The last couple of years I've been playing less and less airsoft... decided it was time I started getting back into it. This review will be in several parts and information will be added and updated as necessary.
To start off I decided to convert my SL9 back into the G36 it started life as. Had some feeding issues with the SL9 and I missed the G36. This got me thinking about an SL8.. a proper one that was, from the outset, an SL8. As far as I know the only two that exist (that are worth more than a turd) are the Classic Army and Ares SL8.
So, like any responsible airsofter, I decided to read some reviews of the Ares SL8. To my complete horror I discovered that there was no Ares SL8 review on ASC! “Oh Noes!!” Says I, “What can I do to amend this travesty?” After some careful thought and consideration that lasted at least a few seconds I decided to take one for the team, buy a new airsoft gun, and write a review of it. No need to thank me -we all make sacrifices for the good of all.
Real Steel History
From
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sl8 and
http://world.guns.ru/civil/de/heckle...-hk-sl--e.html
The SL8 is closely related to the G36 and is part of the G36 family of weapons made by the German weapons masters at Heckler & Koch.
“SL” stands for 'Selbst-Lade', or Self-Loading. The '8' designates the 8th rifle in H&K's civilian rifle lineup. The SL8 was designed for several markets, including civilian sport shooting, reservists, and other military or para-military groups to provide experience with a military grade rifle similar to the G36 without the requisite costs for military assault rifles. Like the rest of the G36 family the SL8 is constructed primarily from composite compounds.
The SL-8 rifle is a 5.56mm gas operated, semi-automatic weapon. It uses patented short-stroke gas piston system, located above the barrel, which is very reliable and requires minimal maintenance. Barrel locking is achieved by rotary bolt with seven radial lugs, which engages barrel extension and thus relieves polymer receiver from most of the firing stress. Cocking handle design is copied from G36 assault rifle, and when not in use, folding cocking handle lies in line with the gun at the top of receiver. For cocking, it can be swung to either side, and once released, it will straighten itself back automatically. Feed system has bolt hold-open device. Polymer stock is of modular design, and forearm and magazine housing can be easily replaced; basic disassembly requires no special tools
The SL8 differs from the G36 in the following ways:
-The pistol grip and folding stock of the G36 have been replaced by a fixed stock with a thumbhole -The receiver has been modified to prevent attachment of the G36 folding stock.
-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. 'Normal' SL8s will still accept 30-round G36 box 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.
SL8 vs. SL9SD.. what's the difference?
The SL9SD is under development by H&K. It operates on a similar principle to the SL8 and is chambered for 7.62x37mm “whisper” subsonic ammunition.
Now that
that is out of the way, on with the review...
Ordering and Shipping
I eventually found the girl I wanted in the mail-order-brides online catalogue by the good folks at Airsoft Gear. And what a bonus! Christmas sale! Awesome, my wallet would not end up being as lightened by this as I thought.
On their website Airsoft Gear says they require either a picture of your ID that reflects your shipping address or a copy of your PAL before they'll ship a gun to you. Reasonable, unfortunately I don't have either. I PM'd Optix and asked if my ASC AV status would suffice. He got back to me very quickly and said that would be fine. In the 'order notes' for the SL8 I put my ASC username in and asked them to PM me for verification, which they did. Later that day I got notice that the gun had be shipped along with a tracking number. This was all on a Sunday. Very fast service, very fast communication. Overall very happy with the service from Airsoft Gear. The gun was shipped requiring ID and signature which is great.. I've had airsoft guns drop delivered before because a sig wasn't required.
The gun arrived in Oakville from BC by Friday but CP being the asspirates they are wouldn't let me pick it up until the weekend. In total I paid just over $400. Pretty awesome for a gun that, just over 2 years ago, I was quoted $1,200 on.
In short.. Airsoft Gear: Awesome! Canada Post: Fail.
Airsoft Gear wrapped the parcel incredibly well. It would have made the Sheriff of Rottingham quit in frustration trying to get into it. It took me a knife, scissors, and light explosives to get the chastity belt off this lovely virgin.
Again, extremely happy with the way AG shipped.
Basic Overview
BATTERY: 8.4V 1700mAH
MAGAZINE CAPACITY: 20rds (6mm BB)
MODE: Full Auto / Semi / Safe
MATERIAL: Nylon Fiber + Zinc Alloy
MOTOR: High Torque Flat Motor
HOP-UP: Adjustable
LENGTH: 980/1030mm (6 Positions)
WEIGHT: 3600g
VELOCITY: 430+ FPS
MECHBOX:
Real, proper Version 3 mechbox. No Ares proprietary stuff!
What's in the box
The gun, a 20-round short magazine, charging rod, and English manual. No unjaming rod unfortunately. There was also a little baggy of additional hardware, screws mostly. Not 100% sure what they're all for.
Ares packs the SL8 very well overall.
First Impressions
The first thing that caught my eye was that the grey body is actually darker than it looks in every single picture on the net. It's more “grey” than “white”. Construction is overall very solid. The balance is excellent. Normal airsoft G36's tend to be front heavy, with the mechbox over the handgrip and the battery in the front end. The SL8 has removable spacers, the last of which is a hunk of metal, in the stock which add a good chunk of weight. With the battery installed the balance is excellent. The real metal spacer acts as a nice counter-weight.
Weight
I haven't (and won't) weigh it, but it feels similar to my SL9. My SL9 was a CA G36 with a STAR conversion kit, not a full SL9. Several sources put the weight in around 3600g, spread out over the entire 1030mm length. It's heavier than my CA36 and slightly heavier than my CA15 in my scrawny arms.