Double Bell MK12 MOD.0 SPR AEG

Introducing the Double Bell MK12 MOD.0 SPR AEG, an extremely faithful replica of the real MK12 MOD.0 DMR rifle issued to US special forces throughout the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts of the early 21st century. The real MK12 was designated a "Special Purpose Rifle" in that it was highly accurized over a standard M4 or M16 and made use of the Leopold M3 riflescope but retained its fully automatic capabilities for close-ranged work. This MK12 includes all the appropriate furniture for the MOD.0 version of the SPR, including a muzzle brake styled after the real OPS Inc. device fitted to the real MK12, a PRI Gen2 style free-floated tubular handguard, "Swan" rail riser sleeve and an ergonomic "target" style pistol grip inspired from the real Sierra Precision grip issued with the MOD.0 SPR.

Starting at the tip of the outer barrel we can find a muzzle brake, styled after the OPS Inc. SPR muzzle device fitted to the real MK12 rifle. This muzzle brake includes its own barrel extension with a suppressor locking collar and threads with an integral thread protector, but this apparatus is merely here to remain faithful to the configuration of the real SPR. If you are planning on mounting a suppressor that will not be a problem, thanks to the 14mm CCW male threading at the tip of the outer barrel. The threads are present just forward of the front sight/gas block, and can be accessed by removing the grub screw at the rear of the barrel extension, and unscrewing the muzzle brake and barrel extension as one piece, turning it counter clockwise.

Following the muzzle device, we come to the flip-up front sight/gas block, which has a realistic mock gas tube which runs all the way back to the receiver. This is a nice addition for added realism and is often left out on other replicas, but for the MK12 it is essential if you want your DMR rifle to be authentic to the real steel rifle. The flip-up iron sight can be deployed by pressing the button on the left side, after which the sight can be raised and will lock into position. The sight provided is a fine front post which can be adjusted using an M4/AR15 front sight adjustment tool and is surrounded by a protective ring to avoid the sight taking damage if your rifle gets snagged or takes a minor bump.

After the front sight, we come to the handguard of the MK12 MOD.0 which is constructed from alloy and has a smooth matt black anodised finish applied. This handguard is a close replica of the real PRI Gen2 free-floated handguard, and includes Picatinny rail sections at the 3, 6, and 9 o'clock positions which can be removed entirely, and the side rails can be repositioned further backwards on the handguard if you prefer. As this SPR comes, the rails are ideally positioned to add a PEQ style laser unit and bipod for an authentic MK12 MOD.0 look but can be removed to save weight if you aren't running accessories on your SPR.

At the 12 o'clock position of the handguard, we can find the "Swan" rail riser sleeve, which runs all the way back across along the top of the rifle to the back of the receiver. This sleeve was intended to provide a longer mounting surface for the various optical sights used with the real MK12 without the need for an extended "SPR" type scope mount. The sleeve provides a massive amount of 20mm Picatinny rail space and allows sniper rifle style variable rifle scopes to be mounted on the SPR using standard scope rings. The added benefit of the sleeve setup is it increases the overall rigidity of the rifle and prevents the handguard from developing wobble over time, or rotating and messing up your zero.

At the very back of the sleeve, we can find an ARMs style flip-up rear sight, which integrates with the "swan" rail sleeve perfectly as it was designed. The sight can be deployed by pulling the steel catch on the right side of the sight to the rear, after which the sight will flip up under spring pressure. The sight provides two apertures for aiming, a smaller one for semi-auto fire in daylight, and a wider aperture intended for low light use and fully automatic fire. The sight also sports toolless adjustment, allowing you to adjust windage on the fly using the dial found on the left sight of the rear sight. To fold the sight again, simply move the steel catch rearwards, push the sight down, and lower the catch over the sight to lock it in position.

Next up we reach the receiver, which is a standard M4A1 style M4/AR15 receiver, with the familiar controls we all love. The fire selector switch can be found on the left side of the lower receiver, just above the pistol grip, and includes texturing on its surfaces to ensure you can operate this essential control in any weather condition. The positioning of the M4/AR15 fire selector is very well thought out, sitting directly beneath the shooter's thumb, and can be operated with speed without the risk of selecting the wrong mode thanks to the 90-degree throw required between modes. The magazine release is located on the right side of the receiver, and is surrounded by a bulge known as the "magazine release fence". The fence protects against accidentally releasing the magazine if your SPR brushes against your gear but is cut out to allow you to drop the magazine easily from a firing grip with your trigger finger.

The charging handle of the MK12 MOD.0 can be found at the top rear of the receiver, in the usual spot for an M4/AR15 platform. The charging handle on this rifle has a low profile latch which helps prevent the charging handle from getting snagged on your equipment as you move. Pulling the charging handle will open the dust cover on the right side of the receiver, and retract the detailed mock bolt carrier, revealing the rotary adjustable HOP-up unit. This device allows you to adjust the amount of backspin applied to your BBs and tune this SBR to suit your chosen BB weight, looking for the flattest trajectory possible. The inclusion of the rotary adjuster design instead of the older "gear" system is a very useful addition for those looking to upgrade this rifle for use as a DMR, as it gives you one less thing to buy to get the improved accuracy and ability to hold its setting in the long term that the rotary HOP-up unit is known for. With your adjustment complete, you can now press the textured section of the "ping pong paddle" bolt catch on the left side of the receiver which will release the mock bolt and send it back into battery with a satisfying "click".

The pistol grip of the MK12 MOD.0 is an ergonomic target-style grip, intended to provide maximum comfort and support for right-handed users. This grip is styled after the Sierra Precision grip issued with the MK12 MOD.0 and is similar in shape to other target grips in use on DMR rifles with its thumb and palm support and finger ridge to encourage an effective and comfortable trigger finger position. The trigger guard is a standard M4/AR15 style flat guard but can be removed and replaced with any AEG spec. aftermarket trigger guard should you need more space for your fingers inside, though the original guard has plenty.

At the very rear of the receiver, we can find the M16A2 style full stock, which has an SPR style sling point on the left side built into the buffer plate. This is a nice addition and allows a more modern sling set up to be used with the SPR with the addition of a front sling mount (not included). The second sling point is in the traditional position for an M16A2 infantry style sling, at the toe of the stock. A front sling point will be required to mount a two point sling on the SPR, though a single point sling can be added using just the buffer plate sling mount. Many users might find this style of sling uncomfortable for such a large and heavy rifle, and for those users, we recommend a 20mm Picatinny sling point added to the handguard so you can use a two point sling setup.

The battery compartment of the MK12 MOD.0 can be found inside the M16A2 full stock, providing an absolutely massive battery compartment that can fit practically anything inside. We recommend a 7.4V LiPo battery for the Double Bell MK12 MOD.0, though the size and configuration are practically up to you! The biggest battery we had to hand to test was a 7.4V 2000mAh nunchuck battery, but the compartment could probably fit an even bigger block battery. Remember to measure up before ordering though!

Internally the Double Bell MK12 MOD.0 is well equipped to become a mean DMR rifle and can hold its own even when left as is. The steel gearset runs on 8mm ball bearing bushings, ensuring smooth running and minimal transfer of force into the shell of the gearbox. The nozzle is constructed from aluminium, strengthening the part to ensure it lasts through the rigours of extensive use and helping to give the gearbox excellent air seal qualities. The inclusion of a rotary style HOP-up unit gives this MK12 all the advantages of using the best HOP-up unit on the market for the M4/AR15 platform and is fully compatible with aftermarket HOP-up rubbers for AEGs if you want to extend your range. The version 2 gearbox within the rifle is fully compatible with aftermarket upgrades and also sports a quick release spring guide to allow you to change the spring without opening the gearbox shell itself.

For those looking for a DMR who have a taste for the special forces aesthetic, you can't do much better than a kitted out MK12 to fulfil the role. The Double Bell MK12 is amongst the best starting points for an SPR DMR project thanks to its rotary HOP-up unit, quick change spring system and absolutely massive battery space. On the outside, it is ready to go, all that is left to decide is what to do on the inside and what scope to mount!

Features

• Full metal construction
• OPS Inc. style muzzle brake
• PRI Gen2 style free floated alloy handguard
• ARMs "Swan" style rail riser sleeve pre-installed
• Authentic SPR Flip-up iron sights
• Side 20mm Picatinny rails can be repositioned
• 20mm Picatinny receiver rail with riser
• Functional mock bolt catch - Hit it and the bolt goes home!
• Buffer plate sling point - Steel construction
• Sierra Precision style target pistol grip
• M16A2 style fixed full stock - Room for massive batteries
• Quick change spring system
• Aluminium air nozzle
• 8mm Ball bearing bushings
• Includes 20 round style DMR magazine
• Compatible with M4/AR15 AEG magazines

Package Includes

• Double Bell MK12 MOD.0 SPR AEG
• 190rnd High capacity magazine
• User manual