Hey guys,
So a quick backstory, I served in the Marines and was deployed during OEF 2010-2011, where we served as the initial boots on the ground during the "Battle of Marjah" (Operation Moshatark), in Southern Helmand, Afghanistan. Before I arrived, I was picked (volun-told) to go to the USMC DMR school where I was introduced to my true love, the MK12 Mod 1 DMR rifle (Knights Armament version) with the full-auto lower, AEM5 suppressor, A2 buttstock w/ duck tape cheek rest. I'm not gonna lie, I carried it with pride into the chow halls in Kandahar before arriving in Marjah city, I got looks of jealousy everywhere I went, as most thought it was a badass suppressed DMR rifle with an EOTech thermal (we were issued in country). I carried it, among others depending on the mission, but always tried to find a way to get it out and pull overwatch. When in that capacity, we were referred to as "Guardian Angels", where we took archangel callsigns. Anyhow, they issued us 77 gr. OTM rounds, which seemed to do the trick and made for a pretty good urban round. While I didn't get many chances to stretch its legs out like at the schoolhouse, I always thought it lacked more "umph". Now I know some will say "Why not just try to become a "real" sniper and get to carry the big boys (Barrett, M110 SASS, and M40A5),” well I did get to shoot all those but to me they weren't as "maneuverable.” Meaning... you try and put on 120 lbs worth of gear (100 oz hydration pack, 9 loaded magazines, med pack, Kevlar plate carrier with 4 plates, night vision, Kevlar helmet, daypack with food extra water and mission essential gear) You get the picture... those systems are heavy when your out on 3-6 km patrols up and down mountains and Deseret terrain. I also liked operating at the platoon level, getting outside the wire on more intensive patrols, unlike most of the observation and recon missions our 21's were doing, not really getting to do much as if they were engaging targets they weren’t doing their job (during our operation) they were primary recon and report.
To my point and an FYI for some of you, I decided to build MY version of the MK12 Mod 0 (I liked the Mod 0 version better for the handguard). So I looked into Precision Reflex, Inc. as I know they are well known for the Crane MK12's and would be the best place to start. Along the way, .224 Valkyrie was released and after reviewing the ballistics and other data, I decided to take a chance and give the ole MK12 a cartridge upgrade (I don't care to build clones, but an improved version). So I spoke with them about the round and sorta a surprise, but not, they were approached by Federal due to their popular 6.8 magazines. Well PRI thought the same thing I did (before me), and got a few .224 test barrels and are currently looking into building them. Unfortunately, they are still in the R&D stage. So, I started digging into another company I thought might be able to help me out, White Oak Armament, which to my surprise had .224 Valkyrie barrels IN STOCK and were from Shilen and Krieger blanks. So I purchased one and called PRI back, they told me that if I sent them the barrel they would assemble a "made to order" custom MK12 .224 Valkyrie and I thought it was a match made in heaven. That being said, I opted to just order the additional parts and assemble on my own. Below is my parts list:
Reminiscing photos attached... the skulls were before the whole call of duty thing and were actually sent to us by a Dad of one of the guys in my squad, who was a biker with a certain group of bikers. We used them on night raids in houses as a psychological effect. I intentionally cropped the other guys out as they are a bit iffy on having their pictures out there, minus the frotto baggins Afghan Army guy next to me.
So a quick backstory, I served in the Marines and was deployed during OEF 2010-2011, where we served as the initial boots on the ground during the "Battle of Marjah" (Operation Moshatark), in Southern Helmand, Afghanistan. Before I arrived, I was picked (volun-told) to go to the USMC DMR school where I was introduced to my true love, the MK12 Mod 1 DMR rifle (Knights Armament version) with the full-auto lower, AEM5 suppressor, A2 buttstock w/ duck tape cheek rest. I'm not gonna lie, I carried it with pride into the chow halls in Kandahar before arriving in Marjah city, I got looks of jealousy everywhere I went, as most thought it was a badass suppressed DMR rifle with an EOTech thermal (we were issued in country). I carried it, among others depending on the mission, but always tried to find a way to get it out and pull overwatch. When in that capacity, we were referred to as "Guardian Angels", where we took archangel callsigns. Anyhow, they issued us 77 gr. OTM rounds, which seemed to do the trick and made for a pretty good urban round. While I didn't get many chances to stretch its legs out like at the schoolhouse, I always thought it lacked more "umph". Now I know some will say "Why not just try to become a "real" sniper and get to carry the big boys (Barrett, M110 SASS, and M40A5),” well I did get to shoot all those but to me they weren't as "maneuverable.” Meaning... you try and put on 120 lbs worth of gear (100 oz hydration pack, 9 loaded magazines, med pack, Kevlar plate carrier with 4 plates, night vision, Kevlar helmet, daypack with food extra water and mission essential gear) You get the picture... those systems are heavy when your out on 3-6 km patrols up and down mountains and Deseret terrain. I also liked operating at the platoon level, getting outside the wire on more intensive patrols, unlike most of the observation and recon missions our 21's were doing, not really getting to do much as if they were engaging targets they weren’t doing their job (during our operation) they were primary recon and report.
To my point and an FYI for some of you, I decided to build MY version of the MK12 Mod 0 (I liked the Mod 0 version better for the handguard). So I looked into Precision Reflex, Inc. as I know they are well known for the Crane MK12's and would be the best place to start. Along the way, .224 Valkyrie was released and after reviewing the ballistics and other data, I decided to take a chance and give the ole MK12 a cartridge upgrade (I don't care to build clones, but an improved version). So I spoke with them about the round and sorta a surprise, but not, they were approached by Federal due to their popular 6.8 magazines. Well PRI thought the same thing I did (before me), and got a few .224 test barrels and are currently looking into building them. Unfortunately, they are still in the R&D stage. So, I started digging into another company I thought might be able to help me out, White Oak Armament, which to my surprise had .224 Valkyrie barrels IN STOCK and were from Shilen and Krieger blanks. So I purchased one and called PRI back, they told me that if I sent them the barrel they would assemble a "made to order" custom MK12 .224 Valkyrie and I thought it was a match made in heaven. That being said, I opted to just order the additional parts and assemble on my own. Below is my parts list:
- WOA 18” .224 (Shilen Blank) 1/7 Twist- barrel w/ bead blast finish
- BCM upper receiver w/ full mass BCG and 6.8 enhanced bolt head, gas tube and gas block roll pin
- BCM Lower w/ WOA LPK minus trigger
- M48 Gas Buster charging handle w/ combat latch
- PRI AR15 SPR Straight Top Rail
- PRI Gen III Round Handguard
- A.R.M.S #40 Low Profile Rear Sight
- PRI G2 Flip Up Front Sight with .750 Crossbolt
- Geissele Super Dynamic Enhanced Trigger
- Magpul Enhanced Aluminum trigger guard
- Geissele Maritime Bolt Catch
- Magpul Enhanced AR Magazine Release
- Magpul MOE+ Rubber Pistol Grip- Black
- VLTOR Enhanced Modstock
- Silencerco Hybrid Suppressor
- Silencerco Hybrid ASR Brake
- Silencerco Hybrid Front Cap (.223 version)
- KDG Sidelok 30mm scope mount
- (Daytime) Nightforce NXS 2.5-10x42 MOAR and (Nighttime) Pulsar 640 XP50 Trail 1.6x-12.8x Thermal weapon sight
Reminiscing photos attached... the skulls were before the whole call of duty thing and were actually sent to us by a Dad of one of the guys in my squad, who was a biker with a certain group of bikers. We used them on night raids in houses as a psychological effect. I intentionally cropped the other guys out as they are a bit iffy on having their pictures out there, minus the frotto baggins Afghan Army guy next to me.
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