Mk12 Mod 0 Special Purpose Rifle

[buffalowinter]

I really like Cerakote, but recently I have been building a bunch of rifle clones as used by USSOCOM. Researching these guns, almost all had a spray paint finish and all had battle wear. I really like the look of a rifle that has been used hard and has a story to tell. Consequently, I've been giving a lot of my USSOCOM clones a battle worn spray can finish. Here is a very accurate Mk12 Mod 1 Special Purpose Rifle clone. I'm still waiting on my Allen Engineering suppressor.

Colt m16a1 lower
Colt upper
Brownell's Mk12 SPR 5r rifled barrel

Allen Engineering brake and collar for Allen Engineering suppressor
Gas Buster charging handle
M16a1 original surplus stock
Precision Reflex carbon fiber handguard
Precision Reflex gas block w/ front sight
Swans #40 buis (not shown)
Colt bolt
Harris Bipod
m16a1 grip
Nightforce 2.5-10x scope w/ swans rings
Vortex red dot


And, unlike Cerakote, spraying the gun with paint thinner will return it to it's pre-painting finish. Made it a lot easier on making the decision to paint a brand new NF 2.5-10 scope, which is now a collector's item.

 

[sabrecross]

I like it a lot. Great job.

 

[jbell]

very nice

 

[enichols]

Sweet rifle.

 

[mgrs]

Great work with the build and artificial aging. I wish my projects looked that good. I think you need a Mod 1 to go with that scope and Leupold 3.5-10 to go on that SPR/Early Mod 0!

The PEQ-2a "Swan sleeve" is usually the long pole in the tent to get the build done and they command absurd prices now. PRI now makes a decent knockoff of it.

Mod 1 builds are now a lot easier and cheaper, but don't quite have the same appeal:

 

[sandwarrior]

mgrs,

How did the PEQ get the nickname "Swan Sleeve"?

 

[Slu54]

mgrs,

How did the PEQ get the nickname "Swan Sleeve"?

Not the PEQ, there was an ARMS product that was called the "Swan sleeve," there was a specific one with a mounting point for the PEQ2A up front that was used in all the Mod 0 SPRs that's hard to find now. I remember when you could order them off the ARMS website for $100-$200.

 

[mgrs]

mgrs,

How did the PEQ get the nickname "Swan Sleeve"?

Slu54 above nailed it. The correct continuous upper rail for a Mk12 MOD0 was the ARMS #38 SPR PEQ 2/3 "sleeve" that was part of a family of ARMS products that I've often heard colloquially called "swan sleeves." Lacking the proper nomenclature from memory, I short cut what it was called and realize how it could be confusing.

The PEQ version of the sleeve had a section at the front shaped to replace the factory PEQ-2A rail mount so it sat directly on the rail. You don't see many photos of them mounted this way but it was a good idea as the PEQ 2A stands very high off the rail and would interfere significantly with optics when mounted at the 12 o clock. PEQ-2as had great illuminators but were clumsy and not particularly durable.

The earlier SPR A/B models before the MOD O may have had a full picatinny top rail.

Not the PEQ, there was an ARMS product that was called the "Swan sleeve," there was a specific one with a mounting point for the PEQ2A up front that was used in all the Mod 0 SPRs that's hard to find now. I remember when you could order them off the ARMS website for $100-$200.

Ironically, sourcing an authentic PEQ-2A is easier, and probably cheaper at this point, than finding an authentic, period-correct ARMS #38 (light gray finish, no wings in the Swan logo). I had one when they were a stocked production item and three years ago foolishly sold it for only 3x what I paid for it. The listing was up for less than five minutes before it sold.