When discussing the Mk 18 / CQBR program, we can divide the history and discussion in to two distinct categories: 1) The weapon system itself / upper receiver supplied and 2) the group of accessories deployed on said weapon systems (SOPMOD).

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Mk 18 Mod 0 / CQBR

The M4 carbine and M16 are not ideally suited for all missions, so it was proposed that the modularity of the M16 series would allow a user to replace the upper receiver of an existing weapon with one more suitable to the task. One of two proposed special mission receivers that were planned for inclusion into the SOPMOD Block II kit, the CQBR has taken off on its own. Like the proposed Special Purpose Receiver, the Close Quarters Battle Receiver has been more or less taken on by the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (often referred to as NSWC-Crane or just "Crane") as its own project following the CQBR's removal from the SOPMOD program. Just as the Special Purpose Receiver morphed into the Special Purpose Rifle, and was type-classified as Mk 12 Mod 0/1, the complete CQBR-equipped carbine has been type-classified as the Mk 18 Mod 0.

The purpose of the CQBR remains to provide operators with a weapon of submachine gun size, but firing a rifle cartridge, for scenarios such as VIP protection, urban warfare, and other close quarters battle (CQB) situations. The CQBR is designed to provide improvement over previous AR-15/M16-type weapons in this category. The CQBR is usually issued as a complete weapon system, and not just an upper receiver. The CQBR was once only available to Naval Special Warfare units, but the Mk 18 Mod 0 has become general issue for Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) missions and, as of 2006, for NCIS agents deploying to active combat zones.[citation needed] The Mk 18 is also used by the Coast Guard's Tactical Law Enforcement Teams, Maritime Safety and Security Teams, and Maritime Security Response Team and the United States Navy's Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Operators.

Wikipedia has a good article with sources on the original CQBR/Mk 18 Mod 0 and its development.

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SOPMOD

The SOPMOD Program Management Office at NSWC Crane, IN, provides standardized, versatile weapons accessories to meet needs across SOF mission scenarios. These accessories increase operator survivability and lethality by enhanced weapon performance, target acquisition, signature suppression, and fire control.

The CQBR itself was originally part of the SOPMOD program as an accessory replacement upper receiver for the M4. However it was eventually separated out into its own project.

SOPMOD accessories for the M4/CQBR originally included things like the KAC RIS/RAS, SOPMOD stock, KAC M4QD suppressor, AN/PEQ-2 illuminator/laser, ECOS-N red dot, ACOG, etc

The SOPMOD program has gone through multiple minor and major evolutions throughout its lifetime. The most significant is commonly defined as "Block II" and included the introduction/replacement of accessories that met the updated needs of operators. The most visually significant "Block II" accessory is probably the replacement of the KAC rail/FSB with the  Daniel Defense RIS II free float rail with low-profile gas block. Other updates include things like the Surefire SOCOM sound suppressor, EOTech RDS (553/SU-231 & EXPS 3-0/SU-231a), LA-5/PEQ ATPIAL, etc

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Link to docs and photo albums

 Presentation on CQBR from Crane
 Operator's Manual for Mk 18 Mod 0
 SOPMOD Program Overview presentation from Crane
 Photo Album of Mk 18 Mod 0
 Photo Album of CQBR with SOPMOD Block II accessories

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Because of the long history of both the CQBR/Mk 18 and SOPMOD programs, it's common to find weapons with various mixed configurations in the field, all depending on what time and unit the weapon system belongs to. Below are a few examples with descriptions to illustrate this.


Example of a Mk 18 Mod 0 in as-issued configuration including: M16A1 surplus lower receiver, SOPMOD buttstock, KAC RIS, KAC M4QD flash hider, Aimpoint Comp M2 in Wilcox mount, LMT rear fixed sight, CQD rear sling plate.


NSW Operator CQBRs with original SOPMOD accessories including KAC M4QD sound suppressor and AN/PEQ-2 IR Illuminator/Laser.


Member of a Combat Camera team with a CQBR with KAC RAS and M4QD flash hider but with other updated accessories from the "Block II" SOPMOD kit including SU-231a (EOTech EXPS 3-0), EOTech G33 Magnifier, LA-5/PEQ ATPIAL, Insight WMX-200.


Good example of "early" CQBR with SOPMOD Block II accessories including SU-231 (EOTech 553) and SU-233 (Insight M3x weaponlight).


Example of a more "modern" CQBR with SOPMOD Block II accessories including the updated SU-231a (EOTech EXPS 3-0) and Insight WMX-200 weaponlight.


Many times certain configurations are common within certain branches/groups. Here a Marine Raider is seen with a CQBR with an AN/PEQ-16 (USMC issued vs. the LA-5/PEQ SOCOM issued ATPIAL) and KAC NT4 suppressor (vs. the current Surefire SOCOM suppressor).

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Building a clone

If you're interested in building a "clone" of a Mk 18 or CQBR equipped M4A1, here is a basic parts list to use as a guide and get you started. This list is not exhaustive and see the * note above regarding personalized accessories.

                       | Mk 18 Mod 0                      | M4A1 CQBR Block I                   | M4A1 CQBR Block II                                      
Lower Receiver         | Mil-spec forged A1               | Mil-spec forged A2                  | Mil-spec forged A2                                      
Stock                  | Gen 1 SOPMOD (Black)             | M4, CAR, SOPMOD, CTR & others       | M4, CAR, SOPMOD, CTR & others                            
Pistol Grip            | A1                               | A2, ERGO & others                   | A2, ERGO & others                                        
Rear Sling Plate       | CQD                              | CQD                                 | CQD                                                      
Upper Receiver         | Mil-spec forged M4 profile       | Mil-spec forged M4 profile          | Mil-spec forged M4 profile                              
Barrel                 | 10.3"                            | 10.3"                               | 10.3"                                                    
Rail                   | KAC RIS                          | KAC RAS                             | DD Mk18 RIS II (FDE)                                    
Rear BUIS              | LMT Fixed                        | LMT Fixed, MATECH, & others         | MATECH, KAC 300m, & others                              
Front Sight            | A2 FSB                           | A2 FSB                              | KAC 99051 BUIS (Taupe)                                  
Front Sling Attachment | FSB Sling Swivel                 | FSB Sling Swivel                    | CQD                                                      
Muzzle Device          | KAC M4QD                         | KAC M4QD                            | SureFire FH-556-RC                                      
Supressor              | None                             | KAC QDSS NT4                        | SureFire SOCOM556-RC (FDE)                              
LAM                    | None                             | PEQ-2                               | LA-5                                                    
Weaponlight            | SureFire M962                    | SureFire M952, M962                 | Insight M3X (Tan), Insight WMX200 (Bronze)              
Optic                  | Aimpoint Comp M2 in Wilcox Mount | Aimpoint Comp M2 in QRP Mount, ACOG | EOTech 553 (Tan), EOTech EXPS3-0 (Tan), ELCAN 1-4x (FDE)

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Link to previous threads

 Previous Mk 18 / CQBR Thread Part I
 Previous Mk 18 / CQBR Thread Part II

Try Tango Down?

 

I have a question for those of you who have 0.070 gas ports.

Are you able to shoot cheap crap (tula, mainly) with a standard carbine buffer?

Anyone know what size o ring goes on the wmx200 main body, right as you unscrew the tailcap, mine is lost. In oblivion, so looking for a replacement.

Same size as the front o-ring if I'm thinking of what you are trying to describe correctly

This o ring.

Build a 416 clone. I'm pretty sure they're using (or at least will be soon) the "g rails" on them now. That's basically what I've decided to do; Build the ultimate 416, with as many HK parts as possible. It's gonna be really expensive, but hopefully awesome. The only thing I will intentionally skip (that I can think of) will probably be the barrel (if I could even find one). There's plenty of high quality barrels out there. I just hope it's not retarded and proprietary or something.

Anyway, it's been awhile since I've even been in this thread, let alone post in it. I've got some slightly newer pics of the guns, and possibly some old pics too, as the FSB upper isn't really clone correct in any way, besides being Colt, and a 10.3 barrel, that's pretty much it, lol. Oh well. I don't like posting my other, much more correct CQBR, but I'll see if I can find some old pics of it, what for staying on topic.

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Old pics:

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Also, I take it back. I must have deleted all my photos of my non-FSB CQBR, in it's proper configuration. Sorry. Always next time.

Anyway, even more off topic, I took this pic of the drastic difference in my lawn vs my neighbor's lawn. We have 0 dandelions, and he had to have set some sort of record, not only for the most weeds in one "lawn", but also for the length of time he has gone without weedwacking ANYTHING. For the record, those aren't trees or bushes along the side of his house, and underneath his deck, lol.

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I mean, he probably has his own ecosystem, complete with yet undiscovered species of weeds. Crazily enough, his backyard is actually worse.

I just found this pic on google of a Mod 0. Not mine. I figured this post was a little too off topic.



I'd be willing to be that is someone's gun in this thread. I think I recognise the photo style/quality. ;)

Quit showing pics of my house.  I'll get around to the weeds.....

It's weird, because he has a decent riding mower, and all he really has to do is mow it every once in awhile, and it wouldn't look so terrible, but he doesn't even do that. I've actually seen his wife out mowing it, and I know he was home, because he was out watching her do it, lol.

That's definitely exprevatte's photo lol. It's funny how those photos make it everywhere.

I think my neighbors weed-bombed my yard. My yard will have a very delineated border with the neighbors. I mow at least once a week and weed-n-feed a few times a year. My one neighbors grass looks like a damn golf course, but all I ever see him do is mow.

Long time first time.

Just wanted to comment on the use of inner tube a few pages back.

It really does work great for grips on rifles and pistols, as well as controlling light and LAD wires.

Bikes shops will usually give you old ones for free since they typically pay to recycle them....  Get ones for mountain bikes. The tubes for road bikes are too small.

Annnnd since I haven't figured it out yet, there will be no photo, but on your death bed, you will achieve total consciousness.......

So we got that goin' for us,......which is nice. ;)

Seriously though, you need 50 posts to post a picture. If you post it though, we can vote to let it be shown.  

Yep, he was my first guess. Either that or Stickman, but considering when you type in "Block II CQBR" into google images, you get a collage of different ECPrevatte photos, I thought it might have been his, lol.

Hire some lawn company to come out a few times a year to put their special sauce down. It only costs like 2-300 a year, if that, and it works fairly well, as this is the first year we've done that, and I can already easily tell the difference. That being said, there was a metric-fuck-ton of work we did to the grass and soil in the previous years to get it not looking like shit. I mean, everything from going around and individually picking the weeds, to raking out all the clover, and putting countless bags of soil and grass seed down.

A sprinkler system wouldn't hurt either. Just something you can spike in the ground and connect your hose to, so you don't have to sit there and water it all by hand when it gets hot and dry in the summer months. Also, mow it higher if you have weeds. It's much harder for weeds to grow if the grass is thick.

And that's two off topic posts in a row, lol. I'm on a roll.

Called SF yesterday and they said they couldn't take pre-orders for the SFCT but they are definitely coming.
Then again I pre-ordered the Warden when it was announced and I think it took 8 months (and BCM had them first).

Wait who was the guy that bought one and said only so many were being made?

Seeing more and more optics being ran to the rear and more peqs back too. Wonder why.

That M203 leaf sight is way off from where it should be.

I think optics to the rear just makes more sense if you're not going to run a magnifier because it helps balance out the gun so much better.

For lasers, same thing, and also a lot of schools teaching the C grip now so with it further back you can usually get your hand around the front of the rail. I've been seeing a lot of configurations like this, even with the pressure switch for the light way out front and then not using a switch for the laser. So my guess is, standard C hold, far out on the rail, for day shooting and then a totally different hold/grip for night/laser shooting.

Sounds like these setups are optimized for day time shooting instead of the other ways which seem to be more of a best of both worlds.

C-Clamp would block a laser, and with tubes you would be getting close to hitting the EOTech. Still cool setups though.

C-clamp would block the illuminator, but I really doubt it would block the lasers, unless you went full Costa.

Never go full Costa.

From Stukas's last article:

^^^^


Is that a PMAG 40 in the second to last pic? Don't see those often.

Weird question, but is there a clone-correct ambi safety selector switch? I'm RH, but I like have the little one on the right hand side. I run an LMT ambi on my Block II but DSG is out of stock.

Colt ambi.

KAC, BCM, DPMS, BAD, and others have been used as well.

Ok great, so it's really up to the end-user? Thanks!

Official Mk 18 & CQBR Photo and lawn care Discussion Thread

Starting off Memorial Day weekend off the right way.

Well I've pretty much got my entire build ordered now. Just have to wait for that Form 1. And wait for DSG to get more CQD front ends back in stock.

Call CQD.  They probably have a bunch lying around and can sell to you directly.

 



I don't know if there is a "clone-correct" one, but I have same issue.  Trying the Troy ambi now, but probably just going to wind up with the reversible colt selector and run it for LH use.  Colt makes a true ambi, as well as SA, but they both have full length levers on LH side and I prefer a shorter lever there which is why I tried the Troy.  It's a bit wobbly due to the pin/wedge design, but seem to work fine none the less.  I run BA Ambi's on all my other rifles, but yeah want to try and be correct on the Mk12 and Mk18.






Troy -  http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/safety-parts/safeties/ar-15-ambidextrous-semi-auto-safety-prod45380.aspx






Colt reversible - http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/safety-parts/safeties/ar6721-fire-control-selector-semi-prod4902.aspx













 

 


They show in stock at https://cqd.net/ - I just ordered/received a pair this week.


 

I checked their website and they have em in stock but I still have a couple months in my deployment so I'm not too worried about getting them ASAP. Thanks for the help though!

FWIW, I'm almost positive BAD Ambi selectors have been seen "ITW."

 
I've seen a few on rifles posted here... but yeah if ITW legit then maybe I'll go ahead and run the BAD ambi...nice. :)  Now that you mention it my local shop's Mod1 has a BAD Ambi on it as well.

Apparently, they have the Colt Ambi's it at this place that cannot be named here.  PM me.

I ended up ordering a SF 3-prong, Geissele SSA and an ambi Colt safety selector from Brownells. Unfortunately the safety selector didn't have a picture, but the full auto one did which was right next to it and I'm assuming they look exactly the same externally.

Is it possible to order a Gen 1 Sopmod anymore?  All I see are Gen 2's.

Here

Damn. $100 for an "obvious signs of use" product. Is there any point in getting a Gen 1 SOPMOD stock over a Gen 2? IIRC aren't the Gen 1's tough to put on and lack a QD socket? Is it mainly to just be clone correct?

Some of the gen 1 B5s are tight. LMT all fit fine, regardless of generation. The qd socket is the main difference. Affirmative on the clone correctness.

 

You're just paying for the name and rarity. If the pics are correct, it doesn't look like it's been used much, probably just some minor handling scratches that they can't label as "new".

Dude, those are NICE.

 

 
Says "Commerical" which I assume refers to tube spec, which is odd - didn't think LMT did commercial size stocks.  


I've got plenty of Bravo B5 Sopmods, just figured I would try to find the correct version...

Commercial meaning not military ordered?

 
Not sure, It's listed as LMT Part # L7LA2BA which unless I'm mistaken is Gen 2 - Gen1's would be # L7LA2B I think.  Maybe just stock picture that happens to be wrong gen...  I actually called to confirm, but they are closed on weekends.




 

I figured they just meant a non-mil contract item.