GGK M4A1 Upgrades, Sort Off...

445449909_122175732326027248_3069738388198531417_n — A GGK operator shooting with his M4A1 carbine with the Sightmark reflex sight. Note the Picatinny style handgrip. Army.

SHAH ALAM: During the Merdeka Day parade, rehearsals and the actual event, I was intrigued with pictures of GGK/Special Forces Group carrying M4A1 carbines with M-Lok handgrips, laser sights, muzzle devices and reflex sights.

Initially I thought that the carbines may well be donated by the US, just like the KAC M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper rifles carried by Paskal operators. I initially posted that the M110s were likely to be sniper rifles procured by the RMN, just like the Army purchased some 20 Barret M107 anti-materiel rifles. The M110s were donated by the US, I was told, after I published the post on the parade though.

A Paskal operator on the left carrying the M110 SAAS rifle at the 2024 Merdeka Parade. BTDM

I asked around about GGK carbines whether it was also donated but my sources replied in the negative. Thankfully I could still identify some of the sights based on the markings on them and pictures posted on the GGK social media pages. They are Ultra Shot A-Spec reflex sights manufactured by Texas-based manufacturer, Sight Mark. As Sight Mark also manufacturers laser sights, the ones fitted on the GGK M4A1 may well be sourced from the company. I stand to be corrected of course. It is interesting to note that the GGK combat diver carbines are fitted with optics which looked like the ACOG sights but their handguards and muzzle devices are the same with the others.

GGK Special Boat Squadron operators or combat divers. The nearest operator carbine is fitted with M-Lok handgrip and muzzle device but with optic similar to the ACOG. Army.

As for the M-Lok handgrips and muzzle devices, I was stumpped. Thankfully for the Armed Forces Day demonstration and parade on October 5, a clear picture of the GGK M4A1 carbines fitted with the hand-grips was published on social media of the services (picture below).

A GGK operator with the upgraded M4A1 carbine with the Sightmark reflex sight, Ferfrans handguard and muzzle device. One could see the Ferfrans logo on the handgrip. Also note the TD logo on the mag well. Army

The M-lok handgrip and muzzle devices were sourced from Ferfrans by a local company via a quotation notice. ESSCOM and the police are equipped with Ferfrans – a California based company – assault rifles though.

GGK operators during a CQB training cycle in June this year. Note the carbines are fitted with the Sightmark reflex sights and laser pointing devices. Their handgrips are the Picatinny rail type of unknown make.

It is likely the reflex sights and the laser lights were supplied through another quotation notice as they were seen on GGK M4A1 carbines by June this year. They may have been supplied much earlier unlike the handgrips and muzzle devices which were only seen publicly in August.

A GGK operator acting as an OPFOR during the Armed Forces Day demonstration and parade on October 5. The carbine is partially hidden, but the handgrip is definitely the Ferfrans M-LOK handgrip as well as the muzzle device. Army

I was told that the GGK upgrades may well be the last one for the M4A1s as the Army may well opt for new assault rifles in RMK13. What they are going to buy is beyond me. Whatever AR is procured it may be wise for the Army to buy a small batch of rifles specifically to meet the needs of the GGK instead of funding incremental upgrades in the future as with the current situation. Standard issue AR could also be supplied to the regiment for training and ceremonial duties as well.