DefenseReview.com (DR): An online tactical technology and military defense technology magazine with particular focus on the latest and greatest tactical firearms news (tactical gun news), tactical gear news and tactical shooting news.
By Jeff Gurwitch
It’s been 8 years since my last Competition to Combat article, written back in 2018. It was the last year of use for both the Daniel Defense 10.3 CQBR upper and the 14.5 RISII non-front sight post upper. Beginning in 2019, U.S. Special Forces started to switch over to the Giessele URGI upper with mid-length gas system in both 11.5 and 14.5 barrel lengths. And, while SOCOM has adopted a few new optics over the last 8 years, Green Berets are still using a number of SOPMOD block II items from as far back as 2011!
Authors last setup from 2015 (Competition to Combat part III). Classic SOPMOD Block II 14.5 RIS II rail and personal VCOG.
Current URGI 14.5 and 11.5 uppers. Issued Night Force ATACR 1×8 optic with piggy backed Trijicon RMR. Note non-issued Magpul buttstock and grip.
So, it’s no surprise some individuals are again outfitting their rifles with personally purchased items, or getting unit funds for newer equipment, including better accessories like buttstock, grips, optics and other items. And, like my previous articles, there is little to no difference between a competition rifle (like those used in 3-gun) and tactical rifle. The lines between tactical and competition applications have completely blurred.
The majority of the pictures used in this article are taken from social media (Facebook). Each SF Group runs their own Facebook page. Pictures featured here go as far back as early summer 2025, so are quite current. Some units blur the faces in the pics they post, and, as you will see, some don’t. So, I’m not giving anyone way, as these pictures are already out there. Now, without further ado, lets get into it. The first two pictures are from January 2026, members of 5th SFG in Syria.
Right: URGI 11.5, note Magpul MOE RL stock, issued Aimpoint T2 on issued Unity mount. I don’t know what magnifier that is. If it’s an EOTech, it’s unit purchased. If not, it’s personally purchased. Teammate on the left is running Magpul CTR stock.
Right: URGI equipped with HRF flared magwell. buttstock is perhaps Magpul (maybe MOE SL-S). Surefire rifle light is unit purchased item to replace still issued SOPMOD Block II Insight WMCX200, in use since 2011.
His buddy on the left is armed with a Sig MCX Rattler (RSAR999). SF CRF Companies have been issued a few dozen Sig MCX Rattlers in both 5.56 and 7.62×39.
Magpul CTR stock, believe Magpul grip, issued Aimpoint T2 Unity mount.
Looks like a SOPMOD stock, maybe a B5. Magpul grip. Optic appears to be an EOtech Vudu 1-6 or 1-8 with offset Leupold red dot. Good bet it was personally purchased.
You may have noticed the most common component to be replaced is the stock (buttstock), and there are a multitude of aftermarket stocks. While SF were issued the LMT stock years ago (2006-2007), they were very limited in number. I never saw a full issue of the LMT stock to a 12-man team. And, after 2007, I never saw another reissue. The stock that comes on the issued Colt M4A1 lower is the waffle stock. It’s very fragile, and of poor design. That’s why you see rifles with all different stocks, many of them Magpul stocks. Guys purchase their own. Plus, the waffle stock has no QD sling mount.
Optics wise, back in 2019, SF adopted the Sig Tango6T 1-6x24mm Riflescope. However, I know from talking with multiple active-duty SF guys that it’s not liked at all. When it first came out, many had QC issues, and it was already outclassed by more modern 1-8 power scopes. That’s why you still see some guys run scopes other than the Sig Tango6T. SOCOM would later also issue the Night Force Optics ATACR in 1-8x24mm F1 to make up for the lack of modern magnification. The problem is, only four per 12-man ODA would be issued it. That leaves 8 other team members with what they view as a sub-par optic in the Sig Tango6T.
MFT Battle link stock and BCM KAG front grip.
Pic 7
Another Battle Link stock. I bet that riser under the IR laser is a personal purchase. Unit issued T2 with Unity riser.
Magpul CTR stock, and maybe Magpul BCM front VFG (not sure).
Now very rare, a true LMT SOPMOD stock, last issued around 2007.
Another Rare LMT SOPMOD stock, but note that Surefire light, a unit purchased item. Buddy behind him has crappy waffle stock. Note the sling swivel was removed, as it’s in a horrible place, and tends to catch on equipment.
A now very old school Elcan scope. Teams upgraded to Sig scopes around 2019ish.
By the time I retired in early 2017, there was a lot of hate towards the Elcan SpecterDR. Most were now a decade old by this point, and there was no service plan in place for them. As a result, many didn’t work right or hold zeros by this point, not to mention 1×4 optics were totally underpowered by 2017 standards. In 2015, there was a Force Mod meeting to select a more modern LPVO (Low Power Variable Optic). Team guys wanted the Vortex Razor 1-6×24. During SF trials, the Sig TangoT6 was selected. I was told it came in 3rd in performance, but first in price. Adopted in 2019, it was already obsoleted by newer 1×8 optics, as previously stated.
Looks like a CTR stock, and on that ATACR there would appear to be a range finder. This Operator is a spotter in a sniper competition, so having a range finder on his URGI makes sense.
At same sniper competition. I wanna say Magpul PR stock, but that’s a guess. That Ergo grip is one of my favorites.
BCM stock, and the muzzle device is a Surefire Warcomp (not issued).
A lot going on here: A 31-year-old SOPMOD Block I CAR stock. The mounting of the Sig scope on the handguard is not a preferred method. I suspect he has it that far forward not for eye relief, but to allow room for that BUIS. I’d ditch the BUIS in favor of proper scope mounting and eye relief.
This Holosun mini red dot must be personally purchased.
The Wrap Up
While Special Operations has done a lot of good, moving to URGI uppers and upgrading to some newer optics, for example, there are still many gaps that Team guys are filling on their own. I’d really like to see a full SOPMOD Block III upgrade. As it stands now, there have been certain part and component upgrades. But, as you can see, many parts and components upgrades are way overdue, or have never been fully implemented (like buttstocks). I’d like to see a new buttstock adopted across the board, along with a pistol grip (current issue is still the dismal A2).
Another item that seems to only be purchased at unit level, are magnifiers for their Aimpoints and EOtechs. So many teams don’t have them. Teams could also benefit from smaller items such as QD sling mounts. Block II relied on older sling-loop style mounts on both buttstock and handguard. As far as I can tell, the URGI came with nothing. As a result, as always, Team guys end up buying their own QD sling mounts, as well as vertical or angled foregrips.
So yes, modern day Green Berets are still going out and getting the same accessories used by many top tier competitive shooters to bring their issued rifles up a notch in terms of performance. This is in line with what was happening all through GWOT, outfitting rifles with the best upgrades from civilian competition shooting sports like 3-gun. This is because, as I’ve stated numerous times before in previous editions of “Competition to Combat” articles, what can help you win in matches can help you win in combat.
About the Author:
Jeff Gurwitch is retired U.S Army Special Forces (SF).
26 years active duty, 19 years with SF.
15 years’ competitive shooting experience; USPSA, IDPA and 3 Gun.
Company Contact Info:
Vortex Optics
2120 West Greenview Drive
Middleton, Wisconsin 53562
Toll Free: 800-426-0048
Phone: 608) 664-9856
Fax: 608-662-7454
Email: info@vortexoptics.com
Website: http://www.vortexoptics.com
© Copyright 2026 DefenseReview.com (DR) and Jeff Gurwitch. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without receiving permission and providing proper credit and appropriate links.
Related Articles:
