Yes, this is yet another retro rifle build article. But as Lenny Cole in ‘Rocknrolla’ said, “There’s no school like the old school” and the gun community agrees. What I think is so cool about the period we are entering is that GWOT era guns are becoming “retro”. I actually lived through this time as a soldier and can recall the nuances of what we did with our service rifles so for once, I’m something of a historian, if only from a layman’s perspective.

Government Issue

Over the 20 years of the GWOT the army evolved from the M16 to a wholesale deployment of the M4 (Marines excluded, but they played the long game, getting the HK 416 now). Even within the post-M4 rollout years there were some variances in optics, IR lasers, slings, etc. There obviously is a ton of history that led us here, going all the way back to at least Vietnam, the guys over at ‘9-Hole Reviews’ did a great video on it. However, it really was the SOCOM SOPMOD that I think led to the inevitable adoption force-wide. I remember when this graphic below dropped back in the early 2000’s and my heart felt like I had just washed down two scoops of the now-banned original formula Jack3d pre-workout with some now-banned original formula Four Loko. (Life was wild in the years before the iPhone came out.)

The gun you see below represents a decent replica of what the army got in terms of configuration when the M4 went mainstream. For my retro GWOT rifle build I used a generic lower, a BCM-made upper, and then just a collection of individual parts that fit the bill. If you want to hit the easy button, FN makes a “Military Collector” series, and Palmetto State Armory just announced they are bringing back the SABRE M4A1. Both are spot on, right down to the “property” sticker. Speaking of that detail, I’ve found a few independent sticker makers, including this one, that will even let you pick your serial number.

I just ordered one and it came quickly, especially considering the flat $1 shipping. You can go with the actual serial number on the lower or pick something more fun or meaningful. I found this guide on the ar-15 forum for those of you that really want to geek out on your retro GWOT rifle build authenticity.

Alright, back to the Retro GWOT Rifle Build, here are the details to look for if you decide to brew your own.

Main Attributes

• Upper with correct profile 14.5″ barrel (exception: closest A2 style muzzle device to get to 16″ OAL)
• Fixed front sight naturally
• Colt front sight assembly sling attachment (Configurable to either side with dated attachment style using roll pins)
• Aimpoint PRO (Patrol Rifle Optic) stands in for my original Comp M3 Aimpoint I sold. Referred to as the “M68 CCO” (Close Combat Optics), Trijicon ACOGS were of course also common.
• Correct (terrible) turn to click optic mount. However, this mount style (thick base) was more typical with the Comp M4 that was issued later. It was virtually identical to the Comp M3 other than taking the much more available AA battery.
• Knight’s Armament (KAC) Quad Rail Adapter System (RAS) which was super high speed at the time having replaced the plastic handguards. This came complete with rail covers that made the handguards way too wide to grip and a comically long (by today’s standards) vertical front grip that came loose all the time.
• 3-point sling. This is my actual sling from Afghanistan, it’s overly complicated and in ACU colors. Black two-point slings that were way too short were also issued. Interestingly, while QD sling attachment points weren’t used, there was a buckle to get out of the sling if needed.
• Standard A2 buttstock and pistol grip, though those were perhaps the most easily replaced by soldiers in the field.
• MATECH rear flip-up iron sight
• Correct right-hand shooter setup safety, though some units later fielded ambidextrous safeties so both can be used.
• For that “chef’s kiss” added touch: The custom magazine. Before the age of Magpul made…well mag pulls, we brewed our own with 100 mph tape and paracord

“This is my rifle. There are many like it, but this one is mine.”

While there was a standard for most of big army even this varied over the years and as soldiers have done for thousands of years, we modified what was given to us as much as we could get away with to make it fit our preferences. Below was my setup at the start of my deployment, it’s okay to make fun. You have to realize we only knew what we knew at the time and me even less so as I was trained to the army standard “lowest common denominator”. So yes, that’s a Blackhawk Serpa holster worn on a way low drop leg holster. Also, because I was trying to run a bipod my VFG was so far back I might as well have gripped the magazine for support. Also, look at the size of the IR laser!

My optics setup was my own purchase and I actually stand by it. We had the choice between Aimpoint Comp M4’s or Trijicon ACOG. I knew enough about many of the engagement distances in the Eastern Afghan mountains to know I wanted magnification but I also knew enough to know I didn’t want it all the time. So I went with the EXPS 3-0 and 3x magnifier from EOTECH and it proved a competent setup. I was still super jealous of the Ranger Regiment that operated out of our FOB, running their cool guy ELCANs.

Here you can see two of my team leaders with their M203’s and choice of Comp M4s and ACOGs. Note the pistols on the front of their plate carriers, something that would get you kicked out of most classes today. However, in the tight confines of a vehicle turret where you couldn’t get to your rifle if the M240B went down in the city, it was a comforting place to have it.

I choose not to go down the rabbit hole of IR aiming devices and flashlights typical of the time for my retro GWOT rifle build, but the information is certainly out there. I was looking for an inexpensive way to get into the retro rifle world. I see a lot of “Blood Diamond”, “Blackhawk Down/Gordy”, and even “Larry Vickers Delta” guns getting built and they are very cool for sure. But they can get pricey with paint, long-discontinued optics and obscure barrel lengths and muzzles devices. It’s not expensive to build this base gun and the accessories aren’t something you have to sell your car and spend weeks clicking refresh on eBay to be able to buy. I still run mine for fun in local 2-gun matches and I get a lot of smiles from the dudes who know.

We haven’t even touched on the Mk18 short or Mk12 SPR builds, let alone the M-14s pressed back into service riding in the Sage chassis. But this was my world, as it was for 100s of thousands of other dudes. There will always be a place in my heart for the plain vanilla (maybe with a few sprinkles) M4 as it was issued to the rest of us.

More insights from CZVZ Doug:

Gun Closet Ideas

VZ58: the Most Overlooked Capable Rifle

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