Unlike the roller-delayed blowback military Heckler & Koch rifles the cocking handle is situated far more rearward and on the right side and features a camming system to help overcome the initial friction exerted by the "bolt head locking lever" anti-bounce mechanism that prevents the bolt from bouncing off the barrel's breech surface.
The SL7 is no longer manufactured, having been replaced by the Heckler & Koch SLB 2000.
Variants
The HK 770, a hunting rifle 7.62×51mm NATO/.308 Winchester variant of the Heckler & Koch SL7, lacked the wooden handguard of the SL7 and was equipped with a longer barrel with integral flash hider/compensator slots at the end of the barrel, open rear leaf sights, and sporting-style buttstock.[2]
The HK 940, a hunting rifle long action variant of the Heckler & Koch SL7, designed for using cartridges exceeding the 7.62×51mm NATO/.308 Winchester 2.8 in (71.12 mm) overall length like the .30-06 Springfield or 7×64mm and lacked the wooden handguard of the SL7 and was equipped with a longer barrel with integral flash hider/compensator slots at the end of the barrel, open rear leaf sights, and sporting-style buttstock.[3]
The Heckler & Koch SL6 is similar in appearance to the Heckler & Koch SL7, but is chambered for the 5.56×45mm NATO.[4]