SOPMOD II

- May 12, 2024

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　SOPMOD II

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Caliber:　5.56 × 45mm M855

The second-generation SOPMOD Block 2 (now named SOPMOD II) was planned to begin in 2001 and was fielded by troops in 2005. In addition to enhancing the night sighting capability of the M203 grenade launcher, SOPMOD II improves or develops new grenade launchers (EGLM plan), expands universal silencers (including application to light machine guns and other weapons), upgrades/improves existing various In addition to a variety of tactical accessories and other subsystems, it also includes a new integrated upper receiver project. Manufacturers participating in the competition include KAC 's URX II system, ARMS's SIR system (Selective Integrated Rail), and LMT 's MRP (Monolithic Rail Platform) and so on. The final winner was the URG of Daniel Defense Co., Ltd. (DDL), now named RIS II handguard. The Mk18 MOD1 using RIS II was equipped with troops earlier, and the M4A1 using RIS II is increasingly appearing in actual combat troops in Afghanistan.

The DDL URG is an integral upper receiver, that is, the handguard is fixed on the front of the receiver and does not contact the barrel. This is the current trend – floating handguards. However, there are two types of DDL URG. One can still retain the original triangular quasi-constellation, and the other completely cancels the quasi-constellation on the barrel. If a mechanical sight is needed, the front sight needs to be installed on the rail. The training or actual combat photos seen so far are basically the latter. As for the supporting accessories, they have also been replaced with new models, such as EOTech 553, ELCAN DR, etc.

The adoption of SOPMOD II by various units is not consistent. Some units with larger budgets purchase DDL upper receivers to replace them, while other units with smaller budgets only purchase DDL handguards to replace them, such as the Army's 3rd Special Forces Group ( 3rd SFG) is relatively poor. As of 2015, we still see many M4A1s with old triangular front sights and DDL handguards. Some people are even using SOPMOD I. In addition, it is said that the Army Special Forces believe that DDL company’s barrels are not durable and not as good as COLT barrels, so some people prefer to use COLT upper receivers for DDL handguards or other companies’ handguards, such as TROY Company ’s ALPHA or DELTA handguards. Wood is also quite popular among Army Special Forces. In contrast, most SEALs or Marines use DDL upper receivers. In addition, some people use upper receivers from other companies, because the military has restrictions on individuals purchasing firearms for use on the battlefield, but there are no restrictions on self-purchased accessories, and upper receivers are counted as "accessories" rather than "guns". In 2014, SOCOM included the Reaper 33 upper receiver in the SOPMOD II list, giving people who don't like DDL upper receivers a new choice at the logistics warehouse instead of having to buy it themselves.

Block 2 grenade launcher during testing in 2000

The originally planned EGLM grenade launcher for Block 2 was envisioned to be quickly installed on the carbine and quickly detached for use alone, but the M320 GLM was not selected as standard equipment for Block 2.

Planned improvements to the sighting device: The blue letters are the sighting device of B lcok 1 , and the black letters are the sighting device of Block 2 in the future.

The AN/PSQ-14 grenade launcher night sight is part of SOPMOD Block 2 and has been tested since the summer of 2000.

AN/PSQ-18 Grenade Launcher Night Sight Being Tried by the U.S. Army

One of the selected BLOCK II

Block 2 attachment in trials

Mk18 MOD1 with RIS II installed (left: Army SF) and M4A1 (right: Marine Corps MSOT)

SOPMOD II M4A1 used in Afghanistan

Rangers during a public exercise on April 24, 2012

U.S. Army Special Forces conduct an exercise in Kabul Province on April 28, 2013.

Rangers using SOPMOD 2 M4 in Afghanistan in 2013

They are also Rangers, and it is rare to use C-MAG.

Seal using M4A1 with RIS II installed

Rangers using SOPMOD 2 M4 in Afghanistan in 2014

The relatively poor 3rd Special Forces Group of the Army. The person on the left is still using SOPMOD I, and the person on the right is using a triangular sight with a DDL handguard.

A Green Beret named Jeff Gurwitch is also a USPSA, three-gun, and IDPA competitor. The following M4 photos are of himself and his teammates.

Jeff Gurwitch replaced the original 10.5-inch barrel of his M4 CQBR with a 14.5-inch barrel in 2015, and used it as a RECCE rifle with a 6x VCOG scope. A small red dot scope was installed on the left side of the VCOG for close combat. Because his unit was relatively poor, he could only get an old M4 upper receiver with a DDL handguard installed.

Teammates of Jeff Gurwitch, the various SOPMOD II M4s used by the Army Special Forces, because the units are poor, basically install DDL handguards on the old COLT barrels