After the recent build I did for a friend using the Noveske SPR barrel, my wheels started spinning. I really wanted to do an 18" SPR build. I knew immediately that I wanted to use a genuine Mk12 barrel, as produced for NSW by Crane. There are only two sources for the real deal, Centurion Arms and High Caliber Sales. Both companies have direct ties to NSW and Crane, as well as the company that produces these barrels for the Mk12. HCS had a slightly better price on the barrel, so I called up Kevin and placed an order last Friday. I had a great conversation with him and he is a pleasure to do business with. It shipped out on Monday and arrived Tuesday.
Barrel Specs:
Barrel produced from Douglas blank
Material: 416 Stainless
Barrel extension: M4 feed ramps
Chamber: optimized for use with MK262 (Black Hills 77gr equivalent)
Twist: 1 in 7 right hand
Contour: for use with OPS inc.
Length: 18 in and threaded 1/2x28
Weight: 2 lbs 6.3 oz
Finished with KG Gunkote - dark gray
The Rail
As I contemplated the build, I knew that I really didn't want to do a Mk12 clone. Instead, I wanted to do my take on a modern Mk12. Preferably, I wanted to use a keymod rail. Additionally, I'm a big fan of the Vltor MUR upper receiver. That was the easy part. Now I needed to narrow down the rail options.
The BCM KMR was an obvious option for me. I already have one and it's a great rail. But, I've always wanted to do a build with a Geissele SMR. Both rails offer similar features that I desire in a rail. First, they do not require the barrel nut to be timed. Just torque and go. Second, they both allow the rail to be removed easily for cleaning & maintenance. Third, they are both exceptionally well made. I also strongly considered using a KAC URX 4. But as much as I like KAC gear, I can't stand the attachment method of the URX4.
The more I thought about it, I knew that I really wanted to use a Geissele Mk5 or possibly a Mk4. The only reason I wanted to use the Geissele over the BCM KMR was that I've admired the SMR for a couple of years, but never had a good excuse to use one. But here's the rub, Geissele stopped producing keymod rails last Summer in favor of mlok. The keymod Geissele rails have become near impossible to find. In fact, I found only one dealer in the country that still had a couple left. I could have easily ordered a new Mk8 mlok rail, but I wasn't interested in supporting two different systems. So, I tracked down one of the last Mk5 rails in the country at ROG Tactical. I wanted black, but the Desert Dirt color was all that was left.
Build list:
Mk12 barrel
MUR 1A upper receiver / BCM4 optional
Geissele SMR MK5 13" DDC
BCM gas block
BCM rifle gas tube
AAC brakeout 2.0
LMT Enhanced BCG - complete with enhanced bolt
BCM Gunfighter charging handle Mod4
KAC Micro 2-600m BUIS
KAC micro front sight
Atlas bipod with ADM QD mount
The completed upper will ride on my Battle Arms Development BAD15 Lower with Geissele SSA-E and other goodies.
The original SPR barrel
target crown
Barrel dimpled for set screws
Barrel markings
Step by step...
Vltor upper receiver was an excellent fit. It slid onto the extension with slight resistance and was tapped into position for the last 1/8" with a nylon mallet. Fit between the Vltor and BCM4 Upper receivers was almost identical. That honestly says an awful lot about the BCM4. It's a very well made forged upper that is definitely held to better tolerances than the average forged upper. I used the Vltor because I've had good success with them in the past and the aesthetics are a bonus.
Mounted the upper and barrel on the Geissele reaction rod. All assembly procedures were completed on the GRR.
Umbrella Corp 33 MS milspec anti-sieze used for barrel nut installation.
Apply anti seize to the upper threads. Grease also applied to the front of the barrel extension shoulder. If you've ever dealt with a barrel nut that was overtorqued, you know that there can be a great deal of stiction between the upper, barrel extension and barrel nut. Application of a small amount of anti-sieze to the front of the extension shoulder can ease disassembly.
Grease roughly spread onto threads
Barrel nut is threaded on/off in order to evenly distribute anti-sieze.
Barrel nut torqued on / off 3 times per the TM in order to mate the threads. Installed at 40 ft/lbs per the Geissele instructions, using their included barrel nut wrench.
Barrel nut installed
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