#nightforce optics

Mk13 Mod 5 

I recently sold off my 14.5” BCM and PWS setups after realizing a few things. One is that, despite the U.S. DoD’s entrenched bureaucracy, the state of the modern fighting carbine is changing. Barrel lengths are getting shorter as new trends emerge—most notably, the suppressor becoming standard-issue not just for SOF, but for general-purpose forces as well.

As cans become common, it’s clear that hanging a 17 oz Surefire RC2 on a 14.5” barrel is less than ideal. That weight—plus the added length—pushes the balance forward and makes the rifle unwieldy. Dropping to a shorter barrel pulls the weight back toward my center of strength while still providing solid ballistic performance out to 500–600 meters. It also trims overall length, making the rifle more maneuverable indoors or in vehicles.

I originally wanted to go with a 13.7”, like the Knight’s KS-1 used by the British Army Ranger Regiment and Royal Marine Commandos. But I wasn’t about to pay $200 for a tax stamp just to shave 0.2 inches. So I went 13.9”.

The Rifle

Geissele Super Duty MOD1 13.9”

I chose the Geissele Super Duty MOD1 because it checked every box out of the gate: cold hammer forged barrel, mid-length gas, pinned HUXWRX muzzle device, and the excellent SSA-EX trigger. It’s solid, reliable, and didn’t require any major changes.

I did make a few preference swaps: I replaced the B5 stock and Geissele pistol grip with a BCM Mod 0 stock and Mod 3 grip. Not because the originals were bad—they just don’t suit me.

I also removed the right-side selector. I’m not left-handed, and I don’t plan to be. Ambi selectors get in the way of my trigger finger right when I need a clean break.

The mid-length gas system makes it soft shooting, even suppressed.

Optics

I carried over the Nightforce ATACR 1-8x and Aimpoint ACRO P2, both mounted in a Badger Ordnance COMM mount. These started on my PWS, and I liked them enough to migrate them over.

However, If I were building this rifle from scratch again, I’d likely go with the Nightforce NX8 instead—same magnification, reticle, and glass, just not built for the same abuse. But since I’m not jumping from planes anymore, I’d take the NX8 and save the thousand dollars. The ACRO at 12 o’clock is mostly for passive aiming under NODs.

I’ll probably replace the COMM mount with a Reptilia AUS soon. At 1.7”, the COMM is great for the ATACR, but getting a usable sight picture through the ACRO requires lifting off the stock entirely. It works under NODs, but it’s not ideal.

Also staying: One Hundred Concepts Scope Caps, Hex Caps, and light cover—for glass protection and signature control.

Light and Laser Planning

Right now, the rifle wears a Surefire Mini Scout with a Vampire head, giving me both white light and IR in one package. I appreciate the simplicity, and the ability to physically lock it out is huge—especially for night work.

Eventually, this rifle will get a full-power IR laser—most likely an EOTech OGL—to round out the setup.

The Suppressor

The biggest upgrade was ditching the Surefire RC2 for a HUXWRX Flow 556K.

Early on, I stuck with what I knew—mil-issue gear I’d trusted and used. Back then, flow-through cans weren’t quite there yet. But the game has changed. The 556K is lighter (12.9 oz vs. 17 oz), vents gas forward, and drastically reduces back pressure.

Paired with a Radian Raptor-SD charging handle, it makes for a much cleaner-running suppressed rifle.. And it’s not just theory—high-end U.S. and U.K. units are running this exact suppressor.

Sling Setup

I kept the Edgar Sherman Design sling with Frank Proctor 550 cord adapters. It’s simple, quiet, and fast to adjust. Nothing flashy. Just something that works, even under pressure.

This rifle wasn’t built for Instagram. It was built for work.