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Quoted:
So where does one find a Colt Canada lower with either the maple leaf of Diemaco marked lower here in the States? You could then get the Mexican one they are posting about, and you would have the North American Colt Trifecta collection 
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So where does one find a Colt Canada lower with either the maple leaf of Diemaco marked lower here in the States? I started with a basic Cerro Forging 80% lower  Then I send it to John Brace (Braceman on these forums) for engraving (pic is after I finished it out)  I milled it out using a Defense Distributed GG2 CNC  Then I anodized as per my special Colt Canada anodizing  Interestingly Colt Canada also laser engraves as well as rollmarks for the British Guns. I much prefer the look of John Brace's engraving as it looks almost indistinguishable from a Colt rollmark. I've never seen a Diemaco marked gun with anything other than rollmark, but here is a newer Colt Canada logo (which dates is 2010 on) with laser engraved markings. However notice the serial number is still rollmarked. Colt Canada tell me serials are done via a rotary auto indexing wheel, so they would not be laser engraved if serials were designated at factory  Another interesting variable is the NSN. The Nato Stock number I have listed earlier in this thread is not always in the place seen on my lower. Some lowers have the NSN below the trigger pin. These are always on Diemaco marked lowers. I have yet to see a Colt Canada logo marked lower with an NSN on the same side as the rollmarks so this would suggest a 2008/2009 timeline as thats when the new logo started to appear on everything. Later in the cycle, and certainly on all L119A2s we see the NSN's starting to be laser engraved on the right hand side magwell. |
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So where does one find a Colt Canada lower with either the maple leaf of Diemaco marked lower here in the States? It is illegal to import receivers that can accept magazines holding more than 10 rounds. You can thank that a**hole LBJ for the "sporting clause." I also believe that Colt Canada cannot sell to the US, as for what ruling it is, I have no idea. They are too many to count. It's like a combination of a trade deal with Colt and Colt Canada, ATF importation regulations, etc. I guess you can buy one from an individual in Canada, then walk over the border to the US; but even then, I believe it would be considered as contraband by the ATF. The only solution is to go the engraving 80% lower route. |
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Scruffy Elephant, you are 100% correct.
Getting lowers in is almost impossible as per ATF, one of the very few people that can do that is Colt USA because of their partner relationship and the need to supply the US Military. Uppers are almost as bad, barrels are completely verboten for example. Hence taking an 80% and engraving it is absolutely a persons best option. Get an 80, send it to John Brace, finish it out or have someone finish it out, then have someone like me anodize it the correct color. |
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While you're at it, here's another version you could do. I bet Ron @ Allen Engineering could get you all set up with an AEM 3 or 4 with knurling and everything and the right collar setup for a 10" L119 barrel. And the Vortex FH with OPS Inc threading are out there as well. https://shawglobalnews.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/arctic.jpg https://warriorpublications.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/cf-op-nanook-2.jpg And then get back to me when you figure out how to replicate a C8 IUR upper, since it's apparently caught up in that whole "no sales or exportation of Colt Canada stuff to USA" thing. Currently it seems like the 9.2" YHM rail is the closest visual match, and I don't think any of the monolithic type uppers on the market could be milled or modified to match it as none use the standard M4 flat top upper, they're all billet with weirdo forward assist shapes and brass deflectors. https://i.pinimg.com/736x/fe/e9/fb/fee9fb0685fb1f9f62564d032566b4c3--police-gear-toyota.jpg http://i.imgur.com/VA5ITte.jpg https://78.media.tumblr.com/1b3b5da8aeafc3359a1bbb40934c3db4/tumblr_ncu9xvj6WD1rhrguuo2_1280.jpg Correct? |
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I wonder if the SAS are using the Allen Engineering barrel extension with their 10.5” barrels? I was thinking of building a CANSOFCOME clone by getting a 10.5” Colt Canada SAS IUR and throwing on an collar adapter extender, but have recently learned that the CANSOFCOM rifles are not set up that way. Apparently, they have an IUR with an 11.6” barrel and an Allen Engineering collar around it. To build a CANSOFCOM clone, I’d need the 11.6” barrel from a Colt Canada MRR upper, and swap the barrel onto the Colt Canada SAS upper, then mill the grenade launcher lug off. Barrel swapping IURs and MRRs are a colossal pain in the dick because you’d need to fabricate a custom barrel nut wrench. |
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Quoted:
I wonder if the SAS are using the Allen Engineering barrel extension with their 10.5” barrels? I was thinking of building a CANSOFCOME clone by getting a 10.5” Colt Canada SAS IUR and throwing on an collar adapter extender, but have recently learned that the CANSOFCOM rifles are not set up that way. Apparently, they have an IUR with an 11.6” barrel and an Allen Engineering collar around it. To build a CANSOFCOM clone, I’d need the 11.6” barrel from a Colt Canada MRR upper, and swap the barrel onto the Colt Canada SAS upper, then mill the grenade launcher lug off. Barrel swapping IURs and MRRs are a colossal pain in the dick because you’d need to fabricate a custom barrel nut wrench. |
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Quoted: The SAS use Surefire cans with their 10" SBRs http://www.nordicmarksman.com/Colt-Canada-SAS-3rd-Gen-IUR-105-Upper.html 
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10 Inch L119A2 upper. The ones sold in Canada are incorrecly sold as 10.5 inch. But even the packing label on the box is "Upper receiver 10 inch"
I am lucky enough to have one. Will post some pics of my a2 build in that thread soon. |
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Quoted:
I wonder if the SAS are using the Allen Engineering barrel extension with their 10.5” barrels? I was thinking of building a CANSOFCOME clone by getting a 10.5” Colt Canada SAS IUR and throwing on an collar adapter extender, but have recently learned that the CANSOFCOM rifles are not set up that way. Apparently, they have an IUR with an 11.6” barrel and an Allen Engineering collar around it. To build a CANSOFCOM clone, I’d need the 11.6” barrel from a Colt Canada MRR upper, and swap the barrel onto the Colt Canada SAS upper, then mill the grenade launcher lug off. Barrel swapping IURs and MRRs are a colossal pain in the dick because you’d need to fabricate a custom barrel nut wrench. I don't know if this helps, but here are some pictures I took from Vickers Guide AR15 Vol.2. Since you mentioned CanSOF, I thought about sharing this for kicks, and if anyone interested in a build. 
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Such a tease to see this available for sale across the border.
http://www.firearmsoutletcanada.com/colt-canada-diemaco-premium-complete-lower.html#.WmlOmK2ZNE4 |
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Before they would use IURs, C8-CQB rifles had 10" (more like 9.9") barrels with Smith Enterprises extended Vortex muzzle devices (barrel extension) to mount Allen Engineering Mk.12 style suppressors. Allen Engineering suppressors slip over part of the barrel to rest on the "collar" of the barrel (or barrel extension) to ensure proper bore alignment. The C8-SFW doesn't use an extension, but simply replace the Simon sleeve (more like Diemaco grenade launcher mount) with a sleeve made for Allen Engineering suppressors to slip over. Unlike CanSOF, the SAS will go on to use the Surefire SOCOM series of muzzle devices for the Surefire SOCOM QD suppressors. I don't know if this helps, but here are some pictures I took from Vickers Guide AR15 Vol.2. Since you mentioned CanSOF, I thought about sharing this for kicks, and if anyone interested in a build. https://i.imgur.com/0t5J8s1.jpg https://i.imgur.com/3lQfGyg.jpg https://i.imgur.com/DwZ44qS.jpg Quoted:
Quoted:
I wonder if the SAS are using the Allen Engineering barrel extension with their 10.5” barrels? I was thinking of building a CANSOFCOME clone by getting a 10.5” Colt Canada SAS IUR and throwing on an collar adapter extender, but have recently learned that the CANSOFCOM rifles are not set up that way. Apparently, they have an IUR with an 11.6” barrel and an Allen Engineering collar around it. To build a CANSOFCOM clone, I’d need the 11.6” barrel from a Colt Canada MRR upper, and swap the barrel onto the Colt Canada SAS upper, then mill the grenade launcher lug off. Barrel swapping IURs and MRRs are a colossal pain in the dick because you’d need to fabricate a custom barrel nut wrench. I don't know if this helps, but here are some pictures I took from Vickers Guide AR15 Vol.2. Since you mentioned CanSOF, I thought about sharing this for kicks, and if anyone interested in a build. https://i.imgur.com/0t5J8s1.jpg https://i.imgur.com/3lQfGyg.jpg https://i.imgur.com/DwZ44qS.jpg What rear BUIS is this? Looks like an interesting, stripped down or prototype MaTech or something. The arm/aperture itself appears to be the exact same one the MaTech uses. Sight body itself just looks more steam lined/slimmed down |
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@witchhammr What rear BUIS is this? Looks like an interesting, stripped down or prototype MaTech or something. The arm/aperture itself appears to be the exact same one the MaTech uses. Sight body itself just looks more steam lined/slimmed down Colt Canada advertises that rear sight on their website for their "upgrade" programs regarding the L119A2. 
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Quoted: I believe it is a Colt Canada manufactured rear sight. It's like a hybrid between a KAC micro 300m rear sight and a MaTech sight. Diemaco back then made all kinds of accessories for their rifles, like the A1 and A2 carry handles. I saw one on a early IUR for military sales in the book, stating they created the IUR for the Netherlands, but they Netherlands military actually uses the A.R.M.S. sights. I know for a fact now, thanks to OP Elucidate, if the SAS were to use a rear sight on a L119A1, it would mostly be a MaTech. Colt Canada advertises that rear sight on their website for their "upgrade" programs regarding the L119A2. http://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/L119A2-C8-SFW.jpg |
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I'll get into this when I hit optics but UKSF dont run and have never run BUIS on the A1.
There is one demo rifle that has a Matech but its never seen active service. The Colt Canada A2 (I have a separate thread for that) has no BUIS and they are not listed in the package specs. The pictures and manual entries are for illustration purposes. ETA: Yes they are 100% in house CC in the pictures |
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False advertising alert:
Just a warning for the cloners. Colt may be the only way to go. I cheap out and got a castle/spanner nut combo instead of an actual spanner wrench type receiver extension nut that was advertised on Model 1 Sales. I can sell it to any one of you guys except Canadians because it's an ITAR item for some odd reason... But it being so cheap, the shipping would completely dip into the profits. I guess I will just call it a loss... EDIT: I will request an RMA, and return them. I will wait and ponder on the idea of another brand of replica XM177 nut, buy a Colt spanner nut, or get my buddy up north to send me Colt Canada receiver extension nuts. We'll see. 
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Quoted: Before they would use IURs, C8-CQB rifles had 10" (more like 9.9") barrels with Smith Enterprises extended Vortex muzzle devices (barrel extension) to mount Allen Engineering Mk.12 style suppressors. Allen Engineering suppressors slip over part of the barrel to rest on the "collar" of the barrel (or barrel extension) to ensure proper bore alignment. The C8-SFW doesn't use an extension, but simply replace the Simon sleeve (more like Diemaco grenade launcher mount) with a sleeve made for Allen Engineering suppressors to slip over. Unlike CanSOF, the SAS will go on to use the Surefire SOCOM series of muzzle devices for the Surefire SOCOM QD suppressors. I don't know if this helps, but here are some pictures I took from Vickers Guide AR15 Vol.2. Since you mentioned CanSOF, I thought about sharing this for kicks, and if anyone interested in a build. https://i.imgur.com/0t5J8s1.jpg https://i.imgur.com/3lQfGyg.jpg https://i.imgur.com/DwZ44qS.jpg 
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Quoted:
It also has a thread protector. Pics of mine. https://i.imgur.com/pElVLd1.jpg https://i.imgur.com/iPjTH6M.jpg https://i.imgur.com/Qj87Pkt.jpg https://i.imgur.com/RZldzEQ.jpg |
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Update on the faux "L119" Gunbroker auction. Looks like he made it a penny start auction.
There are two bids currently around $1500 and the reserve amount has not been met. https://www.gunbroker.com/item/741553518 |
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Continuing down the gun, the next thing is the barrel.
Due to import restrictions there is no way to get real hammer forged Diemaco barrels in the US, I had to make do. As I wanted to be as close as possible, I got a BCM barrel, as it has similar features, the same profile, hammer forged, chrome lined. I just cut it down to the right size and re-threaded The real barrels are marked with the Devtek D, the caliber, the test markings and a batch code. So I engraved these markings onto the BCM barrel. 
The barrel nut and delta ring etc are all the same as US models, and the gas tube again is the same. The rail is different, the UK guns use the UK/Canadian specific rail 
The top of the rail is the same as the normal Knights M4 RAS, even down to their being several revisions, some with a slotted bolt and others with an allen bolt. In order to correctly install the rail, I like the PRI/Precision Reflex tool 
The end result is a perfectly square top rail 
The bottom rail is what differentiates the UK RAS M4 from the US version. The Canadian/UK system has a clamp on the bottom rail, something that was introduced later in the contract due to some operational requirements from UKSF. 
On the rail side, I used the Vero Beach rail panels in order to keep with the 'age' of the clone. The earliest panels have the Knights phone number on them, and the current versions have the CAGE code on them. These Vero beach ones are about the right age for a 2005-2011 clone.  Next I'll move onto the handguard cap, front sight base, front sight, and flash hider. |
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The lion rampant patch on that SAS bloke's chest, is that official or a vanity to say he's Scottish? My caveat there is I didn't really ever care for any of the other regiments except for ones we worked very closely with such as Paras, PWRR and RGBW so I may just not recognize it. |
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RE: Ops Inc Can mounting: Is that a special Simon Sleeve with the Ops Inc taper on the front, square on the rear for 203 mounting? |
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Hopefully a Canadian can come in an answer that, the Brits have never used Ops Inc cans and don't use the M203. Brits use the HK launcher, and as such have a built up front sight and a special simon sleeve capable flash hider and custom Surefire can. 
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I was under the impression that Diemaco rifles used heavy barrels in their carbines. Specifically, the C8-CQB. Did the L119A1 use a heavy barrel or a government profile barrel like in OP's images?
As for hammer forging. I'm giving that up because of consistency. My BCM SFW upper does not use a hammer forged barrel (seriously, why BCM?) [not marked BFH], and I cannot for the life of me find a heavy barrel that is all chrome-lined, 1:7 twist, and hammer forged. Palmetto State Armory sold an imported FNH 16" barrel that was chrome-lined and hammer forged with the right twist rate. The barrel had the right taper for the SFW, but the taper was not sharp enough for a CQB, but it still would have been the best. I could have bought two for both the SFW and the CQB, but some lucky bastard got to it before I could and I don't know if it would ever be restocked. I should have not waited so long. |
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I've seen pictures of the real L119A1 and it uses a Gov profile. Indeed I have seen heavier barrels on the Canadian rifles.
Really, and I hope this post is illustrating it, the British L119 series shares very little in common with any other rifle, despite some outward appearances. |
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which bcm barrel did you start out with and did you have to open the gas port ? I actually had John Thomas at Retro Arms works do it because I also had him re-parkerize the FSB to match the older color and drill the barrel and fit the FSB. |
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It was a 14.5" one I think, and yes, to 0.70 I actually had John Thomas at Retro Arms works do it because I also had him re-parkerize the FSB to match the older color and drill the barrel and fit the FSB. i'm still trying to collect parts to put one of these together if it's just a govt profile barrel that makes things a little easier for me as i'll be using an f marked fsb to match up with a m4 marked diemaco upper |
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Interestingly, every single one has a large tick on the right hand side. No markings exist on the right hand side of the lower. http://i64.tinypic.com/103henc.png 
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Super late on this, didn't see it until now, but there's a company that makes their LPK with those safety profiles. I had to hunt one down for a different clone I did. https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4766/40049726981_b3b4857cc1_o.jpg |
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Who is it? I must have been buying them as I had 3 lying around in my parts bin, but I have no idea where those parts kits came from |
And before I get my current clone finished, I start another.....this keeps happening for some reason. I have a 216A and a KAC UK/SAS lower rail on the way. I was able to buy back a Diemaco/Cerro upper receiver I sold to a friend, unfortunately it’s m4 cut, but it’s the closest I’ll be able to get. Thanks to elucidate for all the help and info on this, and it starts....
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This is truly an impressive project. I really appreciate the effort to make everything as close to the real deal as possible.
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Canada uses the old style nut as seen on pre M4 guns. The one with the round hole. I had to go find an old style wrench to be able to fit this! So for the guys with the TAPCO wrenches that don't know what this is used for, its used for the old nuts! http://i65.tinypic.com/2l19h1.png |
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Here are the unique parts I have gathered so far. I also have a Colt A2 HBAR non-F marked front sight I'm going to use and a KNS Precision .034 square front sight because that is the closest front sight I can find to mimic the Diemaco front post. I also have a few Colt Canada HH buffers on the way.
What I currently have for the L119A1 SBR, It's not much, but this build doesn't require as much unique parts as a Canadian C8 requires such a Diemaco pistol grip for example. I have now is: Lone Star Ordinance Stowaway Grip 2, Diemaco C8 carbine two position buffer tube (Canadian Mountie carbine take-off), replica L119A1 endplate, and a Surefire FH556-217A (SCAR-L) flash hider. I also have a couple of Diemaco uppers and BCGs that I will add later on. I have a guy that does machine work to custom firearms, so I will got to him with my two position C8 buffer tube, and also my Colt Canada six position buffer tube to replicate the milled off threads by using the specs of the CC 6-position receiver extension. 
First up, the Surefire. I know it is not correct. What the British use is the Surefire FH556-216A, and not the Surefire FH556-217A. It is a four prong flash hider that looks very similar. The only differences are that the 216A uses internal serrations of the B.E. Meyers flash hider patented system and not the 217A, also the four prongs on the 216A are thinner in profile near the prong's edge (plus the 217A has "SCAR L" on it). I am happy to trade a FH556-217A for a FH556-216A, but this is fine for now (for me), honestly, I think it looks slightly better. I honestly never seen this flash hider on a SCAR-L. I always seen the three prong, however, I'm sure these flash hiders were used for SOCOM SCAR-Ls before they were phased out in favor of SOCOM M4A1 carbines and SCAR-H battle rifles. If the SOCOM story I told is true, then the SOCOM Mk.16 collectors are really going to want this... Surefire FH556-217A: 
Surefire FH556-216A: 
The L119A1 "endplate" replica... This is a WE Tech replica that is machined from steel, however, I noticed that there are no indentations that fit flush into the hole on the rear of the lower receiver. Would I have to get a VLTOR endplate with the QD hardware and drill a hole in the relica endplate to make it not move side to side on the buffer tube? Machining an indention would not be the best idea I think because the thickness is perfect to my Colt Canada triangular sling mount endplate. Or would it not be a problem? Thoughts? 
I have a package of Colt Canada parts on the way, but I will not use the black pebble grain stock because that is reserved for my C8-CQB. Since Colt N1 stocks are also correct (I gotta have a reason to use my spare Diemaco buttpad, of course!), I am currently on the trail for a stock. We'll see how that deal goes. Also, I might actually use a cold hammer forged barrel. It won't be a problem finding one for the L119A1, but for my C8 builds, does anyone have a good source for CHF heavy barrels that is 5.56 chamber, 1:7, chrome-lined... you know, the works. I know FN makes them, but are sold out everywhere! So I am peering at Double Star barrels. Does anyone have experience with Double Star CHF barrels? Is it Mil-Spec? (EDIT: changed a few details and sentence structure for accuracy and clarity) |
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Moving forward on the gun, lets look at the FSB.
The 15.7" guns had a built up FSB made especially for the HK Grenade Launcher, this is not something seen on the 10" gun. The FSB on the 10" gun is a standard height (not F marked) FSB with a slightly more grey color on the old units and the standard black on the newer units. Something else which differentiates it from the US guns is the handguard cap is the type that is completely round, it does not have the M4 cuts, because the Brits don't use the M203. 
I hadn't fitted the front sling swivel in this picture, all of the guns do have them however, the type that goes into the sling swivel mount underneath the FSB, not the M4 barrel clamp type. Another interesting thing to note is the ground off bayonet lug. With the short barrel, it was not possible to fit the suppressor whilst retaining the bayonet lug, so it is removed on these rifles. Notice how short the barrel is, and how close it comes to the FSB. It is a true 10" barrel. Another thing the Canadians and Brits do differently is the front sight, this is the Diemaco front sight on the left, a US M4 standard on the right 
It allows for much more accurate aiming, it is significantly thinner. Of course on the L119's that is a moot point because they don't use traditional rear sights. (more on their sighting systems to follow) Then to finish off the the front of the gun, the Surefire FH216A flash hider. This ONLY works with the FA556SA suppressor that is only made for the UK contract, it is basically a FA212 suppressor with a slightly different collar, which helps for the Simon grenade attachments. I actually set myself up as a Surefire dealer and got special dispensation to buy and sell the FA556SA suppressors here in the US, so in however long my Form3 takes, I'll post pictures of the real UK suppressor. 
Because I'm an OCD nightmare, instead of using shims, I actually turned down my barrel to create a perfect alignment of the mount against the shoulder. Here is the FH216A in the packet, it ships with a shim packet and the flash hider itself. 
Going back to the internals of the gun, the Diemaco BCG is the correct one. You can find these as takeoffs from the 6521 rifles that came in from Canada, but because they all went to LEO first, it's rare to find one with the real Diemaco bolt installed. I had to source the bolt carrier and the bolt separately. Notice the Devtek D on the carrier 
Here is a closer picture of the bolt, you can see the MPD marking showing it was Magnetic particle tested by Diemaco, and the batch code, which Diemaco/Colt Canada still do on pressure bearing parts even to this day 
Next I'll cover the optics, accessories and attachments for the L119A1 as per a 2005-2010 era gun. |
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Quoted:
ScruffyElephant Drop me a note, I can get the FH216A's at MSRP On the endplate, it can rotate under extreme pressure from a sling etc. The best bet it to fit the Vltor, or drill and tap the WE endplate to take the Vltor piece to stop it rotating. |
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