Why wasn't the Block II adopted by the U.S Army
Posted by CT2145Trapper@reddit | ForgottenWeapons | View on Reddit | 24 comments
As the name says. the SOPMOD Block I program was originally for USSOCOM, but was eventually put into the hands of regular Army troops. With the Block II, why didn't the army go and adopt it as well. was it too expensive or was the block I upgrades good enough and not worth the cost to upgrade
thatARMSguy@reddit
SOPMOD kits were specifically made for units under SOCOM. Some of those components were really effective and trickled down to conventional infantry. The Army’s M4A1 Modular Weapon System (MWS) adopted the AN/PEQ-2, Aimpoint CompM2, KAC RAS, ACOG, and some other minor accessories from the SOPMOD Block I kit since those were far better than standard M4s with detachable carry handles and clamshell handguards. Some accessories from the Block II kit trickled over as well, mainly the AN/PEQ-15 laser. For the uses of the infantry, there wasn’t any need to replace the optics with the new ones in the Block II, nor to replace the RAS with the RIS II. Not only would it be expensive and time consuming, but the benefits they gave were neither applicable to the average soldier nor would the average soldier be expected to be well trained enough to notice a difference
CT2145Trapper@reddit (OP)
That makes sense. The block 1 Rails are already pretty stable, and the FSP doesnt really hinder anything.
CT2145Trapper@reddit (OP)
If y'all couldnt tell. im talking about the conventional army. not the rangers, or green berets. Im talking about guys in the 3rd ID or the 1st Cav
Not_DC1@reddit
3ID and 1CAV couldn’t procure a Domino’s pizza if they wanted to
SandMan2439@reddit
For whatever it’s worth when i was in (army infantry) we used the same ACOG and PeQ15 from the block 2
CT2145Trapper@reddit (OP)
Yeah. I was mostly wondering about the rails. I know we got some of the other stuff, like the Magpul and B5 Stocks as well. but the rails were my main question
Anaxamander57@reddit
Because a gun with all those optics on it would be really had to use.
CT2145Trapper@reddit (OP)
You could be like those guys in the early gwot using ACOGs as magnifiers for their M68s and Eotechs.
RamTank@reddit
Just get those multi-rail adapters from H3VR.
Skullkan6@reddit
Seems like a massive overcomplication.
TomShoe@reddit
I don't think I've ever seen that 12.5 RIS II upper before, interesting.
GaegeSGuns@reddit
The Army didn’t really adopt Block I. They separately procured specific parts that were also procured in Block I. They also procured some specific parts that came with Block II.
MountainTitan@reddit
Who said they didn't adopt Block I? That was what they got in the early days of GWOT. Then, they "adopted" "Block 1.5", which is never discussed anywhere besides AR-15 related forum. Now, it's a mixbag of Block I and II with some totally new accessories, like the current M68 CCO is no longer a CompM2, but a CompM4 and CompM4s.
GaegeSGuns@reddit
If they adopted Block I then where are all the NT-4 silencers that should have shipped with their complete kits
MountainTitan@reddit
You know Rangers are just a regiment of the Army?
GaegeSGuns@reddit
You know the Rangers have special procurement right? Did the Army “adopt” the FN SCAR? And this dude is asking “why wasn’t Block II adopted” when the Rangers used Block II. So he obviously isn’t talking about the Rangers either.
MountainTitan@reddit
They are still part of the Army - 75th Ranger Regiment. So yes, the Army did adopt.
RamTank@reddit
Under that logic anything Delta or SF adopts also counts as "adopted by the army".
GaegeSGuns@reddit
They’re under the control of Army Special Operations Command. So no, the Army didn’t. Try to actually understand the question instead of twisting words to be right like a 5th grader. Special Operations procurement has nothing to do with the rest of the Army and you’re a pseudointellectual for bringing it up in the first place.
CT2145Trapper@reddit (OP)
That makes sense, i just thought it was a full procurement but looking at it closer, there were a lot of things big army didnt procure like the ACOG reflex sight and the Peq5 (At least to my knowledge)
MWolverine1@reddit
It is partially in service much like Block I, the Army is buying RIS IIs albeit rather slowly however they use the version with the FSP cutout
MountainTitan@reddit
Where did you get this stupid information? From special units? You know even Rangers are now using URGI. The rest of the Army is still using KAC RAS. In fact, the latest M4 contract was from Colt in December 2024. The newest looking M4 in the Army is some Colt M4 with laser engraving, instead of roll marks, and some were even issued to trainees in basic training.
CT2145Trapper@reddit (OP)
Interesting. i've never seen photos of guys with RIS II rails. i've seen images of soldiers with SOPMOD stocks and Magpul mags, but not those.
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