The R18 Mk2 Review Pt 1 - Initial Details and Pre-Firing Impressions

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I would wait until the version with higher stock adapter position is release.

stock looks lined up with the barrel pretty good to me. so maybe milimeters lower then the mass of the bolt carrier. I do not see an issue there.
 
stock looks lined up with the barrel pretty good to me. so maybe milimeters lower then the mass of the bolt carrier. I do not see an issue there.

Yes, the Buttstock IS well-aligned with the centerline of the R18 Mk2. The pictures may suggest otherwise, but I can assure you that the Buttstock is aligned with the Operating Rods and Springs. I only suggested an additional Picatinny slot above the existing arrangement so that folks could acquire a cheek-weld above the Center-Line of the rifle, thus forcing the muzzle downwards under recoil.
 
It is clearly an upgraded version with refinements. Is it worth twice the value of others? As for a crystal ball, there is a long history on CGN of hype threads boosting price tags. We'll see. It is with some irony how the AR-18/0 core purpose and pricing concept has been turned on its end. It is what we are left with. Good review though.
 
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It is clearly an upgraded version with refinements. Is it worth twice the value of others? As for a crystal ball, there is a long history on CGN of hype threads boosting price tags. We'll see. It is with some irony how the AR-18/0 core purpose and pricing concept has been turned on its end. It is what we are left with. Good review though.

The retailer has quoted a price of $2600 for the fixed-Buttstock Mk2, so it will be up to him to satisfactorily explain any price increase as the rifle goes to market. We shall see indeed, but at the end of the day pricing is not my purview. As a potential customer I am as interested in maintaining a reasonable retail price as the next guy!

Personally, I don't see any particular irony in turning the original AR180B concept of a low-cost, easy to manufacture rifle on its ear with a more refined and modernized offering. There are still numerous, Canadian-manufactured "economy" AR180B riflles on the market for those looking to adhere to the low-cost original concept. Given the ongoing government-imposed demise of the AR15 however, it only makes sense to further refine the few remaining Canadian Non-Restricted operating systems such as the AR180B in order to produce viable alternative modern sporting rifies for the hungry Target and Action Shooting markets. Subject to satisfactory accuracy and reliability results, the R18 Mk2 has the potential to at least partially supplant the AR15 in Canadian civilian use - assuming that it is not Prohibited by Lieberal fiat somewhere along the way. The price of admission is admittedly steeper than we (including the retailer) would all prefer, however that is simply the reality of current First World manufacturing costs.
 
Unfortunately, due to a change in personal circumstance (nothing too serious), I am unable to visit the Range today as planned for Accuracy and Reliability testing of the R18 Mk2. As a result, Part 2 of my Review will have to wait a few extra days. My apologies for the added suspense, which is not at all intentional on my part. I should be able to attend the Range on Wednesday this week, so anticipate publishing Part 2 - Live-Fire Accuracy and Reliability Results on Thursday or Friday at the latest.

C'est la vie....
 
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Thanks for the in-depth look Bartok, I like a lot of what this rifle offers so far. The tough question is whether it's worth it to wait for the Mk3 or not. Sadly, recent history suggests that those who snooze, lose.
 
Thanks for the in-depth look Bartok, I like a lot of what this rifle offers so far. The tough question is whether it's worth it to wait for the Mk3 or not. Sadly, recent history suggests that those who snooze, lose.

The only Mk3 upgrade that is currently envisioned which will not be backwards compatible to the Mk2 rifle is the Ejection Port Cover. According to JR Cox, SAI should have the Zhukov Folding Buttstock and Adapter available as an up-charge option in 3-4 weeks. The same applies to the QD Handguard, athough a longer lead-time will be required to bring that particular Mk3 upgrade to market. When offered for sale, both the Folding Buttstock and the QD Handguard will fit the Mk2 rifle without modification. Other incremental improvements, such as extra Picatinny Rail Space for the Buttstock placement, will be incorporated into basic production as "Rolling Improvements" if they are adopted. Those changes will appear in due course on standard Mk2 (and later Mk3), production rifles.
 
Thanks for the in-depth look Bartok, I like a lot of what this rifle offers so far. The tough question is whether it's worth it to wait for the Mk3 or not. Sadly, recent history suggests that those who snooze, lose.

The only thing I am concerned about ATM is getting one before the 'pseudo-registry kicks in'.
 
Exciting stuff! Can't wait to see the 2nd part of the review. Also anyone following up with overall impressions and video reviews would also be greatly appreciated!
 
This is very interesting, thanks for the review Bartok!

Quick question, do you happen to have a picture of the mcx stock folded and how it relates to the charging handle on the left side?
 
I wish the stock 1913 pic rail was a little longer. And maybe a Folding charging handle ?. I wonder if the Brownells BRN 180 Gen 2 upper could be fitted to it ?.
 
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This is very interesting, thanks for the review Bartok!

Quick question, do you happen to have a picture of the mcx stock folded and how it relates to the charging handle on the left side?

No pic handy, and I am simply too tired of taking things off and putting them on to rejig the Buttstocks one more time. The MCX Buttstock has a couple of issues - the first being that the MCX "Picatinny" is apparently not to industry spec. As a result the Buttstock mounts on the R18 Mk2 a bit cockeyed (eg. several degrees out of alignment with the line of the rifle). This is not the fault of the R18 Mk2, which I am convinced is to spec from experimentation with several brands of QD scope mount on the various Picatinny interfaces of both the R18 and the MCX. Don't ask me how SIG got it out of spec, but combined with the unique "shoulders" surrounding the SIG's Buttstock Rail, their stock appears to fit only their Rifle. I even tried the stock attached to the MCX and R18 Optic Rails and both gave the same cockeyed result. All of the above to say that the SIG MCX Buttstock does not properly mate with the R18 Mk2 through no fault of the rifle's. On top of the alignment issue, the Buttstock interfered with the R18 Cocking Handle as it was directlly in line with the cocking track. So no ability to rack the action with the stock folded.

The Zhukov stock with a properly specc'ed Picatinny Buttstock Adapter is the answer that we are all looking for from a functionality perspective. You might not like the look as much, but the Zhukov Stock wil fit and function correctly whereas the MCX Buttstock will not.
 
No pic handy, and I am simply too tired of taking things off and putting them on to rejig the Buttstocks one more time. The MCX Buttstock has a couple of issues - the first being that the MCX "Picatinny" is apparently not to industry spec. As a result the Buttstock mounts on the R18 Mk2 a bit cockeyed (eg. several degrees out of alignment with the line of the rifle). This is not the fault of the R18 Mk2, which I am convinced is to spec from experimentation with several brands of QD scope mount on the various Picatinny interfaces of both the R18 and the MCX. Don't ask me how SIG got it out of spec, but combined with the unique "shoulders" surrounding the SIG's Buttstock Rail, their stock appears to fit only their Rifle. I even tried the stock attached to the MCX and R18 Optic Rails and both gave the same cockeyed result. All of the above to say that the SIG MCX Buttstock does not properly mate with the R18 Mk2 through no fault of the rifle's. On top of the alignment issue, the Buttstock interfered with the R18 Cocking Handle as it was directlly in line with the cocking track. So no ability to rack the action with the stock folded.

The Zhukov stock with a properly specc'ed Picatinny Buttstock Adapter is the answer that we are all looking for from a functionality perspective. You might not like the look as much, but the Zhukov Stock wil fit and function correctly whereas the MCX Buttstock will not.

Member TV-PressPass started a Canadian 1913 Stock thread, https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/2205137-1913-Style-Stocks-in-Canada , it would be cool to see someone try either the Grey Birch or Xtreme stock on the R18. Or perhaps the gun makers would have better luck getting an order through from Brownells then the average CGN member?
 
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