Originally Posted By Augee:

The easiest visual discriminator of whether you're looking at a SOPMOD equipped M4A1 or an MWS M4 is usually the identity of who is holding it.  If it's a SOF troop, it's probably a SOPMOD M4[A1].  If it's a conventional troop, it's probably an M4 MWS.

SOPMOD = SOF
MWS = Conventional

The SOPMOD program was initially fielded in 1996, and the two have not significantly converged or crossed over at all since then, and there is almost no commonality between systems used in the two.   They are separate lines of development and evolution managed by two totally different components (Army and Navy).

SOPMOD is run by NSWC-Crane to equip SOF M4A1 Carbines with accessories.  There are two distinct "blocks" as identified by NSWC-Crane PowerPoints as the primary source of information, however, there was a "transitional period" of several years in which carbines with items from both blocks were used.  Because of a PowerPoint slide that was published (IIRC?) 2006 showing a block labeled "phased replacement," it has become the colloquial term for "transitional" configurations.

"Block x" does NOT refer, in an "official" sense to a specific configuration of rifle.  It refers to specific modifications (read accessories) to the SOF M4A1 weapon system that are managed by Crane.

Colloquially we refer to M4A1s with accessories from the first block of the SOPMOD program as "Block 1," while using "Block 2" to describe carbines with the RIS II, one of the last components of the second block of the SOPMOD program to be fielded.  Carbines with the accessories/features of both blocks of the SOPMOD program, but without the RIS II, we refer to as "Phased Replacement."  It is important to note, however, that this colloquial classification is generally limited to this thread, and others both here and on other sites that feed off of it.

The important thing to understand is that the SOPMOD program is almost always limited to SOF only, and 99% of the time, the "actual" weapon in question will be an M4A1, not an M4.

The M4 is a conventional forces weapon system, and is totally separate from the SOPMOD program and SOF modifications, though they were "inspired" by the SOPMOD program, almost every single actual item is different.

The M4 is managed by the Army overall through TACOM, though the Marine Corps also manages their own programs through their own directorates for their specific incarnation of the M4.

The M4 is a conventional forces platform, and is upgraded through modular weapon system (MWS) upgrades.  There are no specific blocks, increments, or generations, and their specifics vary by time period, unit, and MTOE.

~Augee

Originally Posted By 56cbr600rr:
Curious.  What year did DD strengthen (remove the circle cut outs) the lower piece of the m4a1 rail?

Originally Posted By fastfoot:
So, if ya picked up a 80% in the white and wanted to make it look legit after getting it engraved who would you send it to for anodizing or maybe cerakote ?

Originally Posted By ankratz:
WALMART HAS TRASH CANS IN FDE

GET THEM BEFORE SOCOM TIES UP CONTRACTS

<a href="http://s6.photobucket.com/user/akratz/media/ARFCOM/20160207_135026_zpsfwhxzhfu.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y229/akratz/ARFCOM/20160207_135026_zpsfwhxzhfu.jpg</a>

Originally Posted By fastfoot:
Dammit! you guys are killin' me...no paint!.........well maybe on the stock...........

                                              http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc394/fastfoot62/Mobile%20Uploads/WP_20150904_002.jpg

Originally Posted By UsubM:


https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1699/24608590840_fe78029a11_h.jpg[url=https://flic.kr/p/DuzsGY]IMG_1392[1][/url] by Micah Uchida, on Flickr



These rifles are certified badases

Originally Posted By Sputnik556:
I'm going assume that the Tango down BG17 isn't kosher?

I have big paws and can't stand slim grips on a rifle.

I'm using it either way, I guess I'm just looking for validation.

Originally Posted By Sputnik556:
I'm going assume that the Tango down BG17 isn't kosher?

I have big paws and can't stand slim grips on a rifle.

I'm using it either way, I guess I'm just looking for validation.

Originally Posted By SilentMark:
Anyone running a ta31 Ecos on their rifle?  Pics if you can.

Originally Posted By Combat_Diver:
Glitch bump  DD RIS II M4A1 FSB w/ SOCOM bbl

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/IMG_0484_rz.jpg


CD

Originally Posted By JohnnySasaki20:
http://<a href=https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1673/24925955205_b86c31cdff_b.jpg</a>" />

I know I'm gonna get shit for that UBR....

Originally Posted By JohnnySasaki20:
I've got another CAR stock that can go in it. I really don't like the UBR as much as I thought I would, actually.

http://<a href=https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1543/24925955285_e802ef1e87_b.jpg</a>" />

Originally Posted By Foog00:
I bought the FSP and regular RIS II in FDE in, I think 2013 or 2014 for my clones.  I was looking to pick up a mk18 one are those unobtainable now, even in black from retailers?

Originally Posted By SilentMark:
Anyone running a ta31 Ecos on their rifle?  Pics if you can.

Originally Posted By revottuneda4:
Thanks to SGL_Shooter, I'll be taking my box of Block II parts to a somewhat local ARFCOM member so they can get assembled and the barrel pinned this Saturday.

Pretty psyched. Been slowing accumulating parts for this. All I really need for the bare minimum is a rear iron sight. I'll probably switch my 553 onto the Block II and might buy a T-1 or MRO for my 6920 instead.

Originally Posted By MILSPEC556:I would wait. God hates 16" barrels. When God wrote the second commandment, it actually said "thou shalt make minimum legal clone barrel length 14.5"

The ATF didn't like this, so they crossed out his wording and wrote 16" signing their warrants to the fiery pit below. Sweet baby Jeebus got mad and told all his followers "fear not, for the Colt 14.5 is with you. Follow us not into temptation (16") and deliver us from evil (10.3) for the 14.5 is your path, and if you stray from this path, you're a fucking faggot"


Love, -Sweet Baby Jeebus