Would you like your SL8-1 to be Black?
- Thread starter Keith Buckner
- Start date
I have been following your progress on HKPro (until recently..wonder when thats going back online). I must say it looks awsome! I haven't figured out yet if I want to just put a scope on it, or do a short rail, or the whole nine yards like yours
I do know you will probably be swamped with orders.
I do know you will probably be swamped with orders.Robert the41MagFan
New member
And now you can do it a heck of a lot cheaper. HK just dropped the price on SL-8 to nine hundred and ninety nine dollars. So we're probably looking at about $1100 street for a new rifle. They won't say whether the move was done to make way for a new rifle or they're sitting on a ton and just want to move them. Either way, price just got really attractive for a rifle of this quality.
Robert
Robert
price drop on HK?..I hope its not because they have decided to leave the US market..I have heard rumors that the P7M8 and there rifle line was being dropped stateside...it sure does look better in black then grey..and what do you know about the special weapons retrofit kit to take ar15? mags in the sl8?
glock glockler
New member
No Thank you, I don't want one of those gelded abortions in any color, now OTOH, I'll be lining up around the block for a HK G36.
Vladimir_Berkov
New member
That looks really great! If the M16 mag conversion turns out to be reliable, that gun could really be a rival to the AR15.
Keith Buckner
New member
When finished, this will be really cool.
Vlad,
thanx.. when finished, this should look like a G36.
Glockler,
I do not understand your response. I am not selling SL8-1s and am not soliciting responses of people that do not own sl8-1s. If you misunderstood the post, I apologize. I will try to make myself more "clear" in the future.
For clairfication purposes,
IF YOU ALREADY OWN an SL8-1, and would RATHER IT BE BLACK THAN GRAY, I can do this transformation for you.
This is NOT an attempt to sell SL8-1s (especially to individuals who dislike that particular rifle).
Thanx,
KB
Vlad,
thanx.. when finished, this should look like a G36.
Glockler,
I do not understand your response. I am not selling SL8-1s and am not soliciting responses of people that do not own sl8-1s. If you misunderstood the post, I apologize. I will try to make myself more "clear" in the future.
For clairfication purposes,
IF YOU ALREADY OWN an SL8-1, and would RATHER IT BE BLACK THAN GRAY, I can do this transformation for you.
This is NOT an attempt to sell SL8-1s (especially to individuals who dislike that particular rifle).
Thanx,
KB
Robert the41MagFan
New member
HK1
All the stories about HK leaving the US market is only rumors and there is absolutely nothing that substantiates those rumors. HK (German companies in general) has a problem understanding and dealing with the US markets. And they do lots of things to piss off the US distribution system and consumers. Last year, HK separated LE products from the civilian line and started a program of minimum buys in order to deal with HK direct. That in turn made lots of small dealers angry, because they could no longer buy piecemeal direct from HK. And that is where the rumors have originated from. As far as most dealers in the US are concerned, HK is out of reach and are already gone.
Robert
All the stories about HK leaving the US market is only rumors and there is absolutely nothing that substantiates those rumors. HK (German companies in general) has a problem understanding and dealing with the US markets. And they do lots of things to piss off the US distribution system and consumers. Last year, HK separated LE products from the civilian line and started a program of minimum buys in order to deal with HK direct. That in turn made lots of small dealers angry, because they could no longer buy piecemeal direct from HK. And that is where the rumors have originated from. As far as most dealers in the US are concerned, HK is out of reach and are already gone.
Robert
Duke of Lawnchair
New member
SL8
Keith,
The SL8-1 that you have worked on looks great, and I have been "lurking" the hkpro board checking for your updates. In other words, your rifle is a sight for sore eyes.
I am VERY interested in having this done to my rifle.
Somewhat off topic, I've noticed that the mention of the SL8 rifles seems to stir a lot of emotions. Some people even take offense to the rifle.
Whatever floats your boat!
Jim
Keith,
The SL8-1 that you have worked on looks great, and I have been "lurking" the hkpro board checking for your updates. In other words, your rifle is a sight for sore eyes.
I am VERY interested in having this done to my rifle.
Somewhat off topic, I've noticed that the mention of the SL8 rifles seems to stir a lot of emotions. Some people even take offense to the rifle.
Whatever floats your boat!
Jim
glock glockler
New member
Easy there Keith, I'm just talkin crap
My point was that it is garbage that American gun owners should have to settle for those gelded gray versions in the first place. Why can't we have the genuine article?
My point was that it is garbage that American gun owners should have to settle for those gelded gray versions in the first place. Why can't we have the genuine article?
Keith Buckner
New member
Thanx for coming back Glockler
I understand your position and agree.
I (as well as a few others folks) am trying to help "fix" this situation that should have never needed "fixin" in the first place.
When this whole project is completed, I think there are going to be some very happy guys with some rather unique guns out there.
This endeavor may seem crazy to some folks, but hey... it's still gonna be fun!
To each his own, I say.
I appreciate everyones support!
KB
I understand your position and agree.
I (as well as a few others folks) am trying to help "fix" this situation that should have never needed "fixin" in the first place.
When this whole project is completed, I think there are going to be some very happy guys with some rather unique guns out there.
This endeavor may seem crazy to some folks, but hey... it's still gonna be fun!
To each his own, I say.
I appreciate everyones support!
KB
George Hill
Staff Alumnus
There is now a kit to make the SL8 take USGI mags... now you can get your grey gun turned black too.
I like this.
Now the price is lowered too? Booyaa!
Hmmm. Wait a sec.
If HK is trying to liquidate the current stocks of SL8 rifles... is there another rifle on the horizon? Perhaps with the possibilities of the Mag Ban sunsetting... HK will release the SL8 made to take G-36 mags with hopefully, regular G-36 stock and pistol grip too.
I would be in heaven!
I like this.
Now the price is lowered too? Booyaa!
Hmmm. Wait a sec.
If HK is trying to liquidate the current stocks of SL8 rifles... is there another rifle on the horizon? Perhaps with the possibilities of the Mag Ban sunsetting... HK will release the SL8 made to take G-36 mags with hopefully, regular G-36 stock and pistol grip too.
I would be in heaven!
Vladimir_Berkov
New member
Even if the AW ban sunsets, importing a rifle similar to the G36 involves lots of other regulations. The way I see it, is that HK could import a low-cap-only rifle like the SL-8 with a pistol grip config. Then in the US, the M16 mag conversion would take place. US made furniture or other parts would have to be added to make the rifle legal, although the M16 magazine itself would add 3 parts. You would then have a parts "G36" much like the parts AKs, FALs, and CETMEs that are now on the US market.
What is so great about the SL8-1?
I have a question. The SL8-1 at first really doesn't make bells go off in my head. What is so great about this gun that makes it so expensive and so desirable by some? Is it more than cosmetics? Just curious? I know we all have our own little quirks. What makes this rifle so great for some of yall?
I have a question. The SL8-1 at first really doesn't make bells go off in my head. What is so great about this gun that makes it so expensive and so desirable by some? Is it more than cosmetics? Just curious? I know we all have our own little quirks. What makes this rifle so great for some of yall?
Keith Buckner
New member
It's a real tack driver. Smoooooooth shooter, too. Lightweight.
Takes a bit getting used to the thumbhole stock, though.
Go shoot one for a while. This is a mostly POLAR type gun. You'll either hate it or love it.
I bought mine just because it was a new HK, and it was only $1500.00 (now they have even gotten cheaper) retail. Then after I shot it a bit, I really started to fall in love with it. I can't leave anything alone, though and I really didn't care for the gray plastic. That's why I started working on a way to make it black. To me, at least, it looks better Black than Gray.
Takes a bit getting used to the thumbhole stock, though.
Go shoot one for a while. This is a mostly POLAR type gun. You'll either hate it or love it.
I bought mine just because it was a new HK, and it was only $1500.00 (now they have even gotten cheaper) retail. Then after I shot it a bit, I really started to fall in love with it. I can't leave anything alone, though and I really didn't care for the gray plastic. That's why I started working on a way to make it black. To me, at least, it looks better Black than Gray.
I hope Heckler und Koch makes their AR-18 black. It's just soooo hard to be tactical with that field (Prussian?) grey.
It's hard to hang with all those ex-Selous Scout or SEAL types at the gun club with untactical weapons. "I just don't feel tactical right now." John Kapson, Mount Prospect, Illinois.
It's hard to hang with all those ex-Selous Scout or SEAL types at the gun club with untactical weapons. "I just don't feel tactical right now." John Kapson, Mount Prospect, Illinois.
Paint it!
You would be amazed what a good paint job would do on a rifle. And it is so easy. Here is my handy work.
Rem 700 1st Paint Job
Rem 700 2nd Paint Job
M1A Synthetic stock
If it is easy to do a camo job, think of how easy it would be to simply paint that stock black. At least I think, I am not familiar with that H&K stock.
Thanks for the info on the SL8-1. Too bad I won't get to know what it is like, I am a subject of the PRK.
You would be amazed what a good paint job would do on a rifle. And it is so easy. Here is my handy work.
Rem 700 1st Paint Job
Rem 700 2nd Paint Job
M1A Synthetic stock
If it is easy to do a camo job, think of how easy it would be to simply paint that stock black. At least I think, I am not familiar with that H&K stock.
Thanks for the info on the SL8-1. Too bad I won't get to know what it is like, I am a subject of the PRK.
Difficult to understand if all HK SL8's in the USA are model -1 in grey, since HK also makes and sells SL8-4 model in black for the general public in many European countries outside Germany. As far as I know, the German law (or interpretation of it) do not allow selling military LOOKING guns to civilians, and black color is one of those NoNos. There are also other ways to make ridiculous gun legistlation than the American way... the Germans can buy hicap mags to their handguns, but they cannot buy military-looking semiauto rifles.
Here you can see how HK SL8-4 looks in the homepages of a company that imports HK to Finland http://www.hjorth.fi/Heckler_Koch/heckler_luodikot.htm. Not a great picture and the text is in Finnish, but this is the model exported from HK, Germany, to many other European countries, no aftermarket fixes added.
I have asked for a semi G36 from various dealers in Europe, but everyone says not available. A semi G36, with 30 rd mags, folding stock etc. would be legal to own for a permit holder (but not everyone gets permit) here in Finland.
I have been told that currently military and police organizations in various countries buy all G36s HK has capacity to produce, so there simply are no guns to sell to civilians. Also, HK is not eager to sell military guns to civilians because of the strict German legistlation, and have therefore the separate cililian product line.
Ossi
Here you can see how HK SL8-4 looks in the homepages of a company that imports HK to Finland http://www.hjorth.fi/Heckler_Koch/heckler_luodikot.htm. Not a great picture and the text is in Finnish, but this is the model exported from HK, Germany, to many other European countries, no aftermarket fixes added.
I have asked for a semi G36 from various dealers in Europe, but everyone says not available. A semi G36, with 30 rd mags, folding stock etc. would be legal to own for a permit holder (but not everyone gets permit) here in Finland.
I have been told that currently military and police organizations in various countries buy all G36s HK has capacity to produce, so there simply are no guns to sell to civilians. Also, HK is not eager to sell military guns to civilians because of the strict German legistlation, and have therefore the separate cililian product line.
Ossi
One other question Keith. I have quite an eye for color ( the painter in me ) and was unsure if the black color you have come up with matches the original color of the G-36 forearm. It would seem by your pics, yours is just a little bit more plum colored. Not trying to be picky mind you, just curious. Also, how much does the forearm with the bi-pod run? I found one of the carry handles at a local shop with the 1.5x scope for under $300, but wonder if that is the way to go for distances out to 100 yds. Suggestions?