CQBR / Mk18 Mod1 Clone thread - Show us your clones!

Thorvald

Thorvald

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There are a couple of epic threads over on AR15.com but unless your willing to pay $25 a year, the site is pretty crippled to the public (search engine etc)... so I think it's about time a Mk18 thread got started here!

Especially now that a ton of you just got minty fresh Daniel Defense Mk18's from One Shot Tactical and Wolverine Supplies! Now it's time to dress them up properly!

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So what is a Mk18? (No it's not just a rifle that Daniel Defense makes...they just commercialized the name. The only contract they got IIRC is the RIS II rail system). There is an insane amount of info over on ARF.COM and a pretty good wiki article but for the purposes of clones these are:

SOPMODMK18.jpg


MK18MOD1.jpg


The proper designation is the CQBR (Close Quarter Battle Receiver) and it is a replacement short barrel upper for the M4 weapon system and part of the SOPMOD Block II program (Special Operations Peculiar Modification). The CQBR replaces the M4 with a barrel 10.3 in (262 mm) length, making it the modern equivalent of the Colt Commando. It has also servered to replace MP5's (or supplement) in many units but I'll leave all those discussions for the Arm-Chair-Generals.

Unoffically it has been split into two separate designations: Mk18 Mod0 and Mk18 Mod1 (to simpify and use USN terminology, 75th Rangers et'all use other terms). Again that's all for the debaters... many of us just simply like the look and feel of these cool little M4's and hence stick to simple terms to keep things straight.

So the generally accepted (by da-Internet that is) configurations are:

MK18 Mod 0
- Colt Lower
- Colt Upper
- Colt 10.3 inch barrel
- Mk12 Gas Block (Daniel Defense or Badger Ordnance)
- KAC RIS
- KAC M4-QD Flash Suppressor
- LMT Rear Sight or KAC 300m Flip Up Rear Sight
- LMT Sopmod stock
- CQD Rear sling mount
- CQD forward sling mount


But I'm going to concentrate on the Mod 1 which "all the cool kids" are moving to:


MK18 Mod 1 (Same as above but with newer rail)
- Colt Lower
- Colt Upper
- Colt 10.3 inch barrel
- Mk12 Gas Block (Daniel Defense or Badger Ordnance)

Kevin B note, Badge on the Mk12, earlier Mk18 Mod1 where using BO, then chnaged to DD when DD started assembling the uppers in house --- for unit assembled uppers, it may be a number of options)

- Daniel Defense Mk18 RIS II Rail
- PRI Gas Buster Charging Handle (Gas deflecting charging handle)
- KAC M4-QD Flash Suppressor
- KAC Front Flipup sight in Taupe (KAC speak for Flat Dark Earth)
- Matech or KAC Flip Up Rear Sight (appears again to be all over the map but the Matech fits under the Elcan for sure)
- LMT Sopmod stock
- CQD Rear sling mount
- CQD forward sling mount
- Tango Down Vertical Foregrip BGV-ITI in Tan
- SU-230/PVS 1-4X Dayscope (aka Elcan Spectre Dr 1-4)
- Some have the MRD mounted on top of the SU-230 (Miniature Red Dot aka Docter Sight)
- SU-233/PVS Visible Bright Light III (aka Insight M3X Tan)
- LA-5/PEQ Integrated Small Arms Illuminator (aka Laser Devices DBAL)
- and about 10,000 more variations...

There are a number of options for sights and the EOTech 553 (TAN) is another popular one.


Now for building clones, many people simply use 10.5 barrels as they are more common and pretty much the same size... but now that DD has a 10.3 out, it saves trying to find the "unicorn" Colt 10.3 barrels.

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There are some excellent power points available from NSWC Crane that covers a few details:

http://www.dtic.mil/ndia/2006smallarms/taylor.pdf

http://www.dtic.mil/ndia/2005smallarms/thursday/taylor.pdf

http://www.dtic.mil/ndia/2003smallarms/john.ppt

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Pic of manual (unknown if confirmed):

MK18018-1.jpg


Scan of manual:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/17722756/SW370A3OPI010-MK-18-Operators-Manual

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Some cool pics:

web_091209-N-1291E-050.jpg

Mk18 Mod0


mk18mod1-1.jpg

One of the more "famous" images of a Mk18 Mod1 with all the toys
 
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Here I'll start with the story that many of you have followed on our Podcast (Canadian Service Conditions Radio) of my buying and building of my Mk18.

Let me preface that trying to clone an American weapon system in Canada is a bloody pain in the ass... so few vendors will export and most citizens are scared to death of ITAR and won't ship outside the USA (even for a bloody SCREW!). Ah well, thankfully we have a great bunch of distributors and vendors up here that can get most if not all of the stuff. I'll try to post a list of suppliers (sticking to site vendors where possible) later.

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It all began with a rather humble start... I bought the "spec" Foregrip from Wolverine Supplies:

8299649315_ea9349ab72_z.jpg


And let me tell you, this thing is EVIL. Its insanely tight the rails and you need to be a Ninja to compress all four of those tabs, hold your rifle and smash on the VFG to remove it... wow what a chore. And of course I find out later they make a "quick release" version.... ARGH. However no one in Canada sells it yet.
 
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My version of the MOD1. I made changes where I saw fit.

Daniel Defense Upper Receiver
Daniel Defense Mk18 RIS II
Daniel Defense Rail-mounted QD Sling Point
Troy Industries Folding Battle Sights
Noveske 10.5” barrel
Spikes Micro Gas Block
Spikes Melonite Gas Tube
LMT Auto Bolt Group
SEI Vortex Flash Eliminator
BCM Gunfighter Charging Handle
Aero Precision Lower Receiver
Daniel Defense Lower Parts Kit
Magpul Enhanced Trigger Guard
Magpul MOE+ Pistol Grip
Vltor Milspec Buffer Tube
Noveske QD Sling Plate
H2 Buffer
LMT Sopmod Stock

394501_orig.jpg
 
And then finally the flood gates were opened, a Colt M4A1 SOCOM appeared on the EE and the sun began to shine ;-)

I still need some small items but she is pretty together now.

I can tell you it was a HAPPY day when this arrived, it's sold out everywhere!

8478849273_b017af3c69_z.jpg
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Here she is in a quick "posed" shot:

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Now for the specs:

- Lower is a newer Colt M4A1 semi-auto (from a Colt M4A1 SOCOM) with Colt H2 buffer
- Upper is an unknown make Cerro Forge forging with extended M4 Feed ramps
- Bolt Carrier is original the Colt M4A1 with Buffer Technologies Extractor upgrade kit
- Barrel is a Daniel Defense 10.3 Cold Hammer forged with M4 feed ramps
- RRA A2 Flash hider until I find a KAC M4QD
- Colt carbine length gas tube
- PRI Gasbuster Charging Handle
- Gas block is a Badger Ordnance Low Pro Mk12 NAVSPEC with set screws
- LMT Flat Dark Earth Sopmod buttstock
- Daniel Defense Mk18 RIS II Rail
- Tango Down ITI VFG and wow is it a pig to mount. Stiff on the rail.
- Elcan Spectre Dr 1-4x in Flat Dark Earth, Civy model. Damn nice optic, very clear. Blows C79's out of the water.
- Elcan Doctor Red dot mount, not yet installed. Could only find black model but the DR is black anyways.
- CQD rear sling mount
- Dieter CQD sling with HK style but I may switch it out for a Blue Force Gear when shooting competitively.

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The rear backup sight was an Matech but the bolt broke like all Matechs do when torqued down...
Gotta get a replacement that is stronger. BAD makes a replacement kit (BAD-BSM) but can't/won't ship to Canada... No idea how a damn screw and plate can be ITAR controlled. I'll likely just buy a replacement high strength bolt from a local fastener supply store.

Callouts2_1.jpg

http://www.battlearmsdevelopment.com/badbsm.php

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The following parts are still to arrive:

- Insight M3X Tan weapon light on its way
- Front CQD rail mount sling mount is in the mail
- McFarland One Piece Bolt Gas Ring also in the mail


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Still trying to find or buy/save up for (which means sell more stuff I don't need on ebay lol:):

- KAC Front flip up sight in Taupe (hoping One Shot Tactical comes through on this, thanks Darren!)
- KAC M4QD Flashhider (again hoping One Shot Tactical comes through on this)
- Laser Devices DBAL I2 Civy IR version in Tan/Sand (Rampart sells them)
- Insight dual rail switch. Also unobtanium up here... Have to keep surfing ebay.
- Doctor red dot sight to mount on top of the Elcan, no rush for this... Elcan already has 1x ;-) Thankfully we have One Shot Tactical carrying them up here.
- Eotech 553 in Tan (bet this will be expensive and entertaining to find up here)

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Only thing that is annoying is the eye relief on the Elcan is brutal, you have to put your eyes almost right up to it and kiss the charging handle while shooting. Oh we'll, if its good enough for SOCOM, I'm sure I can deal with it. The C79 is just as bad however, always end up resting our helmets on it... Much prefer my ACOG. We'll see how it does in competition this year (Service CQB and Service Rifle).


Now onto the interesting technical details. The gas port on the DD barrel is supposed to be 0.75 (I measured mine multiple times with calipers) but various forums indicated it was larger... looks good to me.

8478838399_d7a7288e8f_z.jpg



Installing the Badger Ordnance Mk12 NAVSPEC gas block was interesting but not too hard to drill the holes, mark the center of the gas hole and line up gas block then simply screw in the set screws until they left impressions in the barrel. Drill to proper depth.

8479928558_810a3058d3_z.jpg


8479931546_6ac9d1edb9_z.jpg



I also used the new Geissele Reaction Rod to install the barrel nut and gas block, it worked great!

8478839899_ab7cdb1852_z.jpg




Now back to waiting for more parts to come in and save for the rest of the toys.

Lets see some more Mk18s all dressed up!

Cheers
Tim
 
angryeyebrows said:
My version of the MOD1. I made changes where I saw fit.

Daniel Defense Upper Receiver
Daniel Defense Mk18 RIS II
Daniel Defense Rail-mounted QD Sling Point
Troy Industries Folding Battle Sights
Noveske 10.5” barrel
Spikes Micro Gas Block
Spikes Melonite Gas Tube
LMT Auto Bolt Group
SEI Vortex Flash Eliminator
BCM Gunfighter Charging Handle
Aero Precision Lower Receiver
Daniel Defense Lower Parts Kit
Magpul Enhanced Trigger Guard
Magpul MOE+ Pistol Grip
Vltor Milspec Buffer Tube
Noveske QD Sling Plate
H2 Buffer
LMT Sopmod Stock

394501_orig.jpg
Click to expand...

Sharp!!

How did you enjoy bolting that RIS II on, fun wasnt it? Lol
 
Here is a list of suppliers for various parts of the build (I'm listing who "should" have them or able to get them... not who has them in stock):


Brownells (maybe can source locally, will update when I find out)
- Buffer Technologies Extractor upgrade kit (similar to Crane version)
- PRI Gasbuster Charging Handle http://www.precisionreflex.com/Detail.aspx?PROD=186694
- Badger Ordnance Gas Block Low Pro Mk12 NAVSPEC with set screws (P/N 249-30 NAVSPEC issue .75” Dia) http://badgerordnance.com/gas-blocks/


Wolverine Supplies
- Daniel Defense 10.3 Cold Hammer forged with M4 feed ramps
- Badger Ordnance Gas Block Low Pro Mk12 NAVSPEC with set screws (P/N 249-30 NAVSPEC issue .75” Dia)
- Daniel Defense Mk18 RIS II Rail
- Tango Down BGV-ITI Vertical Fore Grip http://tangodown.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=26&products_id=65


One Shot Tactical
- KAC M4-QD Flash Hider
- KAC 99051-TAUPE Front Folding Sight
- CQD Rear sling mount http://closequartersdefense.net/close-quarters-defense-products/cqdr-rear-sling-mount
- CQD Front sling mount http://closequartersdefense.net/close-quarters-defense-products/cqd-forward-sling-mount
- Docter Red Dot Sight (requires mount for Elcan)


Questar
- LMT Sopmod buttstock (black is what Crane supplies as the SCB)


SFRC
- Dieter CQD sling (reported as the NAVSPEC Issue Sling... but I bet none of them use it past SQT/STT... will update when I find more info)


Coretac Solutions Inc.
- Elcan MRD mount (Docter Red Dot Mount)


DS Tactical
- Elcan Spectre Dr 1-4x in Flat Dark Earth
 
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My contribution:

LMT Lower
Colt A2 grip
CQD Rear Sling Plate
LMT Sopmod Crane Stock, painted FDE
Colt H buffer

Upper:

LMT 10.5 Upper, shaved gas block
KAC NT4, with shimed/ indexed
CQD Sling attachment point
DD MK18 Rail
Tango Down Forward grip, FDE
KAC 300-600m rear BUIS
KAC Taupe Front sight
Insight M3X LED in FDE

Clone Peq15, with real laser filters


Optic:
SU230 PVS Spectre DR
MRD mount

0ccNxQS.jpg



QS3SOgJ.jpg


This is my clone family:

2nd upper has a 10.3 DD barrel, with NT4. MK12 gas block
Anchor Harvey Upper, with teardrop FA
PRI Gas Buster CH
KAC 300m BUIS, Taupe Front sight

3rd upper is SOCOM Colt M4 barrel, M4A1 RIS II
Colt Cerro Upper with Colt FA BCG
KAC BUIS as well
 
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The Nightforce 1-4x24, while arguably not the best combat optic, is the most practical scope in the bunch for shooting.
The eye relief isn't insanely close either.
 
Benito said:
Hey Flan,
Nice gun. Just a few q's:
1) Why not move the EO-Tech further back from the forend onto the receiver?
2) What muzzle device is that?
Click to expand...

Thank you. Optic in front is mostly a question of me wanting something solid in the back. Using the irons using the carry handle I feel confortable that way. The holosight up front also helps me getting a fast target acquisition.
The muzzle device is a AGW linear muzzle device to prevent the concussion on guys next to me.
 
Hilo71 said:
My contribution:[
Click to expand...

Wow nice job!!! Yours is pretty much what I'm aiming for.

You managed to find the KAC Front sight?? I've been trolling everywhere and not had any luck. Got any leads? ;-)


I just managed to score a nice new M3X tan LED with the double switch brand new on ebay, I think he has more left. That damn double switch sometimes sells from $99 to $300 alone lol. It was the first time I found one that would ship to Canada.


I've started my clone uppers as well, have the M4A1 RIS II thanks to One Shot and a DD 14.5" barrel on the way. No way in heck I'm buying another Elcan, I'll simply move it and re-zero.

Nice job!
 
There are a multitude of operator options one can fit to a MK18 platform. The key is the rail system and barrel. KAC RIS or RAS for the MOD 0, and the MOD 1 the RIS II.
Lights: seen just about any surefire and Insight, but primarily the Tan M3x, and surefire scout in tan.
Foregirps: seen AFG, CQD, Knights, Tango Down, None, RVG, Larue handstop, and even the Grippod.
Stocks: CTR, Sopmod, MOE, old Colt style, new colt M4, VLTOR Imod new and old.

741266_574720299210332_2116837862_o.jpg


alg-navy-seal-iraq-jpg.jpg
 
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