Dear SSD,
This carbine showed up on “House of Cards”. Is it the first public view of LMT’s Suppressor Upper Receiver Group candidate fir SOCOM or did someone in the prop department give tge actor a rifle with no barrel?
-Karl
Dear Karl,
We’re going to punt and crowdsource this one. Although, we’re leaning toward “short barrel” rather than “SURG”.
Perhaps a reader has some insight?
-SSD
If you’re familiar with the Hodge Defense AU Mod 1, this may look familiar. They use Badger Ordnance’s popular selector lever, but this one is ambidextrous. You may also notice that it’s cut for full-auto.
It was developed in conjunction with Hodge Defense in order to help inform a government requirement. Hopefully, we’ll see these offered for sale soon.
On 12 April, USSOCOM’s Directorate of Procurement released a solicitation for the long anticipated Suppressor Upper Receiver Group.
According to the government, “The SURG weapon upgrade of the M4A1 Lower Receiver Group will allow the Warfighter’s weapon to be optimized for continuous suppressed use.” Interestingly, there’s no requirement that the upper feature an integral suppressor, just that it is suppressed.
Vendors have been working on this project for quite sometime as SOCOM has collected data in order to dial in the requirement. As you can imagine, most of the major players have all teamed up which explains the relatively short lead time until submissions are due.
Potential offerers have until July 13th to answer. Specific information requires an account with Fed Biz Opps.
Visit www.fbo.gov.
Black Creek, GA – April 12, 2016 – Daniel Defense, engineer and manufacturer of the world’s finest firearms and accessories, is pleased to announce that its MK18 Factory SBR rifle will appear on the cover of the upcoming issue of Popular Mechanics. In the May 2016 “Tough Guys”-themed issue, the magazine highlights “The Future of Special Forces,” and its cover features a model decked out in gear typically used by Special Forces operators, including a conspicuously held DD MK18 rifle.
“This is a major accomplishment for us and our Team,” said Daniel Defense Chief Marketing Officer, Cindy Daniel. “Both in terms of prestige and in exposure of our rifle, and our company, to a whole new audience—one not necessarily part of the tactical or hunting communities.”
Daniel Defense leveraged its extensive media relations to get the MK18 featured on the Popular Mechanics cover in order to reach a “more mainstream” audience. While Daniel Defense rifles and products have been featured in various publications over the years, most of those publications were tactical- and/or hunting/outdoor-themed. Popular Mechanics, part of Hearst Direct Media, promotes itself as “the essential handbook for curious, active people” and operates under the tagline “How Your World Works.” Its circulation is 1.2 million, and the magazine is most popular with men between the ages of 35 and 49.
The DD MK18 rifle features the RIS II Rail System Daniel Defense currently provides to US SOCOM, and a 10.3” Cold Hammer Forged Barrel. It has an MSRP of $1749 and is available directly from Daniel Defense (www.danieldefense.com) or authorized retailers. Along with the DD MK18, several other best-selling tactical products are featured on the PM cover and within the issue, including a SureFire SOCOM Series 5.56mm suppressor, a Tactical Night Vision Company Tactical Application Pressure Switch (TNVC TAPS), and an Insight ATPIAL-C (AN/PEQ-15) Advanced Target Pointer/Illuminator Aiming Laser.
The May 2016 Popular Mechanics issue hits newsstands the week of April 11, 2016. To learn more about the magazine or to read highlighted stories, visit: www.popularmechanics.com.
During a recent not-so-hostile takeover, Hodge Defense Systems became Marisol Defense. Already, logo items are starting to show up. Oddly enough, everyone now wants a ‘Marisol’ as demand for Hodge guns wanes.
More details soon.
Adam Mattis, President of R3 Strategic Consultancy is proud to announce the launch of a new AR manufacturer owned by US Army Veteran, Kody Karch. Patriot Weaponry aim to stand out in a sea of black-gun makers by producing what they dub to be the “Ferrari of ARs.” In partnership with Proof Research, Kody builds each weapon to the customers taste utilizing the finest in carbon fiber, titanium, and precision modified components. Give them a look!
Patriot Weaponry – Launch from R3 Strategic on Vimeo.
The United States Secret Service has released a requirement for a new rifle. They plan to hold an industry day April 4th, 2016 to discuss the requirement in depth with rifle manufacturers. The planned contract life is a minimum of five years and 10,000 rifles with 10 magazines each.
Based on discussions with individuals close to the requirement and documentation obtained by SSD, it seems that they are seeking a 5.56 NATO replacement for the MP-5.
Ultimately, there’s nothing shocking in the requirement. They want a 3MOA carbine with a 10-12″ barrel capable of 20k Rounds. Word is, offerers get bonus points for an adjustable gas block and folding stock.
From the Draft Statement of Work:
Dimensional Requirements:
Height (no taller than, w/o accessories) 8.5 inches
Weight (no heavier than, w/o accessories) 7.5 pounds
O/A Length (no longer than, w/stock fully extended) 34 inches
Barrel length (min – max)
10-12 inches
Rifling (5.56)
1 turn in 7 inch twist RH
The barrel shall have a minimum service life of 20,000 rounds.
Operating System
The weapon shall utilize a direct-impingement gas-operated system or a short-stroke gas piston system.
Mode of Fire.
The weapon shall be selective fire, i.e. semi-automatic and full automatic. A “burst limiter” in the full-automatic mode is not acceptable.
Fire Selector.
The fire control selector shall be ambidextrous in design, and be a single lever paddle mounted on the side of the receiver, adjacent to the rear pistol grip, thereby not requiring the shooter to significantly break their firing grip when actuating.
The fire control selector shall be a rotary type and shall have three positions; safe, semi-automatic and automatic and shall rotate manually without binding from one position to another.
While the rifle must have a Picatinny compatible free float rail, the requirements for the trigger, butt stock, pistol grip and charging handle are all very straight forward. It sounds like Mil-Spec is just fine. Backup Iron Sights must be compatible with the Aimpoint T-2.
Learn more at www.fbo.gov
You had to be there, but oh was it fun!
