C8 Replica build-plan for review

Diamondback Six said:
Some followup questions, since a build plan has been worked out and now just awaits "trigger pull" thanks to you guys' help...

1. Is there any kind of standard case CF uses to transport single rifles, or is it just "sling on operator shoulder, then case in multiples back at the arms room"?
2. Is there any kind of open-source documentation available for the CF or RCMP rifle qualifiers? (This one also has another motive, a recurring feature I have as part of my column at RedState is something I call "Drill Of The Month"--basically various Military and LE qual courses and whatever other challenging or fun-looking drills catch my eye, and I'd like to include some from around the world to add a little flavor, also maybe help my readers appreciate some of our allies a little more. :) )
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1 - carry in hand, or if we're deploying somewhere there's transport rolls to hold 10 or so rifles per roll.

2 - below is the C7/C8 PAM, last updated in 1994.
http://freeshopmanual.com/uploads/pdf/The-Rifle-5.56mm-C7-Carbine-5.56mm-C8-B-GL-385-001-Manual.pdf
 
I'm not sure if you would be able to find the CF Operational Shooting BGL in the public sphere. I had a quick look online and couldn't find it. Basically, hit a man sized target from 100, 200, and 300 meters at the prone, kneeling, and standing positions, with run downs between the 300, 200, and 100 meter shooting lines, and that's the PWT 1, 2, and 3. It's actually all very boring, except the night shoot.
 
Followup question, forgive me if this has already been asked... Does the C8A3 use a regular A2 flash hider, or does regular-issue use the same SEI Vortex can-host FH as the C8-CQB, or something else? (Bear in mind, I'm trying for the basic "Most Common Issue Straight From Arms Room" configuration, not any Special Ops or field-modified "specials.")
 
Regular A2. The Colt Canada 15.7 is almost identical except for the black furniture.
 
Project update: Think I'm going with Vltor's SASE-1 endplate, since the various "official" options are No Export. (Which sounds kinda dumb for a die-cut metal plate, but we don't get to make the rules, only live with 'em.)

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Think that looks close enough to fake it with, guys?
 
Diamondback Six said:
Project update: Think I'm going with Vltor's SASE-1 endplate, since the various "official" options are No Export. (Which sounds kinda dumb for a die-cut metal plate, but we don't get to make the rules, only live with 'em.)

slide_02.jpg


Think that looks close enough to fake it with, guys?
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Which one you looking for?
 
Diamondback Six said:
Project update: Think I'm going with Vltor's SASE-1 endplate, since the various "official" options are No Export. (Which sounds kinda dumb for a die-cut metal plate, but we don't get to make the rules, only live with 'em.)

slide_02.jpg


Think that looks close enough to fake it with, guys?
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To use the one point sling with these, we end up have a bent out of shape sling slot.
 
Rebel Rouser said:
Which one you looking for?
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First off, full disclosure requires me to note that I'm a US citizen and don't have EE privileges, and would never ask anybody to violate export/import restrictions or site rules. However, if I were chewing the fat with Larry Vickers and he offered to make a few phone calls on my behalf, first choice would be the triangles--which sound rare even up there, but look the most practical to avoid mangling fingertips while racking the charging handle. (*I've* never had a problem, the way my hand is my index and middle fingertips just naturally hook over the CH whether I shoot left or right handed, but if memory serves the girlfriend's only popped her cherry on break-open shotguns so far, so I have to assume a wrecked nail means griping all day and "No Fun For You!" that night.)
 
Added some status updates to the OP--this was getting fast-tracked while the idiots in WA State Legislature were teeing up to play Gun Grab Hardball, but since the nasty stuff died in committee I've backed off to just make it this year's Annual Build. Still prioritized ahead of my own M4 and M16A4.
 
Damn near any commercially available sling will do, because nobody in their right mind would want to buy the bog standard sling (partly because they're not commercially available).

I've been using the Gear Dynamics sling. I've had students that used Magpul and BFG and Ferro. Lots of options and you're still accurate.
 
Thanks, Lerch--it looks a lot like the old GI "silent web" that was issued from Nam to the '90s here, and the only reason I was thinking the Standard Issue POS is I want to give here the Full Meal Deal as much as I can, the good, the bad and the ugly, to the point that if I knew any retired CF drill instructors who'd crossed the border and settled in my area I'd ask them to help out with the Drill Sergeant Nasty. (As it is, I have a friend who's a former USMC DI I'm planning to ask to lay it on us both if we can ever synch schedules when she's in town.)
 
Current update: I ended up going with the Odin Works endplate, and I consulted the major finish makers about best fits to mimic Canadian Average Green based on Larry Vickers's rifle as a sample. Duracoat suggested Norwegian Light Green for fresh like LAV's stock or South African Lt. Green for faded/worn like the grip and handguard, and Cerakote suggested Noveske Bazooka Green for the stock. Still waiting for KG Gunkote to get back to me, and once I have recommendations from all three I'm going to ask the pro smith who's helping me with the "can't do in an apartment" parts to give the tiebreaker opinion across brands on.
 
Popping in an update now that both builds are in the Accruing Parts stage... Bold green parts are in-hand, bold yellow are enroute or require refinishing, bold red are temporarily or permanently unavailable with stand-ins in bold blue (in-hand stand-ins italicized). Stand-in parts are only meant to get things "close" until I can lay hands on better.

ComponentM4C8A3
Upper Receiver GroupDSA 14.7 Service SeriesBCM C8 SFW
Furniture FinishFDECerakote H-189 Noveske Bazooka Green OR
KG Gunkote #2402LF Light OD OR
KG Gunkote #2402OA Oasis Green
Rail Systems/
Handguard/
Rail Covers		KAC M4 RAS included with upper
Manta M4 cover kit, FDE		6-hole skinny CAR handguard
BCM Tri-Rail
G&G airsoft (barf) Tri-ad, Cerakoted for heat resistance
Cadex CMR-418-01 handguard rail
cut Magpul OD ladder-cover to fit Tri-ad
Front SightKNS .052" Round FSPKNS .052" Round FSP
Rear BUISMatech 200-600mDiemaco fixed from an anonymous friend here (you know who you are, and thank you)
Bolt Carrier GroupToolcraft black-nitrideToolcraft black-nitride
Charging HandleMilspec
Badger 249-02 latch		Milspec
True North Arms "hook" latch (temp. not shipping to USA)
Lower ReceiverAero M4 CloneAtomic Engraving custom 80%
KG Gunkote #2500 Anodized True Black
Buffer AssemblyMilspec 6-position kitMilspec 6-position kit (thanks to Wigbones at M4C)
Colt Canada double-slot or "triangles" endplate
Warlord Tactical steel airsoft (yuck) L119A1 endplate OR
Odin Works ambi sling endplate
StockBCM Gunfighter, FDE OR
B5 Bravo, FDE OR
J&E SOPMOD, FDE		M&A Parts or Retro Rifles CAR
Canadian-surplus green recoil pad
Warlord Tactical airsoft (ick) C8 buttpad, dyed
Fire Control GroupALG QMSALG QMS
Safetymilspec ambimilspec ambi
Mag CatchArms Unlimited ambiArms Unlimited ambi
Grip and
Accessories		FAB Defense AG43, FDE (my go-to grip)A2, refinished green
Otis Grip-Kit
ForegripGrip-Pod GPS-02 OR
KAC Broomstick		Cadex 622-000 OD
OpticTrijicon ACOG OR
Aimpoint PRO		Elcan M134 w/green C7A2 rubber cover OR
EoTech 552 OR
Aimpoint PRO
SlingBlue Force Gear VCAS-125-OA-CBCanadian-issue unavailable for US import
mimic with old GI "silent web sling"?

Yes, I know some of these parts are crap, not by choice--sometimes you need to make do with what you can get until you can lay hands on better, not all of us have that nice little magic paper that lets us import any part we like from anywhere we like. Yes, there are parts of this that DO suck, but other than "hock a kidney, wait for a genuine Diemaco to come up on Armslist and pay through the ass when it does" I welcome any constructive criticism to help this Suck Less.

A note: While the KAC Broomstick is not "authorized" for USMC Annual Rifle Training configurations which I'm modeling the M4 after, it's on as it still sees a lot of field use.

Stupid question: Since Insight M3X's are long out-of-production and prices skyrocketing as collector's items, what are some of you guys who've served Go-To choices for alternate lights in the field?
 
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Diamondback Six said:
Stupid question: Since Insight M3X's are long out-of-production and prices skyrocketing as collector's items, what are some of you guys who've served Go-To choices for alternate lights in the field?
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The M3X is the issued kit with the IR lens cap, that's all.

I have seen older Surefire torches (such as 6P and G2) in 1" rings stuck onto the sides, or an M900L underneath on the C8 of one of our OP's. There's no rhyme or reason why one over the other, usually just somebody snags a deal and brings it to work.
 
Diamondback Six said:
Popping in an update now that both builds are in the Accruing Parts stage... Bold green parts are in-hand, bold yellow are enroute or require refinishing, bold red are temporarily or permanently unavailable with stand-ins in bold blue (in-hand stand-ins italicized). Stand-in parts are only meant to get things "close" until I can lay hands on better.

ComponentM4C8A3
Upper Receiver GroupDSA 14.7 Service SeriesBCM C8 SFW
Furniture FinishFDECerakote H-189 Noveske Bazooka Green OR
KG Gunkote #2402LF Light OD OR
KG Gunkote #2402OA Oasis Green
Rail Systems/
Handguard/
Rail Covers		KAC M4 RAS included with upper
Manta M4 cover kit, FDE		6-hole skinny CAR handguard
BCM Tri-Rail
G&G airsoft (barf) Tri-ad, Cerakoted for heat resistance
Cadex CMR-418-01 handguard rail
cut Magpul OD ladder-cover to fit Tri-ad
Front SightKNS .052" Round FSPKNS .052" Round FSP
Rear BUISMatech 200-600mDiemaco fixed from an anonymous friend here (you know who you are, and thank you)
Bolt Carrier GroupToolcraft black-nitrideToolcraft black-nitride
Charging HandleMilspec
Badger 249-02 latch		Milspec
True North Arms "hook" latch (temp. not shipping to USA)
Lower ReceiverAero M4 CloneAtomic Engraving custom 80%
KG Gunkote #2500 Anodized True Black
Buffer AssemblyMilspec 6-position kitMilspec 6-position kit (thanks to Wigbones at M4C)
Colt Canada double-slot or "triangles" endplate
Warlord Tactical steel airsoft (yuck) L119A1 endplate OR
Odin Works ambi sling endplate
StockBCM Gunfighter, FDE OR
B5 Bravo, FDE OR
J&E SOPMOD, FDE		M&A Parts or Retro Rifles CAR
Canadian-surplus green recoil pad
Warlord Tactical airsoft (ick) C8 buttpad, dyed
Fire Control GroupALG QMSALG QMS
Safetymilspec ambimilspec ambi
Mag CatchArms Unlimited ambiArms Unlimited ambi
Grip and
Accessories		undetermined ergoA2, refinished green
Otis Grip-Kit
ForegripGrip-Pod GPS-02 OR
KAC Broomstick		Cadex 622-000 OD
OpticTrijicon ACOG OR
Aimpoint PRO		Elcan M134 w/green C7A2 rubber cover OR
EoTech 552
SlingBlue Force Gear VCAS-125-OA-CBCanadian-issue unavailable for US import
mimic with old GI "silent web sling"?

Yes, I know some of these parts are crap, not by choice--sometimes you need to make do with what you can get until you can lay hands on better, not all of us have that nice little magic paper that lets us import any part we like from anywhere we like. Yes, there are parts of this that DO suck, but other than "hock a kidney, wait for a genuine Diemaco to come up on Armslist and pay through the ass when it does" I welcome any constructive criticism to help this Suck Less.

A note: While the KAC Broomstick is not "authorized" for USMC Annual Rifle Training configurations which I'm modeling the M4 after, it's on as it still sees a lot of field use.

Stupid question: Since Insight M3X's are long out-of-production and prices skyrocketing as collector's items, what are some of you guys who've served Go-To choices for alternate lights in the field?
Click to expand...

Kind of funny because here in canada the M3X (black at least) can be found for cheap. I sold my last onne with box, IR and full long gun kit for 100$ (70$ us). I still have a never used M3x long gun kit in the safe but I think im gonna hang on to that one. lol
 
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