably don't want rounds going off when you bang an army rifle about. Althought he architecture is a bit different presumably a change to and SL8 hammer spring could bring it down a bit if thats important to you.
 
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Wow, major Kudos on that conversion, if I cut a gun like that I'd end up calling CFC and telling that the firearm was no longer functional. That's if I didn't have a coronary before cutting up a $2000+ gun.
 
enefgee said:
Wow, major Kudos on that conversion, if I cut a gun like that I'd end up calling CFC and telling that the firearm was no longer functional. That's if I didn't have a coronary before cutting up a $2000+ gun.
Click to expand...

It hurt more than walking up the aisle... but cost significantly less. Just guess which one I'm more likely to do again:D.
 
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