Its no secret that everyone is trying to live that 10.3 inch life and bld clone or clone inspired CQBRs (Close Quarters Battle Receiver) or MK18s. Not everyone wants to spend upwards of $500 on Daniel Defense or colt Hammer forged barrels. To meet the demand and solve this problem Clint Hanson from Ballistic Advantage has begun providing these barrels for TacticalShit. They are available in limited quantity with or without FSB (Front Sight Base) and barrel nut. Which is the preferred config for building a CQBR or MK18.

Custom 5.56 10.3″ Hanson Government Profile Barrel w FSB and Barrel Nut by Ballistic Advantage

Looking for the perfect affordable barrel setup to complete your CQBR/MK18 Mod 0 build……..here’s your shit.

10.3″ 5.56 NATO Government Carbine 1/7 CrMoV barrel with pinned .750 front sight base

Includes barrel nut and handguard cap.

Custom 5.56 10.3″ Hanson Government Profile Barrel by Ballistic Advantage

Looking for that perfect barrel to start your MK18 clone inspired build…..here’s your shit. The Hanson 10.3″ Gov profile barrel by Ballistic Advantage!

1 in 7 twist CrMoV

Both of these barrel options feature the .70 gas port so they will work with or without a suppressor though the true clone correct barrels were made to be shot suppressed all the time and were hammer forged produced by either Colt or Daniel Defense

The MK18 came in a few different models. Almost as popular as the SOPMOD M4A1 in the Global War on Terror, the CQBR and Mk18 family of 10.3″ rifles have culminated from a concept first explored in the M16’s early days in Vietnam. The desire for a short SMG sized weapon for CQB and shipboard operations led to the development of these specialized upper receivers, and later as complete weapons.

While the Mk18 Mod 0 was issued originally as a complete weapon system, the 10.3″ CQB Receivers were issued as any accessory in the SOPMOD family of upgrades, in addition to an issued M4A1. Later, the CQBR in it’s block II form is still both being seen as a complete weapon as well as an optional upper receiver as needed.

The nomenclature is often jumbled across the gun community. While one can generally say “Mk18” or “CQBR” and mean the same basic thing, there are some key parts differences that distinguish these these two from eachother, as well as from any fudd with a 10.5″ barreled AR15 SBR. These weapons fall into two categories: Block I and Block II, in relation to their respective SOPMOD packages. Within those two categories, the differences between the Mk18 and CQBR are based primarily on the lower receivers and their markings as well as who used them.

An interesting feature among the family is the Mk18 Mod 0, in that they were built on M16A1 lower saved from the scrapper much like the Mk12 program. These complete rifles were originally intended for SEALs and VBSS type activities. Most if not all of the original Mk18 Mod 0 engraved rifles were later re-barreled to 14.5″ M4 barrels and moved out of the scope of the regular “CQBR” family of 10.3″ weapons. While it was the weapon that gave the now mainstream “Mk18” name, it eventually became little more than an M4 with an M16A1 lower and some engraving.

Mk18 Mod 0

Upper

Colt’s or USGI contract M4 flattop
10.3″ Colt’s barrel, cut down from 14.5″ M4 barrel, gas port enlarged to .070″, retains FSB, handguard hardware [NOT M4A1 heavy profile]
Milspec contract M16 BCG with upgraded extractor spring and insert [At one point with McFarland gas ring, later disused]
Knight’s M4QD flash suppressor/M4QD Sound Suppressor
Knight’s RIS or RAS rail system, rail panels, forward grip
Chopped carry handle rear sight, potentially Knight’s, or Matech later on
PRI Gas Buster charging handle

Lower

M16A1, many seen with Mk18 Mod 0 engraving
M16A1 grip
4-position carbine stock extension with Crane/LMT SOPMOD stock [1st Generation without QD swivels]
CQD rear sling plate

Accessories

SOPMOD and Block I family. Commonly seen with the Aimpoint Comp M2 and chopped carry handle rear sight (or LMT production version).

CQBR [Block I]

Upper

Colt’s or USGI contract M4 flattop
10.3″ Colt’s barrel, cut down from 14.5″ M4 barrel, gas port enlarged to .070″, retains FSB, handguard hardware [NOT M4A1 heavy profile]
Milspec contract M16 BCG with upgraded extractor spring and insert [At one point with McFarland gas ring, later disused]
Knight’s M4QD flash suppressor/M4QD Sound Suppressor
Knight’s RIS or RAS rail system, rail panels, forward grip
Chopped carry handle rear sight, potentially Knight’s, or Matech later on
PRI Gas Buster charging handle or USGI

Lower

M4A1
M16A2/M4 grip
4-position carbine stock extension with Crane/LMT SOPMOD stock [1st Generation without QD swivels], CAR stock, M4 “waffle” stock. Later seen with new Magpul, Vltor, and other stocks commonly seen with individual purchase gear
CQD rear sling plate

Accessories

SOPMOD and Block I family. Later Block II accessories [except the Surefire suppressor] were seen as the original iteration of the CQBR remained in service as the Block II variant with the DD Mk18 rail slowly replace and augmented within units across SOCOM.

CQBR [Block II] and Mk18 Mod 1

Upper

Colt’s or USGI contract M4 flattop
10.3″ Colt’s barrel, gas port .070″, DD Mk12 lo-pro gas block [NOT M4A1 heavy profile, DD provided contract barrels as well that differ from their commercial 10.3″ CHF barrels]
Milspec contract M16 BCG with upgraded extractor spring and insert
Knight’s M4QD flash suppressor/M4QD Sound Suppressor OR Surefire SOCOM RC 4-prong flash hider and suppressor
Daniel Defense Mk18 FDE RISII rail [9.5″]
Matech, Knight’s 300m, or other individual purchase
CQD rail mounted sling loop
Knight’s M4 folding front sight [Taupe mainly, black seen as well]
PRI Gas Buster charging handle, USGI

Lower

M4A1 [Mk18 Mod 1, some seen with “M4A1 CARBINE” engraved/struck through and “NAVY 18-1” engraved below the roll marks/SN – Pic 2
M16A2/M4 grip [other user requested grips like Magpul MIAD or MOE and similar commercially available seen]
4-position carbine stock extension with Crane/LMT SOPMOD stock [1st Generation without QD swivels and newer B5 2nd Gen], CAR stock, M4 “waffle” stock, Magpul CTR/MOE, Vltor, and other stocks commonly seen with individual purchase gear
CQD rear sling plate

Accessories

Some legacy SOPMOD and Block I family, but primarily Block II accessories. Both NT4 and Surefire suppressors/FH seen, depending on what the unit had.

Due to more flexible purchasing options within units, everything not bolted to the weapon has seen various user replacement from grips, stocks, BUIS, optic mounts, lights, slings, bipods, and many other COTS available options.