I've been really hesitant to post in this thread because there are some huge flaws in my "build", but here it goes.
First of all, I don't have the right barrel. I've had this 20" HBAR that I've always wanted to do something with because it's a really good barrel and produced some pretty good groups when I had it in another rifle.
Second, the scope is a bit of a problem. The Mark 4 2.5-8x36mm costs about $1,800-2,200 in Canadastan, if I can even find it. I asked ARF how badly I would be shunned for using the far less expensive VX-3 Patrol 3-9x40mm, 30mm main tube. The reply was friendly and I was told to basically use whatever I could get my hands on/afford, upgrade later when possible. I like the Patrol except for the fat version of the TMR. I wish the lines were thinner, but I don't exactly want to pay the price. I was also wondering if the Mark 4 2.5-8x36mm comes in mil/mil adjustments, and is it available in first focal plane (not that I'd be happy with whatever the price would be).
Anyway, I'm in the middle of this thing and still waiting out for a bunch of other stuff, so here's what I got so far, please be gentle:
https://4.bp.########.com/-eBFFVagmqd8/WXgzReOjJPI/AAAAAAAAoyk/aUjvnMCw3SkBGvdU7lMVJm6qHszB9wSNACKgBGAs/s1600/P7259433.JPG
The ARMS #22 high rings in 30mm. For the price, I think I would have preferred a unitized mount, but the parts list calls for these. They seem well constructed, and pretty solid. I've had the ARMS M14 mount as well as a few Surefire mounts in the past, so I'm familiar with their quality.
https://1.bp.########.com/-kZMKkF4TnWI/WXgzRUHuBpI/AAAAAAAAoyk/8sESjYljKzMgNMV5y9nNW75Rw2hQzR3HwCKgBGAs/s1600/P7259434.JPG
A collection of all the parts I have so far. Still missing the KAC RAS handguard, the lower and lower parts kit (actually, I have an LPK, just forgot to throw it in for the picture), and the KAC front sight. I wonder if I'll end up getting the clone-correct barrel and scope one day....Also forgot to pull the Colt f/a BCG out of the upper for the photo, but it's there.
https://2.bp.########.com/-Vi0fOu4pa4w/WXgzRYPCgwI/AAAAAAAAoyk/DU7n7Juwarw7_RgMnx-MDnz9dcK7gSaCQCKgBGAs/s1600/P7259436.JPG
https://1.bp.########.com/-w_pQJSvJfhc/WXgzRYQuJ6I/AAAAAAAAoyk/HYvLkZTvTjoYdiOUCS5zHXBn9RO8pBxqwCKgBGAs/s1600/P7259438.JPG
The ARMS #22 tactical ring cap. The place I sourced it from was actually out of rails, so I may just rig any spare rail I have in my parts bin to fit.
https://2.bp.########.com/-ET3dCiK9ZqA/WXgzRc-jAWI/AAAAAAAAoyk/eecJm7_ppZouPd8I4N6reiddQSPcenw3wCKgBGAs/s1600/P7259439.JPG
The KAC 600m rear back up sight. I've had this for ages and never even opened the package until now.
https://4.bp.########.com/-RoCRdb0CTeI/WXgzRTp0PCI/AAAAAAAAoyk/xAQAkJtMmSQWYV4f7yyEh0-yqlpdEAVLgCKgBGAs/s1600/P7259440.JPG
The Allen Engineering brake and collar.
https://2.bp.########.com/-3nD2Y2j5GJ0/WXgzRe6CNfI/AAAAAAAAoyk/NilJAzqCEy4sa_XItSxFIHkiHIEuT4WBgCKgBGAs/s1600/P7259441.JPG
My buddy Hermes gave me this A2 fixed buttstock from his spare parts bin. It's missing some hardware like the screws and sling loop, so I had to order those in. Also forgot to take a picture of the rifle length buffer and receiver extension. I'll probably use the A2 until I can find a cheap A1.
https://2.bp.########.com/-aXUmEd6Tpc0/WXgzRXPEbHI/AAAAAAAAoyk/WPPR4NJO78Elr2oLrDJ1HEncO5jUvY0cwCKgBGAs/s1600/P7259442.JPG
I've still got the A2 birdcage on the barrel, but it's only there as a thread protector. I probably won't mount the Allen Engineering brake and collar until the KAC hand guard shows up.
https://1.bp.########.com/-gj3TAe6pMSQ/WXgzRSj9N0I/AAAAAAAAoyk/9iocGL539esLd7_5t9Cf16MTuSs7gvpvACKgBGAs/s1600/P7259454.JPG
The lower from my Mk18 clone that I'm using for test fit. The KAC SR-15 stripped lowers still haven't been shipped yet (anyone heard anything about these? Been pre-ordered for months, but apparently just waiting on paperwork), so the lower build will have to wait. As a note, the Aero Precision upper is a seamless fit to the Colt LE6920 lower. I know the Aero upper is probably faux pas as well, but there is absolutely no wobble whatsoever, as if the Aero upper and Colt lower were machined together. I hope that the upper fits the same on the KAC lower when it comes in, and when my OCD gets the best of me, I'll try to source out a Colt or Diemaco upper.
https://4.bp.########.com/-_cwbhwLbP44/WXgzRRFPDjI/AAAAAAAAoyk/XqmJVmDgYVIIAF2Gke5hN-3vaPjmYrjHACKgBGAs/s1600/P7259455.JPG
https://4.bp.########.com/-RFk2urXIbko/WXgzRQKzMWI/AAAAAAAAoyk/jx54DPJkcuoZC2jdhjOQfMhhpjWQp-l_gCKgBGAs/s1600/P7259456.JPG
https://2.bp.########.com/-1qoFuxsEdls/WXgzRdM6JsI/AAAAAAAAoyk/_1NVCIcZhosDCjRNE9EP-T8v9LoE7ONYACKgBGAs/s1600/P7259457.JPG
https://2.bp.########.com/-158PGvVPkNU/WXgzRaB2B7I/AAAAAAAAoyk/n8pVMO_00dEsN5azipMCpB2XtrxrvMPqQCKgBGAs/s1600/P7259459.JPG
https://2.bp.########.com/-xufVotuRoOo/WXgzRU2fPCI/AAAAAAAAoyk/y1zImsGua0slqhu33dTECr1EQJlBTa4dQCKgBGAs/s1600/P7259460.JPG
The 600m KAC back up iron sight which may never see any use (along with the uber expensive front sight). Just very pretty and very expensive decorations on a range toy. Don't mind me, just grumbling about the price because I'm cheap. I've actually had to resort to back up iron signs at a 3 gun match last year, so it was definitely better to have them.
https://3.bp.########.com/-ekL_PF9yMVU/WXgzRXLhgMI/AAAAAAAAoyk/BwKsK4rLFJU05HVuYkBc-ZhxLADpaG8zgCKgBGAs/s1600/P7259461.JPG
https://2.bp.########.com/-blzdWxOljGM/WXgzRYIZEMI/AAAAAAAAoyk/Ay69SguVMsUH0WYKh3TFIm7hM-Pkq8wFgCKgBGAs/s1600/P7259462.JPG
The Badger Ordinance tac latch isn't clone correct, but it was the only charging handle I had in the spare parts bin, so when I get around to it, I'll order a PRI one.
https://4.bp.########.com/-anBJBztQoZk/WXgzRWbxB-I/AAAAAAAAoyk/JVQcPCcgT1oMFpMzvBLnpNfQe1cN79TuQCKgBGAs/s1600/P7259463.JPG
https://1.bp.########.com/-12PH-BFXXeY/WXgzRU5SScI/AAAAAAAAoyk/X5NdUz2TuHMS65V2d4G3QYA2gTuA9xmgwCKgBGAs/s1600/P7259464.JPG
The ARMS #22 rings mount firmly to the rails, The torque does not appear to be adjustable as with some other manufactures like American Defense Manufacturing, but they don't really need any adjustment and fit perfectly.
https://1.bp.########.com/-7XIf5qkDsDM/WXgzRQZZBhI/AAAAAAAAoyk/zq21ybOIIbUZstvt8Av1CpUU46QUwBLQACKgBGAs/s1600/P7259465.JPG
Using the bubble level set I got from my buddy Collin, I tried my best to match the scope to the rifle. I basically had the barrel (no hand guard yet) sitting on a large beanbag and carefully tightened the screws while watching the bubbles.
https://4.bp.########.com/-vfZfGjtgLEU/WXgzRXYlpmI/AAAAAAAAoyk/ShZAQX59oc4u6BGJ6ShED1uOCclF7OJVgCKgBGAs/s1600/P7259467.JPG
https://1.bp.########.com/-mo-p91D8Tzg/WXgzRVTVhuI/AAAAAAAAoyk/m4pUPda-Qq8c7Ww00I8Kc5lQ0lmEVTnDgCKgBGAs/s1600/P7259468.JPG
https://1.bp.########.com/-sufyBiccTv0/WXgzRQID2bI/AAAAAAAAoyk/MkVrW6seFzsqha_fPNbLNFsYVE_QpskMACKgBGAs/s1600/P7259469.JPG
The torque specs for the ARMS #22 ring screws called for 12-14 inch pounds, which seem awfully low compared to other manufactures, but hey, if that's what is called for, then so be it. Besides, there's not that much recoil anyway, and once torqued to spec, the scope body doesn't seem like it's going to move.
That's it for now, hopefully some more parts show up soon
