SL-8 to G36 Look-A-Like Questions.

[N003k]

Well, I've been thinking about this for awhile really, but to explain, I like evil black rifles, a lot. I hate that HK doesn't sell a semi-auto clone of the G36 in the US, at least if they do I can't find any reference to one on their site or one in a gunshop, but I have stumbled across SL-8's converted to LOOK like them at least.

With that said, heres what I want to do, over what I'm guessing will be an expensive prolonged period of time. Buy a USED SL-8. Key note there being used. I'm in the group of those that like HK products, but despise the companies feelings of the civilian market, so, I don't want them getting any money from me. Figure a used one means someone ELSE already paid for it either way, right?

Now though, to the main questions. I know I ONCE stumbled across a site that sold G36 parts, and I'm fairly sure parts to convert SL8s. I sadly can't seem to find this site again, so, can anyone provide that site?

Second, exactly how tedious of a process with this be?

Third, not being exactly gifted with many metal working skills, is this something I'll need to get a gunsmith to help with/do all of?

Fourth, is there any overwhelming reason I SHOULDN'T do this?

That's...all I can THINK of, but I'm sure everyone here will think of some other useful thing I forgot to ask and tell me about it anyways

 

[CMP]

I dont believe theres much work in converting it becuase they used to sell kits to do it. I dont think they sell them any more, I have seen the converted sl-8 to G36 go for around $4000 new but that was awhile back

 

[NG VI]

Does the conversion allow use of greater than ten round magazines? If not it's still a nice HK slap in the face. Like Bill Ruger's misstep years ago but without any chance of repentance.

 

[nwilliams]

Does the conversion allow use of greater than ten round magazines? If not it's still a nice HK slap in the face. Like Bill Ruger's misstep years ago but without any chance of repentance.

From what I've read that's the biggest obstacle in the conversion process. The SL-8 was designed to accept only single stack mags and from what I've read there's some gunsmithing involved to covert it to accept high caps.

Overall I've heard the conversion process is pretty easy but when you consider $1800-$2000 for even a used SL-8 plus another $1500 or so in G36 conversion parts it quickly gets way out of my price range.

Years ago I had an HK USC that I picked up for $800 used and it was already black, it also had a three digit serial number. I sold it a few years ago and have never forgiven myself for doing so, for many reasons but mostly because lately I've been itching to do a USC to UMP conversion.

 

[NG VI]

That much? Wish I'd bought the 7-800 used one I saw about four years ago now. I do like HK's product, just can't abide the smallest amount of "this is for them, if you're lucky we'll neuter it and let you buy it in five or ten years".

 

[Trebor]

The big time for SL-8 conversions was about five years ago. I don't even think SL-8's are even imported anymore. I also believe the people who had been making the conversion parts no longer do so since the rifles are no longer imported.

I could be wrong though. I suggest asking at a HK oriented board like HKPRO.

You could also start hunting for a used rifle where the previous owner already did the conversion.

 

[N003k]

Oof, well, even if they HAVE stopped importing them, I'm sure theres still a good bit floating around...I guess worst case scenario is I DO wait until one turns up already converted. Would suck to have to do that, but, I guess I'll survive!

 

[Ian]

I know that at least some of the conversions to allow use of standard mags. I ran into a guy who had a SL8/G36 at the range once. I don't recall the details of where he got all the parts, but it was a pretty sweet rifle (didn't hurt that he had a suppressor on it as well).

 

[devildog32713]

Sounds awesome! Send me some pics if you ever get this done!

 

[Hani Pasha]

I have heard about this site several times before. Perhaps you should check it out.

http://www.hdps.org/htm/5-1-1.htm

 

[Gunnerpalace]

. I hate that HK doesn't sell a semi-auto clone of the G36 in the US

HK cant sell those here due to both federal and german law.

Also those conversions, are a grey area with the ATF.

 

[Jguy101]

HK cant sell those here due to both federal and german law.

They have a factory in Georgia.

 

[Hatterasguy]

I would just buy someone elses conversion.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=153159304

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=152996144
That ones a class three.

 

[KW]

Check out HKPro.com. The conversions I've seen people doing on there lately involve using a demilled G-36 as the parts source and SBRing the whole thing. Not cheap or easy, but some of the conversions being made lately look identical to the real thing, take real G-36 mags etc.

 

[Gunnerpalace]

They have a factory in Georgia.

No that's just a office complex/ they do some firearms work there, the weapons are made in Germany.

So unlike Sig, FNH, Beretta, and others, H&K never opened a factory in the states to manufacture for and sell to the U.S. civilian market? They're un-American and elitist?!

Total Civilian sales for HK: 3%
It's much higher for other companies so HK does not depend on civvie sales for their profit, and considering the .gov screws them every time they have brought over cool stuff, I can see why they just make a 1 size fits all civvie gun.

 

[happygeek]

So unlike Sig, FNH, Beretta, and others, H&K never opened a factory in the states to manufacture for and sell to the U.S. civilian market? They're un-American and elitist?!

 

[Sebastian the Ibis]

Check out:

http://www.sturmgewehr.com/webBBS/nfa4sale.cgi

You might find someone willing to sell a parts set.

 

[Destructo6]

http://www.shop.black-market-parts.com/product.sc?productId=36&categoryId4

$422 for the conversion parts: magwell, lower, buttstock.

Keep in mind that these parts and company were, at one time, associated with Top-Notch, Special Weapons, and the owner of the same.

 

[PzGren]

They're un-American and elitist?!

They are like every other company in business for a profit. Of course, they are un-American, they are German.

 

[Robert]

My brother has an SL8-1 that he looked into converting to a G36 clone. As others have said it was very expensive. The mag well conversion alone was $400. He decided that his -1 was just fine the way it was. Heck of an accurate rifle.

 

[N003k]

Also those conversions, are a grey area with the ATF.

...How so? I don't intend to make it capable of full auto fire, or at first, even an SBR. So theres no worry about breaking the NFA in any way...

And so long as its 922r Compliant, I don't see how the ATF can say a thing about it, unless theres been a law passed again that determines that a guns appearence can't be changed, in which case given the things I hang off OTHER guns, I'm already in trouble there!

And thanks for some of the links guys, frankly some of those are a bit cheaper then I honestly hoped to expect. Saved the links, and I'm going to start looking into this a bit deeper now I think.

 

[Gunnerpalace]

And so long as its 922r Compliant,I don't intend to make it capable of full auto fire, or at first, even an SBR.

Then you should be safe, it is the non-us parts and the NFA'ing of import firearms that can be a gray area.
NOTE: I'm not a legal expert.