Try getting the courage to mill out the reciever - Mines the US Single stack SL8-1...........still need to mill out inside the magwell to to widen it up to accept the double stack mags - going to wait for my Magwell to arrive before I attemp that
The SL8 Mods, Info and FAQ Thread
- Thread starter CNADNSL8-5
- Start date
Try getting the courage to mill out the reciever - Mines the US Single stack SL8-1...........still need to mill out inside the magwell to to widen it up to accept the double stack mags - going to wait for my Magwell to arrive before I attemp that
polskadude
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- London Ontario
Did you buy your SL8 used? If so, the previous owner cut the tabs out.
incorrigible
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- stubble jumper
I know you have to remove the tabs or modify each mag for the G36 mags to fit. I didn't think you had to do that with the AR mags as they are narrower and require an adapter anyway. That said I've never run AR mags in mine
You Sir, Rock! Got the part a bit ago - fits perfectly! The seller labelled it as a $23.99 value "spotting scope" No issues on either side of the border . .
polskadude
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- London Ontario
hahaha, exactly what I was thinking.
- Location
- the EE section in Calgary
edit...---spoke before i thought----
just checked and yes, my mags are fitting no problem and the tabs are still there. ??? weird?
- Location
- the EE section in Calgary
what was the issue?
it was a pain to swap all my trigger guts over to the new housing. everything went ok except for 1 or 2 springs. stupid springs took me about an hour to hold steady, keep compressed and get in there all at the same time..... other than that i kept my cool. ha ha!
it was a pain to swap all my trigger guts over to the new housing. everything went ok except for 1 or 2 springs. stupid springs took me about an hour to hold steady, keep compressed and get in there all at the same time..... other than that i kept my cool. ha ha!
- Location
- the EE section in Calgary
im not saying its a good idea to do, or post about, but we all know it happens a ton.
ok, i agree, as per the rules, it shouldn't be talked about. what i was getting at was to say, "its here now, so....."
i wasn't meaning to justify it.
- Location
- the EE section in Calgary
i know. sometimes the typing fingers get going faster than the brain.
my bad.
my bad.
- Location
- the EE section in Calgary
back on topic....
i was saying i got my AR mags to drop free (and with vigor) when released.
with the tabs removed from inside the receiver, are other peoples AR mags still not dropping free?
i read about (and experienced) AR mags needing to be pulled out when the conversion is used.
i simply filed a small bit off the front corners of my AR mags to get them to release properly, but after taking a closer look at these tabs in the receiver, filing those looks like it would have given the same results.
i assume this is the reason for people removing the tabs???
i was saying i got my AR mags to drop free (and with vigor) when released.
with the tabs removed from inside the receiver, are other peoples AR mags still not dropping free?
i read about (and experienced) AR mags needing to be pulled out when the conversion is used.
i simply filed a small bit off the front corners of my AR mags to get them to release properly, but after taking a closer look at these tabs in the receiver, filing those looks like it would have given the same results.
i assume this is the reason for people removing the tabs???
Well, I wouldn't file anything ON the mags. The tabs have to be removed because they prevent the AR mags from getting completely inserted (at least in my case. I made darn sure before using the Dremel inside the reciever...). I didn't make a drop test yet (waiting for the paint on the magwell to cure).
polskadude
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- London Ontario
Anyone need a barrel wrench and mandrel? Im getting a couple made at a machine shop. PM if you'd like one. About $100 for both wrench and mandrel.
Thanks,
Matt
Thanks,
Matt
My first couple of weeks the the SL8: Thoughts, observations and range report
A couple of weeks ago I picked up a nearly new SL8-4 off the EE--I had been intrigued by them for years but never had a chance to try one out. I was only vaguely aware of the details of the rifle so some of the features were a little unexpected. Most of you reading this will be well familiar with the rife but for those newbs like me who didn't know that much about the rifle--read on!
Overview
Here's my rifle with Harris bipod and Falcon Menace 1.5-5X30 scope.
From what I can tell, the rail on mine is a G36 rail--it sits a little lower than the regular SL8 short rail. I like my scopes as low as I can get them--the scope is mounted in Millet low 30mm rings with just enough clearance. I removed the G36 sights that came on the rail.
The upper and lower are separated by removing two hex bolts (one on each side of the receiver) right behind the serial number inlet on the stock and pouching out a pin at the rear of the magwell. This was my first surprise--a tool-less takedown would be preferred but this isn't too bad. Additional stock space can be inserted between the buttstock and butt pad--they're held in place by similar 5mm hex bolts. I'm not using any spacers since I prefer a short LOP.
The trigger group is made up largely of plastic--like the FS2000 I reviewed last year. I know it's common with new rifles but still takes a little getting used to--the SL8 has been around long enough for it not to be a concern for me, though.
After the upper is removed the magwell can be removed by depressing the mag release and pivoting the well out. Pushing out the pin below the front of the rail allows the handguard to be removed. I liked how easy this part was.
The piston and piston rod are removed by depressing the spring and pulling the rod to the side and out. The piston can then be removed. It gets a little carboned up with firing but the bolt remains clean.
The next surprise for me was the cocking handle--it's reciprocating and ambidextrous. I admit I had no idea where the handle was before I bought this one. It pivots to the left or right and springs back to point forward again after the bolt is released. It can be locked in the folded-out position to act as a forward assist. Here it is from the left and right side.
The bolt and carrier look unusual compared to an AR15's, but it's very similar in operation (with the exception of course that the SL8 is a piston rifle). Here is the bolt and carrier with the recoil spring attached--you can see the pivoting cocking handle on the left side of the top of the carrier.
Disassembly is identical to an AR15's--remove the firing pin retaining pin, remove the firing pin, pivot and remove the cam pin and remove the bolt.
The bolt is very similar to an AR15's.
Range Report
I had a chance to try it out today at the Nova Scotia Rifle Association's Bull Meadow Range in South Rawdon, NS. We were using the 100m range. Conditions were pleasant with temperature about 13°C and a light wind. I used a Harris bipod and Caldwell rear bag for the shooting--accuracy testing was done from the bench.
I must admit I like the thumbhole stock--it takes a little getting used to at first but I think of it more like a stock on a target .22 like an Anschutz or an Accuracy International stock rather than a G36-style stock. I couldn't manipulate the safety, though, using my thumb on the left side of the trigger--I had to use the safety on the right side--definitely slower. I did the stock placed my trigger finger in the perfect spot, and the cheekpieces lined me up just right for my scope.
The trigger pull is smooth but a little heavier than I'd like…I'd say it's a bit heavier than a standard AR15 pull but smoother. I'll take that combination.
Here's the reticle of the Falcon scope--the dot at the centre can be illuminated in dim light but with the bright light I had today the illumination wasn't visible. I was using 1" by 1" white patches as my aiming point--the reticle's centre dot just fit inside the patch at max zoom at 100m.
After trying out some 62 grain American Eagle to get the scope zeroed I switched to 69 grain Lapua ammunition. I've had good luck with this ammunition in the past, and the 1:7 twist barrel is well-suited for it. The typical five-round group was about 1.75 inches--this one was a bit less at 1.7", for about 1.5 MOA.
Not bad, but there were a few groups where four rounds were very close and the fifth opened it up--like this one with four rounds in 0.75". I really think this rifle is easily a sub-MOA rifle and it was shooter-induced inaccuracies that increased the group size. I only had 20 rounds of Lapua ammunition--I would've liked to try a bit more.
Conclusions
I like this rifle a lot. It's reliable, very accurate, fits me well and balances very nicely too. The trigger pull is acceptable enough to produce accurate results and the free-floating barrel means bipod use won't change your point of impact, too. I really don't mind the stock--except for the safety reach issue.
A couple of weeks ago I picked up a nearly new SL8-4 off the EE--I had been intrigued by them for years but never had a chance to try one out. I was only vaguely aware of the details of the rifle so some of the features were a little unexpected. Most of you reading this will be well familiar with the rife but for those newbs like me who didn't know that much about the rifle--read on!
Overview
Here's my rifle with Harris bipod and Falcon Menace 1.5-5X30 scope.
From what I can tell, the rail on mine is a G36 rail--it sits a little lower than the regular SL8 short rail. I like my scopes as low as I can get them--the scope is mounted in Millet low 30mm rings with just enough clearance. I removed the G36 sights that came on the rail.
The upper and lower are separated by removing two hex bolts (one on each side of the receiver) right behind the serial number inlet on the stock and pouching out a pin at the rear of the magwell. This was my first surprise--a tool-less takedown would be preferred but this isn't too bad. Additional stock space can be inserted between the buttstock and butt pad--they're held in place by similar 5mm hex bolts. I'm not using any spacers since I prefer a short LOP.
The trigger group is made up largely of plastic--like the FS2000 I reviewed last year. I know it's common with new rifles but still takes a little getting used to--the SL8 has been around long enough for it not to be a concern for me, though.
After the upper is removed the magwell can be removed by depressing the mag release and pivoting the well out. Pushing out the pin below the front of the rail allows the handguard to be removed. I liked how easy this part was.
The piston and piston rod are removed by depressing the spring and pulling the rod to the side and out. The piston can then be removed. It gets a little carboned up with firing but the bolt remains clean.
The next surprise for me was the cocking handle--it's reciprocating and ambidextrous. I admit I had no idea where the handle was before I bought this one. It pivots to the left or right and springs back to point forward again after the bolt is released. It can be locked in the folded-out position to act as a forward assist. Here it is from the left and right side.
The bolt and carrier look unusual compared to an AR15's, but it's very similar in operation (with the exception of course that the SL8 is a piston rifle). Here is the bolt and carrier with the recoil spring attached--you can see the pivoting cocking handle on the left side of the top of the carrier.
Disassembly is identical to an AR15's--remove the firing pin retaining pin, remove the firing pin, pivot and remove the cam pin and remove the bolt.
The bolt is very similar to an AR15's.
Range Report
I had a chance to try it out today at the Nova Scotia Rifle Association's Bull Meadow Range in South Rawdon, NS. We were using the 100m range. Conditions were pleasant with temperature about 13°C and a light wind. I used a Harris bipod and Caldwell rear bag for the shooting--accuracy testing was done from the bench.
I must admit I like the thumbhole stock--it takes a little getting used to at first but I think of it more like a stock on a target .22 like an Anschutz or an Accuracy International stock rather than a G36-style stock. I couldn't manipulate the safety, though, using my thumb on the left side of the trigger--I had to use the safety on the right side--definitely slower. I did the stock placed my trigger finger in the perfect spot, and the cheekpieces lined me up just right for my scope.
The trigger pull is smooth but a little heavier than I'd like…I'd say it's a bit heavier than a standard AR15 pull but smoother. I'll take that combination.
Here's the reticle of the Falcon scope--the dot at the centre can be illuminated in dim light but with the bright light I had today the illumination wasn't visible. I was using 1" by 1" white patches as my aiming point--the reticle's centre dot just fit inside the patch at max zoom at 100m.
After trying out some 62 grain American Eagle to get the scope zeroed I switched to 69 grain Lapua ammunition. I've had good luck with this ammunition in the past, and the 1:7 twist barrel is well-suited for it. The typical five-round group was about 1.75 inches--this one was a bit less at 1.7", for about 1.5 MOA.
Not bad, but there were a few groups where four rounds were very close and the fifth opened it up--like this one with four rounds in 0.75". I really think this rifle is easily a sub-MOA rifle and it was shooter-induced inaccuracies that increased the group size. I only had 20 rounds of Lapua ammunition--I would've liked to try a bit more.
Conclusions
I like this rifle a lot. It's reliable, very accurate, fits me well and balances very nicely too. The trigger pull is acceptable enough to produce accurate results and the free-floating barrel means bipod use won't change your point of impact, too. I really don't mind the stock--except for the safety reach issue.
- Location
- Southern ON.
nice write up Master-G
- Location
- Southern ON.
UPDATE:
I have been speaking to Blaxsun and he has been keeping in contact with Spear Magazines. Spear is considering a production run of the NEW dark smoke/diffused mags for international and local sales. If they have enough interest from Canada and New Zealand they will make a run of the mags. This means that we will not have to pre-order the entire 300 units. We would need 150 pre-ordered mags. The options would still be 5/10 and 5/30. The followers can can be black or red. The floorplate would be black. Blaxsun is working on getting a picture of the sample colour.
Spear has been very accommodating to our specific requirements and legal issues. They continue to work to provide what we ask for.
Please let me know if you want to have your existing order changed to the dark diffused or if you want to add more to your order. ( If the numbers for the dark diffused are not met, your original standard colour order will be used. You will be contacted prior to final ordering.)
If you have not put in an order you still have time.
Blaxsun would like to have the all the pre-orders by MAY 10 This will mean he will have the mags here by late June.
At the moment there are 66 units ordered for the standard colours.
