Was the URGI a Mistake? (History and Overview)

[@perlenbacher6788]

I believe the Urgi program is one of the best programs the US Military has implemented in QUITE a while.

[@LukeSmith117]

I completely agree. I dont think the NGSW is even a remotely good idea. And issuing a Suppressed URGI upper to all combat MOS's with a tango6 is a far cheaper and more effective use of procurement while still increasing lethality.

[@SurfingMammoth]

I built a “perfect” clone 14.5 URGI and it is hands down my most favorite rifle. Super flat shooting. EOTech and magnifier up top, surefire light, peq15.

[@epiccowboymemes2042]

Carbine*

[@johnwickfriends2876]

What barrel you used?

[@dropdead8886]

​@@epiccowboymemes2042 🤓

[@shaunzimmerman661]

​@@johnwickfriends2876perfect clone would be a daniel defense

[@SurfingMammoth]

@@johnwickfriends2876 ^^ shaunz is correct. DD 14.5” with a surefire 4 prong. Pinned and welded it’s 16.1” if I recall correctly

[@DraegerV1]

We run these URGI's at work, and everyone loves them. They get tons of abuse, and i haven't heard of any bent rails.

[@markhansen9735]

The commercial URGi is sold with Geissele in house bomb proof gas block. Which is superior in every single way imo

[@AJ13B]

@@markhansen9735 agreed. 👊🏼

[@Esko_Vasya]

Your opinion is actually wrong. Geissele blocks are easily the worst on the market. They’ve always sealed terribly and leaked horribly on every single rifle I’ve seen with them installed, especially when shot suppressed (the number I’ve seen is more than 20 with DD and Colt barrels with G rails and blocks installed.) The gas block is one of the largest ‘low profile’ gas blocks on the market. A shaved FSP block is smaller. Funniest part about it is the price tag for a sub par and cast part. G boys will and continue to defend it. DD MK12 GB is the superior choice

[@AJ13B]

@ read the second word in your comment, out loud… 👀

[@HedgeMaster26]

I've bore-mic'd a bunch of Geissele gas blocks. They have the best consistent id out of the vast majority of gas blocks, they're also machined not cast as someone else said. Also, if your gas block doesn't seal correctly, it's a good chance it's your barrel. Just because the vast majority of the industry says something is good, doesn't mean it's good. Too much group think, not enough actual tangible thought making experiences.

[@literallynobody1515]

@@AJ13B Opinions can be wrong. You are still allowed to be wrong.

[@chaoticcaninejb]

The bending issue got overblown, part of what you said is correct, the original gas block was touching the rail, however that wasnt the reason this all kicked up and got started. It was 2 URGI uppers that fell of a vehicle and took a few days to notice the change in zero from the laser. It wasnt just because they were bending like everyone jokes about. Lets be rreal, all rails will flex if you want them too, but the MK16 has been great with the low pro gas block, not even an issue. With the change to the super dury upper rail and upper lock up, look for geissele to be apart of the new SOPMOD contract next year. Thats the main reason they started all that, to prevent any issues with heavy falls or other hard impacts similar to the 416

[@not_your_business666]

Also mk16 rails have been redesigned. And I am pretty sure the original rails were made out of 6061 alloy.

[@baronvonsnazzy3355]

To my knowledge there still are very few people make rails out of 7075.

[@not_your_business666]

@@baronvonsnazzy3355 true. There is an argument that 6061 is better because it's less prone to cracking. But I haven't seen any reports of mk16 cracking. So who knows what the truth is.

[@mrkeogh]

Geissele changed the profile of the rail (the interior of the Picatinny rail section) from a 90 degree angle to a slightly rounded one. This has increased the rigidity of the rail, so even if you don't run a low-profile GB, it should be fine. But you should definitely use a LPGB. The _Bendy Bill_ thing was mostly a meme, just like _muh Beretta is exploding_ back in the 80s when like two SEALS were injured after firing lots and lots of high-pressure 9mm in M9s and fractured the slides. Beretta fixed that with a change to the heat treatment and a revised pin that could capture the rear of a broken slide.

[@brighthought11]

laughs in LMT

[@mtnbound2764]

keeping the govt profile is asinine, all the top tier mfg's now have a " enhanced" taper profile because they all realize that its superior over the govt profile

[@davemichael4808]

Their super duty uppers use a tapered barrel. For the URGI the government specified gov profile

[@KeterMalkuth]

@@davemichael4808 I just wish I knew *why* the gov't wanted that profile. I know that a stupid amount of testing went into speccing out the URGI solicitation, using a gov't profile rather than a modern taper profile feels like a "Mistake," but I would assume there has to be some valid reason for it borne out from their testing. If so, it'd be something no one within the civilian market has yet discovered or publicized as an advantage to gov't barrels.

[@davethrasher4124]

​@KeterMalkuth the Govt profile was created partially because of the barrel issues with the M16A1, and also so that an M203 or M320 can be mounted to them. The M320 uses the bayonet lug to lock up if you're dumb enough to mount it to your M4 (or forced to because your leadership is dumb), but the M203 uses the whole barrel in order for lock-up.

[@FraldinhoBJJ]

@@KeterMalkuththe barrel is designed to make sure the gas block fails first and not the barrel . Then by adding the bomb proof upgraded gas block , and going a step further and getting the enhanced bolt carrier is a plus . People don’t understand WHO is going to be using this rifle . All your civilian drills and mag dumps at the range are never going to put this weapon under the stress of actual combat engagements that can last hours , firing suppressed , in harsh environments. You just watch these gun tuber civilians or ex operators . When you have to outfit thousands of shooters, you’re going to play it safe. And I can tell you when I served in the army I wasn’t nitpicking the weight or style or size or shape of any of my gear. I wanted to know my IBA could stop a 7.62 round, I wanted to know my helmet could stop shotguns , pistols , and shrapnel, and I wanted to know my gun would cycle properly. You know , staying alive and being able to fight . I wasn’t worried about every little microadjustment and slight upgrade from civilian market that came to pass and be . Understand even these Guntubers who are gear nerds who used to be rangers or seals are a distinct minority. Most people just cared about their gear working and lasting the appropriate amount of rounds . It’s easy to see these guys and think every delta guy has some big boner about their weapons and obsess over it. They don’t . I didn’t .

[@UrbanAssaultGroup]

Glad to see other people doing clone videos on the URGI too. You beat us to the punch, you went over the improvements from the block 2 to the URGI which we go over in our "intro to clones" video but that comes out this weekend. Geissele doesn't sell the clone correct upper anymore sadly so you have to build it or buy it from sites like Charlie's. From my understanding the last time I talked to Geissele, the handguard with the updated qd slots is for the Super Duty only however that could have changed. I see they are picturing the new URGI near clones on their website with the QD reinforcements so it's possible we'll see them in the future in in the wild photos. Glad I found your channel, you got a sub from us.

[@InferiorRifles]

Quick note for my newer viewers… do not, under any circumstances, buy from Charlie’s or support them in any way 😂. Thanks for watching!

[@chatnasty]

​@InferiorRifles why is that?

[@UrbanAssaultGroup]

@InferiorRifles Agreed Charlie's is trash

[@brandonr7126]

@@InferiorRifles thanks for the honesty

[@tylergood8235]

I have the near clone, it has the steel QD points

[@christurner8255]

I have the Geissle Near Clone. It fills my heart with gladness. So beautiful. I love cloning.

[@IndependentArmz]

Best comment

[@redrider762]

Naval *special* warfare. Surface warfare are ships, above water

[@InferiorRifles]

@@redrider762 correct. Too many abbreviations to keep straight in my head lol

[@bestfriend5600]

I own both a dd 14.5 fsp block 2 and a urgi 14.5. Both are excellent. Not trying to clone as my urgi is a G marked barrel but neither the less they both are awesome.

[@rackpull772]

If you had to bug out and only take one, which are you grabbing? For me it's my DD

[@Tact-Mack0397]

Appreciate the video !! Just finished up my urgi build a few weeks ago, haven’t been able to get it to the range yet, but been binge watching every single urgi video

[@ianpopp87]

Your knowledge and point of view are worth a thousand subs. I was shocked when I saw you didn't have 500k subs. Well, here's one sub closer.

[@ZombiePancake01]

I have an 11.5" factory near clone urgi and it's the only upper I've kept around. To date, the best upper I've owned.

[@mrsickwick]

I don't know own a URGI, but of all the rifles I own the super duty is by far my favorite. Such a smooth shooter with an A5 buffer system and very aesthetically pleasing.

[@not_your_business666]

@@mrsickwick you are not missing anything, your super duty is objectively superior.

[@mrsickwick]

​@@not_your_business666 Yeah I almost bought the URGI, but I wanted that REBCG and the tang that connected the rail to the upper. Plus the profile of the barrel just made more sense. Govt profile should have died a long time ago. Although even after all these years, it's hard to beat a DD barrel for the $.

[@superfamilyallosauridae6505]

URGI specifically stems from USASOC's IMR-White, yes, but keep in mind IMR was a joint program with three compontents, IMR White (Army), IMR Blue (Air Force), and IMR Red (USMC). All three guns developed very similarly as part of one overall program, but the USMC part died, USAF part arguably died (If you see URGI like rifles in USAF units outside SOCOM, that'd be IMR Blue bearing fruit. I'm not sure it has) Point is, if IMR had been higher priority and supported better, URGI could've literally been the standard US military service rifle across multiple branches, not just for SOCOM. Never forget what they took from you

[@404tactical7]

I have the near clone Geissele upper. It has three clone parts. They are surefire 4 prong muzzle device, mk16 handguard and Geissele airborne charging handle. It does not have a DD barrel or DD low profile gas block and instead has a Geissele barrel and Geissele super compact gas block. It has a Geissele m4 style upper versus a Colt M4A1 upper. It has a Geissele reliability enhanced bolt and BCG versus Colt bolt and Colt Bolt Carrier. It is still very mint IMO. Last time I checked last week you can get the clone correct upper at Thoroughbred Armament for the same price. I wanted this one instead but it wasn't in stock at the time. Nice job on your video. It was very detailed.

[@loomjake]

I just installed a Badger Ordnance MK12 gas block on my URGI build. The clearance is definitely tight hopefully will function ok.

[@jayloncummings5234]

the assembled upper geissele sells comes with a geissele barrel and geissele low profile gas block

[@jayloncummings5234]

i bought one for black friday

[@BossFunk]

love my urgi

[@kanejakejimmy]

Im not a cloner. But i did build two 14.5"s with the Geiselle mk16 rail. Matched with my surefire mini can it just feels right.

[@LowTecTV]

Very nice video dude

[@Phantom8589]

My Unit has Colt SOPMOD BLOCK 2 URGI'S..... They were hands down the best weapon I used in Afghnistan in 2013. They had fantasic balistics using the 14.5 barrel and you had good terminal balistics out to 600M using a decent optic. My Fav upper hands down!

[@KD-lb9bg]

Excellent video, thank you.

[@armorers_wrench]

In my experience the geissele barrels are better than DD barrels. My Geissele barrels are more accurate but the biggest improvement is simply the gas port size. I bought a DD block 2 upper with the SOCOM profile barrel from Brownells and that sucker was very over gassed. Edit: Man, I agree, its cool when companies sell their contract stuff(or very similar products like the commercial Geissele URGI uppers) and yeah Colt was lame about that but nobody is as bad as KAC imo. KAC sells tons of reject stuff on the commercial market and you're lucky to even get that. I don't understand why KAC doesn't lean into the commercial market more. They would make tons of money.

[@CiviTac]

The super duty barrels (also the all Geissele upper URGI version on the Civ market) are better in every way to the DD. So if a Civ was to buy a “URGI” they will have a superior rifle than what was issued imo. I actually prefer the super duty because of the gas port size and better lockup to the upper receiver by the rail. The Geissele Super Duty is the best rifle I own and I love it

[@BunyipDude]

Amen, the commercial Super Duty uppers are WAY better than the URGI at this point…even though the URGI still costs more due to its SOCOM pedigree.

[@rustysausage69]

Geissele IMO is the pinnacle of AR15 tech on the market. Super duty is one hell of a rifle for the price tag, and those black friday/blem sales go crazy

[@cashas6969]

IMO the URGI should have been adopted en masse instead of the XM7

[@BillyWillicker]

The G uppers have the G gas block and G gov't profile barrel. Not really close to an issued URG-I.

[@chaoticcaninejb]

From initial contract yes, but full geissele urgis have been issued and still part of the tails (maintenance) of the contract. New SOPMOD Contract should be issued in 2025

[@bobbyRC2]

In performance i would imagine it's pretty close. And looks just as cool

[@BillyWillicker]

@@bobbyRC2 The Geissele URG-I upper from Geissele has what could be considered significant upgrades compared to an upgraded M4A1 upper that got the bolt/barrel/gas block/gas tube/handguard/charging handle. The commercial URG-I is likely a better product than the gov issue item.

[@not_your_business666]

​@chaoticcaninejb where can I find information on that? This is the first time I am hearing about full G urgi's being issued to the military.

[@Dragonskincollector]

Excellent video! very informative. I would like to know that if ambi-selector is common on the URGI lowers, thanks

[@InferiorRifles]

@@Dragonskincollector depends on which group’s URGI you’re trying to copy; Army and Navy commonly have Colt Ambi levers, MARSOC commonly uses the KAC ambi. Not to say that’s always the case though.

[@aggressivepoptart7477]

fine i’ll build another urgi

[@InferiorRifles]

@@aggressivepoptart7477 that’s all I ask

[@rohnek2]

i have an 11.5 near clone from Geissele, i also built a complete clone upper in 14.5, colt, G, DD barrel, with that low pro gasblock from DD. I will say, the G gasblock on the near clone is so much better, and more bombproof than the DD mk12

[@roberttaylor7451]

Mk14 is the slimmest rail and I can say for sure a Centurion tabbed low prow gas block fits fine

[@gsg_joe]

Is that a 37mm "Flare" Launcher? Or 40mm?

[@knightmires]

There are some images floating around of 75th Rangers running the URGI with a new Mk16 GL rail that's meant to be paired with the M320. Steel QD cups are in those rails too.

[@not_your_business666]

@@knightmires and most people are still gonna cary m320 separately because it ruins the ergonomics and ballance of the rifle lol.

[@InferiorRifles]

I meant to mention grenade launcher compatibility as a “lost feature”, but with the M320 being preferentially used as a standalone system it’s a moot point. The GL rail is very cool though, thanks for watching!

[@swp90]

What barrel length URGIs are actually being issued and to who? I know 14.5s are issued but are 10.3s or 11.5s being issued to anyone?

[@InferiorRifles]

To the best of my understanding, 10.3’s have only been picked up by AFSOC. The 11.5/14.5 URGI has been picked up by pretty much everyone else in SOCOM

[@darklyripley6138]

I’m pretty sure AFSOC uses just the MK16 rail on 10.3 CQBR’s(like what you showed). I have seen them use actual URGI’s, but the 10.3’s you see aren’t URGI’s.

[@InferiorRifles]

@@darklyripley6138 on the 10.3 and 11.5 inch URGI the MK16 handguard is the only real change, since they still have a carbine length gas system. Granted, many may not have been delivered as “URGI’s”; however many of the AFSOC uppers also have the Geissele charging handle present, leading me to believe there are at least a few “true” URGI’s in inventory

[@darklyripley6138]

@ I don’t believe there are any true 10.3 URGI’s(with proper gas length, barrel, etc)The contracts were for 11.5 and 14.5’s. AFSOC is pretty well known for COTS rifles/parts. They’re even running RIS 3 rails on 10.3’s. I’ve seen Geissele charging handles on those too. Not saying it isn’t possible, but I haven’t seen evidence for 10.3 URGI’s. You’d expect to see some official documentation from Geissele. I also don’t really see why they would get 10.3’s when 11.5’s were already ordered. Unless we can get a PJ or TACP who has one of these rifles, and is willing to take a picture of it without the handguard to see what gas system it has, this question will be up in the air.

[@literallynobody1515]

So... was it a mistake?

[@chasepagans861]

Urgi is outstanding.

[@albiecho03]

1.93 is the new optimal lpvo height. You can still get a good position in the prone snd more upright head posture when standing. anyone else agree?

[@MrMalicious5]

1.93 is too high.

[@ZombiePancake01]

1.70 is much better if you're using a piggyback rds. The 1.93 is good, just not great with a piggyback rds.

[@albiecho03]

@@ZombiePancake01 i used them offset to the side in the Corps and army. I never liked em up top like on the IAR's with rmr's piggybacking the acogs

[@albiecho03]

@@MrMalicious5 alot of people like them. especially if not exclusively a dmr or long range roll. depends on face size and structure too. anything's shorters not comfortable standing up

[@MrMalicious5]

@@albiecho03 1.7” is about the highest I’d want that would work in most shooting positions. 1.93” is just too high for prone or weird shooting positions. I’m the epitome of average build at 5’10” 190lbs.

[@othernamesweretaken1871]

I had no idea the military went back to the govt profile barrel. That is news to me.

[@ronin8490]

I built out a near clone 14.5 URGI a couple years ago. Using a DD ML barrel w/the gas block. The only parts that are not correct are the BCG (SOLGW) and I used a closed tin surefire FH. It’s been a solid upper using the VLTOR A5, very flat. CH has the NSN #, along with the Rail that also doesn’t have steel qd inserts.

[@mbz7417]

The NSW 14.5 urgi uses all geissele parts, including the barrel unlike the army one.

[@joemama.556]

3:35 any proof of that? or are we using the "muuh chunkier handguard iz murr solid" I bet the two piece handguard flexes more than the urgi one

[@InferiorRifles]

It’s more flexible compared to the RIS II. That’s not to say it’s *too* flexible, just more flexible. Gun enthusiasts have a tendency to make mountains out of molehills.

[@crunchyknees3622]

​@InferiorRifles the controversy came when some 3rd group guys dropped it from shoulder height and activated his LAM which was off by a significant amount. The inside of the rail was also scuffed from the gas block. It wasn't very scientific and you have to take their word for it. Idk why they would lie though. Rumor is geissele quietly changed the material of the barrel nut to fix the problem

[@chadchurch2368]

cool video thanks

[@Palm0vic]

what kind of recently you mean by MARSOC? I heard rumors they try it but they didnt like it and stick to block2 still.

[@rohnek2]

the URGI is probably the best military M4 version ever issued.

[@SolFireYT]

You know some guy noticed his friend or he himself had a better rifle than what SOCOM had as standard and decided that was kinda dumb.

[@000NULL]

Usually you can’t go wrong with the AR system. Unless you’re the taxpayer, in which case you’re fucked.

[@PurposeBuiltOutdoors]

I don’t understand why people refer to optics like a 1-6 or 1-10 as a 1 by 6 or 1 by 10

[@pyeitme508]

Em the URGI is used mostly by Army SF/SOF units...

[@roberttaylor7451]

Anyone that is involved with waterborne ops does not use qd push buttons sling mounts

[@medieval_flail]

Geissele does not sell a clone correct upper

[@LDB670]

Charlies custom clones does if you want one.

[@El_Topo19]

So?

[@medieval_flail]

​@@El_Topo194:38

[@InferiorRifles]

@@LDB670I’m begging you not to support Charlie’s 😂

[@rjoshm20]

@@InferiorRifleswhat do you have against charlie’s?

[@recon1986]

I'd love to have this rifle but I cant justify spending $1,450+ for just an upper reciever.... 😊

[@jordancalanchini3496]

They run sales all the time

[@not_your_business666]

@@recon1986 wait for a sale or build one out of parts on sale

[@ronin8490]

@@not_your_business666 this! that’s what I did for my URGI during the blk friday and XMas sales of 22.

[@jasonmartin786]

Shot show coupons and other holiday sales make this $900-$1100

[@hoppinggnomethe4154]

7:07 This is true. I talked to some drill sergeants, and they all told me how you can build a civilian AR superior to the M4 for less. A lot of them have their own ARs that they built. Most of the NCO's I talked to build their AR's. Some of them are Rangers.

[@StevosMfDen]

Just a heads up. Not all of the barrels are DD there are multiple suppliers. I was installing Rosco as it was part of the first batches.

[@JW11595E]

The barrel profile on the URGI is its biggest issue, the gov profile was always a mistake and putting a nice rail and middy gas system on it doesn’t fix that, there’s a reason socom and big army even went with the socom profile which is .85 from throat to gas block and then .75 forward. Moving and adding some mass to the barrel is one change that would make a bit of sense especially since the rifle is intended to be a suppressor host.

[@armorers_wrench]

It doesn't even need the added mass. It just needs the material to be distributed in a manner that doesn't attempt to defy the laws of physics. The Geissele taper profile would be perfect for their needs.

[@JW11595E]

@ I would mostly agree with you, something like the Geissele profile or ba’s Hanson set a good standard for a practical profile imo and where the mass is matters the most but also doctrine can effect this, there is endurance gain from something like a Socom profile undeniably and when heat is getting added back into the system from the surefire can which is unnecessarily heavy is where a having a bit more material throughout would be nice.

[@AJ13B]

Near clone comes with a Geissele gas block, the clone comes with a DD gas block.

[@AJ13B]

I also think, the near clone comes with a 3 prong flash hider and the clone one comes with a 4 prong flash hider.

[@mbz7417]

​@@AJ13B wrong, near clone comes with a 4-prong

[@AJ13B]

@@mbz7417 k 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@KINGRODP]

This guy sounds a lot like Nate from Valhalla FT...

[@AggiePhil]

Where does the part about it being a mistake come in?

[@rustysausage69]

that's the joke, its far from a mistake.

[@rondobrondo]

Taupe is pronounced like 'tow', like to 'tow' a boat. Towp

[@timrainger8908]

Clone life guys chime in

[@WesleyNunley-b8n]

The answer is no. There you go just saved everyone 12 minutes of their life go do something else.

[@BarnDoor-won5ve]

I dont care! The block ii will always be the coolest m4 the milotary ever had

[@godswrath5705]

AR is AR

[@boygonewhoopdataZZ]

You know they're going to be ordering some URGI-HB uppers soon. Heavy Barrel uppers.

[@-Agent-0range-s]

I’m….I’m….

[@randyreviewsit]

I say the super duty is better.

[@ZzBiohazzardzZ]

Overgassed

[@mattmorrison9379]

Quad rail gang lol.

[@nexthubbins]

❤❤even subscribed🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@newdefsys]

Clickbait title.

[@justgunsyt]

Cons? 😁

[@SuperTrb0]

The Block II with the DD rail is the apex of the SOPMOD program. No adapters needed, doesn’t go Gumby when you drop it. Its only drawback is its weight. Do push ups until it’s not heavy anymore. Problem solved.

[@ultraspank8479]

No you were a mistake lmao jk Jk bro 😂😂

[@nexthubbins]

Liked ❤❤❤❤❤n. Commented 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@ace1gun]

QuadRail Gang Button -->

[@WendigoLLC]

Geissele also quietly added some reinforcement on the MK16/URGI series of rails. The bend issues were only present during the initial batch. I had a very early NSN marked and sterile otherwise first run URGI, and it was definitely a problem. Not an issue for any generation besides that.

[@flooid5506]

No. Bye

[@epiccowboymemes2042]

It should be called URGSI (Universal Upper Group Supposedly Improved)