Airsoft Canada - NSW VBSS Mk18 Mod 0

This project was in the works for 8 months.Acquiring the right parts and such took most of the time.I tried to replicate the REAL STEEL Mk18 Mod 0,but i added my own flavor into it.So lets not waste anymore time.Here it is:

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...0/IMG_1905.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...0/IMG_1907.jpg

Tribute to some fallen Navy Seals the inspire most of us.Here is the wiki link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Red_Wing

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...0/IMG_1908.jpg
Mk18 Mod 0 used by NAVSPECWAR (Naval Special Warfare) operators

Background:

The M4 and M16 are not ideally suited for all missions, so it was proposed that the modularity of the M16 series would allow a user to replace the upper receiver of an existing weapon with one more suitable to the task. One of two proposed special mission receivers that were planned for inclusion into the SOPMOD Block II kit, the CQBR has taken off on its own. Like the proposed Special Purpose Receiver, the Close Quarters Battle Receiver has been more or less taken on by the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (often referred to as NSWC-Crane or just "Crane") as its own project following the CQBR's removal from the SOPMOD program. Just as the Special Purpose Receiver morphed into the Special Purpose Rifle, and was type-classified as Mk 12 Mod 0/1, the complete CQBR-equipped carbine has been type-classified as the Mk 18 Mod 0.

The purpose of the CQBR remains to provide operators with a weapon of submachine gun size, but firing a rifle cartridge, for scenarios such as VIP protection, urban warfare, and other close quarters battle (CQB) situations. The CQBR is designed to provide improvement over previous AR-15/M16-type weapons in this category. The CQBR is usually issued as a complete weapon system, and not just an upper receiver. The CQBR was once only available to Naval Special Warfare units, but the Mk 18 Mod 0 has become general issue for Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) missions. NCIS agents deploying to active combat zones are also issued the Mk 18 as of summer 2006.

The short 10.3 in (262 mm) barrel length requires special modifications to reliably function. The gas port is opened from 0.062 to 0.070 in (0.16 to 0.18 mm). A one-piece McFarland gas ring replaces the three-piece gas ring set. The standard 4-coil extractor spring is replaced with a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) 5-coil spring. An O-ring surrounds the extractor spring.

Specifications:

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...0/IMG_1910.jpg

- Upper and lower receivers: The lower receiver is a Colt M16A1 (Straight not curved under the front pin).Upper receiver is a M4A1 has the C & B trade just under neat the top rail.Both parts are made from TM.The grip is a G&P M16A1 grip with the Heat-sink motor plate.Plus the rear sling adapter is VFC CQD Sling Mount which is replicated from the CQD RSM sling adapter plate.Magazine catch,trigger guard and charging handle is by King Arms.Engraving stamp done by djbordie.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...0/IMG_1918.jpg

- Sights: Initially, detachable carrying handles cut down so that only the rear sight assembly was used. However, most of these have been replaced with the similar, commercially-made Lewis Machine & Tool adjustable rear sight. Also seen is the Real Aimpoint CompM2 in a Wilcox Industries Corp. 30mm aimpoint mount.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...0/IMG_1916.jpg

- Stock: A variety of M4 retractable buttstocks are used on a standard 4-position receiver extension. Most often seen is the SOPMOD stock, often referred to as the "Crane stock", created by Dave Armstrong of NSWC-Crane. The angled stock offers better cheekweld as well as providing two storage compartments for spare batteries. The stock must be removed from the weapon to access the storage compartments. The initial run of stocks was made by NSWC-Crane from glass fiber polymer. Because of this, they were somewhat fragile and did not always properly lock into the receiver extension. A rubber band was used to secure the latch so it would not slide out of the desired position. The current SOPMOD stocks are made by Lewis Machine & Tools and have none of the problems. But here you see the G&P Crane Stock & Buffer tube modified to look like the OLD LMT Crane Sopmod Stock.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...0/IMG_1922.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...0/IMG_1920.jpg

- Barrel: The Mk18 uses a standard 1:7 in (178 mm) twist M4 barrel that has been reduced in length to 10.3 in (262 mm). The diameter of the barrel under the handguards is 1.17 in (29.7 mm). The KAC M4-QD flash suppressor is fitted, allowing use of the KAC QDSS-NT4 suppressor (National Stock Number 1005-01-437-0324). Although it has a bayonet lug, the CQBR is not meant to be fitted with one. The one here is 10.3" custom barrel.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...0/IMG_1913.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...0/IMG_1919.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...0/IMG_1914.jpg

- Handguards: The standard handguard for the CQBR is the Knight's Armament Company Rail Interface System (M4 Carbine RIS; National Stock Number 1005-01-416-1089), which is designed for a variety of barrel profiles and allows for the use of any MIL-STD-1913 tactical accessories such as the VFC AN/PEQ-2 and vertical forward grip. The weapon light is Surefire M951XM07 Millennium Universal WeaponLight System Dual Thumbscrew Mount/M49 with the FM63 Infrared Filter plus the XM07 Tailcap Switch Assembly.

Here are some final pictures:

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...0/IMG_1923.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...0/IMG_1924.jpg

Internals:

Systema Turbo Set with the Systema M120 Spring,Deepfire Titanium Piston Head and Systema Silent Head Set
9.6v 1700mah NIMH Crane Style Battery
TM 2-piece hop up unit with Systema Hop up rubber
Systema Tightbore Inner Barrel 6.03 (247mm)

Comments,Flames and your 0.02 cents.Thanks for looking :D