Anyone who's a cloner or is into issued special forces rifles - pay attention to this man - he's the real deal and has used these rifles in combat. Looking forward to more from this channel - subscribed!
This channel is Absolutely awesome. I served in a Marine MEU/SOC unit. And I grew up reading everything I could on Force Recon, Special Forces, and Rangers. The perspective you give and history is invaluable.
SWAT was a great magazine to write for. They actually did not regularly do multi-part articles, Denny the editor liked my stuff, so he gave me the green light.
This was an AWESOME video, super cool info. A cool video idea would be one based on early plate carriers and LBE and how it evolved to what is used now. 👍🏻
First thank you and second I have thought about doing early plate carrier video I have pictures of all my plate carriers from the very beginning so perhaps I will do something in the future about that
@@ModernTacticalShooting please do!! Anything that covers all the different gear and weapons/rifle setups throughout your career would be very interesting. Perhaps some “war stories” and breaking down some of the different situations and scenarios you faced as well
This is a very unique channel. A metric ton of information not readily dispensed from you folks from SF. Everyone usually just want to shoot fast and demonstrate the skill. Those are kind of a dime a dozen, honestly. We wanted the peculiarities of all, time lines, quantity of issuance and such. Thank you for all the information sir and keep up this great work.
It was cool they gave our 1sgt and CPT of our INF Co (327) KAC suppressors in OIF 1 got to shoot one in 2003 in Mosul when i was 18. Felt like a bad ass. TF121 used our range “Alkindy” spelling? Missle complex we took over and everyone used our range to Zero. CIA, Delta, etc they had AKs and unconvential stuff. Became an officer eventually but good experience as a young PFC
Damn this was amazingly informative...I am a huge history nerd and especially military history and I knew a little about the SOPMOD Block 1 but this really educated me. I'm seriously looking forward to the Block II video, thanks for doing this. It is always neat to hear these kinds of things from someone who was there vs a purely academic view.
Man Block 1 looks so ghetto compared to even civilian AR setups. Almost retro. Those these mods must have been a godsend when compared to the plain jane M16s and M4s being issued.
"they never get issued to all the team, so I took a reserve part for mk.12 off and ran it on my kit." special forces also is part of the army, I guess lol
Would love to hear your opinion on the SAW and upgraded MK14 EBRs. I’ve heard so many conflicting things about the SAW that thing now that I don’t know what to think about it. And I’ve even fired one at a range too, and it was awesome.
I’ve been able to build my block1 Colt Clone thanks to the info on your great channel Thankyou sir and Thankyou for your Service .. GodBlessYou GodSpeed
It's cause the damn B teams took all the extra gear. B Teams in the rear rocking all the suppressors and gear yet ODAs only had half the team equipped at best
I'll listen to what this guy's has to say over 99% of the Utubers...especially Midget Arms..thanks for the insight...m4a1 is still peak M4..only thing in contention is the new Estonia rifle..IMO
When I joined the army in 2012 I got issued one of those non-chevron ACOGs. I actually preferred it but having them mixed in was confusing because it adjusts 1/3 per click instead of the standard 1/2 per click.
I sat down and took notes on this lol. I’m a big nerd for this kinda thing, if they offered classes in college on this subject I’d be a doctor by now. I hope your channel gets as popular as it deserves, you’re a great presenter I’ll be sending your channel to all my clone freak buddies. Keep on doing videos I’ll be here with a pencil and notepad on standby
check out the SWAT article link in description. You will notice has all same info, there are some small date changes when I listed when things came example, Aimpoint. I am going off memory when I made this and SWAT article its my best recollection. PART II SOPMOD II is more exact, I have hard times and more photos. (I was more into tracking gear at that time), PART II out in maybe 2 weeks
Jeff you've inspired me so much. I built my Block 2 because of you and your videos and I've never been real good with my hands. After that I am now applying for gunsmithing school end up summer and cannot wait. Thanks for everything you do.
That is my team, ODB-960 in the photo at 7:51, just before leaving Chapman AF back to the FOB at K2 around 30 May 02. Your comment on why most of us were running iron sights is 100% correct. Being a National Guard unit we didn't get any of the SOPMOD kits until we were mobilized and on active duty. I didn't get mine until I had been in country for about a month, since I went in ahead of my team to be the 18D for C51 (rear) in Kabul when the Doc and PA went forward with the command element during Anaconda. I had a lot of time shooting a AR system with iron sights starting with a M-16A1, and I had a lot of other things to get up to speed on.
@@goforbroke4428 All of the line companies in 2/19SF had the M4s by 2000, we just didn't have the SOFMOD kits that had the optics. Some of the non-18 series guys, for example, the generator and wheeled vehicle mechs in the Support company may still have been carrying a M16A2 in Dec 2001 and the early part of 2002.
In the summer of 2006 I bought my own CAA butt stock with battery holders. I used it to hold batteries for my PVS-14 and Stream Light TLRS-2. Fantastic stock just lucky it worked for me. I always made sure my shit was working before any mission. Always carried plenty of batteries for combat...
We probably did raids together in 2004. There was a couple, what I suspect were SF company sized raids that were done in Kirkuk in 04. We conducted simultaneous raids. I was in the company that had the ODA in their Patrol base in North Kirkuk. Either way to us 11Bs, you guys were Straight Animals.
I know the team you are talking about I was 591 taskforce Texan.. the Kirkuk team I knew a bunch of those fellas so yes we were there same time and place. Yes we did some multi team raids!
@@ModernTacticalShooting they were cool guys that's for sure. I got to see what assets you guys bring to the table. It was a really good system having SF and 11Bs together. It was kinda Delta and Ranger Lite. I did find the lack of weird ancillary equipment pretty weird. While we had every machine gun with an optic you guys didn't. Our saws had the Para stocks and you guys had the plastic fixed stocks. We had AT4s you guys had SMAW Ds. You had e6 SF guys with 7s and pretty much 8/9 of us had 14s. It was a very weird time in the Army that's for sure.
This is classic Army logistics in action. Even in a clearly specialized unit the shortcomings of logistics and force modernization are problematic. I can only imagine how much of a nightmare the new M250, M338, and M5 are going to be.
Awesome video. Loved seeing uh "Mr Mayflower" 's 10.5 M4. Way ahead of the game in the mid 2000s. Very interesting barrel, looks like it was turned down to 6933 profile, except for the FSB? I'd love to see some more of this in detail, and maybe the PRI built 17 inch upper. "Oddball ODA guns" would be sweet.
Great video as usual! I just listened to an interview with "Mad Max" Mullen discussing the changes to the Army's combatives manual/program in the early 90's and it's further changes in the 2000's. All super fascinating!
This video sent me down the rabbit hole of trying to find that Crane SOPMOD manual. Seems to be elusive. Lots of photos of the binder in civilian (or maybe former serviceman hands) but no PDF!
Excellent video Jeff, I’m a huge fan of your channel and am glad to see new videos of topics like these. I have a question for you, was the AN/PEQ-15 part of the Sopmod block 1 program at all or was it more of a block II item? Thanks again for the premium content 👌🏻
Kinda shocking to hear that your elite team was not issued enough of the high speed gear necessary for your mission. I would've understood if the regular army lacked such items...but Special Forces?! Good video...thank you for your service!
@@fieldy-8008 While we're eagerly waiting for that Part 2 video, here are a couple of other videos I watched for reference when I built up my SOPMOD Block II clone last year: This one is Jeff Gurwitch shooting/training (and I highly recommend attending one of Mr. Gurwitch's classes if possible, I really enjoyed the one I attended): th-cam.com/video/3WVbhMJv2RY/w-d-xo.html And this is a video by some guy named Garand Thumb: th-cam.com/video/Z8bpWFTEJaQ/w-d-xo.html
“Normal SF” is not tier three. All Army Special Forces are tier two. Delta is tier one, but Green Berets are not tier three. Guys like 82nd Airborne, 101st Airborne Air Assault, Recon Marines, ect are tier three.
Perspective on the Tier levels is much different and more informed by people in the organization than from those trying to look in from the outside. JSOC SMUs are Tier 1, namely SFOD-D, NAVSPECWAR DEVGRU, and other unnamed units. SF CIF Teams and some other contingency, "in extremis" forces who are regionally-oriented/forward-deployed fall into the 2nd Tier. Most SF Battalions and SEAL Teams fall into the 3rd Tier. MARSOC was originally envisioned as another SOCOM element parallel to Army SF and SEALs, but they're really hovering in that Tier 1 and 2 space with their mindset, training, and capabilities. Ranger Regiment evolved from being one of the tip of the spear JRDF units in Tier 2, to working a lot with JSOC on a regular basis so that typical JSOC TF packages usually include an attached Ranger Company or Platoon. USAF AFSOC Combat Controllers, JTACs, and PJs are attached to all of the above units, so they could be working with any of the different SMUs and CJSOTFs. The main thing to look at to understand Tier levels is how many steps you are away from National Command Authority in the WH and Joint Chiefs of Staff. For JSOC, that chain is extremely short. For SF and SEALs, the chain is much longer.
It's hard to draw a line below Tier 1 nowadays... especially with MarSOC. MarSOC has operators that literally don't exist outside of those privy to their comms.
@darklyripley6138 @darklyripley6138 - not by a long shot... but after several conversations with a couple MarSOC ops, several long term friends within SFGs, and two life long friends who crossed the fence... I'd say it's a little better than being completely ignorant. Like LRRP said 👆... if you aren't on the inside, it's hard to draw lines and circles where everyone who's there knows exactly where they stand. However, there are exceptions within commands which would otherwise be considered Tier 2... Rangers are even considered Tier 2, but they have specialized units which fall under Tier 1. MarSOC is Tier 2, but they have units within their command that are Tier 1... but much like IAS, MarSOC can be paralleled with both JSOC and SOCOM. Also... if I could make one absolutely clear citation.... saying "Guys like 82nd Airborne... ...are Tier 3." is a stretch... a HUGE stretch. The 82nd is an entire division. There are Tier 3 units within the 82nd... as are Tier 2, and Tier 1. Even the Green Berets (Army SFGs) are part of the 82nd. Maybe what you were trying to think of, was 18th Airborne Corps ("Purple Dragons" rapid deployment)? 101st Airborne is also an entire division. "Air Assault", on the other hand, is a certification and training designation. With regard to your mention of "Recon Marines"... I'm not sure if you meant Marine Reconnaissance (Division), or if you meant Force Reconnaissance (SUT), which are two COMPLETELY different outfits altogether. I don't claim to know it all. Far from it... but I definitely know there's a lot more gray in that area only those on the inside can make black and white. Hell, I had a 20yr SOF vet tell me the first unit I was assigned to didn't exist. That alone, told me a lot about what some people don't know... including this dumb redneck who apparently was assigned to a non-existent unit, with a non-existent MOS 🤦♂️
The full army make have converted all M4s to M4A1 in 2010/2011 on paper, but we used plain Jane M4s in my 2012-13 Afghan tour and used them until I got out in late 2014.
I know we're supposed to hate and make fun of vertical grips and shooting while holding them but I've always liked shooting that way. I know the popular thing is to have your arm extended as far as possible and your wrist tweaked way forward but I'll take holding a vertical grip over that any day. Great video big 🐕. 11:42 Btw about that bronze extractor spring, is that common on civilian ARs? I've never seen one of those before and I've had three ARs, two of which I built. Granted that's a small sample size but I just haven't seen it before now, far as I can recall.
Hey brother did you have a preference between burst vs full auto? If you did, could you keep what YOU wanted, or "the army says" so you MUST change? This is another great video and I love your channel. Thank you.
Thanks for sharing Jeff! Could you please do a video or comment on the evolution of hearing protection and your experience with them throughout your professional career? Before the advent of active hearing protection, did the teams have to fight indoors with naked ears?
Interesting question, in short, we just used the same foam plugs you can buy at Walmart or Lowes. The rubber military plugs they make you wear in basic and give you every deployment were never popular. It was around 2000 I think I got my first set of Peltor electronic ear pro, that allowed one to hear and cut off the sound of gunfire. I wore Military issued Peltor Comtac up until I retired, sometimes with issued rubber plugs under neath. Rubber plugs didnt really cut out alot.
Excellent video Jeff! I find cloning SOCOM weapons very interesting. I recently turned my Colt M4A1 block I into a block II FSB. Still waiting for my Surefire RC2 can to be approved, it's only been like 481 days!! 👉💥😳 But anyway... I'll be waiting for your video on block II. One more thing, I really like how you present your videos, very fun to watch with all of your personal pictures of salty gear inserted 👍😎👍
The more old pics, the better!! If you haven’t read Jeff’s DefenseReview articles on AR15 accessories for military combat applications, you need to check them out. Lots of awesome pics and the 4 parts start in 2012(thus the pics predate that) thru 2019 I think. So you’re basically getting about a decades worth of development
Holy feces, 481 days for the SOCOM RC2? 😬🥺 I bought one recently and I was under the impression the waits were way shorter, maybe a few months (my first can several years ago was about a year wait). How did you purchase it? I did trust, all electronic thru Silencer Shop. Even did some of the paperwork (Form 4? I dunno) over the phone with FFL whole on ATF's site.
@@clamum9648 yeah, I went through silencer shop too, but did it as an individual. My first can took 13 months, SBR 14 months, AEM5 6 months and the RC 2 was 485 days! I hope you get it faster than me 👍 there was a point when I thought I'd never get it, but about a month ago, it served it's debt to society and it's safe and sound resting on the MK18 mod 1 at the moment 🤗
that "big army" transition from the M4 to the M4A1 was such a long transition. We deployed with your battalion in 2013, came back 2014 (worked with your team commander in 2014 that you came to fort drum with) and we still only had the 3 rnd burst M4s even for that deployment. When we came home, went on block leave, we came back to "M4A1"s or M4s that literally had 4 "X"s marked where it said "BURST" and right under it was stamped "AUTO". So i guess they just took the M4s, took our the fire control group, dropped in an Auto FCG and called it an "M4A1" and that was late 2014. To hit on the ambi selectors, yea my M4 always had the ambi selector.
@@ModernTacticalShooting lol yes we did! Maybe you dont remember but you took a look at my m4 during one of your drills when in semi fire it was firing 2-3 round bursts
It’s kind of crazy to think about that in maybe a couple decades or perhaps centuries time, first hand accounts like this will be referred back to as a source when retelling the history of the early 21st century US special forces, and their weapons.
Mid 2000s I had a choice between the original Eotech and ACOG. I did not trust batteries and electronics at that time so I went with the ACOG. A decade later I moved to Aimpoint and change the battery every couple of years. Same with a 3 point sling , to a VTAC and now a Magpul New is not always better , but most of the time it is. Now my work gun has a Nightforce with a T2 offset mount.
The amount of informations and details profusely explained are invaluable! The only thing i can tell you is to wait a little more on the photos. I really dig looking at them (you can put them on the bottom right/left corner and keep talking on the very item you are depicting).
Super informative. I spent some time working with Ron Allen on some Ops Inc collars for a Noveske Crusader. I believe he worked with Crane on the SOPMOD program, but he spent a lot of time with me and is a wealth of information as well. Keep up the great content
I love your videos. Military gear acquisition was always a fascinating topic to me because it’s always so messy and unceremonious. Finding solid info on it is difficult. I remember when my unit in the marines got issued new ACOGs with new reticules and people were referring to them by a whole new designation. Even just that was fascinating to me.
This is a great video. It sure would have helped about 5 years ago when I first started building my clones. It's crazy how muchch I spent on lights,& lasers that don't work half as good as what we have today. Has to be clone correct though, so I guess it was worth it. I do still prefer the KAC Ras,& DD Ris 2, M68,& Eotech su/231 over newer options that are available today. Again, great video.
Awesome video! This is super helpful for making sure my block 1 clone is set up properly. How late did you see the TA01-nsns used? My current clone has one with the sopmod stock and I was considering getting the gas buster CH, but don't want to use the acog if it was phased out by then
Seeing how I was in Iraq and not Afghanistan I did not see it get used much, I bet many SF serving Afghanistan used them up until 2007 when Elcan Spectre DR hit the scene.
Does anyone know what rear sights were used during the program? I can only fin the KNS and MAtech on articles but I've seen a lot of pics and even in this vid where there seems to be a better folding rear sight like the one at 7:00 in the vid.
@@ModernTacticalShooting thank you sir. I have a vortex 1x8 and I've been exploring the idea of having some thing small and compact that allows reach out a little bit if I have to.
Anyone who's a cloner or is into issued special forces rifles - pay attention to this man - he's the real deal and has used these rifles in combat. Looking forward to more from this channel - subscribed!
This channel is Absolutely awesome. I served in a Marine MEU/SOC unit. And I grew up reading everything I could on Force Recon, Special Forces, and Rangers. The perspective you give and history is invaluable.
Thank You
You know I respect that you aren’t a typical egotistical Jarhead. Thank you
I remember those SWAT magazine articles.
SWAT was a great magazine to write for. They actually did not regularly do multi-part articles, Denny the editor liked my stuff, so he gave me the green light.
I was in Sadr city 05 and those HK mags were like gold. Didn't apply to me due to my SAW
Thank you for your service. From regular USMC infantryman
23:30 Oh wow, woody's rifle club is my range also. Awesome!
Im there often, shooting just to practice
This was an AWESOME video, super cool info.
A cool video idea would be one based on early plate carriers and LBE and how it evolved to what is used now. 👍🏻
First thank you and second I have thought about doing early plate carrier video I have pictures of all my plate carriers from the very beginning so perhaps I will do something in the future about that
@@ModernTacticalShooting please do!! Anything that covers all the different gear and weapons/rifle setups throughout your career would be very interesting.
Perhaps some “war stories” and breaking down some of the different situations and scenarios you faced as well
I'd like to see this as well. 👍👍
I enjoyed this interview. Glimpse into another side of the Army from mine. Hooah
Finally a video on the sopmod block 1 program an accessories used!!!
That’s a badass photo on the thumbnail. Keep up the videos, really enjoying them.
That's rad man! Waiting for Block 2 & 3 versions soon.
Related question, how come SOCOM does not refer the URGI as the Block 3 program but only as URGI?
@@jacksonmctavish8240 IDK why...
Can't wait for the block 2 video as someone who loves the Block II m4a1 and MK18.
Very nice Video. I'm really looking forwards to the next one.
Wow! What an amazing first hand account of block I/ block II set ups! Thanks for the video!!
This is a very unique channel. A metric ton of information not readily dispensed from you folks from SF. Everyone usually just want to shoot fast and demonstrate the skill. Those are kind of a dime a dozen, honestly. We wanted the peculiarities of all, time lines, quantity of issuance and such. Thank you for all the information sir and keep up this great work.
It was cool they gave our 1sgt and CPT of our INF Co (327) KAC suppressors in OIF 1 got to shoot one in 2003 in Mosul when i was 18. Felt like a bad ass.
TF121 used our range “Alkindy” spelling? Missle complex we took over and everyone used our range to Zero. CIA, Delta, etc they had AKs and unconvential stuff.
Became an officer eventually but good experience as a young PFC
I wish I could like this video 5.56x45 times.
Very good information. Gave me an inferiority complex. I thought I was hot stuff in the early 70's when I went from 20 round mags to 30 round mags.
Damn this was amazingly informative...I am a huge history nerd and especially military history and I knew a little about the SOPMOD Block 1 but this really educated me. I'm seriously looking forward to the Block II video, thanks for doing this. It is always neat to hear these kinds of things from someone who was there vs a purely academic view.
Man Block 1 looks so ghetto compared to even civilian AR setups. Almost retro. Those these mods must have been a godsend when compared to the plain jane M16s and M4s being issued.
No doubt. Going from hose clamps on the handguard or the barrel to dedicated mounting rails is quite revolutionary.
Nicely done Jeff. History buffs like myself dig this kind of stuff. 👍🏻🇺🇸
Quickly becoming one of my favorite channels. Your in-depth breakdowns are superb content. Maximum respect. Can't wait for the BLK 2 video.
I’d like to here your take on the Elcan in use for the time frame when it was issued or if it was
That was an awesome video with great information. I like seeing those photos from your multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Thank you
Very interesting video
Thanks for the awesome video! I always liked the way the BLK 1s look. The classic M4 look imo.
Made a copy of it with a colt 6920. 😄
"they never get issued to all the team, so I took a reserve part for mk.12 off and ran it on my kit."
special forces also is part of the army, I guess lol
Would love to hear your opinion on the SAW and upgraded MK14 EBRs. I’ve heard so many conflicting things about the SAW that thing now that I don’t know what to think about it. And I’ve even fired one at a range too, and it was awesome.
I’ve been able to build my block1 Colt Clone thanks to the info on your great channel Thankyou sir and Thankyou for your Service .. GodBlessYou GodSpeed
It's cause the damn B teams took all the extra gear. B Teams in the rear rocking all the suppressors and gear yet ODAs only had half the team equipped at best
Channel keeps getting better and better.
I'll listen to what this guy's has to say over 99% of the Utubers...especially Midget Arms..thanks for the insight...m4a1 is still peak M4..only thing in contention is the new Estonia rifle..IMO
What watches you wear in this video? Thanks.
1976 Seiko Pogue!
Good question, wondered the same thing 😁
Great video could you have the pictures linger a little longer awesome content
When I joined the army in 2012 I got issued one of those non-chevron ACOGs. I actually preferred it but having them mixed in was confusing because it adjusts 1/3 per click instead of the standard 1/2 per click.
Dang 2012! What parts bin did they drag that ACOG out of?
@@ModernTacticalShooting I think we had the hand me downs from JRTC. We had a M16 issued out as well.
Great information and presentation.👍 Keep up the good videos.
I sat down and took notes on this lol. I’m a big nerd for this kinda thing, if they offered classes in college on this subject I’d be a doctor by now. I hope your channel gets as popular as it deserves, you’re a great presenter I’ll be sending your channel to all my clone freak buddies. Keep on doing videos I’ll be here with a pencil and notepad on standby
check out the SWAT article link in description. You will notice has all same info, there are some small date changes when I listed when things came example, Aimpoint. I am going off memory when I made this and SWAT article its my best recollection. PART II SOPMOD II is more exact, I have hard times and more photos. (I was more into tracking gear at that time), PART II out in maybe 2 weeks
Jeff you've inspired me so much. I built my Block 2 because of you and your videos and I've never been real good with my hands. After that I am now applying for gunsmithing school end up summer and cannot wait. Thanks for everything you do.
Wow thats Great!
Bot
I was in Hawija too. Lost 18 men there. We’ve chewed some of the same dirt.
Hawaii?
like always great video
That is my team, ODB-960 in the photo at 7:51, just before leaving Chapman AF back to the FOB at K2 around 30 May 02. Your comment on why most of us were running iron sights is 100% correct. Being a National Guard unit we didn't get any of the SOPMOD kits until we were mobilized and on active duty. I didn't get mine until I had been in country for about a month, since I went in ahead of my team to be the 18D for C51 (rear) in Kabul when the Doc and PA went forward with the command element during Anaconda. I had a lot of time shooting a AR system with iron sights starting with a M-16A1, and I had a lot of other things to get up to speed on.
@clmccomas so y’all had m16a2s and stuff still before mobilization?
@@goforbroke4428 All of the line companies in 2/19SF had the M4s by 2000, we just didn't have the SOFMOD kits that had the optics. Some of the non-18 series guys, for example, the generator and wheeled vehicle mechs in the Support company may still have been carrying a M16A2 in Dec 2001 and the early part of 2002.
@@clmccomas I see, makes sense
Love your content, Jeff! Would you be able to do a video about the gear SF wore during the early GWOT, such as SPEAR ELCS, MICH, etc?
Second request..so yes will do
In the summer of 2006 I bought my own CAA butt stock with battery holders. I used it to hold batteries for my PVS-14 and Stream Light TLRS-2. Fantastic stock just lucky it worked for me. I always made sure my shit was working before any mission. Always carried plenty of batteries for combat...
Just as i was looking for some info on sf load out, this popped up. Noice
We probably did raids together in 2004. There was a couple, what I suspect were SF company sized raids that were done in Kirkuk in 04. We conducted simultaneous raids. I was in the company that had the ODA in their Patrol base in North Kirkuk.
Either way to us 11Bs, you guys were Straight Animals.
I know the team you are talking about I was 591 taskforce Texan.. the Kirkuk team I knew a bunch of those fellas so yes we were there same time and place. Yes we did some multi team raids!
@@ModernTacticalShooting they were cool guys that's for sure. I got to see what assets you guys bring to the table. It was a really good system having SF and 11Bs together. It was kinda Delta and Ranger Lite.
I did find the lack of weird ancillary equipment pretty weird. While we had every machine gun with an optic you guys didn't. Our saws had the Para stocks and you guys had the plastic fixed stocks. We had AT4s you guys had SMAW Ds. You had e6 SF guys with 7s and pretty much 8/9 of us had 14s. It was a very weird time in the Army that's for sure.
@@fathead8933 what do you mean 7s and 14s? Probably obvious to some but as a civilian I’m just curious.
@@fathead8933 just realized you’re referring to nods🤦🏻♂️
@@fathead8933 what rifles and optics was everyone using? If you don’t mind my asking…
This is classic Army logistics in action. Even in a clearly specialized unit the shortcomings of logistics and force modernization are problematic. I can only imagine how much of a nightmare the new M250, M338, and M5 are going to be.
Watched both your belt and plate carrier video any chance you might discuss helmets?
Dont know, I wore same helmet for a lot of tours a gunfighter cut Mich/ACH , I hated the Ops Core.
Thank you so much for this video Jeff
Awesome video. Loved seeing uh "Mr Mayflower" 's 10.5 M4. Way ahead of the game in the mid 2000s. Very interesting barrel, looks like it was turned down to 6933 profile, except for the FSB? I'd love to see some more of this in detail, and maybe the PRI built 17 inch upper. "Oddball ODA guns" would be sweet.
Great video as usual! I just listened to an interview with "Mad Max" Mullen discussing the changes to the Army's combatives manual/program in the early 90's and it's further changes in the 2000's. All super fascinating!
Wow glad this came across my feed, sub'd!
This video sent me down the rabbit hole of trying to find that Crane SOPMOD manual. Seems to be elusive. Lots of photos of the binder in civilian (or maybe former serviceman hands) but no PDF!
Never stop searching!
Excellent video, and excellent channel! Would you do a video about night vision optics and equipment history in SF?
Playback speed at 1.5, still totally understandable
Excellent video Jeff, I’m a huge fan of your channel and am glad to see new videos of topics like these. I have a question for you, was the AN/PEQ-15 part of the Sopmod block 1 program at all or was it more of a block II item? Thanks again for the premium content 👌🏻
First thank you, the peq15 was Block II
Kinda shocking to hear that your elite team was not issued enough of the high speed gear necessary for your mission. I would've understood if the regular army lacked such items...but Special Forces?! Good video...thank you for your service!
Good video! Love your articles Jeff
Thank You
thanks for doing this video. Loved the CRANE stock during my time.
Love the history of weapons videos!
Just got you a sub! Thank u for the info. I'm in the middle of building a block 2 so this came in very helpful
Glad this helped
@@ModernTacticalShooting I need that block 2 lol. Eta?
@@fieldy-8008 While we're eagerly waiting for that Part 2 video, here are a couple of other videos I watched for reference when I built up my SOPMOD Block II clone last year:
This one is Jeff Gurwitch shooting/training (and I highly recommend attending one of Mr. Gurwitch's classes if possible, I really enjoyed the one I attended):
th-cam.com/video/3WVbhMJv2RY/w-d-xo.html
And this is a video by some guy named Garand Thumb:
th-cam.com/video/Z8bpWFTEJaQ/w-d-xo.html
@@OldTexasRonin I appreciate the info. Gonna check it out now
Blue Light’s members in modern CIF team please ! ! !
Blue Light well before my time. I did however work with an original Blue Light guy at one time. He had some very interesting stories.
Great info. More vids like this!
This kind of content is exactly what TH-cam has been waiting for. Great job sir.
Early GWOT vet. What a walk down memory lane of all the things I saw!
“Normal SF” is not tier three. All Army Special Forces are tier two. Delta is tier one, but Green Berets are not tier three. Guys like 82nd Airborne, 101st Airborne Air Assault, Recon Marines, ect are tier three.
Perspective on the Tier levels is much different and more informed by people in the organization than from those trying to look in from the outside.
JSOC SMUs are Tier 1, namely SFOD-D, NAVSPECWAR DEVGRU, and other unnamed units.
SF CIF Teams and some other contingency, "in extremis" forces who are regionally-oriented/forward-deployed fall into the 2nd Tier.
Most SF Battalions and SEAL Teams fall into the 3rd Tier.
MARSOC was originally envisioned as another SOCOM element parallel to Army SF and SEALs, but they're really hovering in that Tier 1 and 2 space with their mindset, training, and capabilities.
Ranger Regiment evolved from being one of the tip of the spear JRDF units in Tier 2, to working a lot with JSOC on a regular basis so that typical JSOC TF packages usually include an attached Ranger Company or Platoon.
USAF AFSOC Combat Controllers, JTACs, and PJs are attached to all of the above units, so they could be working with any of the different SMUs and CJSOTFs.
The main thing to look at to understand Tier levels is how many steps you are away from National Command Authority in the WH and Joint Chiefs of Staff.
For JSOC, that chain is extremely short. For SF and SEALs, the chain is much longer.
It's hard to draw a line below Tier 1 nowadays... especially with MarSOC. MarSOC has operators that literally don't exist outside of those privy to their comms.
@@driverjamescopeland …You’re not very educated on this topic, are you ?
@darklyripley6138 @darklyripley6138 - not by a long shot... but after several conversations with a couple MarSOC ops, several long term friends within SFGs, and two life long friends who crossed the fence... I'd say it's a little better than being completely ignorant. Like LRRP said 👆... if you aren't on the inside, it's hard to draw lines and circles where everyone who's there knows exactly where they stand. However, there are exceptions within commands which would otherwise be considered Tier 2... Rangers are even considered Tier 2, but they have specialized units which fall under Tier 1. MarSOC is Tier 2, but they have units within their command that are Tier 1... but much like IAS, MarSOC can be paralleled with both JSOC and SOCOM.
Also... if I could make one absolutely clear citation.... saying "Guys like 82nd Airborne... ...are Tier 3." is a stretch... a HUGE stretch. The 82nd is an entire division. There are Tier 3 units within the 82nd... as are Tier 2, and Tier 1. Even the Green Berets (Army SFGs) are part of the 82nd. Maybe what you were trying to think of, was 18th Airborne Corps ("Purple Dragons" rapid deployment)?
101st Airborne is also an entire division. "Air Assault", on the other hand, is a certification and training designation.
With regard to your mention of "Recon Marines"... I'm not sure if you meant Marine Reconnaissance (Division), or if you meant Force Reconnaissance (SUT), which are two COMPLETELY different outfits altogether.
I don't claim to know it all. Far from it... but I definitely know there's a lot more gray in that area only those on the inside can make black and white. Hell, I had a 20yr SOF vet tell me the first unit I was assigned to didn't exist. That alone, told me a lot about what some people don't know... including this dumb redneck who apparently was assigned to a non-existent unit, with a non-existent MOS 🤦♂️
@@driverjamescopeland You’re not on the “inside” kiddo. So I don’t care what you have to say. You’re only repeating what you get told.
The full army make have converted all M4s to M4A1 in 2010/2011 on paper, but we used plain Jane M4s in my 2012-13 Afghan tour and used them until I got out in late 2014.
I am really digging this content. Of course, your manner of presentation is awesome.
top notch content
Great informative video! Thank you for your service!
I know we're supposed to hate and make fun of vertical grips and shooting while holding them but I've always liked shooting that way. I know the popular thing is to have your arm extended as far as possible and your wrist tweaked way forward but I'll take holding a vertical grip over that any day.
Great video big 🐕.
11:42 Btw about that bronze extractor spring, is that common on civilian ARs? I've never seen one of those before and I've had three ARs, two of which I built. Granted that's a small sample size but I just haven't seen it before now, far as I can recall.
Bronze extractor is a Colt item so I assume only in Colt rifles
@@ModernTacticalShooting Ahhhh I got ya, makes sense
Hey brother did you have a preference between burst vs full auto? If you did, could you keep what YOU wanted, or "the army says" so you MUST change? This is another great video and I love your channel. Thank you.
Thanks for sharing Jeff! Could you please do a video or comment on the evolution of hearing protection and your experience with them throughout your professional career? Before the advent of active hearing protection, did the teams have to fight indoors with naked ears?
Interesting question, in short, we just used the same foam plugs you can buy at Walmart or Lowes. The rubber military plugs they make you wear in basic and give you every deployment were never popular. It was around 2000 I think I got my first set of Peltor electronic ear pro, that allowed one to hear and cut off the sound of gunfire. I wore Military issued Peltor Comtac up until I retired, sometimes with issued rubber plugs under neath. Rubber plugs didnt really cut out alot.
@@ModernTacticalShooting Thanks for the response!
This video was fucking awesome. Not many videos out there on legit history of SF weapons, especially first hand knowledge. Well done sir.
Thank You!
Excellent video Jeff! I find cloning SOCOM weapons very interesting. I recently turned my Colt M4A1 block I into a block II FSB. Still waiting for my Surefire RC2 can to be approved, it's only been like 481 days!! 👉💥😳 But anyway... I'll be waiting for your video on block II. One more thing, I really like how you present your videos, very fun to watch with all of your personal pictures of salty gear inserted 👍😎👍
Thank you!
The more old pics, the better!!
If you haven’t read Jeff’s DefenseReview articles on AR15 accessories for military combat applications, you need to check them out. Lots of awesome pics and the 4 parts start in 2012(thus the pics predate that) thru 2019 I think. So you’re basically getting about a decades worth of development
@@williamflowers9435 I'll definitely check it out. Thanks man 👍
Holy feces, 481 days for the SOCOM RC2? 😬🥺 I bought one recently and I was under the impression the waits were way shorter, maybe a few months (my first can several years ago was about a year wait).
How did you purchase it? I did trust, all electronic thru Silencer Shop. Even did some of the paperwork (Form 4? I dunno) over the phone with FFL whole on ATF's site.
@@clamum9648 yeah, I went through silencer shop too, but did it as an individual. My first can took 13 months, SBR 14 months, AEM5 6 months and the RC 2 was 485 days! I hope you get it faster than me 👍 there was a point when I thought I'd never get it, but about a month ago, it served it's debt to society and it's safe and sound resting on the MK18 mod 1 at the moment 🤗
Fantastic! Glad to know you're right up the road as well.
Thank you
This is better than reading Colt’s Black Book. Makes me want to finally put together a rifle with the Colt SOCOM barrel I happened to come across.
Thank you
that "big army" transition from the M4 to the M4A1 was such a long transition. We deployed with your battalion in 2013, came back 2014 (worked with your team commander in 2014 that you came to fort drum with) and we still only had the 3 rnd burst M4s even for that deployment. When we came home, went on block leave, we came back to "M4A1"s or M4s that literally had 4 "X"s marked where it said "BURST" and right under it was stamped "AUTO". So i guess they just took the M4s, took our the fire control group, dropped in an Auto FCG and called it an "M4A1" and that was late 2014. To hit on the ambi selectors, yea my M4 always had the ambi selector.
Did we meet at FT Drum?
@@ModernTacticalShooting lol yes we did! Maybe you dont remember but you took a look at my m4 during one of your drills when in semi fire it was firing 2-3 round bursts
@@Kaotix_music I have a group picture from that training we must be in it together!
@@ModernTacticalShooting yup i still have it aswell! think we were messing with mortars and gustavs that day
@@Kaotix_music The day we fired over 150 Carl Gustav rounds!
It’s kind of crazy to think about that in maybe a couple decades or perhaps centuries time, first hand accounts like this will be referred back to as a source when retelling the history of the early 21st century US special forces, and their weapons.
Thank you for your service. The Iraq Afghanistan war was my time.
Great channel that needs more subscribers.
I do!
Mid 2000s I had a choice between the original Eotech and ACOG. I did not trust batteries and electronics at that time so I went with the ACOG. A decade later I moved to Aimpoint and change the battery every couple of years.
Same with a 3 point sling , to a VTAC and now a Magpul
New is not always better , but most of the time it is. Now my work gun has a Nightforce with a T2 offset mount.
The amount of informations and details profusely explained are invaluable! The only thing i can tell you is to wait a little more on the photos. I really dig looking at them (you can put them on the bottom right/left corner and keep talking on the very item you are depicting).
Good points on the photos
It’s good to get this info from someone who was actually there. Well done 👍
I sure wish I had the eyesight of a young marine or SF guy so I could use an acog again.
Awesome info bro .
Thank you
I remember having that poster for the longest time as background for my laptop. I love the AR platform so much
Ft Polk 10th MTN didn't get any of the M4A1 upgrades until after I left in 2015. That unit was a fucking mess.
Super informative. I spent some time working with Ron Allen on some Ops Inc collars for a Noveske Crusader. I believe he worked with Crane on the SOPMOD program, but he spent a lot of time with me and is a wealth of information as well. Keep up the great content
wonderful, thanks
Solid work. Great story presentation. Thank you sir
Thanks for your videos. Always great.
New Sub. Great videos, keep up the awesome content!
Thank you
I love your videos. Military gear acquisition was always a fascinating topic to me because it’s always so messy and unceremonious. Finding solid info on it is difficult.
I remember when my unit in the marines got issued new ACOGs with new reticules and people were referring to them by a whole new designation. Even just that was fascinating to me.
Is there anywhere you can find the SOPMOD manual
This is a great video. It sure would have helped about 5 years ago when I first started building my clones. It's crazy how muchch I spent on lights,& lasers that don't work half as good as what we have today. Has to be clone correct though, so I guess it was worth it. I do still prefer the KAC Ras,& DD Ris 2, M68,& Eotech su/231 over newer options that are available today. Again, great video.
Awesome video! This is super helpful for making sure my block 1 clone is set up properly. How late did you see the TA01-nsns used? My current clone has one with the sopmod stock and I was considering getting the gas buster CH, but don't want to use the acog if it was phased out by then
Seeing how I was in Iraq and not Afghanistan I did not see it get used much, I bet many SF serving Afghanistan used them up until 2007 when Elcan Spectre DR hit the scene.
Does anyone know what rear sights were used during the program? I can only fin the KNS and MAtech on articles but I've seen a lot of pics and even in this vid where there seems to be a better folding rear sight like the one at 7:00 in the vid.
I do have a question though. Is it practice to run a Mk18 with an LPVO in kind of an Urban/General Purpose Build ?
Modern LPVOs yes
@@ModernTacticalShooting thank you sir. I have a vortex 1x8 and I've been exploring the idea of having some thing small and compact that allows reach out a little bit if I have to.
I was in Hawaijah in 2009, out of Mchenry.. it was in fact a hell hole haha
Dang 2009!
Really enjoyed this video, can’t wait for the rest of the series. Thanks for doing this!