C8FTHB Project Liberties
 

I'm wondering, how many mods can one make to a base gun before it no longer can be associated with its base gun?

Case in point- I'm building a C8FTHB. Essentially differs from an M4A1 in appearance by having a:

- 16 Inch Heavy Barrel with Simon Sleeve
- Diamaco BUIS
- CAR Stock instead of the M4 Enhanced Stock
- Elcan C79A2 or EoTech 552
- Slim CAR grips with TRIAD
- Canadian Markings
- Rectangular Sling Loop at Reciever

Now, there's a couple of differences I thought acceptable:

- Specter DR instead of Elcan or EoTech because I already owned a Spectre DR
- KAC RIS because I'm not a huge fan of the TRIAD
- LaRue BUIS since this was a fairly fluid area of choice

Which looked like this:

http://i40.tinypic.com/7edv.png

Then after getting my CAR stock I wasn't too much of a fan of it... so I decided I wanted a VLTOR ModStock. Which means that the gun looks like this now:

http://i42.tinypic.com/35bt3bq.png

Which didn't strike me as particularly Canadian in appearance. The only CF specific content would be the markings, the loop and the 16 inch barrel (Which I am aware is wrong in the gun builder, but there was no L119 barrel available.)

I know there are variations in design as guys often swap out issued stuff for their own, but just in general, am I pushing that a bit too far?

If you check out the CSOR thread, VLTOR stocks and Specter DR's are fairly common in that unit. Nix the plastic BUIS though.

One thing I have to say though, guys are willing to spend all kind of money on their weapons overseas, on sights, drop-in rails, vertical grips... but I've never seen anyone replace their stock. That could go a long way to making it look Canadian I think.

And yeah, loose the plastic BUIS...

It's not a plastic Diamaco BUIS- It's a Larue BUIS (Again, the gun builder didn't have it...)

The VLTOR stock was out of stock at the local airsoft shop, plus I'm spending enough money so I think I'm going to stick with the CAR. The issue I had with it was that the upper sling loop broke at the junction between the butt and loop, but a bit of hot glue bonded it back together fairly well. A bit of sanding, Krylon Flat Camo, and it's good as new. If it breaks irreparably, then I'll grab a VLTOR.

Any details I've missed?

Hi

I'm not in the CF but having researched the C8a3 and C8FTHB, it seems that customization of the weapons depends primarily on unit and location

Basically, in Canada, customization seems pretty uncommon except for special forces. But in Astan, seems that anything that does not require disassemblying the weapon with dedicated tools is possible.

As an example : http://th02.deviantart.net/fs51/PRE/..._War_Shark.jpg


Best

V

UpNorth... goddamn that's a lot of kit- But if it works for him, then I suppose all is well.

Hi

Unrelated question (to the C8 that is) but i don't know where to ask : As for the radios, is the PRC-148 only used in Astan while the Assault radio is used in Canada or is the PRC-148 replacing the Light Assault Radio ?

Best

V

That's great news (for me that is). They use a standard 152 with NATO type plug and Clansman adapter (for the PRRs) or they have a Clansman version ?

Best

V

Anyone can answer that ? What plug on the PRC-152 used by the CF : Clansman 7 pins or U283 ?

Best

V

Cool, thanks

How do you guys connect it to the PRRs as i recall that your PRRs with dual PTTs have Clansman 7 pins ends ?

Best

V

Hi

Thanks for the quick answer !

In Astan i have seen several pictures of canadian soldiers with the dual PTT connected to AN/PRC-148 via an adapter, this is why i was asking...

V

I've seen MBTRs sent out to command PRRs (the one with 2 PTTs)

I can't recall the specifics.

Here are some examples (some hard to see but they are with adaptors) :

http://www.combatcamera.forces.gc.ca...catalog=photos

http://www.combatcamera.forces.gc.ca...catalog=photos

http://www.combatcamera.forces.gc.ca...catalog=photos


Best picture of the adapter : http://www.combatcamera.forces.gc.ca...catalog=photos

For some reason, the use of the PRR coupled with the PRC-148 seems pretty consistent...

V

Do you think these adaptors are canada made ? I found no trace of them online...

Would it be logical to see the same setup with the PRC152 as well ?

V

The only thing left stock G&P on my M4 was the mechbox shell, a few minor internals parts, the mechbox body pin, and the outer barrel which I cut down and re-threaded.
I still considered it a G&P M4 lol

Yeah, we had 2 MBTRs per section. We seldom ever carried manpacks, and when we did they were those satellite radios whose name I can't remember. The only time we ever used 522s was for OPs.

Hi

Could you tell me what pouch is used in the CF with the PRC-152 ? I can't even find what pouch is used by the US troops...

A picture would be even better !

:wink:

Best

Vincent

Thanks !

V