The world of service rifles is pretty standard, at least among conventional forces, but once we start looking into more specialized roles, we began to see a bit of variety pop up. And there are few more specialized roles within the military than serving in the one and only U.S. Army Special Forces, also known as Green Berets.
Special Forces operate at the pointy end of America’s foreign policy, often fighting in remote areas and alongside foreign allied or partnered forces. As such, they have specialized tools to accomplish their mission, and that includes their main rifle.
The Core Green Beret Rifle
The core Green Beret rifle seems to be the M4A1 Block 2 rifle set. The ‘Block’ rifles refer to a certain setup and accessory package utilized by Special Operations forces. Green Berets have access to any number of rifles, including Sniper rifles, DMRs, Anti-material rifles, submachine guns, and much more, so it’s a solid vote in the platform’s favor that the M4A1 is the main rifle of these Special Operations commandos.
Like standard M4s, the gun utilizes a 14.5-inch barrel, a flat-top upper receiver, collapsing stock, and railed handguard.
Related: Designated Marksman: The infantry squad’s long-distance solution
The M4A1 eliminates the burst fire function from the old M4 and provides semi-automatic and full-auto firing modes. Eliminating the burst feature improved the trigger response in the weapon, allowing for greater accuracy. Block 2 rifles typically eliminate the famed A-frame front sight post and extend the rail a fair bit beyond where the FSP would sit.
This allows accessories to be mounted closer to the muzzle, and for lights and laser aiming devices, this can be quite valuable. The closer the light is mounted to the end of the rifle, the less shadow it will create. The laser can be mounted to the top and as far forward as the soldier would like. It also allows the Green beret rifle to be more ergonomic and allow for an aggressive and modern shooting style.
CQBR – The Other Upper
The second most common option you’ll see on the Green beret rifle is a replacement of the standard M4A1 upper receiver with the CQBR upper receiver. CQBR stands for close-quarters battle receiver and mounts to a standard M4A1 lower receiver to produce a shorter and handier rifle for a fight indoors.
CQBR uppers feature 10.3-inch barrels. Shorter barrels are better utilized for clearing rooms, operating in and out of vehicles, and other special mission sets, but the shorter barrel decreases velocity and doesn’t offer the same accuracy over longer ranges as the standard M4A1 upper.
Furniture
Furniture on a firearm doesn’t refer to a couch and table set. It refers to the stock, handguards, and similar ergonomic accessories that adorn the rifle. The Green Beret rifle tends to be a bit more unique than most, and it seems like the individual soldier is given plenty of leeway on how they equip their rifles.
Handguards – Block 2 M4A1s utilize the Daniel Defense M4A1 RIS II rail system. This quad rail system extends almost to the end of the barrel and allows for plenty of space to mount accessories and do-dads. It’s incredibly rugged and well made.
Forward Grips – Forward grips vary between operators, and it seems like the Magpul Angled Foregrip is quite popular, as is the classic Knights Armament grip and stubby variants of the Tango Down grips. These provide a bit more control to the control and offer an index point that’s always the same. This ensures you can easily grab the rifle the same way every time.
Stocks – Stocks also vary widely between operators. In the wild, we’ve seen standard M4 stocks, old-school CAR 15 stocks, LMT SOPMOD stocks, various Magpul stocks, and more. The various stocks provide different levels of stability and support depending on the operator’s needs. Stock choice may vary for personal comfort or to better conform to specific optic’s use.
Optics
Various seems to be a word that constantly applies to the Green Beret rifle. It speaks to their varied mission set, and the amount of freedom operators have when choosing their rifles and accessories. Here’s a brief rundown on the different types of optics we commonly see adorning the average Green Beret rifle. This is not a complete list, but it covers the most common optics.
Eotech SU-231/SU-231A
The Eotech series are the most common close quarters optic we see in service with the Green Berets. These holographic optics offer a heads-up display type layout that maximizes peripheral vision. The multi-use reticle excels for close-quarters fighting and offers range estimation out to 400 yards. When paired with the Eotech G33 3x magnifier, you have a very capable close to moderate range optic.
Elcan SpecterDR
The Elcan SpecterDR is an interesting optic that features two modes, a 1X mode for close-quarters combat and a 4x mode for more precise, long-range shots. This gives the Green Beret rifle a very simple but versatile rifle scope.
Aimpoint T1/T2
The T1 and T2 series are mini red dot optics that provide a very lightweight and simple option for close-quarters fighting. Additionally, it’s common for the T1/T2 series to be mounted as offset backup optics to magnified optics.
Nightforce ATACR 1-8X24
As low power variable optics become more popular, it’s not a shock to see the average Green beret rifle rocking them. The ATACR is the latest LPVO to be adopted by SOCOM and to be fielded by Special Forces. The very versatile magnification range allows these troops to reach out and touch a target or dial it back for close-range shooting.
Lasers
The main laser system in use by SOCOM and Green Berets is the classic PEQ 15. This compact device allows operators to use IR and standard lasers for aiming purposes. Green Berets use these mostly with night vision, and they allow you to aim and fire your rifle with NODs in your face.
Lights
The Green Beret rifle commonly wears a white for situations where NODs are not viable. The standard SOCOM-approved light is the rugged and reliable Insight WMX200. The WMX200 is very tough and can take a beating but packs an underwhelming 200 lumens of power.
The Surefire Scout models are becoming more popular and pack anywhere from 600 to 1,000 lumens depending on the variant. This offers substantially more light power for longer-range use.
Suppressors
The use of suppressors on service rifles does wonders to improve communication, help preserve situational awareness and even protect a shooter’s ears a bit more than an unsuppressed weapon. The Green Beret rifle will most commonly utilize either the Knights Armament NT4 or the Surefire Socom RC.
Both suppressors proved their reliability during decades of war. They work well to reduce concussion and even reduce muzzle rise and recoil. The Socom RC is almost a half-pound lighter than the NT4 and tends to be the more modern option.
Green Beret rifles genuinely rule
The Green Beret rifle is a perfect representation of both the modularity of the AR platform and the versatility of the Green Berets. Their varied mission set has these Special Forces soldiers fighting in a multitude of different environments and doing a wide variety of tasks. As such, they need a rifle that can keep up. It most certainly seems like the modern M4A1 Block 2 keeps up.
I think all you military people are ignorant war mongers who love to shoot guns as well as your mouths. I went to Canada as a conscientious objector leaving behind all loved ones for what I believed was ethically correct. The Vietnam citizen only wanted to be left alone. They threw out the French and Japanese. The Afghans threw out the Russians as well as the Americans and never had any real sound government and doubtfully ever will.
Most of you can’t write a sentence without a four letter word. Please consider going back to school or any mental stimulation before verbalizing who killed whom or who was the biggest liar in their military exploits.
You faggots are lucky grammar doesnt kill you.
Remember today is veterans day and if you served I thank you for your time given to protect and serve this great country. As for what is better or best that is mostly personal preference. I admit that I know nothing about todays weapon systems
But I do know that a good man with a rifle beats the hell out of a bad one let’s hope that in near future wars will be banned by all countries. Best of luck on your discussion just keep in friendly.
What the actual hell? You’re on the wrong forum honey. Congrats you voodoo-ed your man back but this is about combat rifles.
Wrong in the laser. Spec ops teams across the board have not used the peq 15 probably since 2005 or 6. We started using the LA5 laser system. Much smaller and had a few different upgrades from the older version peq 15..
3/75 Rangers Lead the Way!
I’m not gonna straight up call you a liar, but we still used the peq when I was in in 12. So it’s not across the board. (Although, maybe you’re only speaking army, I was marines). Regardless, I’ve used both fairly extensively. And I find the peq much more reliable, and prefer using it in most instances.
This article is pretty accurate. A few minor tweaks, our 14.5″ bbl’s are heavy barrels, unlike the 14.5″ bbl on the standard M4. The heavy bbl helps with sustained rate of fire, since it a better heat sink.
PEQ-15 is still used as a substitute. They stay in S4, since all our rifles have LA-5’s. If an LA-5 goes down and the team doesn’t have a spare, we hit up the ODB for a PEQ-15.
A handful of our guys are running ACOG’s with a Doctor Optic, a couple still like the M68, but most of them sit in S4.
SARIT armorers installed some Daniel Defense rails, but we are still running KAC’s on the rest.
White lights are a real hodge-podge, since each team member has their own preference, too many to list.
No comment on the HK416’s, since we never got those issued to the company, but the Crane 10.5″ uppers we got issued are DI gas and they rock. Whomever thinks DI is a POS probably never spent time in Group, or if they did they were non tabbed in Bn Support or non tabbed on the ODB or civilians that read too much armchair banter on the internet or Soldier of Fiction.
My only gripe with the 10.5′ Crane uppers are that the SARIT armorers have to deadline them for excessive throat erosion/barrel replacement every year or two. That being said, those uppers are rode hard, sometimes full auto and see several thousand rounds in just one year, it’s not uncommon to fire 1000 rounds in one range day. I don’t think the majority of civilians would fire that many rounds through their lifetime of ownership that team guys fire in one year, so if their barrels are going bad, it’s probably from lack of cleaning or even more probable, improper cleaning. A cleaning rod used incorrectly causes a lot of damage.
Or a length of cleaning rod left in the barrel…
Source on heavy barrels please? That, I straight don’t believe. Straight source, not “some guy on da internet said” or “I seent it duder!”. I’m calling bs.
Shit I did ever do the math but when I was 19 I bought an AKM and for the first eight years I had it me and some other gun enthusiasts friends would buy a bunch of 7.62x39s I had 7 30 round mags I bought up enuff to fill up six some of then had guns but at lest 210 rounds shot 1s a week that was back when you could get a box of 20 for like $5 I think it was for golden tiger and wolf 7.62x39FMJ but after that I think believe they want up to $7 and some change and I stopped have time but I still shoot it and I clean it
There was some typos. I ment I never did the math and I bought enught to fill you 7 of my 30 round mags
Di has its pluses and minuses just like piston weapons..but piston driven AR is a little heavier and more expensive, but a better combination. But I am a fan of the M14, all day.
Pro piston ar and m14 fan? Ok fudd.
Your mom is a fan
I have seldom seen a bigger bunch of losers on one site with a smaller group of decent folk laughing at them…
Is having a high percentage of “wanna be’s” and “I know best!” sorts a Sandboxx thing?
Free entertainment
100% correct, AR platform is the best, has been the best and will forge forward and adapt & overcome to continue being the best for year’s to come.
I raised 10 ki d,s of Hell with the Army over the flicking peep sight they finallyistened and got quick sight,s. Airport. I raised double hell at Fort Knox over their their new designs for soliders not co.ing out qui key to save our sides lives and a Captain or general and I pulled pistols on each other at same time he was scared and I was glad of it cause he didn’t shoot me. I always put soliders first after I was in battle and seen a solider next to me get blowed up. My superiors. Handler station chief asked me about the incident and I told him they were dragging ass on design and maki g and testing while our soliders were dying. He didn’t say nothing so I won that bate with fort knox they got off their ass after that
Were you in intelligence decoding unit?
This guy is full of shit. No you didn’t, you never pulled a pistol on a captain or general and if you weren’t full of shit you could easily tell the difference between captain and a general. Then you throw around terms that you head on the movies zero dark 30 and 13 hours to try to sound like you are a member of the intelligence community. Everybody knows people in that community dont talk about it on websites. There is so much bullshit in this paragraph. In addition to all that i have never seen a more poorly written paragraph in my life. Piss off you phony
What zero do they use for CQB ? 25 yards, 50 yards ? Thank you. Best regards.
Trained the Afghan National army, you just lost any credibility.
Was your service with the US Civil Air Patrol?
Direct Impingement POS’s, soon to be replaced by the NGSW-R.
Nothing says you don’t know a damn thing about rifles more profoundly then calling the AR 15 platform a “direct impingement POS.” It’s the best combat rifle in the world and it’s been around for 60 years. It has already replaced its replacement several times, like the HK XM8, the HK 416, and the FN SCAR.
LOL, the SCAR is a good concept but in real world use, it’s a POS. Give me a FAL, G3, M14, Sig AMT, Knights or Armalite AR10 in 7.62 over a SCAR POS. Saw so many that broke in combat, what a joke.
100% correct, AR platform is the best, has been the best and will forge forward and adapt & overcome to continue being the best for year’s to come.
DI guns are POS’s? Really? Tell that to all the dead terrorists.
Give me a long bow as my main weapon and a wrist rocket and a bag of marbles as my side arm any day…
Telling everyone you’re a Call Of Duty armchair warrior, without telling everyone you’re a COD armchair warrior. DI is a POS……I’ve put over 15k rounds through my primary with one FTF in every type of environment. Perhaps you need to maintain your weapon or at least have a real weapon to maintain before proving you’re a fool.