Why do we love the MK12 so much?

[Nostradumbass]

I’m guilty of this, I love the rifle.
Lots of MK12 threads here on the hide.
In 2021, there are literally hundreds of other rifles that surpass the MK12 in many categories, but most all of us seem to have great reverence for the rifle.....well, except for that Daniel Defense abomination.

For me, I suppose it must be the outward appearance of the rifle that draws me to it. I have Mod 0, and Mod 1 clone correct rifles. They’re the pride of my collection. Just super sexy to gaze upon, and of course, they’re shooters.

Why do you love the MK12? Is it the rifle, the innovation, or is it the combat history that draws you to it?

Happy Valentines Day Boys!!

 

[TonyTheTiger]

Meh. They're okay I guess. I appreciate military history as much or more than the next guy but not enough to spend a fortune cloning old tech to make an eyesore of a rifle.

 

[Steel head]

As a general rifle lay out the rifle gassed 18” is just so nice to shoot and handle but now that we have 16” middy’s and some 14.5’s it has serious competition.
I love the look of the Mod 0, I could care less about military pedigree or clones in general but I’ve for some reason always had a soft spot for the Mk12 mod 0.

 

[RUTGERS95]

imho, the most overpriced and overhyped weapon you can build. cool but it's like prison rape with the pricing

 

[tuckybill]

I love my MK12 because its a Daniel Defense!

 

[roamin]

Because the MOD 0 looks like sex.

And I never managed to get one either....

 

[sheepdog697]

My buddy is a cloner, and i guess i just dont get it..... LOL

 

[towerofpower93]

I clone (arsenal and year correct) AKs.

Never understood the appeal with regards to cloning the AR. They’re so easily modified and tolerances are actually held across manufacturers it seems like they’re begging to be constantly upgraded with the last set of parts put in the recycling bin...

 

[sheepdog697]

Its really hard for me to wrap my head around the idea of paying 1300 for a leupold that is 15 years old... The optics on the market nowadays in the price range beat it in every aspect across the board. Again, to each their own. They are nice rifles, and im sure they shoot great. I just cant understand the cost vs performance with todays options. That being said i have some old handguns that arent anything up to todays standards. The are unique in their own right, and thats why i have them.

 

[blbennett1288]

I have sold custom bolt guns, an AI, a couple ARs, and the only one of them all the regret selling was a clone correct MK12MOD1.

Thing was stupid accurate. 3/3 at 650yards

Yes it was a pig, bud man was she accurate for a 223 gasser. The 2.5-10x24 was less than ideal in my opinion for it, so I upgraded to a MK6 3-18 and I felt the 3-18 served it a lot better than the 2.5-10.

 

[sheepdog697]

I have sold custom bolt guns, an AI, a couple ARs, and the only one of them all the regret selling was a clone correct MK12MOD1.

Thing was stupid accurate.

Yes it was a pig, bud man was she accurate for a 223 gasser. The 2.5-10x24 was less than ideal in my opinion for it, so I upgraded to a MK6 3-18 and I felt the 3-18 served it a lot better than the 2.5-10.

Something like this would make sense to me. If i told my "cloner" buddy to do that with the optic i think he would puke... LOL.

 

[blbennett1288]

Something like this would make sense to me. If i told my "cloner" buddy to do that with the optic i think he would puke... LOL.

NXS F1 3.5-15 is clone correct and so is the Premier 3-15, I just couldn’t find one reasonable enough compared to the MK6 at the time.

 

[sheepdog697]

NXS F1 3.5-15 is clone correct and so is the Premier 3-15, I just couldn’t find one reasonable enough compared to the MK6 at the time.

I think his has the 2.5-8 leupold mk4 or something? Again, im not a cloner and i dont really know the specifics. Its a nice optic, but i know he paid like 1300 for it....

 

[TheGerman]

Jack of all Trades. Master of none.

Everyone loves an underdog.

For us that carried them, it was the perfect temperate of porridge in a rifle.

 

[0812guns]

Something like this would make sense to me. If i told my "cloner" buddy to do that with the optic i think he would puke... LOL.

Maybe he wouldn't.

 

[NukeMMC]

Basically, I think it served its purpose 20 years ago and still does OK. Take the can off and it's reasonably portable, though not as good as a 14.5. Putting the can on gets me 25fps and it's pretty damn quiet.

I have a 2.5-10x24 NF on mine and have thought about putting something more useful on it. I have used the NP-R2 reticle for holdovers, though and it was pretty useful out to 600. Wife was dinging IPSCs at 700 with it. Now calls it "her" rifle ...

Pre-KAC handguard with DD 12.0. That's a Medesha buttplate that I still have for the A2 stock.:

KAC handguard:

 

[jLorenzo]

For me it was the concept. Wanting a more precise rifle in 556, slapping a scope, nice barrel and trigger was a natural thing to do. I enjoy looking at pictures of exact clones but that's about it. I like copying the concept and making it my own as opposed to just copying the parts.
Its a very dated rifle if your cloning but the concept is still very relevant. Plus longer barreled ARs with rifle length gas systems are so nice to shoot and affordable (used to be anyways).

 

[jbailey]

Don't forget the pictures and movies we saw featuring the rifle.

RIP M. Axelson and all the other fatalities of Op Red Wings.

 

[sheepdog697]

Don't forget the pictures and movies we saw featuring the rifle.

View attachment 7557398

RIP M. Axelson and all the other fatalities of Op Red Wings.

Okay, now I want one.... lol

 

[Romeo458]

They look cool, and I don't generally say that about the AR (AK is sexy). I've figured on making one eventually, but only because of that.

 

[BiggBeans]

Going to build one for predator hunting this coming winter. But will be in 6 arc

 

[TacticalPlinker]

I like them . But after building one , sold it to build a lightweight 18" rifle length gassser. Waaay more versatile and it swings like a carbine...

 

[PBWalsh]

I’m not building a clone, but I love the concept. Thinking about doing a concept rifle myself. I see the concept as a medium weight 5.56 rifle with a LPVO or MPVO than can kinda do CQB and kinda reach out to 600 using Mk262 type ammo.

Like TheGerman mentioned, jack of all trades master of none.

 

[NukeMMC]

I like them . But after building one , sold it to build a lightweight 18" rifle length gassser. Waaay more versatile and it swings like a carbine...

Umm ... MK12 is 18", rifle length gas gun. Put a different handguard on it and it's reasonable weight. Only way to get lighter then will be to do a lightweight profile barrel or have the barrel fluted.

 

[Alpine 338]

Umm ... MK12 is 18", rifle length gas gun. Put a different handguard on it and it's reasonable weight. Only way to get lighter then will be to do a lightweight profile barrel or have the barrel fluted.

...or do a CF barrel in 18". A friend did one, and it's unbelievably light.

 

[TacticalPlinker]

Umm ... MK12 is 18", rifle length gas gun. Put a different handguard on it and it's reasonable weight. Only way to get lighter then will be to do a lightweight profile barrel or have the barrel fluted.

Exactly. Picked up a Criterion CORE barrel in 18" and it's a solid performer with 77 TMK and swings on target quickly .

 

[702lineman]

Going to build one for predator hunting this coming winter. But will be in 6 arc

Pm toygunner. He has one just like you are wanting he will sell im pretty sure

 

[RUTGERS95]

ugh, now I'm getting an itch

 

[Strykervet]

This rifle is better. I built it after I copied a USN Recce rifle, I felt I could do better and I did. 16" Krieger mid, it's lighter and more accurate:

But it has different glass now. Anyone wanting that 2.5-8x Mk4, PM me. Has the ARD, etc.

This would be the Recce rifle the navy put together because the Mk12 wasn't cutting it for 'em. Basically it's the same thing but with a Lilja barrel:

 

[hellishot]

Funny I see this thread, I was thinking about building a mk12 clone. This must be a sign.

 

[shlouf]

I like my 2 mk12s. No delusions about how they stack up to more current rigs, but my mod 1 is my favorite AR to shoot. 12.7 mils at 1000 yards, watching the bullet trace float in is a hoot.

Everyone bitches about the cost of admission. With how often people change up their ARs these days, I look at it more like "correct" mk12 stuff holding resale value better than most anything else.

 

[AManWearingAHat]

They look cool.

 

[g3ninfinite]

what are the best 16” barrels that can stack up against the 18”mk12 barrel?

 

[NukeMMC]

Krieger's in-stock inventory:

AR-15 Carbine Pre-Ban (16.5"fin)​

SS​

.218​

.224​

4​

1-6.5​

AR-15 CARBINE​

AR-15 CARBINE​

16.5​

1​

​

​

​

​

B45​

AR-15 Carbine Pre-Ban (16.5"fin)​

SS​

.218​

.224​

4​

1-7.7​

AR-15 CARBINE​

AR-15 CARBINE​

16.5​

1​

​

​

​

​

A42​

 

[B3owulf]

For me it feels like a tool, not a toy. All the Gucci parts on a gun just dont feel right to me.

Plus that's what the cool kids had on my first deployment, jealousy lasts a long time!

 

[JayMazee]

OH! I should spend a ton of money buying these parts because they are all that Crane had access to in the 90s!!!

..... An off the shelf LMT rifle with a 6.8 or 6.5G barrel stomps all over everything the MK12 was in almost every possible way.

 

[drewthebrave]

Certain military firearms are just iconic, like the 1911, M1 Garand, M40A1, M16A2. The Mk12 in its various configurations definitely falls in the same category. While technology advances, certain designs have a timeless quality to them that keeps them relevant while lesser weapons become obsolete. The Mk12 is a bit dated if clone-correct, but still performs its intended role extremely well, and I think that's a big part of why it's still so popular. Taking the M4 and accurizing it for long-range engagements just goes to show how versatile the platform can be. I for one have AR15s in various configurations & calibers, but my Mock12 is the one I find myself appreciating the most.

For all the things that we want out of our weapons, accuracy reigns supreme. I think most of us will accept a few inconveniences (weight, price, outdated components) for a highly accurate rifle. And the Mk12 reputation for accuracy is no accident. A little nostalgia doesn't hurt, either...

 

[JayMazee]

>1911, M1 Garand, M40A1, M16A2. The Mk12

Classic and unique design, classic and unique design, classic and new design at the time (only a few years after the 700 came out), classic and unique design..... then "A bunch of aftermarket parts Crane threw on a few hundred guns in the 90s". Nope. I'm not buying that those are all the same category.

..... An off the shelf LMT rifle with a 6.8 or 6.5G barrel stomps all over everything the MK12 was in almost every possible way.

doubling down.

 

[RUTGERS95]

Certain military firearms are just iconic, like the 1911, M1 Garand, M40A1, M16A2. The Mk12 in its various configurations definitely falls in the same category. While technology advances, certain designs have a timeless quality to them that keeps them relevant while lesser weapons become obsolete. The Mk12 is a bit dated if clone-correct, but still performs its intended role extremely well, and I think that's a big part of why it's still so popular. Taking the M4 and accurizing it for long-range engagements just goes to show how versatile the platform can be. I for one have AR15s in various configurations & calibers, but my Mock12 is the one I find myself appreciating the most.

For all the things that we want out of our weapons, accuracy reigns supreme. I think most of us will accept a few inconveniences (weight, price, outdated components) for a highly accurate rifle. And the Mk12 reputation for accuracy is no accident. A little nostalgia doesn't hurt, either...

totally disagree with mk12 being iconic and respectfully so. Most AR guys can't pick one out.

 

[Alpine 338]

what are the best 16” barrels that can stack up against the 18”mk12 barrel?

16" vs. 18" = free velocity, which increases effective range.

 

[rbutcher]

Because they look cool and are fun to shoot. I agree though that modern offerings will stomp over a lot of the parts. That ops/Allen can though.... that thing is still awesome

 

[Huskydriver]

I’m guilty of this, I love the rifle.
Lots of MK12 threads here on the hide.
In 2021, there are literally hundreds of other rifles that surpass the MK12 in many categories, but most all of us seem to have great reverence for the rifle.....well, except for that Daniel Defense abomination.

For me, I suppose it must be the outward appearance of the rifle that draws me to it. I have Mod 0, and Mod 1 clone correct rifles. They’re the pride of my collection. Just super sexy to gaze upon, and of course, they’re shooters.

Why do you love the MK12? Is it the rifle, the innovation, or is it the combat history that draws you to it?

Happy Valentines Day Boys!!

Mk 12s are geyh.... Dunno why anyone would want one....

 

[fdkay]

It was and is a damn effective system.


More info, interesting results:

 

[eMc9002]

 

[PBWalsh]

@eMc9002

You dialing with the elevation turret? How’s the view to the turret with the RDS mounted behind? Why there and not in front of the turret?

Nice rifle, definitely enjoying the Mk12 content we’re starting to have here.

 

[JayMazee]

@eMc9002

You dialing with the elevation turret? How’s the view to the turret with the RDS mounted behind? Why there and not in front of the turret?

Nice rifle, definitely enjoying the Mk12 content we’re starting to have here.

I can answer this. Clone builders don't actually use their guns, so it doesn't matter that a red dot is obscured and mounted 4" over the gun

 

[eMc9002]

@eMc9002

You dialing with the elevation turret? How’s the view to the turret with the RDS mounted behind? Why there and not in front of the turret?

Nice rifle, definitely enjoying the Mk12 content we’re starting to have here.

It's the Mil-R reticle so I actually just prefer hold overs on this one it's actually spot on with 77 gr. No obstruction with the red dot it clears the turrets just fine. I've seen both front and back mounting, I prefer this way honestly its almost the same height as a 1.93" red dot mount.

 

[NHR]

What ring/dot mount are you using?

It's the Mil-R reticle so I actually just prefer hold overs on this one it's actually spot on with 77 gr. No obstruction with the red dot it clears the turrets just fine. I've seen both front and back mounting, I prefer this way honestly its almost the same height as a 1.93" red dot mount.

 

[CrabsandFootball]

That looks like NF rings so I would assume its NF cap for MRD.

 

[blbennett1288]

That looks like NF rings so I would assume its NF cap for MRD.

Pretty sure that’s a Wilcox Doctor Red Dot Mount