A lightweight Mk12 off-shoot concept. "The handy rifle"
I've been aggregating parts for this build for a long time, and am still not done. Right now, what I have weighs 7lbs 6.7oz with everything but a sling attached and a magazine inserted. The weight is what you see in the images minus the magazine. Parts list:
(Upper)
BCM Blem upper
Rainier Arms Mountain Series 18" gov profile with rifle gas (Cold Hammer Forged and double-thickness chrome lined; made by FNH USA)
Precision Armament AFAB
Black River Tactical pinned and set-screwed low pro Gas Block (from the kit)
Rainier Arms/Samson 15" Evo handguard with sling mount attached
Magpul MBUS gen2 front and rear
Aimpoint T1 in a Larue LT660 QD mount w/ a tan iO Cover
BCM Gunfighter mod 4 charging handle
V7 systems light weight ejection port door
LMT E-carrier with std LMT bolt
(Lower)
Spikes stripped lower (I know I know)
Vltor A5 Recoil system with an A5H3 buffer and std Vltor RE endplate
B5 Bravo Stock
Magpul K2 grip (with std base plug installed)
Magpul Aluminum Trigger Guard
Geissele SSA-E
Magpul BAD lever
I'm about to drop more weight from the front when BCM releases their KMR13, which will replace my RA Evo 15" and will save just over 7oz from the front of the gun (nearly a half pound!). So, because it balances so well right now, I'll be able to slap on an Insight HSP WML w/ keymod mount and still probably be lighter than my current setup.
Shoots REALLY smooth and I'm finding that for basic patrol work it might be perfect. The longer gas system alone buys you a TON of smoothness...it is noticeable over a 16" middy from BCM even with no muzzle device attached. Slap on the A5 system and any decent muzzle device and it's hog heaven. The AFAB is continuing to impress me with less blast than a BC and better muzzle stability than any dedicated brake I've recently shot. The package has a shootability and smoothness to the recoil stroke that is addicting. So, it's lighter than a Mk12 with its heavy profile Douglas SS barrel, but keeps to that same basic concept.
The 'Handy Rifle' is what I've dubbed it. The exact model of handguard doesn't really matter, but it requires a FF 18" barrel with rifle gas, and some type of carbine (or A5) RE/stock. Similar to a Canadian C7 but shaving 2" from the barrel (and lighter as well).
I think there is value in the configurable FF handguard, the act of free floating the barrel itself, and the additional barrel length for the added terminal performance it can provide when using well constructed bonded rounds (TBBC, Nosler Bonded base, etc.) over a 16" barrel.
It weighs in at 7lbs naked (the T1 w/ Larue mount weighs 5.5oz, each MBUS weighs .8oz, etc.).
My eventual goal will be a 7.0 lb, 18" rifle with the KMR and irons alone. I think this is reasonable. I'll also probably grab the V7 lightweight Mag Catch, ejection port rod, and their eventual LW forward assist if the price is reasonable. Those will gain me another ounce-and-change of weight savings I'd estimate...and I'll likely stop there.
If BCM ever decides to make a fluted BFH-ELW 18" barrel with rifle gas (and chrome lined), I'm gonna be all over that. Though, at 1lb 13.1oz, there isn't a whole lot of weight to be shaved.....but there IS better balance to be achieved as ESK has stated about the other ELW barrels versus government profile barrels. The ELW profile more efficiently distributes the weight. But, regardless, I think I've gotten almost all of the low-hanging fruit for weight reduction until the KMR13 is released. I want a QD optic mount because it's a patrol carbine....if Larue swiss-cheesed their LT660, I'd be game for that as well. I don't currently trust anybody else to make bomb-proof, return-to-zero mounts like Larue.
I think that I have found a personal sweet spot for barrel length, weight, and recoil impulse. This concept can still be employed effectively inside of a structure even though it is not optimal (but neither is anything longer than 12.5"). Vehicle ops are an issue...but how many of us are jumping out of patrol cars or humvees these days (mine rides in the trunk, anyhow)? I don't live on a ranch, but this would be my 'ranch rifle' if I did.
Just wanted to offer this concept (which is not entirely new; there's nothing new under the sun) up to the community so that others might benefit.


"That thing looks about as enjoyable as a bowl of exploding dicks." - Magic_Salad0892
"The body cannot go where the mind has not already been."
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