Soldier Systems Daily Soldier Systems Daily

Homebrew Blood Diamond Carbine by Frank Woods

October 6th, 2019

I’ve been wanting to do a Blood Diamond CAR-15/XM177/GAU-5/whatever you’d call it for a long time now, and with Brownells, Inc. putting a bunch of parts I needed for it within reach via their Retro line, I was finally able to get to it.

There are some obvious inconsistencies between mine and the movie version (pics included for comparison,) primarily the light (I had extra M600Us laying around and didn’t feel like paying extra money for the lesser Surefire 660 light,) and the Teal Blue Bravo PDQ ambi bolt catch/release (because it’s 2019 and none of my USGI forged lowers don’t have one, for sake of consistency.)

I used Fulton Armory receivers since they make the A2 upper receiver with M4 feed ramps, and went with one of their lowers to have a matched set. Barrel is a Brownell’s Retro Series 10.3″ 1/7 twist, and the stock and A1 grip come from the Retro line also. I had the faux moderator laying in the parts bin for YEARS waiting for the other parts to come along, well before the Brownell’s Retro line existed.

Aimpoint is a PRO 2MOA that didn’t have a rifle to sit on, but since it looks externally the same as the OG Aimpoint CompM2, fuck it, why not. It sits on an ARMS #2 carry handle rail mount, in an Aimpoint SRW-L mount I procured with help from a friend.

I did my due diligence trying to replicate the patterning of the rattle can colors as they appeared on the movie gun itself, the side we could see anyway. Colors used were Aervoe Olive Drab, Field Drab, and a little bit of Marine Corps Green, and the Dark Brown was either Krylon or Rust-Oleum, I don’t remember which. I misted it with some ODG & MCG once the overall painting was finished. Since I couldn’t find OD Green camo form wrap in stock anywhere I went with olive drab USGI style duct tape to secure the light’s ST-07 switch to the rifle.

The Surefire M14 style light mount clamp had to be shaved down on the grinder wheel a bit to fit it through the slot in the FSB, and I didn’t need the M10 ring to secure the light since the integrated 1913 mount on the Scout body clamped onto the light mount’s rail perfectly.

Magazine is an old ass pre-ban USGI mag that has this cool patina to it. I went with a Magpul MS1 sling because the tension adjustment is second nature to me being that I’ve standardized on this sling otherwise. I *tried* to make it work with an R4 sling but unless I ONLY had the sling around my neck it just fuckin sucked because of the way the fabric would dig into my shoulder when the sling twisted.

I guess I can call this one the “Danny Archer.” Yah yah ?

Posted in Black Rifle, DIY, Guest Post | 11 Comments »

SOF Horsemanship Course

October 5th, 2019

Below, a 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) NCO rides horseback while leading a mule through Humboldt Toiyabe National Forest during the SOF Horsemanship Course at Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center.

The purpose of the horsemanship course is to teach SOF personnel the necessary skills to enable them to ride horses, load pack animals, and maintain animals for military applications in remote and dangerous environments.

Photos by USMC LCpl William Chockey

Posted in SOF, Training | 6 Comments »

MARSOF 2030

October 5th, 2019

The newest of United Special Operations Command’s components, Marine Corps Special Operations Command was founded in 2006, following an experiment with MCSOCOM Detachment-One.

Despite not having a long history in SOF, they also weren’t burdened with an organizational structure created during the Cold War. Instead, they leveraged capabilities found within the Corps and stood up a command with multiple disciplines including traditional Special Operators, Terminal Attack Controllers, Intelligence specialists, EOD and K9. Just like with standard Marine Corps units, medical support is provided by selected and trained Navy Corpsmen. Furthermore, MARSOC developed specialized training for all of their personnel l including logistics and communications. They have done a fantastic job at operationalize all of these capabilities.

If I were in one of the other components, I’d read this. They are coming for your missions.

MARSOC continues to evolve. This document shows us what they bring to the fight. Download it here.

Posted in Profession of Arms, SOF, USMC | 33 Comments »

Rangers In Action

October 5th, 2019

Enjoy this 1979 production by the US Army Infantry School.

Posted in History | 4 Comments »

CROPS Tactical Update

October 4th, 2019

At the beginning of 2018 the CROPS Company opened its newest devision supporting its clients with reliable, time tested equipment. This year they launched our on line platform.

CROPS Tactical is split into 3 departments:

GREEN – Servicing rural deployments

BLUE – Servicing urban deployments and semi-professional technical equipment

TECHNICAL – A restricted page ONLY available to Defence, Law-Enforcement & Government.

www.cropstactical.com

Posted in Industry | Comments Off on CROPS Tactical Update

Helix Combat Multi Harness

October 4th, 2019

The HCMH (Helix Combat Multi Harness) is the latest addition to their Tactical Climbing Harness range.

It is a fully modular harness system designed specifically for military operational use and has acquired UK helicopter clearances for specialist troop emplaning & deplaning techniques as well as fulfilling high access requirements.

helixtactical.com/Products/Harnesses/Full-Body-Harness-(Modular)/HELIX-Combat-Multi-Harness

Posted in Mountaineering | Comments Off on Helix Combat Multi Harness

NW Alpine Gear – Rock Hoody

October 4th, 2019

Made from Spectra fiber this lightweight over shirt is now available from NW Alpine Gear.

Packable, breathable, and affordable, the Rock Hoody is just $69.

These are hot off the press so you’ll have to contact them to order.

www.nwalpine.com

Posted in Clothing | Comments Off on NW Alpine Gear – Rock Hoody

Sneak Peek – Dark Side Collection from Prometheus Design Werx

October 4th, 2019

The Ti-SST in a limited Black DLC finish is part of PDX’s upcoming Dark Side Collection.

This Survival Stash Tube is waterproof with a built-in, oil filled, 100M depth rated, button compass and primary storage compartment for wilderness survival fire making essentials.

Precision milled from 6AL-4V titanium billet.

Posted in SERE | Comments Off on Sneak Peek – Dark Side Collection from Prometheus Design Werx