How to build a MK18 MOD 1

[Gabriel]

FEEL FREE TO ADD TO THIS IF YOU NOTICE ANYTHING WRONG

So, a lot of people are jumping on the MK18 bandwagon, myself included. This guide is to help you build as faithful a MK18 MOD 1 replica as airsoft should allow. Now, there are some parts (and MANY accessories) that are interchangeable, and those will be separated. However, there are certain parts that are REQUIRED to be a proper MOD 1. *I will include links, but it's always a good idea to shop around*

MOST IMPORTANT

Barrel
Proper length is 10.3 inches. There are many options for barrels, but one of the best replicas is the Madbull DD 10.3 Government Profile Carbine. www.airsoftgi.com/product_info.php?products_id=12002

Rail
This is one of the most important parts of a MOD 1 build. There are a lot of rails, a lot of 9.5" rails, a lot of DD rails, a lot of dark earth rails, but only 1 rail that is completly accurite: A DD 9.5 RIS II Dark Earth. This rail is getting VERY hard to find in the US, so be ready to order from Hong Kong. Even then, they are getting hard to find. The only place that I know of that still has them in stock is AirsoftCarolina. www.airsoftcarolina.com/?p=514 There may be others, but this is one that I found.

Body
This one is the real pain. The body has to be an engraved Colt Metal body. This item is also getting hard to find in the US. I couldn't find one, but thats probably due to lack of effort. Either way, here is one link: gpairsoft-usa.com/shop/en/30577-gp-airsoft-m4a1-metal-body-colt-m4a1-gp174-for-airsoft-gun.html

That is what you need for the base build. From here, its less important, but some gear whores will still get on you for it.

Less Important

KAC QD Suppressor
This is not required, but will greatly increase the look of your rifle. It is HIGHLY suggested you get one, but like everything else, is not required. www.ebairsoft.com/5ku101-style-silencer-14mm-p-5752.html

KAC BUIS
This one is a slight misnomer, as the only REQUIRED one is the KAC folding front sight. The rear can be what you want, but KAC is suggested. This is one point where most people don't care, as Magpul MBUS and others are becoming more and more popular. But for you try-hards, here's the first link I found: (rear) www.amazon.com/600M-Micro-Flip-Rear-Sight/dp/B004WH7J3I (front) www.amazon.com/MICRO-FLIP-SIGHT-FRNT-RAIL/dp/B005G894OY/ref=pd_sim_sg_1

Rail Covers
This one can be easily overlooked. Covers have been seen, but rail ladders are the most popular. These can be hard to find as well. www.amazon.com/Handguard-Ladder-Rail-Cover-pack/dp/B005ACRQZK

Stocks
This is another place where you have a lot of leeway. Everything from crane stock, VLTOR MOD stock, LE Stock, and Magpul CTR have been used. Some where only experimental and have only a few picks, but the most popular is the LE. However, the LE is not the only one allowed. With the number of options you have, I don't see the need to include a link.

Accessories

This is where the line between required and preference turns grey. There are a TON of options for optics, lights, and lasers. Most accesories are acceptable, but it is always good to make sure. These are the ones that I could find, but there are many more.

Optics
Specter DR www.ebairsoft.com/specterdr-magnifier-scope-illuminated-crosshair-p-2834.html
EO Tech 553 www.evike.com/product_info.php?cPath=32_182&products_id=26592
Magnifier (Rarely used) www.airsoftgi.com/product_info.php?cPath=36_510&products_id=5019

Foregrips
Tango Down VFG tangodown.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=26&products_id=49

Lasers
PEQ 15 www.airsoftatlanta.com/Amoeba-Optics-PEQ-15-Red-Airsoft-Laser-Flashlight-p/34290.htm

Lights
Streamlight M3x www.guardiantacticalllc.com/store/products/streamlight-m3x-tactical-illuminator-mx3-000-a2

*Please note, it is preferable if stock, pistol grip, and all accessories are FDE in color. This is not a HUGE detail, but you will get bonus points for it*

Hope I didn't screw this up to much.

[Knife]

Wrong light, it is an Insight SU233. The Surefire X300 is not part of the Block II kit, nor is the PEQ16. The PEQ16 is pretty much a USMC only item right now. There are a couple of photos with the X300 in use, but I would not recommend it for a MK18. They are a better pistol light than they are rifle.

I'm not really sure how you can include the stocks you listed, but leave out both the LE and older CAR15 style stocks. Both have been seen in use. The CTR and EMOD are not part of the Block II kit, but are used. If you're going by what is used, you need to include the other stocks. If you're only going by what is part of the Block II kit, then it needs to be changed.

Front sight is incorrect. It is just a standard KAC front sight in FDE, not the micro.

www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?app=core&module=attach§ion=attach&attach_rel_module=post&attach_id=428853

[Gabriel]

^Owned by the MOD. Corrections will be made.

[ctres]

Done.

Also, I'll throw out there, as I often do, the mk18 mod 1 is not an official designation as far as I know (feel free to correct me if there is evidence to the contrary). Only the MK18 Mod 0 was a real weapon system, and was assembled specifically for NSW by NSWC. The mk18 mod 0 is actually different than the m4 cqbr. The MK18 Mod 1 is actually just an M4 CQBR with an DD rail and the SOPMOD block II accessory kit.

IIRC the MK18 mod 0 had the 10.3 barrel, and some of those 10.3 inch barrels ened up on "MK18 Mod 1s" used by NSW, but the rest of the "MK18 Mod 1s" out there used by the Army and such actually have the 10.5 inch barrel that was on the m4 CQBR.

Also, the surefire 556RC was selected by SOCOM to replace the KAC can. The Eotech EXPS is now in use as well as that funky new insight light seen in the Fuerza Commando 2012 pics. I think these may be sort of a block 3 if you will. Block II has been around for 5+ years now after all.

Another thing, why all the links to specific airsoft products? Might as well not link at all, or at least link to the real ones to prevent any confusion.

[Gabriel]

This is the picture I was looking for. Its a little different. Do you know which one is more up to date before I start a massive overhaul of corrections?

[Deacon]

SU-231A and SU-253 are missing from that kit list. I'd take a photo of the Promo Poster hanging in our halls but... I'm pretty sure that would get me murdered by my work.

[ctres]

You have to remember that some of that stuff isn't explicitly issued as part of the block II kit AFIK, a lot of it just rolls over from older kit/super common stuff such as the CAR 15 and LE stocks that Knife mentioned. The same goes for the SF m900, m962, and a few other things between those two pics.

I'm not really a fan of these "one size fits all" guides to the mk18 since you really need to understand that it is just a progression with spill over from old stuff, plus a variety of private purchases. Your guide as it stands right now is pretty much fine. If someone has no idea what a mk18 mod 1 is, it will tell them basically what they need to know. My corrections are kind of nitpicky, but seeing as this is a guide that others might end up referencing, I feel like they deserved to be mentioned. If you know enough about it to explain why there is some variance then I would say go ahead and do so. If not, anyone looking at this thread will see this discussion if they bother to read the first page.

[Gabriel]

Alright. I was trying to throw together a basic guide since its a pain to try and find everything, but since its not even an official designation I can see now that it is almost impossible to do. Note to self: Don't make guides for weapons that don't have set lists.

[ctres]

Well, there is an "official" list of stuff that goes on a block II m4 CQBR, and Knife's first picture nailed it. I was just pointing out that the designation "mk18 mod 1" doesn't really exist. The issue really isn't the fact that the name doesn't exist, it's just that stuff varies a lot depending on supply and operator preference, time period, etc.

There is nothing wrong with your guide, it sets the basics out there, but there is kind of a discrepancy that Knife pointed out: Do you want to list everything that is OFFICIALLY designated for the Block II kit, or an entire list of everything that is widely considered "Kosher" for a block II build but might not explicitly be on the official list.

[Gabriel]

OK, thank you for the suggestion. I will work on that for the next couple days.

[Knife]

MK18 MOD1s dont have set lists in particular. MK18 MOD 0s are a particular rifle which was seen in very limited quantities and pretty specific configurations. The CQBR (Close Quarters Battle Receiver) isn't a rifle, but an upper receiver for M4

Block II accessories are specific listed for the most part. I'm not sure that there was ever a list in that same way for the Block I accessories. The AN/PEQ-2 and AN/PEQ-5 (CVL) are not really that appropriate either. The CVL in particular wasn't that common to begin with, and I don't think I've seen it on a modern weapon either.

Both of those images are rather Navy specific. They also include a lot of older accessories that aren't part of the block II kit. The Aimpoint with Wilcox mount was pretty much only used by NSW. The LMT rear sight is not really appropriate for MOD 1s because they do not have fixed front sights. I do not believe they are necessarily official either. I know there are some slides from a SOCOM or some such presentation that might be a bit more official.

Putting together a good guide is difficult. Some guides are a lot more difficult to piece together than others as well (Part of the reason I've only done my MFR guide and not any of the others I have considered). You really need to research whatever you're trying to write about.

[Gabriel]

Yeah, turns out 2 afternoons of research isn't enough. I posted this guide, so i'll fix it, but I'm probably not going to try this again. Much respect to the people who can pull off good ones.

[Gimpalong]

Is the Block II rail system always issued in FDE or is there a black variant as well?

[ctres]

For all intents and purposes, go FDE. Rumor has it that there were a few black ones during testing or due to short production or something of the like, but AFIK it hasn't been documented, and it would have been years ago by now anyways.

[Gabriel]

Apr 15, 2013 10:43:41 GMT -5 ctres said:

For all intensive purposes, go FDE. Rumor has it that there were a few black ones during testing or due to short production or something of the like, but AFIK it hasn't been documented, and it would have been years ago by now anyways.

Like most things with this rifle varient, almost everything has been seen, but its not common, and certainly not standard/issued.