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First AR15, Centurion MK12 Barrel, Geissele SMR Review

rideHPD

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Mar 4, 2010
318
2
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San Diego, CA
www.linkedin.com
Well it took me long enough, lesson learned: if BigJoe tells you something is the best and to just buy it-do it. Thank you again Joe for your help and putting up with my impatient, curious ass. That said, I'm extremely happy he put me in contact with Centurion. This is the first AR I've ever owned, first precision gas gun, and assembled everything myself (except for the MB, messed that up and Randall at ar15barrels.com helped out). I would also like to thank Kevin (KJO on here) at HCS, Trident1982 and the rest on here that helped along the way with advice and parts. If you need anything, and Kevin has it, give him a call first. That said here's the spec list:

Upper:
Centurion Arms MK12 barrel
Geissele 13" SMR MK II
SF MB556K
JD Machine Upper, F/A, gas block and charging handle
(Colt?) BCG - KJO at High Caliber Sales
NF 2.5-10x32 MOAR - KJO HCS
NF extra-high Unimount - KJO HCS
Butler Creek Caps
Harris 6-9 HBRS w/ KMW PodLoc
So-Tech Skid Plate
DD QD swivel mount

Lower:
JD Machine lower, buffer tube and assembly
DD LPK
Geissele SSA-E
LMT SOPMOD
Battleline SAPR Gen 1
Magpul MIAD

And what good would this be without pics:




Now, how does it shoot?



This is pretty much what every 5rnd group looks like, always a really tight hole then one, maybe two, little shits that sneak out and open it up to just under .5 MOA. Calipers 0'd at .2240". I'd have an entry for Elfster's thread but I don't have 6 groups on one sheet, but I'll have one soon enough. It absolutely loves Southwest 77 SMKs, HSM about the same, FGMM is alright, about .6-.8 MOA, and I have yet to get MK262 MOD0 to work well, probably because I throw rounds here and there due to poor trigger control. The SSA-E will probably be replaced by a CMC, I just don't like the shape of the shoe and can't get the 2-stage to work for me. With SW the rifle makes it to 600 easy, almost boringly so in wind 10 mph and under. Out to 800 took a little bit more effort, but just made things more fun. The barrel just plain works, need to get my hands on a chrono to verify speed, but should be pushing the SMKs at 2760 FPS. Only cleaned once, and with the Froglube solvent patches came back spotless after 3 patches. Very easy rifle to maintain. Had some fail-to-feed malfunctions last range session, but I think it was due to the BCG being bone dry, rubbed a bit of FL on the exterior and everything went back to normal.

The SMR is absolutely rock solid, and great for a precision gun. The fit between the barrel nut, receiver, and rail is impeccable and the load transfer is very well spread out. If you want to run a Harris, no need to buy a rail mount, just take an extra sling stud and screw it into the hole for the rail.

The fit is a little loose, and if the stud is long, like mine is, don't screw it in all the way or you might hit the barrel, just tighten down the bipod a little snugger.

The NF is great, although I found I am a fan of higher power, but that's just preference. The MOAR reticle is a little thick if you need to discern small targets (anything <= 1MOA). Also the turrets are a little hard to see with the NF mount, which is why I have the scope as far forward in the mount as possible.

I'm a big fan of the skid plate, and it's nice that they are a local company. While I've used it for tripod shooting and a bit of odd positions, I think it really shines for AR's for slung shooting, as it allows me to quickly choke my hand up and down the rail to change elevation and relax into the sling. This is quite nice as it keeps my hand from getting rammed into the podloc, and is still stable. It also has the added bonus of shielding you from barrel heat or from metal contact in the hot desert, which is a bitch around here.

Only modifications I think that are left are going to be changing the trigger, getting a shorter sling stud, changing the charging handle for a Badger version, and possibly adding a side-mounted red dot.
 
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Awesome build. I think I am going to follow your parts list on my next build! Noticed you are in San Diego, I am too. Ever shoot at Project 2000 Range? I am trying to decide on a 18" or 20" barrel....
 
Not really but I need to head down there some time to load test my smallbore comp gun. I mostly shoot at South Bay, if youve ever been. You're more than welcome to give it a run sometime.
 
That's an awesome build brother....nothing but premium parts, with no corners cut. Textbook definition of a light precision AR as well.

Keep us updated w/ how it shoots if you have the time in the future :)
 
LMAO i just try to help man, glad it came out so well. You ever need anything you know how to reach me ;)