Mk12 Mod 0 Military Correct Rifle

Charlie's Offering - darn near Clone Correct 

Charlie's Custom Clones is proud to offer our version of the Mk12 Mod 0 in our Military Correct grade.  To be fair, you can spend less, and get a similar performing commercial production rifle, and you can spend more and get a more exact replica of the Mk12 Mod 0.  The big difference here between our Military Correct Grade and our Clone Correct, are the Colt receivers.  We are using CAGE Code uppers, and Clone correct would have a C marked upper.  The lower is M4 Carbine, and the Clone correct would have M16A1.   

We use the term Military Correct at Charlies to reflect very near to clone correct. And, we offer both of those:  The PRI Near-Clone and the limited edition Mod 0 Clone Correct.  This rifle presents a better representation of what the US Navy SEALS would have been issued in 2002, than the PRI near-clone, and a less perfect, and less expensive version of the limited edition build.  We give you that choice at Charlie's.  Working with the military clone experts and armorers at Potomac Armory, we have developed a good balance between price and historical accuracy.  

Features

• A good balance of military clone-correct, budget and accuracy
• Many limited edition components
• Colt upper and lower receivers
• PRI Mod 0 front handguard and Swan Rail
• Douglas match grade Navy Gray SS barrel with 1:7 twist and SPR profiled by Compass Lake
• Allen Engineering brake and collar for Mod 0 - as issued
• PRI flip-up front sight base
• ARMS #40 rear flip-up sight
• ARMS #32 no lever stop (NLS) Bipod Mount
• Harris BPMS 6-9 inch bipod
• PRI M84 Gas Buster charging handle
• Option to add Ron Allen Ops Inc AEM5 suppressor
• Option to add a Leupold TS30 clone correct scope with ARMS #22 no lever stop (NLS) rings and tactical rail cap

The Rifle 

We start with a Colt M4 Carbine marked lower. Keeping with tradition, we then equip it with a fixed A2 stock and pistol grip.  Many operators received the M16A1 lower, but some did use the A2 lower, and for comfort’s sake, we preferred the A2 buttstock.  A Geissele SSA-E gives the shooter a high quality trigger and substitutes for the fully automatic Geissele SSF fire control group that would have been purchased by SOCOM. 

A Colt CAGE code upper houses the heart of any Mk12 Mod 0 rifle, the barrel. An 18" stainless steel Douglas SPR contour barrel is used featuring a 1:7 twist capable of stabilizing heavy bullets such as the Mk262 Mod 1 77 grain open tip match. The barrel is coated, and the correct hardware is mounted allowing use of the appropriate Ops Inc/Allen Engineering pattern suppressor. For those shooting unsuppressed, the included muzzle brake will help with the muzzle controlled for better follow-up shots.

The M84 Gasbuster charging handle is also found on our builds, offering the same advantages as it gave to military shooters. A PRI round handguard and Swan Sleeve with back up sights finishes the package.  We build with both the standard and the PEQ enabled top rail.   If you have a preference, let us know.

Our Mk12 Mod 0 rifles include a Harris bipod on an ARMS #32 mount and one 20-Round magazine.  Our ARMS hardware features exclusive run of NLS rings as well as bipod mount.

Make your rifle complete by adding the correct scope and/or suppressor.

The Optic 

While several optics were issued during the Mk12 program, the Leupold Mark 4 series was one of the most ubiquitous. Should you choose to purchase an optic for your rifle, we can make it a package with the Mark 4 MR/T 2.5-8x36mm M2 TS30-A2 in ARMS #22 rings. This medium powered optic features a 30mm tube, illuminated TMR reticle, and an externally adjustable ballistic turret marked for Mk262 Mod 1. We also will include a top Picatinny rail mount for a secondary red dot optic.

The Suppressor

The original silencers for the Mk12 program were the Ops Inc. 12th Model suppressor. Most of these were actually manufactured by Ron Allen of Allen Engineering. While Ops Inc. products have not been available for many years, the silencer lives on as the Allen Engineering AEM5. This is the option we offer up today for the clone connoisseur. It is the current generation of this venerable suppressor and is cosmetically identical to the original issue models. Knurling is present to make attaching and removing easier. As an extra bonus, the AEM5 can also be used on other popular clone rifles such as the NSW RECCE Rifle or legendary Gordon Carbine.

History of the Mk12 Program

Starting in 1968 during the Vietnam War, US Army snipers began fielding what was known at the time as the XM21 in 7.62 NATO. 1975 saw this marksman variant of the M14 officially type classified as the M21. In 1988, these rifles were being pulled from service (though many would be brought out for later issue in Iraq and Afghanistan) and were replaced by the Remington M24 Sniper Weapon System also in 7.62 NATO. During this period, there was a rise in the use of shorter barreled carbines such as the new M4 instead of the legacy M16 series. By the late 1990s, the special forces community within SOCOM saw the need for a weapon to bridge the gap between the 14.5" M4 series, which performed very well at short to intermediate ranges, and the longer 24" barreled M24 bolt action sniper rifle. This need was confirmed as the Global War on Terror began after the September 11th, 2001 Terrorist Attacks.

Members of the 5th Special Forces group worked with the US Army Marksmanship Unit (AMU) and the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) in Crane, Indiana, to develop what started as the Special Purpose Receiver concept, originally intended as a replacement upper receiver group that could be utilized in the SOPMOD program. The SPR was to be a 5.56 NATO heavy barreled precision unit that would be capable of 700 meters, fire heavier match grade ammunition, and be pressed into emergency use as a light support weapon should the need arise. This development continued and morphed into a stand-alone weapon system named the Mk12 Special Purpose Rifle. Among the attractive qualities of the system was the ability to share common ammunition, magazines, and accessories with standard inventory M16s and M4s. The Mk12 would go through several variations and see a fair amount of customization at the unit and operator level. All versions combined would serve from 2002 to 2017 when the final units would be withdrawn from service.

Though the variants all had differences, the common thread was the use of stainless match grade barrels, high-quality free floating handguards, magnified optics, and Ops Inc. 12th Model suppressors on their unique collar and brake mount system. Over the course of the program, numerous Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) components would be combined with existing stocks of new and old weapons making cloning one of these rifles a challenge. The Mk12 series of rifles were select fire and had two-stage target style triggers (KAC and Geissele were used at various times) which also retained the full automatic position. The burst mechanism was not chosen due to its negative effect on trigger pull consistency. To handle the increased gas blowback from the silencer, Mk12s were issued with PRI M84 Gasbuster charging handles. While these fulfilled their goal of helping divert combustion gasses away from the shooter, they had the added value of being easier to manipulate with their oversized latches.

The Mod 0

The initial variant as named the Mk12 Mod 0 and was built by NSWC Crane on either lowers from current M4A1s or from vintage M16A1s that were saved from destruction. It is documented to see many Army special forces with the Mod 0. The Mod 0 is distinguishable from the Mod 1 by the round Precision Reflex (PRI) handguards where the latter used a Knights Armament quad rail. The upper and PRI rail were topped with an ARMS, Inc. #38 Swan Sleeve that served as the system's optics mount, usually using ARMS #22 medium quick release rings. The weapon was also fitted with folding back up sights and a bipod. Coated 18" stainless steel Douglas barrels were used with rifle gas systems and 1:7 twists to stabilize the 77 grain Mk262 Mod 1 open tip match round. While seen with several stock variants, the fixed A1 and A2 stocks are among the most common for the Mod 0 and could be found with or without trapdoor storage. Mod 0s can be found with A1, A2, or ERGO grips.

Specifications

How we rate our military clone rifles and upper receivers

Clone Correct:  This is the top of line of what is commercially available for any given rifle.  It is meant to be as close as close can get and make the product commercial repeatable.  What that means is you might be able to get one or two small parts 1% closer to the actual rifle used by the US military, but the price would be insurmountable, and/or we might be able only do a handful.  If your budget and your expectations exceed what we label clone correct, contact us and we can talk, but availability and price are both going to be a shock.  Thus, our clone correct grade is what we might call a 99% clone, or maybe 98.5%.  For the very top end, we will call it a Limited Edition, as we will only have the availability of parts to do a few dozen.

Military Correct:  This rating is pretty darn close to clone correct, but there might be one or two parts that can be improved, but the cost factor or availability is still a wide divide.  For example, for this rifle, it would be the M16A1 lower receiver.  Our commercial access is very limited, and the price very high.  We think of Military correct as 95% to 98% clone correct, depending upon rifle.

Military Special:  This becomes a little subjective, but probably there is one more part that is a substitute, and we seldom use this grade that makes it not quite up to 95% clone correct.  We might be in that 90% to 95% range.

Near Clone Premium:  This rating is where we have made some significant change in a part, due to availability and cost, but perhaps from a distance, the rifle will look clone correct.  We did this with the Mk12 Mod1 and added a LaRue quad rail, which looks very much like the Knights Armament.  It is something that is also commercially availalbe, so the cost is considerably lower.  But, we still might be using Colt receivers and Douglas barrels, etc.  This is proably a 90% clone correct grade, but the price has fallen significantly, as is the availability and the commercial repeatability.  In this grade, we normally can produce 100s, but not 1,000s of the same item, as an example.

Near Clone Standard:  Honestly, this is where 2/3's of our customers land.  You want a clone rifle, but you are willing to not have everything correct.  The PRI Mk12 Mod 0 is a great example, as it is in the clone realm, but it is commercially lableled with PRI's logo.  With the right rattle can work, and from a distance, it looks like a clone correct, and it probably shoots just like a clone correct rifle.  This is probably true of a Type A rifle Mk12 as well.  Very much like a Mk12, but with Type A receivers and not Colt.  We call this the 85% standard. 

Military Commercial: A lesser standard might be want some call a "clone inspired" rifle.  We really do not like that term.  But, a Mk18 or a Mk12 from Daniel Defense will be in the catagory below 85% clone correct.  So will a Centurion.  These rifles will not fit the OPS Inc style suppressor, without some modification of the barrel, or a special made for the rifle collar.  Many people will be very happy with a Daniel Defense rifle, for example, and well they should.  It is a fine rifle.  It is just not a true clone.  Same with a Colt Carbine 6920.  It is not the same as an M4 rifle.  But, it is a military inspired commercial rifle.

Buying and shipping through Charlie’s is easy, but there is some information you need to know. This item must ship to FFL holder. No civilian exceptions.

       1)  Check your state laws to make sure the federally regulated item you want to purchase is legal in your state.

       2)  Find your FFL… Have your dealer send us a copy of their FFL and SOT info to Charlie’s (Make them earn their fee!!!)

       3)  Be patient! You should hear from our compliance department within 3-4 business days. If not, feel free to reach out for a status update.

That’s it! We try to make this process as simple as possible for our customers. Please click the “Buying a Firearm” tab at the top of this page for more information.

This firearm cannot ship to California, unless to a qualified law enforcement agency or individual officer.

NOTE: The free shipping option does not apply to full AR pistols, rifles, or ammunition.