HK SL8....Impressions? Opinions?

[PeteyPete]

With a looming AWB, I'm interested in purchasing an evil black rifle, even if it's at a slight premium. Going to the local gun stores, it looks as if they were all looted here in NJ. Not much in the way of inventory when it comes to rifles or handguns, and they are completely out of black rifles, with the exception of one solitary HK SL8-6. They are asking $2K, which seems to be fair, given their availability and political climate, but whats the verdict on the rifle itself?

I know it's based on the G36, supposedly a reliable design, but at $2k, there are a lot of other guns/accessories/toys that could be purchased w/ that coin. A nice AR w/ an EOTech, 3 decent handguns, some home improvements...the list goes on..

What do you think? $2K for a HK w/ a funky stock, and impossible to find magazines, but ensure that it's in hand....or the hope that Holder doesn't go on a banning jihad and wait for the AR supply to catch up w/ the frenzied demand, and get a nice POF or LMTC in six months.

 

[Gord]

For $2k you should be able to buy and accessorize an AR even now; they're not $750 anymore, no, and you're probably not going to be able to buy a top-tier AR for that price, but a Bushmaster, Stag, RRA et al should be perfectly doable for $1200 or so.

I know you can find a decent AK (or two) and some mags for $2k. We're not talking WASRs here.

I see no reason to drop $2k on an SL8, which I wouldn't call an EBR in the first place. It's HK; they don't believe civvies need such things. It's a tarted-up varmint rifle for the "it's still cool 'cause SEALs use HKs" crowd. You may as well just buy a BAR (or one of those FNAR monstrosities) and save yourself some money.

 

[goldie]

i have an sl8, bought it about 6 years ago, its the grey one ,cost about 1k back then. i found it to be very accurate & reliable. at 100 yards, i shot a 1/2" group with hornady 75 grain ammo.but i dont think its worth 2k,twice the price i paid.its definitely more of a target rifle than an assault type,especially with the 10 rd mags.you might be better with an ar or ak for less......

 

[Storm]

its definitely more of a target rifle than an assault type

Exactly right! The SL8 is a real niche gun whether you keep it stock or convert it. Even with the new 20 round mags its a good sized rifle and those single stack mags hang down awfully low. I'd also look at an AR or an MSAR if you want the "black gun" type of weapon. If you'd consider a .308 the FAL has a lot to offer.

 

[Robert]

My brother has a -1, that is a tack driving hoot to shoot and does a number on the prairie dogs but the single stack 10 round mags are a real drawback in my book. The conversion to accept AR mags is just too dang expensive to justify it. It is an odd ball that I have not seen many of. That being said $2,000 is a heck of an AR and ammo and toys or even a DSA FAL and ammo and toys for that matter. The SL8s are fun little rifles but not taking AR mags, for less than $600, is a no go. Great rifle but the money can get you so much more with something else.

 

[Storm]

Here is a photo of the new 20 round ProMags for the SL8. While the photo doesn't show it well the feed area of the ProMag is pretty much a clone of the HK 10 round mag.

I'd also point out that as the SL8 is more of a target rifle than battle rifle a ten round mag is more than adeqaute for the kind of shooting that it was designed for. As it is, I typically load the mags to five.

 

[xx7grant7x]

theres always a converted one for around 3k need to dye the plastic black tho... found on gunbroker

 

[Gunnerpalace]

It's HK; they don't believe civvies need such things.

Try federal import law,

20 round ProMags for the SL8

Has not everything made by them been a disaster?

OP, if you want a AR type I would go for that now, it would be better to be on a list sooner (waiting list) than later, however, if imports are banned, (Obama can do this) the SL8 would be a good choice, however I would only get one of those if I was doing the G36 mod, Speaking of AR types isn't there a AWB in NJ?

 

[browningguy]

Excellent rifles, and probably worth the $2k, if it meets your needs. Mags are costly as are all HK mags.

 

[Coronach]

promag = junk.

SL8 =/= G36, but it's as close as we can get, unless HK decides to build a G36 clone here, which they have shown zero interest in doing.

AWB 2.0 =/= sure thing.

Mike

 

[PeteyPete]

Thanks for the advise guys....I have been hoping to find a NJ legal AR (preferably a M&P15 ORC....no dice so far). If I can't find anything, I may bite the bullet and take the HK or put my name on the POF waiting list for the P415.

Speaking of AR types isn't there a AWB in NJ?

NJ has their own AWB...According to the brilliant arbiters of good and common sense in our state capital: a semi-automatic rifle is an assault weapon if it can accept a detachable magazine and has two or more of the following:

A folding or telescoping stock
A pistol grip
A bayonet mount
A flash suppressor, or threads to attach one
A grenade launcher.

We have to make sure our AR's have fixed stocks, and muzzle breaks instead of flash suppressors. The SL8 has neither, so it's NJ legal.

 

[jackdanson]

You may as well just buy a BAR (or one of those FNAR monstrosities) and save yourself some money.

Hey, don't smack talk the FNAR!!! It may be ugly, but mine shoots spectacularly.

To OP, I wouldn't buy one, get an AR and a bunch of mags. That's just an opinion though, buy what you want!