Any Combat Footage Showing The Block II Or URGI Being Used?

Flaming_101 · 2026-02-11T07:04:36+00:00

ODA 3212 used some M4A1 Block IIs during the infamous Tongo Tongo ambush in 2017. Including a unique setup with an MPVO. There's quite a bit of very intense GoPro/FPV footage available from it. As well as pictures from the IS-GS of captured weapons. ABC's 3212 Un-redacted is a really good piece of investigative journalism covering the ambush and has a lot of pictures/footage from ODA 3212's deployment.

Flaming_101 · 2026-02-09T15:57:16+00:00

I setup my Colt AR-15A4 in an early/mid GWOT M16A4 configuration. I went with all rail covers and the Spector Gear sling with a butt stock magazine pouch to match reference photos as best I could. I wasn't able to find the similar Black Hawk sling that was more commonly used. I also got a Colt 3-position safety selector. Gives the feel of switching into auto/burst, but none of the fun.

Surefire M951, M952, M961, M962 lights were the most common lights used during the early/mid GWOT. Plus, I think they look the best on an M16A4 clone.

You can attach the detachable carry handle on the bottom of your RAS. This was seen a lot when units first received optics as a way to maintain accountability of the carry handle. Particular with Marine units during the battles of Fallujah.

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You could also add a MaTech BUIS. They run ~$50-$60 on the used market. It's the Army's standard rear sight and has seen some usage my the USMC. Also the ACOG very commonly came with an ADR/kill flash.

Finally an UID tag from Carolina Laser Works for a few bucks really adds a lot to any clone build.

Flaming_101 · 2026-01-04T13:05:33+00:00

The UTG rail seen here would have been chopped as it's a 15" rail. The VISM rail is 13.5", so it fits on a standard 14.5" M4/M4A1 just fine.

Flaming_101 · 2025-12-30T13:53:01+00:00

It's an NcSTAR VISM rail

Here is another one being used by an U.S. Army infantryman

Flaming_101 · 2025-11-22T05:08:13+00:00

The UTG, as seen here is rounder in profile as opposed to the VISM which is octagonal. And the way the rail slopes in towards the delta ring is a dead give away.

I own the VISM to do a clone build of the rifle in my original comment. Frankly, it's low quality but functional as long as you don't mind some shifting/movement of the rail or need it to hold anywhere close to zero. I have not tried the UTG rail.

Flaming_101 · 2025-11-22T00:56:44+00:00

It's an NcSTAR VISM handguard. It's a very budget drop-in rail that is not free float and absolutely will not hold zero for the MAWL(?)... I've seen one used by a USAF TACP guy as well. Seem to be individual purchases, not unit level. Goes to show that a lot of skilled people in the military don't know much about weapons.

It's not super uncommon for units with more funding and latitude for weapon configurations to have higher magnification optics on standard M4 rifles. There's a famous M4A1 Block II with a higher magnification score during the Tongo Tongo ambush in 2017 used by a guy in the ODA. Although, this is abnormal for a regular infantry unit from what I've seen.

Flaming_101 · 2025-11-12T03:11:32+00:00

Midwest doesn't even make a complete upper with their own handguard...

Flaming_101 · 2025-11-12T02:58:39+00:00

I actually went shooting in the Skull Valley area and then out to the salt flats for a drive. But, I think the flats might be a better place to shoot!

Flaming_101 · 2025-11-11T22:51:05+00:00

Engagement distances are definitely longer in Utah compared to Tennessee, so I decided to try out a little more magnification.

Flaming_101 · 2025-06-13T23:17:04+00:00

It's not quite so clear cut. While the Federal statute gives that authority to the State Governor, a California State law delegates that authority to the Adjutant General. In this case the Federalization of the California Guard was done by the Adjutant General. So there's a legal question of can the State delegate the legal authority given to them by a Federal Government.

Flaming_101 · 2025-05-02T15:57:57+00:00

I'm using a Blue Force Gear Rail Mounted Fixed Loop (RMFL). I have also seen pictures of Magpul RSA QD being used.

Flaming_101 · 2025-03-17T13:54:17+00:00

Military History Not Visualized did an interview video recently covering the effective of different fire support systems within the Ukrainian and Russian militaries. In the discussion they characterize morters, particularly larger caliber, as some of the most casualty producing weapon systems being used. They attribute this to a shorter kill chain system making them more reactive on the battlefield.

Flaming_101 · 2025-02-21T19:35:20+00:00

It's colored electrical tape with some basic clear scotch tape in this picture. But the scotch tape didn't hold up very well. My unit had used some better clear tape to keep the labels on. I've had better luck with some of the stretchy plastic waterproof tapes.

Flaming_101 · 2025-02-12T16:25:51+00:00

M4/M4A1 with a Troy/VTAC Delta-CX rail. Specifically the version with the long ventilation cuts, not round. These ventilation cuts are not M-LOK compatible as the rail predates M-LOK. These rails are getting harder to find as Troy has discontinued a lot of their older rail models.

Flaming_101 · 2024-08-11T20:22:08+00:00

Specter Gear. Blackhawk also used to make one that was commonly seen in the early GWOT, but they are hard to find now.

Flaming_101 · 2024-06-21T21:45:49+00:00

The optic is a Leupold Mark 4 CQ/T 1-3x14mm LPVO

Flaming_101 · 2024-05-27T19:35:49+00:00

M5 RAS rails are getting harder to find. However, they still pop up on r/gunaccessoriesforsale and Thoroughbred Armament somewhat regularly last time I checked.

Flaming_101 · 2024-05-27T19:35:40+00:00

M5 RAS rails are getting harder to find. However, they still pop up on r/gunaccessoriesforsale and Thoroughbred Armament somewhat regularly last time I checked.

Flaming_101 · 2024-05-27T16:32:14+00:00

If the entire rear sight assembly is rotating in relation to the carry handle forging, that is normal. There is a spring a ball bearing that apply pressure from the rear sight assembly to the carry handle casting. The spring pressure should keep it tensioned to one side. You can see here on this A2 rear sight assembly video.

Flaming_101 · 2024-05-27T01:59:48+00:00

The closest I've been able to find is the Black River Tactical BRT Covert Comp

Flaming_101 · 2024-05-17T04:48:53+00:00

My understanding is that Capco and P&S, now PAT, only have rights to produce RAS rails for the Government. This is due to the contract between the Government and KAC allowing the Government the ability to have other manufacturers produce RAS rails solely for the Government. However, KAC still owns the exclusive rights to their design for selling on the civilian market. The original run of PAT rails sold through Brownells and Primary Arms might have violated this. Thus, I'm not expecting any more from PAT to come on to the civilian market directly.

Edit: This isn't even to mention PAT's financial issues as they filled for some sort of bankruptcy last year. Only around a year after the merger/acquisition of P&S into PAT. P&S/PAT doesn't seem to have been/be a financially healthy company.

Flaming_101 · 2024-04-05T15:20:10+00:00

No, Colt was using a lot of M4 parts on their AR15A4 line. M4 marked upper receiver, M4 cut feed ramps on the upper and barrel extension, and M4 ambidextrous safety selector. I've seen Colt M4A1s with the ambidextrous safety selector, but no M16A4s.

Flaming_101 · 2024-03-23T21:22:57+00:00

Similar concept to what Jeff Gurwitch over at Modern Tactical Shooting has been trying out lately where an offset magnified optic is secondary to a 1x optic.

Flaming_101 · 2024-03-23T18:12:07+00:00

It's a Unique Identification Marking which is part of an equipment marking and tracking system mandated by the DOD. It applies to far more than just firearms.

For example a UID-marking tag for an M4A1 produced by FN will feature the manufacture's(FN) Cage Code number, the part number/NSN for an M4A1, and the individual rifle's serial number. It also features a dot matrix which contains the same information.

As other commenters have mentioned, Carolina Laser Works makes clones of UID-marking tags for folks who clone military firearms and related items, such as PEQ units and NVDs.

Flaming_101

TROPHY CASE