I know these are the Mk. 16 models, but the one in the back is how I would set mine up, just in black and minus the AN-PEQ2 and with a standard grip instead of the light/grip combo.

 

I'm going with this setup (but with a Surefire can in Dark Earth):



Also, the SEALs are dropping the SCAR-L entirely and moving strictly to the SCAR-H. I foresee some awesome variations coming out... They had Crane build them very special M4s, so I think the SCAR will be no different.

 

What mods did Crane do? Or is that in the DADT realm?

And that setup that you are going for is what I would do exactly. If I had the means that is.

 

Home - NSWC Crane Internet Home

NSWC Crane Opens Special Weapons Assessment Facility

Close Quarters Battle Receiver - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

SEAL Recon Rifle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mk 12 Special Purpose Rifle

Basically Crane built ultra-short M4s with enhanced reliability features. They took lessons learned from SOPMOD guns and failures of M4s earlier in the wars. I've seen a bunch up close in Afghanistan. Pretty impressive piece of gear and no bigger than an unsuppressed MP5 when the M4's stock is retracted. I'm sure the muzzle blast is hellacious, but I've never seen one unsuppressed, either.

 

I know of the Close Quarters Battle Receiver, it's my brother's VBSS rifle.

The other stuff was some interesting reading.

 

You can cut down the stock 16" barrel.

 

You must not have read what I said about the gas blocks. The barrels and gas blocks are FACTORY-TUNED to work together. Though some folks are experimenting with getting the balance right, no one to my knowledge has been successful. I'm also not letting my nearly $3K rifle get Frankenstein'ed by someone until I know it'll work.

Interesting story:

So I was in SFO yesterday waiting for my plane when I saw an older gent wearing what I call the "tactical uniform" - cargo pants, Merrells, rigger's belt, tactical backpack, etc. Many times these dudes are serious poseurs, but then I overheard him on the phone and he was clearly speaking Marine. So I googled him and discovered he had been a 23-yr Marine MSGT who was a serious badass in high-power rifle competition.

I walked over, introduced myself, and thanked him for his service. He was a little surprised, so he got himself together and walked over to where I was standing.

Turns out he's one of the two developers of the SCAR. When I mentioned I own a SCAR, as well as being a former Marine, he was sold. We had a good long talk about the ergonomics, operating principles, etc. He told me that all of the moving parts in the rifle are based on the most reliable systems globally - FN FAL/FNC, M14, Galil, etc.

At the end, he told me, "I don't usually do this, but since you're a Marine, and you've got a SCAR, here's my card. Give me a call if you need info, want to shoot, etc." Pretty ****ing cool. Oh, and he did say that there will be a Mk16/Mk17 Mark 1 modification coming - he couldn't provide details because of the SOCOM requirement.

All in all, I'm glad I nutted up and walked over to say hi.

 

Cool story. Seems like a down to earth guy.

FN SCAR Barrel Chop to 10.0" - AR15.COM

 

I think the projects are cool, but did you notice the caveats about the block reaming, the press-fit, etc. etc. etc.? Once someone has it down to a science (i.e. repeatable and warrantied), then I'll go for it. In the meantime, I'm still working through a buddy who is a former SEAL to get me one of their spare 5.56 barrels with the factory suppressor adapter. It'll likely be $1000 well spent.

In the meantime, I bought a SIG P226 TacOps that I plan to suppress this summer.

 

Never had a SIG. Congrats on the TacOps put some pics up of it