I’m a new member here on M4Carbine.net and I’m seeking a little advice on a future decision that I will be making in regards to a Clone Build. As Stated in the subject above I’m looking at doing a SOPMOD Block II build and I can’t decide weather I should go with a DD M4A1 URG or a BCM 16" Middy URG with the RIS II rail mounted on it. I know both are quality URG’s but what I’m curious to know is the performance of each. I had heard that DD sometimes alters their Gas Port sizes to make it more “valuable” on the commercial market and cycle a more wide range of ammo (mostly crappy .223), so is this true? Also I know the quality that BCM has is outstanding but if you could inform me about their product, things such as gas port size, reliability, performance, accuracy, that would be great. Also that same information on the DD would be appreciated as well! 
Not to cut hairs but wouldn’t an M4A1 be a carbine length gas system? if you want to really go clone why not go with a Colt upper? While fit and finish(mostly finish) might not be quite as even as a BCM it is milspec and would be more original to a clone build I would think.
With the sale that BCM is running right now I think it would be hard to pass up on one of their uppers.
As far as accuracy, reliability, etc I think it’s sixes. Both are high quality.
Out of the Colt URG’s what would you recommend? Something like a SOCOM II? Also I know the original was running a Carbine length gas system and I know the DD is carbine length as well. I don’t mind there being some variations in the Gas system and URG. I guess I was asking more about the URG’s themselves, sorry about that Kain, but thank you for the reply!
A clone build requires a Colt. Anything else isn’t a clone… Maybe it’s a doppelganger? Or fraternal twin?
Koshinn What would be your recommened Colt upper if you going to do one? Is there a specific Colt URG that you would choose for it? Sorry everyone for my general noob questions and statements…
Something similar to this:
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=453759540
Not saying that this is your best option, but in terms of a Colt upper that is similar to the real deal MK18 this would be a choice worth considering. Also now worries regarding the questions, we all have them and hopefully the replies from all will help you in your decision.
I would build it myself. Assuming that the funds are there.
Iraqgunz How would you build it? (not being a smart ass, I just want to know)
You know it’s a hard question. How do true do you want it? I’m not big into clone builds (especially if they are going to cost a fortune) over a similar build that is practical. What lower are you going to use?
I would be tempted to get a BCM 14.5C barrel (Simply because they are good barrels and you can get it dimpled for use with the GB), a Colt upper, Colt lower and use the DD RIS II rail. Then add the KAC sights, etc…
Right now components are plentiful and you can get all of this stuff everywhere.
Iraqgunz I guess what I was looking for/asking about is what you just stated a similar but practical build as opposed to a carbon copy clone build. I guess I could have worded my original question better. As for the lower I have the lower that was recently offered through G&R Tactical, the FDE BCM lower receiver they were selling.
Someone posted a link above to something on GB. In my opinion that thing was overpriced. The point I am making is that you need to decide if having a clone (as in exact) is important, or having an almost clone with the similar components and different brand names is less important. And there is the issue of the 14.5" SBR upper or are you going to do a pin/weld deal?
Having done a bit of research on building a regular M4 clone recently, in my opinion, the best way to build a true clone would be to start with a LE6920 SOCOM model and replace the barrel with a pinned 14.5" barrel (Colt or your preferred brand), then part out the handguard and barrel that came with it to recoup some of your initial cost. That would give you the Colt M4A1 roll mark, which I think should be included in a true clone, and I think it would be cheaper in the long run than trying to find individual Colt components. Colt lowers seem to be getting more expensive lately; using GB as an example, regular 6920 complete lowers have gone up from around $400 to $500 or higher, and the SOCOM lowers are always more expensive. Colt lowers generally come from complete rifles that were parted out, so the sellers try to make more than the original price of the rifle by breaking it up. As IG said though, it all depends on how close of a clone you want. I may try to put together an M4A1 clone someday, and that’s how I’d approach it.
Dave
I got a Colt M4 lower recently for 309.00-ish. Also, Surplus Arms and Ammo is selling the 6920 with Colt M4 rollmark right now for 799.00. That could also be a good start as you would have a BCG, upper, etc…
>>> CLONE <<<
http://www.gandrtactical.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=SP63528
http://www.gandrtactical.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=SP65054
http://www.gandrtactical.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=SP64028
Good luck finding a DD RIS II in FDE
I’d guess this upper would be closest to what the Army would start with when making a Block 2: http://www.gandrtactical.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=LE6921CK
Did all the M4A1’s have the RIS II or were some still in orig config with the FSB?
IG, Are the BCM SOCOM Bbl good?
Thanks
http://www.rockmountaintactical.com/Daniel-Defense-M4A1-RIS-II-DDM4RII.htm
Threads like this are sort of funny since I have yet to see one of these rail systems in the wild, except in pics. I think there’s probably more “SOPMOD Block II” clones in the civilian world than there are in the military.
I continue to see tons of rifles with the KAC RAS on them, though.
Plenty still have the KAC rail with FSB.
This is a good example of an M4A1 with Block II components:
Lots of good information here everybody, thanks for the help I know now what I need and where to get it from!