Welshy McSheeplove wrote:Panther [TFW-W02] wrote:There are varying barrel lengths.
The MK18 Block II has a 14.5 in barrel, a "Block I" is the variant with a 10.3 in barrel and a 9.5 in DD RIS.
No.
MOD 0 (aka "Block 1") = 10.3 inch barrel with triangle sight and KAC rails.
MOD 1 (aka "Block 2") = 10.3 inch barrel with 9.5 RIS II.
Army go some CQBR uppers that had 10.5 inch barrels as well.
The MK18 is pretty much universally fitted with a 10.3 inch barrel. I have yet to see anything designated as a MK18 have anything longer than a 10.3 inch barrel on it.
No, just plain no. Sorry Welshy but this info is wrong.
The weapon "Blocks" are accessories schedules as they apply to SOCOM, Block I is older style (aimpoint/ACOG, Peq-2, KAC accessories), Block II is the newer accessories schedule (Eotech, SpecterDR, Peq-15, troy and KAC accessories) with a Block III schedule slated to come into effect EOFY 2013 that will include an upgraded PEQ, newer flashlights, and 7.62 specific optics for the now popular Mk17. Block I is now also the standard accessories schedule for the US Army, although it has been supplimented by newer items like an upgraded PEQ (in some cases). These would be the "standard" (bare minimum) accessories for any particular weapon system essentially what is available regardless of what your unit also supplies, or you buy on your own.
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SOPMODMod 0 is the older style Mk18 (commonly referred to as a CQBR by airsofters) that comes with a standard triangle front sight post and a KAC drop in rail. It was available in both 14.5 and 10.3 inch variants, and saw use as both within NSW (and still sees use by some). It was designed with specific attention to NSW by Crane Weapons division (originally for NSWDG, that would have been NSW ST6 at the time) over the standard M4a1. The Block I schedule is what was available when this weapon existed, with what is termed "Block 1.5" being available while the weapon was phased out (Block 2 accessories on a Mk18Mod0 or mixing accessories from Block I and Block II).
Mod 1 is the newest incarnation with the DD free floating RIS, it is available in both a 10.3 and 14.5 inch variant. However there is not much need for the 14.5 inch variant as there are superior weapon systems available (like the mk17) for the DM role. It has been enhanced over the Mod 0 (at the request of NSWDG) with a free floating barrel for improved accuracy and other internal enhancements to the BCG, Bolt and trigger group deigned in joint with Crane Weapons division, Troy armories, and Daniel Defense. Block II is the current accessories schedule and is what is commonly used on this weapon, however newer accessories are available with the most up to date weapons often having being a mix of Block II and what will be Block III accessories.
Remember though that these are Navy designations as applied by Crane, not SOCOM wide designations. In any other branch these are termed M4, which is where the confusion may arrise as the 14.5 inch variant sees much wider use within Ranger and Army SF units that are far more common in your area, where it is simply a M4a2(? or possibly a1 I cannot remember) Block 2.
On my personal assumptions I have to assume CAG gets things at the same time as NSWDG, but they apply their own designations as they MUST have their own weapons development branch like Crane (potentially at Natick, I just don't know) but I've noticed that the Mod 1 variant of the Mk18 didn't appear in use with CAG at the same time as it did with NSWDG, as it seems CAG opted for the 416 instead and the 416 appears much earlier on within CAG than it does with NSW. I just don't know anything about how CAG does things. I've worked selling the schedule accessories to NSW, this is how I know this about them.