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 Super_Trouper:
@Combat_Diver

-Are government profile barrels still being used with the Non-FSP rails? If so, curious if you’ve seen any barrels supplied by DD with their pinned blocks.

Originally Posted By MiamiSniper:
Sorry guys, trying to learn, is this setup consider a M4A1 SOPMOD Block II clone? if not, what would the differences be?

https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/21371/IMG_5070_jpg-1666583.JPG

Originally Posted By JonnyMoses:
Don't know if these were posted here, saw this on the facebook clone group. USMC Surplus Blue Force Gear/Vickers NSN slings.

https://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/usmc-military-surplus-vickers-canvas-sling-used?a=2235179

Originally Posted By DoubleTap556:



Thanks that is an awesome deal

Originally Posted By 762hunter2:
Some army guys cool enough to wear flannel on duty, running noveske uppers on their M4A1s

https://i.imgur.com/mqxJ3Zf.jpg

Originally Posted By mdavis:
I've been trying to find evidence of either black EOTech 553s (SU231) or ECOS ACOGs (SU237) on M4A1 Block IIs, but my Google-fu is weak (or I'm using the wrong keywords). Is there any evidence of either being used on these guns?

Originally Posted By MaverickCowboy:


what green tape are you using @StealthGuy ? the one on your sling?

please @ me.

Originally Posted By mdavis:

What about an Aimpoint CompM2/CompM4? I found one with the former but not the latter (although I've seen some URG-Is with CompM4s).

Originally Posted By GHOS7:
I have a stripped FN F marked upper I want to put on my build which currently has a generic cerro forge upper, but my rifle has a FSP rail and pinned warcomp.

I'm pretty much screwed right? Uppers can't be swapped without removing the FSP and muzzled device?

Originally Posted By GHOS7:
I have a stripped FN F marked upper I want to put on my build which currently has a generic cerro forge upper, but my rifle has a FSP rail and pinned warcomp.

I'm pretty much screwed right? Uppers can't be swapped without removing the FSP and muzzled device?

Originally Posted By Will816:

You should be good. I've never used the FSP version of RIS II but you should be able to maneuver the rail away from the barrel nut far enough that you can unscrew from the receiver. Then pull the barrel out of the old receiver and slip it into the new one and tighten the barrel nut.

Originally Posted By pezboytate:


You might be able to slide the rail and FSP as far forward as possible and get access to the barrel nut. It would be a PITA but it could work.

Originally Posted By Zakk_Wylde_470:
Ok who's gonna be the first to clone this

Originally Posted By Zakk_Wylde_470:
Ok who's gonna be the first to clone this

https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/58021/2F93F41E-A8CD-4F34-9A6B-F4714F12D1FD-1702276.jpg

Originally Posted By Kalmar:

Cloners cloning clones? That's Black_Rifle's picture they used. 🤣

Originally Posted By StealthGuy:


That already is someone’s clone.

Originally Posted By 5pt56:
I forgot how clear the glass is and how easy 600m shots are with this reticle. Nice simple setup...
https://i.imgur.com/0eASy3D.jpg

Originally Posted By HD2006:


A Block II with an Elcan is a perfect set-up.  

Originally Posted By GHOS7:
Even though I love my acog I still find my self tempted to sell and try an elcan sometimes.

Originally Posted By gmbackus:
Colt c “keyhole” marked upper, RIS II(non fsp) with fn cage code socom barrel, would the cqd rail sling mount still be correct?

Also, being that this is a newer block II build, should I be using a cage code upper as opposed to a c “keyhole” upper?

Last question, if using a gen 1 sopmod, what would be the correct qd attachment for the buttstock?

Originally Posted By pezboytate:


CQD front is issued.

C keyhole is GTG. CAGE haven't been seen in use yet AFAIK.

No QD mount is what is issued. Anything else would be private purchase.