C7A2 and M16A4 photo shoot

Fake Acog from Ali Express

After reading through this thread, I got a little curious:

https://www.ar15.com/forums/General/ever-tear-down-a-fake-acog-/5-2093358/

I don't know a lot about Trijicon ACOGs, but I do know they cost a lot more than I'd like to pay, and they seem to hold their value quite well.  I've heard about the crystal clear glass, but I've also heard about the craptacular eye-relief (a trait shared with another high end mil optic - Elcan).

So I happened to stumble on this thread on AR15.com that seemed to have a few good things about these fakes, which really surprised me.  I've had fake optics, but I haven't consciously bought any since I first started getting into firearms.  All of the ones I've ever had rattled apart, both internally and externally, and just couldn't handle the recoil of a real firearm.  These were toys, meant for Airsoft rifles, and had no place on real firearms.

But when I read about these fake ACOGs, many were citing they were able to hold up.  There was even a youtube video of a guy trying his fake ACOG on a shotgun.  I thought my M16A4 clone could use an alternative to the carry handle (though I really like the look of the carry handle), so I figured for $60 USD, let's give it a try.  Besides, if shit hit the fan, the M16 clone would probably not be the first rifle I'd grab and depend my life on.  I got it as a novelty because I don't see myself ever coughing up coin for a real one (my real Elcan was already a hard pill to swallow for such low magnification).  This would be used for plinking at the range until it implodes.

There are markings on the body of the scope, but even though I don't own a real ACOG, I can tell these markings aren't authentic.  The QR code seen on many scopes and firearms just doesn't look right.

I've also seen a few real ACOGs to remember that the works "Trijicon ACOG" were embossed on the side, not printed in bright white, however I could be wrong and maybe there are models that look like this. 

At a quick glance, the fake doesn't look too bad, and even has some heft to it, however flip it upside down and I confirmed there was no way this could be a serious substitute for the real deal.  The base consists of two screws, but one of the screws was drilled into the base incorrectly and is too recessed into the base to catch the rail.

On closer inspection, you can seen imperfections in the metal underneath the paint, which could be casting anomalies.

You can also see where the worker who assembled this thing painted the inside of the tube, maybe it was glue or weather proofing to seal the glass.

The glue/paint goes all around where the glass meets the body of the scope.

You can also see the two points where they glued down the fibre optic.

More imperfections visible in the metal underneath the paint.

Surprisingly, the glass was pretty clear, the reticle was crisp, and the red chevron was nice and bright.  Being completely unfamiliar with ACOGs, I first thought the thing was shipped with the illuminated reticle lit, only to realize there was no battery powered illumination, it was just a really bright fibre optic.  I'm not sure I'd trust the bullet drop numbers printed in that reticle though.

Here you can see where one screw is recessed and completely useless on your rails.  

Anyway, the thing looks good on my M16A4 clone...from a distance.  I don't think I'd ever use this beyond plinking at the range.  Shortly after I took these photos, I took the thing off and ended up putting the carry handle back on.  I might just set this fake ACOG aside and use it if I ever build an M4 clone with a dedicated .22lr upper.

Mk12 Mod 1 rebuild and an M16A4 clone as a byproduct

So, I gutted my Mk12 Mod 1 a few weeks ago, but in the process, I barely took any pics because it was such a frustrating process.  For the longest time, I've been running a 20" Colt HBAR which is not only the incorrect brand (should be an 18" Douglas), but also the incorrect length.

It was an eyesore to the clone Gods from AR15.com so I finally compromised.  I didn't want to spend $450 USD to get the right barrel, nor did I want to chop that precious original Colt HBAR (precious because it shot tight groups.  Instead, I remembered that I had another 20" HBAR that shot quite well, and it wasn't a Colt.  So then began the process.

First I gutted my Mk12 build and stripped the Colt 20" barrel off.  I was left with parts all over the place.  Next I gutted my M16A4 clone build, where I had used what was probably an 20" Olympic Arms HBAR

See:

http://93zj.blogspot.com/2017/10/2017-10-21-c7-fixed-carry-handle-build.html

http://93zj.blogspot.com/2017/11/fix-carry-handle-rebuild.html

I planned to take the Olympic Arms HBAR to Reliable Gun and have it cut down and threaded into an 18" barrel, however reassembling my M16A4 clone proved to be a lot harder than I thought.  First of all, I didn't have the original FSB that came with the HBAR, and I wasn't about to try and fit the one from the Olympic Arms one.  Second, the rifle length gas tube from the Olympic Arms FBS refused to come out.  I dug through my spare parts box and found an FSB from a 16" Colt LE6920 barrel, but I still needed a rifle length gas tube.  Reassembly of my M16A4 clone would not be done this day.

Anyway, here are the two HBARs side by side.  The Olympic Arms one is the barrel with the shiny bits where the FSB used to be.  I'll have to remember to dig out the old Cold Blue and treat those bare spots.

Anyway, off to Reliable to drop off the Olympic Arms barrel for chopping, and to also pick up a rifle length gas tube.  Once I had the gas tube, I came back and fitted it to the LE690 FSB.

The channels in the barrel for the retainer pins in the Colt HBAR were almost dead on to the holes in the Colt LE6920 FSB, and by the Hammer of Thor, I got those Goddamn pins in.

And that was my M16A4 clone reassembled, this time with a Colt barrel, Colt FSB, Colt upper and well, pretty much Colt everything.  I have to admit, even though at a quick glance it was hard to tell the barrel and FSB were not colt, I'm glad my M16A4 clone is now all-Colt parts.  Now I just need a Colt AR15A4 lower for it.

My Mk12 clone is now a real mutt-gun, with a Norinco A1 lower, Stag Arms keyhole forged upper and Olympic Arms chopped HBAR.

I got the barrel back from Reliable Gun and whoever they sent it do did a great job of cutting the barrel down to the clone correct 18".

The problem with the Olympic Arms barrel is it was not parkerized under the FSB.  I took care of that with a spritz of Tamiya flat black.

On went the barrel nut and the hand guard retaining cap.

Torque on the barrel nut.

Making sure the holes lined up for the gas tube.

The pins that line up the hand guard,

The length already looks light years ahead of the 20" length.

With the crush washer, the break lined up perfectly with the tip of the barrel.

My Mk12 done.....for now.  I may still try to source a Leupold Mark 4 2.5-8x36mm.

Another shot of the A1 profile lower.  

The paint covering up the bare steel is still sort of noticeable.

With a few goodies added (just for photos).

Looks a lot better with the shorter barrel.