U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) warriors use several weapons platforms, including the short-barrel MK18 in 5.56mm NATO. Now Daniel Defense is offering a version with its renowned quality. In the upcoming August 2014 issue of SPECIAL WEAPONS FOR MILITARY & POLICE, author Rob Garrett takes one for a test drive.

Garrett writes, “Daniel Defense offers a wide selection of M4 rifles with pistol-, carbine- or mid-length gas systems. Being a fan of short-barreled rifles (SBRs), I was attracted to the company’s updated MK18. The MK18 is a clone of the carbine used by USSOCOM, and it features a 10.3-inch barrel. While the company offers select-fire rifles to government agencies, my test rifle was an NFA-approved semi-automatic. This allows the MK18 to be sold to any qualified buyer through the customer’s local FFL /SOT dealer.

“The MK18’s upper receiver is machined in-house to military specifications and is matched with a 10.3-inch barrel. The MK18 barrel is forged from chrome-moly-vanadium steel and is given a 1-in-7-inch twist rate and M4 feed ramps. The bore is chrome-lined, and the exterior is coated with a mil-spec phosphate. Every barrel is marked with identification markings that include the company’s initials, the method of rifling, the ‘MP’ stamp for MP testing, the caliber, twist rate and “born on” date showing the month and the year. The bolt carrier group is also MP tested and has a properly staked gas key. The MK18 utilizes a carbine-length gas system. The flash suppressor assembly is a Daniel Defense design that will accept AAC Omni, Gemtech Halo and KAC NT-4 QDSS suppressors.

“The MK18’s RIS II handguard is one of the lowest-profile quad-rails on the market today. This is accomplished by reducing the distance from the barrel to the rails at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock.” To learn more, check out the August 2014 issue of SPECIAL WEAPONS FOR MILITARY & POLICE, available on newsstands and digitally July 1, 2014. To subscribe, go to Tactical-Life.com/subscribe.