Attn: Piccolo

[virtualpender]

Piccolo - I just wanted to follow up with you on the Mk 12 issue. I don't have a specific link I can send you on the SPR being type classified as the Mk 12 but my original source on this is a guy who provided a lot of the original material for this site who is affiliated with "the community" through his work. Every bit of info he has provided me has checked out and I have no reason to doubt him regarding this.

lightfighter.com and ar15.com both have had RKI's refer to the SPR as Mk 12 which further adds credibility to this. Finally, the NRA's official magazine, American Rifleman, specifically mentions the Mk 12 and even distinguishes between the Mod 0 and Mod 1 in the JUN 03 issue.

I really try my best not to post any speculation or rumors and I believe that my info is correct in this case.

BTW - finally had a chance to download Navy SEALs for Ghost Recon and really like it. Excellent selection of weapons. Are you working up anything for Raven Shield?

[Piccolo]

Thanks man, appreciate the feedback.

On the MK12 issue, I have no reason to doubt your credibility, it's just that i've never seen it officially labeled as such anywhere.

Here is the Crane webpage:

http://www.crane.navy.mil/defaultNew.htm

Sadly, I have not found any detailed descriptions or pages of their inventory, however, from searching for 'MK12', and 'SPR', I have results for both. For MK12, only a few PDF files come up, and none mention the exact name. For SPR, however, it does make reference of it.

[virtualpender]

If you need specifications on the SPR variants, check out:
http://www.sealchallenge.navy.mil/seal/pdf/weapons.pdf

The SPR is the Mk 12 Mod 0 while the SPR/A and /B are Mk 12 Mod 1.

[Piccolo]

Thanks for the link, had some good information in it. However, a few things did puzzle me in that there were one or two mistakes through-out the file. For instance, it states the M16A3 has been in service since 1993, which, I'm pretty sure that the weapon hasn't even been produced but for the past 3-4 years (If that). Also, it shows a M4 picture for a Colt 727, or CAR 15.

No big deal I suppose, I just hope that the room for error is not a recurring theme through the file.

[virtualpender]

Some of the dates are spotty - I believe that info about the M16A3 is correct, though - the Navy and the Air Force both procured a full-auto M16A2 variant around that time.

The photo of the R0727 is probably correct, too. Before the M4 was type classified, NSW bought a few hundred model 727's (aka Abu Dhabi model) from Colt. When the M4 was standardized, it differed from the 727's the SEALs used in being three-round burst only, not capable of full auto like the 727s.

Anyways, it is a pretty interesting document, errors and all.

[Piccolo]

There are some destinct difference in the M4/M4A1 and R0727, VP. For Instance, the Step-cut in the 14.5 inch barrel, which was NOT present in the 727 model, or it's family. Other then that, I suppose it is pretty close. I know I've seen a number of different barrel length configurations on the carbines from that time period; 14.5", 11" (Believe thats right, could be 11.5, or 10.0, not exactly sure on measurment), 16". I wish I could find more info on all of them, and if any have their own model numbers, but it's rather hard to find solid, usefull information, on this type of thing.

If anyone could provide some links detailing the CAR15 series durring the late 80's/early 90's, I would much appreciate it.

[virtualpender]

http://www.biggerhammer.net/ar15/variants/

[Duke]

Stand corrected, thank you VP