Re: H&K SL-8 Mag Conv. to take AR mags
Found this around, so it answers my questions and yours...
The Heckler & Koch SL8 is a sporting rifle manufactured by Heckler & Koch. It is the civilian version of the Heckler & Koch G36.
The rifle fires the .223 Remington or 5.56x45mm NATO cartridge and feeds from a 10, 20 or 30 round detachable magazine (depending on the variant of the rifle). 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.
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To adapt the SL8 for the civilian market, the pistol grip and folding stock of the G36 have been replaced by a fixed stock with a thumbhole, and the receiver has been modified to prevent attachment of the G36 folding stock.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 (as presently construed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms or ATF) 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 [Black Market Parts] 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 high-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.
As of July 28th,2010 the SL8 has been discontinued
What is required to accomplish this conversion is to:
replace enough parts of the rifle with US MADE components to comply with current laws
so that the weapon can be considered a DOMESTIC (US MADE) rifle rather than an IMPORTED rifle.
There is NO law restricting the magazine capacity of US MADE WEAPONS
There ARE laws restricting the capacity of NEWLY MANUFACTURED (Imported AND US MADE) MAGAZINES .
There ARE laws restricting the magazine capacity of NEWLY IMPORTED WEAPONS.
THIS is how you are able to assemble a G3 clone that uses Legal (pre-ban) Hi-Capacity G3 magazines today and be allowed to add a Pistol Grip/Buttstock rather than a thumbhole stock.
This is ALSO how a POST BAN Springfield Armory SAR-08 that was originally IMPORTED from GREECE is allowed to be made to use a Pistol Grip/Buttstock and ALSO use Legal (pre-ban) Hi-Cap G3 mags.
This is ALSO the reason you are allowed to build a POST BAN AR15 that uses LEGAL (pre-ban) Hi-Cap AR15 mags.
This is ALSO how the POST BAN AK receivers that were originally imported to accept only TEN round magazines can be adapted to accept Legal (pre-ban) HI CAP AK mags.
________________________________________
What components (relative to "Parts Rule") are replaced with US MADE parts ?
The Bolt (designed for a double stacked AR15 magazine,)
The Gas Piston (for IMPORTED parts rule)
The Magazine (for IMPORTED parts rule)
Mag Body
Mag Follower
Mag Floor Plate
What parts are "left" on the gun that contribute to the IMPORTED Parts Rule?
Parts Rule Actual Parts Used
(1) Frames, receivers, receiver castings, forgings
or stampings
(2) Barrels
(3) Barrel extensions
(4) Mounting blocks (trunnions)
(5) Muzzle attachments
(6) Bolts
(7) Bolt carriers
(8) Operating rods
(9) Gas pistons
(10) Trigger housings (will be replaced with next project)
(11) Triggers
(12) Hammers
(13) Sears (unsure.. will assume "yes")
(14) Disconnectors
(15) Buttstocks
(16) Pistol grips
(17) Forearms, handguards
(18) Magazine bodies
(19) Followers
(20) Floorplates (1) Frames, receivers, receiver castings, forgings or stampings
(2) Barrels
(3) Bolt carriers
(4) Trigger housings (will be replaced with next project)
(5) Triggers
(6) Hammers
(7) Sears
(8) Operating rods
(9)Buttstock (insert)
(10) Forearms, handguards
Are any other modifications made to the gun?
The recessed (non-critical, no stress) area of the receiver is removed to allow clearance for the wider magazine.
This can be performed with a milling machine or Dremel tool.
Can I do this myself?
Yes.. it is a simple cut and instructions are included with
