History of SOPMOD BLK II with Special Forces and its use in Afghanistan.
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- Опубликовано: 17 окт 2024
- History of SOPMOD Part II (Block II) and its use in Afghanistan with U.S Army Special Forces. I served in SF from 1998 to 2017 and was there for the roll out of SOPMOD Block II in 2007. In this video I discus when items hit the teams and how they performed in Afghanistan. Check out my channel for part I (SOPMOD Block I and its use in Iraq).
Raid Skateboards: www.raidsb.com/
Train with me: www.moderntact...
2017 SWAT Magazine article I wrote on SOPMOD Block II:
www.swatmag.co...
It would be neat to hear your recommendations for a hypothetical Block III (post-URGI). Good stuff, as always.
Thats a good idea/topic
Daniel Defense just released a new mlok version of the ris, their calling it the ris 3. Not heard any adoptions but it came out earlier this year
Wouldn't it be the Sig m5?
@@paul7from7ukr that’s the new rifle , this is in reference to the previous m4 upgrades
@@brannonpardue1358 I took part in the Small Arms Carbine Competition trials SOCOM put out around 2011, I got to shoot all the guns put in for submission, there were 1 or 2 really good ones....future video worthy
The MK18 and Bloc2 feels like home, carried them both with EOTECH’s and ELCAN’s in Ranger batt.
Stolen valor is immoral
There are many” gun tubers “ who can talk about different aspects of guns but no one could be like this channel who can give us an insight from the service perspective and all knowledge passed here deserve more than just a click and watch. Please keep this channel afloat. We really want to hear from the people like you sir. Salute to your service. Thanks for what you do for the country.
Thank you and will do!
The skateboard promo made me think of that one photo of the Marine with the experimental skateboard in an urban exercise.
In 2012, before deploying with 3rd Group, I met up with 3130 at JRTC, Ft. Polk, to do some predeployment training.
While there, every 18 series had an Elcan Specter. I asked the CO, Ben Hauser, what he thought of the optic. He responded, "It's cheating. It makes you think that you're a good shot. You're not; it's just that good of an optic."
Love the series, brother. Gaining knowledge on tools I've had the pleasure of using - it's important to recognize the history and building blocks of our kit.
Cheers.
RAH!
Thank You! JRTC good lord was it hot
@@ModernTacticalShooting It certainly wasn't the best of times lol
Working with the 3rd Group guys made up for it, though.
Ben Hauser (Major at the time), et. al., shwacked an entire village and got into a heated fight with some Full Bird (I think he was the JRTC training commander).
Story goes Maj Hauser was with a team in a village near a big Army FOB (101st) when they began receiving fire from the village. Maj Hauser runs up to the FOB's guard posts and yells at them to return fire with their 240s. The big Army soldiers were confused and refused, so he demanded to be let in, allegedly banging and kicking on the FOB's metal door shouting "I'M MAJOR BEN FUCKING HAUSER! OPEN THIS FUCKER UP!" When his demands went unanswered, he said 'fuck it' and he and the team mowed down everyone in the village LOL
Love that guy.
Thanks for the amazing content I have a confession don't hold it against me I was part of the opfor that you guys were dealing with@@ModernTacticalShooting
I was part of the opfor you guys were dealing with lol good times 3rd group dudes were savage and they went on a serious swack fest lol.
@@blazey2765
Hell yeah, they did!
The Commander got his nickname from that training evolution when he went off on some big Army soldiers for not engaging opfor from the FOB with their 240s. Banged on the door and started cursing at everyone. Got into a fight with the Col training Commander.
It was great.
10/10 would deploy with them again.
My last deployment I had the SF model aimpoint and wondered when they made the switch to a lower battery compartment. Cool history
Aimpoint has a Discontinued product section on their website which will show you when each item was introduced and discontinued.
Damn 3 tours eh. I get uncomfortable when I’m at work and the AC isn’t cold enough. Thx for your service sir. Much love from Canada.
I didn't use the spectre but I ran a m145 on a 240 for a bit. I know that ours weren't red the were amber, and worked but were heavy like 2 lbs, and weren't very user friendly. Also I'm pretty sure the elcan issues are army wide with training and maintenance.
On the when not if you're going to fall and trip note, you're absolutely right. One of the funniest things I've seen was a team leader, who was being an ass earlier in the patrol, turn to check his formation turn around and proceed to trip on nothing. The guy was literally walking in the middle of the street and just at random fell over.
I’m sure he only fell for instructive purposes 😉
I loved the elcan. 7th group guys hooked me up when I got attached to them (k9 handler).
Always interesting to hear you talk gear. My son was in 10th Group and carried a Mk 12 Mod 1 with a Warne Ramp Mount and red dot at the 45 in Afghanistan 2011.
Harry! It was around 2011-2012 SF got rid of the MK12 so you son was one of the last to use a MK12 in combat.
I've been checking daily for this video since you released the block1 video. The history of military firearms from your experience is my favorite videos. Very educational
Me too!
#me too
M4A1...the best combat rifle on the planet. Elcan...the best combat optic on the planet. Green Beret...the best combat soldier on the planet. Thank you for your service Mr. Gurwitch.
Speaking earlier today with a 10th SFG Soldier they did get some Sig 1x6 scopes into their unit last few months.
i got a sig tango on my 18 inch ruger and i just love it the 1x is like a red dot
only downside for me is scope shadow vs none on a red dot and its more of a long range oriented setup for that gun so short range capablity is a plus
3rd SFG has them too and some have already broken
I’ve heard the dot/reticle at 1x isn’t bright enough for a desert/very bright daylight environment. Your thoughts…
You should pin this comment so it’s not buried at the bottom
Great stuff Jeff! As gun nerd I love the development and operational history on the gadgets we enjoy today. Keep it up and cheers!
Thank you. This is golden. A man of your years and experience educating us on the history is what is needed. If you understand history you shouldn't repeat the mistakes of the past.
From what I remember ODA 3330 ran kind of a mix of M4 combinations. I remember one had a Mk18 FSP upper, another had the 14.5 ris ii non fsp and the rest of the guys ran the DD Mk18 uppers with the latter being in their gear cubbies. Then SEAL teams 2 and 10 replaced them and they all had 416s and massive ego's.
One time in JRTC I popped the tension screw on the peq while firing and the thing flew off like a rocket. I switched my tie down to the back plastic loop and secured it with chicken wire before deployment. We were criss crossing everything with 550 and running it underneath so it was putting even more pressure on the screw to come loose.
I got a TA01 ACOG when I got to my first unit in 2000 and it was on my rifle for all of my deployments. I didn't like the Spector DR as it was super heavy.
Man this channel has jumped to the Top of my favorites in a matter of weeks lol. GREAT STUFF SIR.
Right on!
Vids like this are a treasure trove for Civi Shooters lacking the hours of 1st hand experience with accessories and systems. So many options on a limited budget will drive a person insane if you're not looking to just outfit your gun with the "latest and greatest". Thank you from a new Sub.
Thank you for the knowledge. I'm an airforce guy but the first time I got an elcan I fell in love with it. It's definitely one of my top 5 favorite optics.
Thank you Jeff as always for your outstanding history lessons on SF related gear. I've never seen any better content then yours. Thank you again. Be safe
I think I've watched every video on RUclips about the Mk12, Mk18, M4A1 and so on. This is by far my favorite video to date! I dig the presentation and appreciate your knowledge and real world experience that you bring to the table. The pictures you have are some of the best I've seen so far! Because of the exposure to these pics, I've been inspired to build a few near clone correct rifles/carbines. I just received my SF RC 2 about a week ago and the Mk18 mod 1 looks awesome with this can. Thanks Jeff for cranking out excellent content for us here on RUclips!
Thank you
Been looking forward to this one! Thanks Jeff
theres something about the FSP rail that really gets me. Seeing all these force recon dudes runnin em gives me a major chub. Such an aesthetically pleasing piece of gear
I saw a picture of you in full kit when I was in the ATS Tactical store the other day.
My plate carrier was on display there along with that photo it's currently in my garage so I can use it for some videos and actual range time
Makes my ol Blackhawk rail with tan covers look cool again..run a doublestar straight taper barrel upper since 09 and landed a hit or 2 on a 28” flatscreen@round 800yrds…shoulda seen the angle on the bullet hole…thanks again…matt
Love the way you talk, It really keeps me immersed and interested! The gun and deployment stories never get old!
Thank you
@@ModernTacticalShooting I really mean it!
These videos are a rare insight, appreciate your efforts!
i'd love to see a video about the mk-12, hopefully you go one coming.
Video idea… unit purchases that weren’t official SOPMOD or issued items. Optics like NF NXS1-4x24 and other Nightforce, Leupold CQ/T, S&B Short Dot…
There’s a video of (I believe) 10th Mountain where it looks like a few of the early Gemtech Halos (knurled collar, not golfball) are being used but I’ve never found any info on actual combat use of the Halo(fits any A2 flashhider).
Anything along those lines would be interesting. Perhaps w/ more of your teammates retiring as time goes on, they can also provide info on stuff you don’t have firsthand experience with or provide pics.
There’s so much we’d be in the dark about w/o you… whatever you put out there is always appreciated!!!
I always enjoy your content, thanks for posting.
Luv to hear this type of stuff,as a civilian it help me understand
What are your thoughts on using a higher magnification scope when running the offset red dot? Since you won't be using the 1X on your lpvo would it be a better idea to go with something like a 4-14 power scope or something similar?
Yes that is a good idea and in fact by 2015 a lot of fellow SF guys were running more powerful Scopes than a one to six or one to eight they were getting into that 4 to 15 Realm
Interesting topic about the elcan. Nearly ever "against" video I seen on youtube seem to talk about the mechanical zero mechanism being the difference between "life and death." As if a simple hit on it would cause such a zero shift that someone wouldn't be able to hit anything anymore. I haven't experienced that on my civilian one and owned it for the last 10 years. The funny thing is the reticle isn't the same as the military one and nobody seem to understand that.
I ran across fellow SF guys as of 2010 that still didn't know how to zero one correctly. To include unlocking windage and elevation to adjust it. I bet some were broken via not unlocking it and stripping it out.
@@ModernTacticalShooting Personally I think a lot of folks don't understand the military only buys in batches and continue to use them until it breaks down. So the Elcan is nearly 10-12 years old now and they're really abused on the field by folks. So the military not using them isn't a sign the elcan is "broken" only that it is old and what young person would spend nearly 2k on an optic just to have something cool on it?
Man I agree a suppressed MK18 is great for urban use, l got issued one as a contractor back in the day in Iraq and Afghanistan and l use one as a LEO in Texas and yes she is painted with many colors OD green, Flat dark earth, and pinch of black and she is very accurate with 77 Sierra match ammo, great video man.
Thank you for the recommendation of the extended magwell. Makes insertions much easier.
This is an absolutely fantastic breakdown. Thanks for the info!
Awesome video sir! The sopmod program is definitely an awesome subject and you covered it perfectly. Keep posting videos about subjects regular 11Bs don’t know about. I wish I was issued a block II rifle while I was in. I was issued a regular M4 when I was with the 3rd brigade 1st ID.
thank you
I love the elcan. Perfect as a daytime machine gun optic if a little heavy for use on a rifle. Would love to see a cheaper/lighter version brought out for the civilian market. Fixed prismatic sights just don't do it for me and while the lpvo has a wider range I never find myself using the intermediate magnification. The elcan switch really is the best option in my opinion but that price point keeps it outside what a lot of people can do.
The price is coming down somewhat… there’s a few on EBay right now for under $1800 or best offer including a 1.5-6. Still not cheap
Gonna buy some skateboard decks from raid. I don’t skate, probably would break something if I tried, but I’d love to help people anyway I can. I’d watch any video you put out, this content is so interesting to me. I’ll come take one of your classes next year. I’ve already been to a long range precision class in Feb and am going to a fighting handgun class in the fall so a carbine class with you would round it out. Keep doing your thing man this is great
Great video! Thank you for your service, sir. I and many others really appreciate the insight into this program, seems like I personally can’t get enough of it.
One of the hidden gems of GunTube. Love this content!
Officially my favorite gun channel on RUclips, and I watch a lot of them.
My man was team Logar! Must have spent some time at rocket city. I am a Seabee and was there in 2012-2013. We where rocking the the M16A4's with Acogs.
awesome insight. Great video
You and Hop should attend one of Jeff’s classes and make a video about it
Thank you for this. Love knowing more about Australian SOF.'s preferred primary
Wow, wasn’t expecting the follow up video so soon. Sweet.
Nice little thing
Yet I like that angle fore grip
Excellent video and info. Keep these videos coming. What suppressor do you recommend for the mk18?
Well my knowledge of suppressors is pretty limited to what I was issued in the military. I'm a fan of the Surefire Socom just because it is so rugged and can take extremely high round counts but I think there are lighter and better ones out there now.
@@ModernTacticalShooting 👍
I'm of the opinion that a rifle like this will get the job done for many years to come. It won't be outdated until we all start using lasers like star trek. It's a little heavier than I prefer but it offers all the same features as a high end AR made yesterday.
We needed the Sig SPEAR in Afghanistan.
Really enjoyed your video,great to hear some real valuable information,thank you
Thank you for sharing the information it's very neat .👍👍👍
Thank you for the history of use of these Firearms.
As a Canadian it’s nice to hear good things about the Elcan optics. Most RUclipsrs consider them obsolete at this point but I still don’t think there’s anything out there more rugged and dependable.
I know a lot of SF guys with some legitimate complaints, but that is in the last 5 or 6 years where the issues can be blamed on them just being worn out and never had any real maintenance. I know plenty, upon plenty of SF who have used the hell of out them with no complaints.
It seems a lot of RUclipsrs also are comparing them to modern LPVOs with more than a decade of development over the SpectreDR. Not exactly a fair comparison nor do we know how well the new stuff will hold up after 10-15yrs of combat abuse
@@ModernTacticalShooting any experience with the Elcan C79 or M145 Machine Gun optic?
Awesome vid describing the history. Interesting to hear an end users take on block 2.
The suggested viewing algorithm sent me here. Great video, subscribed!
Another great video! Thank you
Great content! Love hearing your inside knowledge and actual application of the equipment.
I love your channel thank you for sharing your experiences!
thank you
Great video. Glad I found your channel. Solid content!!!
Man this is a great video very informative ...my father lives across SF guy. Flag hangs in the garage.👍🇺🇲Gonna ask him what group he was part of. Maybe he's rocked with you?
Great stuff; keep that knowledge transfer coming
Seiko Bullhead Chronograph....i can tell you are a man of taste 👌
You sir have great taste for noticing! Im a Seikoholic!
got to say that sopmod block2 is one of the most aesthetically pleasing rifles
Outstanding video. Thank you.
Good stuff my friend as always
I really appreciate your insight sir.
The FSP version is a vibe though
height to bore has been proven to be user specific and not actually a factor to accuracy, however the speed to sight might be true generally speaking
Excellent video, and excellent channel!
Thank you for your services! Great video.🇺🇲🦅
As always, very entertaining video and outstanding information. 👏
Got to ask… what’s the watch you’re wearing?
Thanks for the insight.
I would HIGHLY recommend looking up how much the Wounded Warrior ceo makes and how much of your donation ACTUALLY goes towards our vets. There are many actual charities and orgs that are run by gold star families that only spend money on postage instead of padding their pockets.
I think that it’s inevitable once a charity gets large enough that people will find ways to skim and enrich themselves… not saying this is justification, but seems to be the case with big name charities
Awesome series! Hope you do one for the new URGI too from what you know of it and what your colleagues that are still in say about it.
Any thoughts on SBRs running LPVOs as that seems to be the trend? 1-6 seems to be plenty for 12.5 inch rifles considering they’d likely top out at 600 yards if need be but are better suited for 300/400 and in. 1-8 or 1-10s seem to be too heavy for such a short and lighter sbr don’t you think?
A true SBR (under 12inch) I don't see the need going past a 1x8.
What made you go with the 14.5 on your last tour over the 10.3? Just came from your Mk18 video and it sounds like you and everyone else at the time had very favorable views on it
Range... Knowing the enemy Faught at distance I wanted best chance of hitting them. I actually started my last tour with the MK18 but after 1st fire fight went to 14.5 so it would line up better with the BDC in the VCOG.
Cool video sir. Appreciate your knowledge. :)
Also you boys are looking mighty fine is those m81 woodlands.
Edit* spelling
Thank You
LCAN. The best optic nobody wants. Very strange. Awesome video.
What BCM grip is that, can't find one in that color. What brands were y'all allowed to use? Im currently building a mk18 and M4a1 FSP block II clones
BCM Gunfighter as far as grips and stock other accessories anything we wanted. I have written 4 articles for defencereview.com search: competition to combat crossover, plenty examples of custom rifles. I will do a video on it in the future.
@@ModernTacticalShooting thank you!
Great work. Thanks sir
Elcan was my favorite optic and still is.... Worked fantasic on my combat deployments. I wouldn't trade those in. I always kept the 14.5 it had much better shot placement and the Elcan worked better with that setup.
Man I wish I could move out of cali . I’d want to go into his class . I’d love to see what data other bring to the table regarding maneuvering .
Il be in Texas in November for a course...not Cali but as close as I get
Thank you for all the information on optics and set up. With your experience what is your opinion on when back up irons should be used? To clarify I mean paired with a quality optic.
I think 90-degree BUIS are totally in the past, I never liked the theory when using a LPVO or optic if it fails remove optic go to BUIS. Or if running a red dot, run with rear BUIS up just in case. Offset irons should be the new standard, they are never in the way.
Hi Jeff - what charging handles were you guys using with Block II? USGI? PRI Gasbuster? I'm assuming this was all before the Radian Raptors and BCMs?
I saw very few issued PRI Gas Busters, those were circa 2005 with Block I. Many guys went with getting their own. Raptor one of the most popular.
@@ModernTacticalShooting thank you!
Hey Jeff, did you get the 55 grain or 77 grain reticle for your VCOG?
55gr
Hey Jeff loving your content! You've said that mk18 with suppressor is so devastating and almost every sf guy runs it. But I was wondering how block 2 16inch barrel took over the reign of this mk18-suppressor combination? Why do sf guys now prefer block 2/URG-I? And would you ever do an in-depth comparison with your expertise between mk18, block 2, and URG-I?
I am doing a URGI vs Block II in the future. The MK18 is out replaced with a Geissele shorty.
Jeff I am obsessed with your content on this topic. So obsessed I got a block 2 upper on Black Friday and now I’m building a boutique block 2 type rifle with my own fav parts as well.
One question I have is I saw a video on RUclips called level zero hero’s and it has about a 6min part that was Nick Kefalides go pro footage. He clearly is running a block 2 with a nightforce nsx 2.5-10x24 with an offset T1. It looks amazing and I am going to do the same with my rifle next month only the more updated 2.5-10x42 since it’s not so rare or near as much money. The video is a MARSOC engagement and from his interview on Shawn Ryan podcast made it seem once he got asked to try out for the new MARSOC raider detachment a portion was a ton of training on new weapons packages (that I’m sure was block 2). Were SF dudes in the army using the same style set up back then?
The video seems to be old like 2010ish and running an NSX 2.5-10 with an offset T1 seems super cutting edge for the time. Honestly it seems pretty cutting edge for todays day in age as everyone is obsessed with the LPVO technology, yet they still run offset red dots. Why not go with a short MPVO like a 2.5-10 or 3.5-18 so you have max ability to shoot long distance and run the offset red dot as a second primary optic. I have no mil experience and once I am done with the build I want save for a class from ridge line defense, but to run an LPVO (with its shortcomings and still have to train how to use a 45 offset as well seems a lil redundant. Maybe I’ll change my mind once I take a class and understand why these top tier dudes run them as they do.
There were guys using more powerful Scopes from the 3-15 and such during my 2014 and 2015 Tour on thier M4s but they were personally owned. Back in 2015 there was demand for vortex 1-6 and just this last summer of 2022 did Sig 1-6 hit SF teams (really 10 years too late). The Aimpoint T1 did not hit SF until 2017. Army Special Forces is criminally behind in certain aspects of Optics
Now certain SF teams and companies have been able to use unit funds to purchase some 1-8 and 1-10s. Going back to Afghanstan running say a 2.5 to 12 or so, make perfect sense due to the long ranges the enemy fuaght at.
@@ModernTacticalShooting First and foremost thank you very much for your insight! This is the second time I have asked you a question on the block 2 and you actually respond to me! Not to mention you are the authority on this topic.
Maybe he was running a comp m4 and not a T1, I get them confused easily. It sounds like the army is far behind. I’m seeing the marines go with the new SCO VCOG and the Army is going sig? Don’t know how I feel on that kind of monopoly, if Sig didn’t have a general on their board I bet different things would be happening. In your opinion would a MPVO like a 2-10 or 3.5-18 with an offset MRDS be superior in places like Afghanistan? Reason I ask is I am so close to building my dream rifle, I’m not sparing any expense and it’s taken 5 years to get where I am now. I’m dying to get into long distance DMR style competition and I also only have one AR that is also my defensive carbine.
I know I’m overthinking it all a ton and if you practice and invest in software you can overcome most hardware limitations. But from the viewpoint of competition/SF retired trainer with a ton of experience like yourself, if you could redo it again but with all of the tech that’s available today and you had to run an 11lbs 14.5” in Afghanistan villages would you still run VCOG/Docter or would you pick something different?
Were the Block IIs exclusively the full auto versions or were there 3-round burst variants as well?
Full auto
Thank God the good guys are back in control over there
Great info. Thanks.
Great video. Now I know what the "S" in Comp M4S stands for.
Question. I notice your offset is initially mounted on the KAC RAS system but when you switched to the RIS II it was mounted behind the VCOG on the receiver. Did you notice any issues maintaining zero with the offset mounted on the handguard vs the receiver or what prompted the switch?
Thanks again for sharing your experiences.
What is your opinion on the vortex optic? I love the glass and as a civilian I don’t think I’ll be tripping as much over rocks humping up mountains lol.
I use a Vortex Strike Eagle 1x8 in competition
Excellent video. Quick question! Since you folks were issued with lasers presumably for fighting at night, how often were folks doing either "passive" or "active" aiming? I see more people being concerned about the idea of a "near-peer adversary" potentially seeing your IR lasers/signatures hence why things like higher optics mounts are becoming more of a norm lately, so they can just use the NV settings through their primary optics and use those. That being said, given your preference to an offset dot vs a piggyback, I would presume that most folks would still rely heavily on active aiming regardless?
Well for Afghanistan alot of passive aiming, under different circumstance say SF dropped into the Ukraine guys Im sure would adapt to how the enemy fought so you would not see alot of passing aiming
Yep amazing video dude! Also cooler weather 🌡️ these days
wonderful info, thanks
So you don't like the high mount red dot on top even for using it with nightvision for passive aiming?
You can do that with it offset too
@@ModernTacticalShooting the one you have on there now is high enough? And if if you mean you can make it higher wouldn't that kinda start to get in the way and be a snag hazard compared just mounting on top of the scope?
I love the Elcan but I wish they would use a different QD system, the A.R.M.S. one is out dated at this point.
I just changed mine out for the newer mk2 arms levers. Wasnt too hard.
Can you make a video about the different types of ear and eye protection you used while serving and what you use now?
Well would not be a very long video, I used Peltor Comtac military issued when deployed, civilian: use Howard Leight R-01526 IMPACT SPORT
@@ModernTacticalShooting Oh right on, thanks for the follow up!