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HERA block SL8 conversion

23244 Views 49 Replies 30 Participants Last post by  FireGS
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I wanted to share some photos of my latest SL8 conversion project. I replaced the butt stock with the new HERA BCK gen II block (you can order them at LAN world). Really nice aluminum block and it is fun to lift your trigger group from the SL8 stock in the the HERA block. On the block you can attach either an ACR stock or an AR-15 compatible stock, but I chose the ACR stock because it is foldable (and it clears the ejection port so you can shoot it folded). Tom Bostic widened up the magwell so it can accept G36 magazines, and he shortened and threaded the barrel to 16.5 inches, and I attached a Vortex flash hider.

So, this weekend I went to a defensive rifle course to put the gun to test (with a Trijicon RX30 red-dot sight), and during the weekend I shot about 550 rounds, doing fast fire, malfunction drills, shooting prone etc -- and no malfunction of any kind; the gun works just great. Tom did an awesome job on the magazine conversion; you cannot tell there is new piece of plastic there. The one thing that was troublesome is that the HERA block trigger guard is a bit sharp and it really rubbed my finger during the exercises where you hold the gun 'at ready' lots of the time -- I need to find a way to round the trigger guard edges a bit. Also, the converted SL8 is still quite heavy compared to a better AR-15 due to the bull barrel -- but many of the other participants had quite a few malfunctions during the training weekend: broken butt stock, a POF that had continuous FTF's, and various other smaller problems. We also put in some some dummy .40 rounds in our magazines as a malfunction drill and interestingly the SL8 just ejects them on a rack, while the AR15's do a double feed at the point. Bad things about the SL8: the safety switch sits too high to manipulate with the thumb, and the magazine ejection button cannot be pushed with the trigger hand (which means you have to pull out a magazine first which can be slightly slower)

Anyways, here are some pics of my new beauty:








btw. some 922(r) info for those that want to do this too: the nice thing about the HERA is that it gives you a USA made Magpull pistol grip and Bushmaster ACR stock. I also use a HDPS piston and piston rod, and Magpull G36 magazines (3 parts), so I have 7 USA made parts. (as an aside: That is in principle one too many, but I am not sure if the the HERA block itself counts as a german made 'trigger housing', so just to be on the safe side I like to use at least 7 parts)
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I wasnt a big fan of the original, but this one looks great!
I wasnt a big fan of the original, but this one looks great!
Thanks Joe! I think this is how the SL8 should have been in the first place :)
Looks great! Of all the stock block options, I think the ACR stock is the best one for an unchopped SL8.
That really came together nicely! I gather that this is not considered a full G36 conversion?
That really came together nicely! I gather that this is not considered a full G36 conversion?
Good question :) I guess a "real" G36 conversion would want to look like a G36, with a G36 stock and the higher dual optic rail etc. I just wanted to create a better SL-8 with a nice grip/stock and able to accept dual stack magazines. Also, I like how solid the HERA block and ACR stock are and I think the whole setup is more reliable and stronger than a welded G36 conversion.
Looks good with the Trijicon RX30.

The HERA with ACR stock makes it look sleek

Nice
USC/AR Stock Conversion $489.00 (like the SL8 HERA kits you can use ..... of the SL8 reciever, it looks much more intergrated than stock block .
Hi Vivec,
Does the barrel need to be removed before it is cut?
I have the new SL8-6 and I think that the barrel is too tight and can't be removed.
Nice post! I bought one of these about 8 months ago and have not had the time to do the conversion yet. I am going to do almost the same set-up on mine. What kind of accuracy are you getting with the cut down barrel?
Hi Vivec,
Does the barrel need to be removed before it is cut?
I have the new SL8-6 and I think that the barrel is too tight and can't be removed.
From what I've read the Germans didn't like us taking the barrels off so they applied some sort of loctite to
the threads. I've also read that people have broken tools trying to get it off. I'm sure someone's damaged
the rifle without knowing it.
If you have the sl8-6 it's nearly impossible to remove it. You can send it to HK USA and they'll take it off for you. It costs around 60 dollars.
Hi Vivec,
Does the barrel need to be removed before it is cut?
I have the new SL8-6 and I think that the barrel is too tight and can't be removed.
I am not sure -- I sent the whole rifle to Tommy and he cut it for me. I did hear about barrel removal problems though so that is why I sent it out to the expert instead of going with a local gunsmith :)
What kind of accuracy are you getting with the cut down barrel?
The point of impact changed a bit, but it seems just as accurate as before; I only tested up to 100 yards though -- perhaps further out it becomes more apparent ?? The SL8 does have a really thick barrel though so I think it does not matter too much if it is 20" or 16.5".
What is the actual LOP with that ACR stock fully collapsed?

I can't have a folding/collapsing stock in NY, so I've been considering the Hera kit with a fixed ACR stock.. but I'm concerned about LOP issues.

Any help would be appreciated.
It is a total thing of beauty. Congrats.
B
Damn, looks nice.
Wish I could afford a hera block.

Working with an ar15 lower receiver cad drawing and taking some (crappy) measurements of an sl8 stock with dial calipers, I'm gonna make something similar on my own. Though its tough working from scratch.. (wish I had some technical drawings to work off of >.> )
Vivec,

First off, very nice job!

I see that you have the same hand guard and bipod as I do. Does your hand guard have enough play to contact the gas block with a little upward pressure? I have point of impact issues depending on my hold and if the block is or isn't in contact with the hand guard. Just curious.
I was wondering if the ACR stock flops around when folded or stays in place due to friction in the hinge?
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