Generation XM8 - Initial reports favor Heckler & Koch

Ledger-Enquirer ^ | September 23, 2004 | TONY ADAMS

[MI]

[Armedanddangerous]

Ok folks...I don't trust a battle rifle without iron sights....at least backup sights..

optical sights die, get damaged, or get knocked off.

They need back-up iron sights...especially for this plastic gun.

[RogueIsland]

Golly, I better get me one of them since the "assault rifle" ban has expired! (sarcasm intended)

Would be nice if they produced a civvie version in their U.S. plant, but I won't hold my breath.

[big'ol_freeper]

Ping

[Joe Brower]

So many cool toys, so little $$$ and range time. $:-)

Now that the "AW ban" has sunset (and we're going to make sure it stays that way, right? $;-), I look forward to the civilian semi-auto version of this hitting the market in the next couple of years. The HK reps at the last SHOT show said that HK is ready, willing and able to produce these for the civilian market. The domestic production facility is part of that plan.

As for .223 or 6.8 SPC versions, they have both in proto, although the .223 is further along. I expect to see both, again, at least for the civvie market.

[TXBSAFH]

1 Question. When will they have a semi auto civilian one of these I can buy?

[Armedanddangerous]

I'd buy one if the price was somewhat reasonable and 30 round mags were available at reasonable prices. Before the ban, the good HK rifles, like the HK-91 and 93 were over $1,000.

Maybe if they are made in America they will be affordable.

I have also read that tests in Afghanistan show that the 6.8 is one hellacious manstopper.

[eno_]

The little shorty in the pic posted above appears not to have the scope. It must have sights of some sort.

[katana]

Looks don't kill. Well, maybe in Theresa Kerry's case they do, but overall if the soldiers testing it like the XM8 and it's reliable in all climates then it will look like a winner. Besides, light weight weapon = more spare ammo in the pocket. I just don't want to hear that the DOD pulls some "Not Invented Here" games with either the weapon or the ammunition.

[Rakkasan1]

MILES gear is so 1970's. that crap sucks to wear.

[finnman69]

[68skylark]

I don't trust a battle rifle without iron sights....at least backup sights.

Yeah, they recently added iron sites on this weapon for backup use.

[Rakkasan1]

iron sights with tritium inserts...
changeable sized diopeters for the back.

[Atlas Sneezed]

I'd buy one if the price was somewhat reasonable and 30 round mags were available at reasonable prices. Before the ban, the good HK rifles, like the HK-91 and 93 were over $1,000.

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Those rifles are more in the $1800-2500 range, and are still "banned" because of the Bush 41 import ban, which is still in effect, but which could be lifted with bthe stroke of a pen.

The better analogy is the HK SL-8 http://hkpro.com/sl8.htm which goes (went?) for about $1000 or so, but which was ugly and declawed to make it importable.

[Armedanddangerous]

Sir...you are correct..

I was actually thinking about that SL8 rifle just a little while ago and wondering if there were going to be high caps available for it.

Furthemore, I think I would buy the semi 45 acp HK carbine if there were more than ten round mags available for it. Like maybe 30 rounders.

Talk about a home defense capable rifle,,man oh man.

Oh, by the way..there are several companies making HK-91 clones for less than a grand.

[Atlas Sneezed]

Furthemore, I think I would buy the semi 45 acp HK carbine if there were more than ten round mags available for it. Like maybe 30 rounders.

---

Even pre-ban, there were adapters offered for grease gun (tommy gun?) mags.

The 91 clones are pretty crappy, not bet-your-life reliable. If I didn't have $2000 (and perhaps even if I did) I'd buy an M1A.

[El Gato]

1 Question. When will they have a semi auto civilian one of these I can buy?

How about now. At least sort of. The H&K SL-8, a version of the H&K G-36 assault rifle, which in turn is the basis for the XM-8 can be had now.

[TXBSAFH]

Sorry, it does not take high cap mags, I will wait.