Design
To adapt the SL8 for the civilian market, the pistol grip and folding stock of the G36 have been replaced by a fixed stock with a thumbhole, and the receiver has been modified to prevent attachment of the G36 folding stock. In addition, to comply with the Gun Control Act of 1968 SL8 rifles exported to the United States have been modified so that they will not accept staggered, normal-capacity 20 and 30 round G36 magazines. U.S. SL8 rifles accept only a single-column, 10-round magazine. Other modifications have been made to the SL8 including a lightened trigger pull, adjustable cheekpiece and buttplate to customize the fit to the user, and a heavier, more accurate barrel. The SL8 does not come with the carry handle and built in optics of the G36, although these can be purchased aftermarket and fitted to the weapon.
Many parts from the G36 series can be fitted to the SL8, but the pistol grip and folding stock cannot be used without modification. At least one U.S. company has manufactured a folding stock that will fit the SL8, and another U.S. company manufactures a specialized mounting block that allows the attachment of the original G36 folding stock.
Many American SL8 owners have modified their SL8's to accept normal-capacity magazines and/or to resemble the G36 by incorporating a pistol grip and folding stock. American SL8's will not accept normal-capacity magazines unless the single-lug SL8 bolt head is replaced with a double-lug G36 bolt head, the magazine well is replaced, and the receiver is modified to permit insertion of a wider magazine body. However, such modifications to SL8 rifles (or indeed to any imported rifles) have significant implications under the 1968 Gun Control Act, which prohibits (inter alia) the assembly from imported parts of rifles that could not themselves be imported. Persons contemplating such modifications should consult the Firearms Technology Branch of BATF, located in Martinsburg, West Virginia. Many U.S. - made components such as G36-style bolt heads and other parts are available on the aftermarket.
As of July 28, 2010 the SL8-6 has been discontinued within the USA, with a MSRP last listed as $2499.00 USD.
Read more about this topic: Heckler & Koch SL8
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