Heckler & Koch SL8
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| Heckler & Koch SL8-1 | |
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| Type | Sporting Rifle |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Heckler & Koch |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 8.60 pounds (3.9 kg) with magazine |
| Length | 38.58 in. (980mm) |
| Barrel length | 20.80 in. (528mm) |
| Height | 9.84 in. (250mm) with magazine |
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| Cartridge | .223 Remington |
| Action | Gas operated, short stroke piston, rotary locking bolt |
| Rate of fire | Semi-automatic |
| Feed system | 10-round single column, detachable polymer box magazine |
| Sights | adjustable Iron sights and detachable MIL-STD-1913 rail. G36 sighting systems optional. |
The Heckler & Koch SL8 is a sporting rifle manufactured by Heckler & Koch. It is the civilian version of the Heckler & Koch G36.
The rifle uses a .223 round (5.56 mm NATO) and feeds from a 10 round, clear, detachable magazine. Unlike earlier types of HK rifles, it is not a roller lock bolt but rather a lug type rotating bolt system as seen on the AR-18. The SL8 was originally developed for the German Bundeswehr, to provide a weapon for training reservists similar to the G36 and able to be provided to reserve organizations not able to provide military grade armaments.
To adapt the SL8 to the American civilian market, the pistol grip and folding stock of the G36 has been replaced by a fixed stock with thumbhole and the receiver modified to prevent it from accepting G36 magazines. 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 without problem. Most other parts from the G36 series can not be fitted to the SL8 including pistol grip, folding stock (a special U.S.-made folding stock was available for some time), bolt carrier, trigger group, et cetera. Some parts are interchangeable with G36 though, such are the foregrip, barrel (on some versions), bolt, magazine well (except the SL8-1 for U.S. market), et cetera. Knight's Armament Company has a line of other parts available for the SL8.
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[edit] SL9SD
There is a 7.62mm version of the SL8 under development from H&K.
Type & Operation: Semi-automatic rifle, gas-operated bolt with rotary bolt head.
Calibre & Ammunition: 7.62x37mm (.300 Whisper - a subsonic round made by necking-up the .221 Remington Fireball case to .308" and using a 240gr Sierra MatchKing bullet.) The cartridge will fit and feed from all standard 5.56x45mm NATO magazines. The Whisper has effectively the same power and weight as a standard .45 ACP, but the lower calibre greatly increases armor penetration.
Capacity & Feed: 10, 30 rounds (box magazine)
Dimensions: 1150mm (O/A length), 270mm (height), 58mm (width)
Weights: 4.6kg (with silencer)
[edit] In popular culture
In popular culture, the SL8 makes an appearance in Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3: Athena Sword expansion, as well in F.E.A.R. as the Rakow G2A2 Assault Rifle 5.56mm with a 35 round drum magazine. It also appears in the popular Xbox title Far Cry: Instincts where it is referred to as a scout rifle. In Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon 2 and the expansion pack, Ghost Recon 2: Summit Strike, the SL9, the 7.62 mm caliber sniper variant of the SL8. The HK SL8 is also a Semi-Automatic Rifle in Resident Evil 4, Shown and mentioned in a CSI: Miami episode titled "Throwing Heat" January 22, 2007
[edit] HK R8
A modified version of the SL8, known as the R8, is available in Australia. The weapon has been converted to a bolt action, and uses either a 5 or 10 round magazine. These changes were presumably made to allow the rifle to be sold under tighter Australian gun control laws.
It retains the general appearance of the SL8 though has a similar sight and carrying handle to the G36 rifle.
[edit] References
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