I am thinking of building a Mk 12 clone, either mod 0 or 1. Any info or advice?
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I am thinking of building a Mk 12 clone, either mod 0 or 1. Any info or advice?
If your hearts truly set on a 18" barreled SPR I would stick to the Mod1. While I personally love the looks of the classic Mod0's PRI forearm and ARMS top adapter rail it is now a dinosaur. It has way too many individual parts, un-needed weight, and screws that can loosen up on you. You would be much better off in the long run building a Mod1. It is a much cleaner, lighter, and simpler design. Just substitute the expensive and hard to find KAC parts for Daniel Defense, Tango Down, Troy, and LaRue parts. The Noveske 18" SPR Barrel would also be perfect for this project.
Agreed with Dinger on that.
For a handguard and upper, the VLTOR VIS-3 looks like it will be hard to beat ;)
Say whay ever you want about the Mod 0 but it has a more flexible method of mounting optics.
Ok, I'll be the contrarian here.
I have a Mod O and really like it. The VIS would be more ideal than anything else available and is what I would use next time.
That said, I prefer the Mod O version to the Mod 1.
The PRI carbon forends are very high quality, light, rigid and offer flexibile configuration of the rails. Though it is debatable whether neccesary, the extension rail which locks onto the forend is more rigid and offers a continuous, uninteruppted top rail mounting surface. Properly installed the screws are not coming loose.
"Screw-phobia" should not be an issue.
SPRs and AR15s have quite a few threaded assemblies- pistol grip, buffer tube, rear sight, magazine catch, flash hider, rings, light mounts, bipod mount, etc... ;)
Another benefit to the top rail is that standard height rings can be used, which leaves less of a pedestal effect between the scope and rail.
Not that it matters, but I find the Mod O appearance to be unique and attractive.
Mod O or 1, both are great rifles, it makes me happy to know that in this case our guys are issued a the finest available equipment.
If you are interested, I am selling the upper from the gun below...
Here's the specs:
This is a custom upper built similar to the SPR Mod 0 spec.
Round count = 50 Black Hills 75gr .223 match-grade ammo. Held less than 1 inch at 100yds. Proper break-in followed. Functions flawlessly.
ATN 5X33L Scope has range finding reticle and bullet drop compensator for .223/5.56mm.
White Oak Armory A4 Upper
White Oak Armory Stainless Steel Barrel 18" 1:7 SPR contour (Turned from Wilson Match Grade blanks)
White Oak bolt carrier group with bolt
Black KG Kote on barrel (Done by ADCO)
YHM Phantom 5C2 flash hider
YHM Front Flip Sight / Gas Block Assembly with bayonet lug
PRI Gen 3 carbon fiber rifle-length free-float tube
ARMS #38SPR PEQ2-3 17 5/16" long rail
ARMS #40L Flip-Up rear back-up sight
ARMS #22 30mm quick-release ring mounts, medium height
ARMS #32 quick-release bipod mount
Harris 9-13 bipod
ATN 5X33L scope with .223 bullet-drop compensator
Complete upper group as described = $1600
Complete upper minus scope, rings, bipod and bipod mount = $1250
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...R052006rt2.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...052006_006.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...R052006rt1.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...R052006lt2.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...R052006lt1.jpg
The change from Mod0 to Mod1 was made for good reason.
EOM
My two pennies...
I recently struggled with the same dilemna. I would say that VA Dinger makes very good and valid points.
The best point I would make is that you can save money and get "better" parts with a MOD 1 type. Here's what I went with.
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...u/DSC00748.jpg
18" Compass Lake Doulglas SPR 1:8 black kg bbl
COLT m4 Match lower
COLT m4 upper
LaRue 13.2"
LaRue gasblock
LaRue SPR mount
Leupold 3-9x36 Illuminated Mildot scope
OPs Inc 12th Model brake and collar
Ergo grip
Sopmod stock
TangoDown single point mount
Harris bipod
Ultimately get what you'll be happy with
http://www.adcofirearms.com/junkpics/completedspr.jpgQuote:
Originally Posted by K.L. Davis
Quote:
Originally Posted by VA_Dinger
Hey!!!! I thought we were buds. I resemble that remark.:D
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...ndcj/SPR04.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...ndcj/SPR03.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...ndcj/SPR02.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...ndcj/SPR01.jpg
KAC lower
Magpul PRS, MIAD
Colt upper
Colt BCG and MP bolt
ARMS rail
PRI CF tube, front sight gas block
NF 2.5-10 in LT SPR mount w/ LT J-Point mount and J-Point
Noveske SS 18" SPR barrel, SS, poly, 5.56 Match chamber
OPS Inc 4 port brake
Raptor bipod
SF M962 in LT mount
Thats blaphemy with a KAC lower.
I have a Mod 0
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...orVideo011.jpg
I prefer the Mod1 version (not just cause I am a KAC cheerleader).
Kevin, how do you like the GripPod?
Dinger -- the only use I have for it is on a M249Para - with the RAS on it you pretty much have to shitcan the bipod -- so the gripod is useful in that role as it gives you the vert grip/bipod. On an AR - I find it of NO use. I use a KAC vert grip on all my guns -- and if I use a bipod I use a TD or a Harris.
I dig the blankie.
Agreed on the bipod choice. The GripPod is neat, but I haven't actually found a use for mine. It's a decent vertical grip, but it's not all that great at being a bipod. The TangoDown, on the other hand, is the heat. I use the hell out of it.
GF's brother in law did if for the last christmas gift exchnage -- she saw I have an American flag hanging in my room here and decided I need to remember that I came from Canada...
I tried the Gripod on an AR in class and found it WAY too front heavy (esp since I like my grip out front). I got it for free as a trial item and we found a use for it on the SAW RAS --
I don't know which is better, but the Mod 0 does it for me. If I were going to use the Knight's gear, I would make it a SAM-R with a 20" barrel. However, this Mk12 Mod O clone sports a Douglas SS 1/10 twist 6.8 SPC barrel from WOA.
http://www.hunt101.com/img/421978-big.JPG
I too prefer the Mod 1. I have all the parts except I'm waiting for the VIS rifle length and JN's SPR contoured barrel.
Some thoughts:
I've used the original SPR with the PRI parts and Leup 3.5-10x, as well as the Mod0 and Mod1 using the Leup 3-9x.
For pure shooting I like the original SPR and Mod0 and have an early one built by the original Crane vendors. The Mod1 is a better field rifle.
However, currently, there are better options than either one.
Many of the best builders have moved away from the rifle length gas system on 18" barrels in favor of mid-length. There is virtually nothing that an 18" SPR can do that a 16" Recce/Recon can't do about as well, given equally good barrels and optics. Rather than a Mk12 , these days I'd go with a good 16" Recce--probably a Noveske using a LaRue rail and an NF or S&B scope in a LaRue SPR mount.
Kinda interesting that there are two schools of thought for barrel lengths: 10/14/18 or 12/16/20 and I'm tending to lean towards the latter these days.
The "Intermediate" length system has proven to work very well on the 18" guns... it is slightly longer than the Mid-Length and tuned for the SPR barrel -- It takes care of the little quirks the rifle length system has on the platform.Quote:
Originally Posted by DocGKR
I am with you in the belief that the 16" barrel and mid-length gas system is the best "do all" setup for the platform though.
Here is my Mk12 Mod 0.5, as I do not believe it represents a Recce carbine any better than it does the MK12 series. Although, it does sports a GTS recon barrel, the 1/7 twist works wonders with my 77 gr handloads.Quote:
Originally Posted by K.L. Davis
http://img93.imageshack.us/img93/2230/mk12halfac6.jpg
I'm with DocGKR on this issue,
I've played with barrels from 4" (M2Corp) to 20" in 5.56mm
the 16" middy with a S&B Short Dot is IMHO the ideal GP carbine - its not perfect for CQB - and if your role is specific to that the 10-12" systems are much better (I still have not bought a 12.5" yet - give me time)
As for the 18" versus the 20" - While in the CF I had access to a true reflex suppressor (BR-Tuote from Finland) (as long as it was not viewed as QD repeatable zero) it offered a 20" barrel suppressed in the same lenght as the Mk12 with the OPSINC suppressor (althought the OPSINC did not exibit the 2 MOA POI shift)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/EvilKev/010.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...v/F1070003.jpg
- I have had problems with the PRI gasblocks - the one on the above rifle got knocked out of alignment in Ft Benning and turned it into a single shot for the remaineder of the day until the armorer re-aligned it.
However it was a much better system than the boat anchor that the CF decided to adopt
Quote:
Originally Posted by wolver98
I personally love the look of the Mod 0, so that is what I went with. If you go with the Mod 0 get the Ops Inc. 12th Model silencer to go with it if you can, you will not be dissapointed.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e1..._0623Large.jpg
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e1..._0635Large.jpg
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e1..._0636Large.jpg
I would have to agree. The PRI tube looks nice, but I have had some issues with them in the past so I do not use them.Quote:
Originally Posted by DocGKR
I try and explain to customers that call that the Mid-Length gas system is the best all around system, but they still want the rifle length one.
Below is an old gun I built for myself to shoot varmints.
C4
http://www.gandrtactical.com/images/...D%20Bipod1.JPG
Purpose built... Not rifle length, nor midlength :)
Picture from www.militarymorons.com (my camera skills still suck)
http://www.snipersarmory.com/images/ddlite6.jpg
http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/5449/spr004ap1.jpg
http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/5225/spr008kh2.jpg
http://img381.imageshack.us/img381/9272/spr011ry8.jpg
1. Vltor "A1" length butt stock
2. Vltor Upper
3. Accuracy Speaks Full Auto Trigger (3.5lbs and Breaks like glass)
4. ARMS #38 SPR Rail (Modified to fit PRI GENIII Hand guards)
5. ARMS #22M Rings with front "Tactical Ring Cap"
6. Krieger 1/7 BBL (DCM Heavy under hand guards)
7. PRI GenIII Hand Guards
8. GG&G Bipods
9. PRI Flip up Front Sight
10. PRI Gas buster Charging Handle
11. OPS Inc. 12th Model MBS
12. Doctor Optic (Beat up from multiple tours, replacing with Larue Rig)
13. AN/PVS-22
14. ARMS #40 Low Profile flip up rear sight
15. Leupold SOCOM MKIV M2 3.5-10x40mm w/ illuminated TMR
After break-in we are getting sub 1/2 moa using MK262 MOD 1
Quote:
Originally Posted by KevinB
Kevin,
Honestly, i have NEVER heard of someone having more problems with things coming loose on a MOD 0 then you Crazy K'nucks. I can only think of a couple reasons why this happened (And sorry to say that they are ALL operator headspace and timing issues)
1. Try using "Standard" size vs. "Metric" tools during assembly. ('cause the parts are "American" made)
2.Refer to proper torque settings
3. Red Loc-Tite
I mean "jeeze" my SPR averaged 2 tours without any issues and yours can't even stand up to a plane ride from the Great White North to Benning.
I don't build guns I take to work...
That must be some of that "French Canadian" humorQuote:
Originally Posted by KevinB
Well technically I don't "Build" my "work" guns either.
However,
My "Mechanic" must be smarter then yours (Actually a monkey with an armorer wrench AND Red Loc-Tite)
You should fire the one working for you.
I mean it only goes together one way......
No hard feelings my beer drinking, jelly doughnut buddy from the great white north.
Just messing with ya
hey guys, new dude here :) great forum!
It looks like the Mark 12's have rifle length gas systems correct? Is there a difference in reliability between a mid length and rifle length gas system when using an 18" barrel? Or would one change the gas tube diameter when going down to a mid length? In other words what is the optimal gas tube length for an 18" barrel?
thanks!
Kreiger Mod0
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...in907/OPS3.jpg
with D-760 GenIII NV scope
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...07/SPRD760.jpg
Douglas Mod1 style with DD 13.5 & TA55A
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...win907/MD1.jpg
Mod 1.
And the parts aren't hard to find if you know where to look.
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l2...k12popout2.png
I'm building a SPR as one of my projects - I wasn't going to track all proper parts to build an either Mod 0 or Mod 1 clone but simply a Paulinski's version of SPR.
Here are the specifications.
1) 18" White Oak SPR Profile Barrel Midlength Gas, Coated Black with fitted LaRue gasblock by Jason @ JTAC
2) Viltor MUR Upper
3) Headspaced CMT Bolt and Youngs Ionbonded carrier from MSTN
4) Daniel Defense 13.5" Rail
5) Stag Lower with Geissele Match Hi Speed Trigger.
6) Leupold Mark 4 3-9X36 TMR Reticle in LaRue SPR Mount.
7) Troy Front and Rear Buis
Still building it so I can't comment on accuracy but I plan to feed it steady diet of 77 grain SMK's
Paul
Sorry Dinger, but what you describe is a Mk12 Mod ABC.
For collector and authenticity sakes, you need the proper KAC parts.
Now granted, we all can not dublicate the M16A1 lowers that Crane uses for the real deal, but if it was me, I'd go out of my way to have as much as I could of the real real. And our long FF RAS from the Mod 1's are availalble. So are the proper Mod 1 iron sights, etc.
Well, is this not interesting, the topic of collecting and authenticity, right up my alley.
Agreed, my MK12 MOD1 project has been sitting in a box for years while collecting parts here and there. The new availability of the front sight sure helps.
Yep, but some of the older Coal Valley Eagle Arms lowers were made from A1 forgings, and I had one set aside for my project. Recently sold my lower because NDS is introducing new production lowers made from proper forgings:
http://www.nodakspud.com/AR%20Lowers.htm
Check it out, this rifle has the correct buttstock. Can't think of another example. And of course the lower is a nice touch.
My SPR type upper was built with the best parts I could think of/wanted/get my hands on with the emphasis on shooting, not collecting an original or as close as I could get. Buttttttt, now you guys have me curious d*&n you. ;)
I know I have the "wrong" KAC rail (mine says M4 Match) but that's easy to change so two questions:
-What are the correct Mod 1 sights?
-What is the correct buttstock?
OK, one more:
-And where can I get them, if I can at all. Thanks.
Good news, "M4 Match" is correct. Only a small number of these "rifle length 5.56 FF Rails were marked "SNIPER." 99% of the hundreds we have shipped to Crane are marked M4 MATCH.
Mod 1 front sight is P/N: 99051. Rear sight is 98474. They also buy the bipod adapter P/N: 98060.
Buttstock should be an M16A1 length/type as pictured above. I bought mine from the Military Surplus store a few miles outside the main gate at Crane, Indiana. This was a great find because it has the real-deal original buttcap like the M16A1 I had in Viet-Nam.
10-roger, thank you sir. I'll probably fall a little short but it will be fun trying, Good news on the rail and Sweet Baby Jesus the correct sights are there too. :D
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...K11Mod1008.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...K11Mod1007.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...K11Mod1006.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...K11Mod1005.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...K11Mod1001.jpg
I'm putting together what I've been calling a "MK12 Mod a" for a year now.
Assembling parts as I can, and putting them in a box... Just like a lot of other folks here.
The lower is done... I'm just waiting on the custom upper.
Got an email from LaRue that my upper shipped today, so I should have photos soon. ;)
I'm a huge fan of the quasi-Mod3 type uppers that Wes turns out at MSTN.
18" Barrel
OPS Inc. Brake, Collar (shouldered for the 12th or 16th)
13.2" LT Handguard
VLTOR Gas Block
MUR or Stealth Upper
PRI Gas Buster
TROY BUIS
LT SPR(E) Mounted TS30A2 Clone
My 18" is slowly evolving into this - it's about 4 parts away.