Delta Armory DA-A07 ALPHA™ MK18 MOD.1 M4/AR-15 AEG

The MK18 MOD.1 platform is the current issue rifle for the US Navy SEALs and is used by a whole host of other Special Forces organisations including Delta Force and US Army Rangers. MK18-style rifles are also very popular in their civilian form on the US tactical shooting scene, and the Delta Armory example is styled to match these customised platforms with its modern, angular receiver design. 

It may not be KeyMod or M-LOK, but the straight-talking DD-style quad rail on the MK18 makes it ready for 20mm Picatinny accessories without the need for adapters and allows an M203 grenade launcher to be mounted directly to the barrel by removing the lower section of the handguard. Let's see a Key-LOK rail do that!

Starting at the tip of the 10.5-inch alloy outer barrel we are met with a birdcage flash hider which conceals 14mm CCW male threading beneath. The birdcage suits the MK18 MOD.1 build well, but if you are going full SF with this rifle you will be happy to learn it can accept any tracer unit or suppressor which mounts to the common 14mm CCW male threading. A KAC or SF-style suppressor or tracer would be perfect on this rifle!

The handguard begins practically immediately following the flash hider, being 10 inches in overall length. This handguard is a great replica of the real steel MK18 MOD.1 handguard and boasts 20mm Picatinny rails machined in at the 3, 6, 9 and 12 o'clock positions along the full length of the handguard. The lower section of the handguard can also be removed, leaving the bare barrel exposed to allow an M203 grenade launcher to be mounted in the most realistic way possible, just like the real thing. Whatever you plan on mounting to your primary, this MK18 can take it!

The upper rail of the handguard meets the receiver rail seamlessly, providing a massive 16-inches of uninterrupted rail space along the top; perfect for optical sights of any length! As you will receive it, the Delta Armory MK18 MOD.1 has a set of polymer flip-up aperture iron sights pre-installed on this rail which are fully adjustable and can either serve as primary sights to tide you over until you get a red dot on this bad boy, or left flipped down to act as back up sights to your primary sight. The spring-assisted deployment of these sights makes them especially useful as BUIS as you can simply press the tab on the rear of each of the sights to have them snap up and into place in an instant, ready to take the shot!

The receiver of the Delta Armory MK18 deviates slightly from the military configuration, though it keeps its standard M4/AR-15 controls layout. The fire selector is positioned just above the pistol grip and offers 3 modes of fire; SAFE, SEMI and AUTO, with a 90-degree throw between each mode. This makes the selector easy to switch, but not so easy that it can be knocked out of position accidentally. The magazine release is on the right side of the magazine well and is accessible for a right-handed user with the tip of the trigger finger.

Pulling back the charging handle, located at the top rear of the receiver will open the dust cover and retract the mock bolt carrier to allow access to the rotary HOP-up adjuster. This is the latest HOP-up unit design for the M4/AR-15 and provides finer increments of adjustment and holds its setting more effectively when compared to the older gear style HOP-up unit. The charging handle has an extended latch for easier access, allowing even those with thick gloves to access the HOP-up unit, though you may need to take off a glove to turn the adjuster!

Now we get to the more exciting aspects of the externals! The receiver of Delta Armory's MK18 is a modernised design, complete with machined in gripping texture on the front of the magazine well, ideal for shooting from unconventional positions and angular surfaces across the receiver, giving the old '60s design a 21st-century facelift. The trigger guard is also enlarged and built into the receiver, improving strength considerably and following trends in the latest high-end real steel AR-15 rifles.

The pre-installed pistol grip is based on the real steel "Gunfighter mod.3" grip, a modern ergonomic design with a filled backstrap and a reduced grip angle. This allows for a more comfortable shooting stance in CQB when you are running the stock fully collapsed, avoiding wrist fatigue which can develop with more conventional grip designs. The trigger is known as the CNC Type A Flat trigger, offering a flat serrated front surface with a short finger ledge, ideal for rapid double taps. 

The Delta Armory MK18 MOD.1 also includes some dummy controls to keep the rifle looking faithful to the real MK18 MOD.1. The bolt catch, over on the left side of the receiver does not function but is nonetheless a separate part, avoiding a moulded in bolt catch, a tell-tale sign of a replica. The forward assist is a similar story, being present on the right side of the upper receiver and being a separate moving part which can be pressed in but does not affect the function of the AEG.

At the rear of the receiver, we are treated to an ambidextrous sling plate which is constructed from steel, providing ample strength to support the MK18 on a single-point sling. This sling point can also be paired with a front sling point (available separately) if you prefer a two-point sling setup for better stability when moving with the rifle stowed. Following the sling plate, we come to the good old AR buffer tube, constructed from alloy and offering 6-positions of adjustment for the stock, making it suitable for any body type.

Bringing up the rear, we have the Delta Armory M4/AR-15 battery stock, which some may recognise from Krytac's Trident range. This stock was actually designed by Delta and supplied to Krytac, so what you are seeing here is the original! The stock is constructed from high-density polymer throughout, with a steel adjustment pin to eliminate wobble and steel QD sling sockets on either side. The stock is a "club foot" style design with a low profile adjustment lever to reduce the possibility of snagging the stock on your equipment. 

Accessing the battery compartment is super simple compared to other stocks; simply press the two textured tabs at the toe of the stock and the butt plate will pop off, revealing the battery compartment and the mini-Tamiya battery connector inside. We recommend a 7.4V 1300mAh LiPo in crane/nunchuck configuration for an easy fit but there is potentially room for more, though make sure you don't squash your LiPo cells!

Also present on the stock is a sling slot for more traditional rifle sling setups and a raised cheek pad comprised of slightly smoother polymer than the rest of the stock for improved comfort. The butt plate is rubberized and is textured for optimum grip; ensuring that the stock stays firmly in your shoulder when shooting. The Delta Armory logo can be found embossed on the left side in bold lettering, allowing you to show off your brand allegiance! 

On the inside, the Delta Armory MK18 MOD.1 is fitted with plenty of pre-upgraded internal parts focusing on longevity and user-friendly maintenance. The version 2 gearbox shell is reinforced, allowing it to be upgraded for higher power springs if you want to take your build in a DMR direction. The spring guide is a quick change example, allowing for quick and easy power tuning without opening the gearbox shell and has ball bearings in its base to reduce the rotational force applied to the gearbox shell for a longer lifespan. 

Inside the gearbox, we have a set of 18:1 ratio steel gears mounted on 8mm ball bearing bushings, an SHS piston with a full steel tooth rack and an SHS delayer chip and tappet plate to add reinforcement in the key places that need it. The ball-bearing bushings allow the gears to spin more freely with a reduced gearbox report and a much smoother sound. To provide the accuracy needed to get the job done at long range, the MK18 MOD.1 ALPHA™ is rocking a 6.03mm tightbore inner barrel paired with a rotary HOP-up unit, offering higher FPS with the same spring and finer HOP-up adjustment increments. 

If you long for a full metal MK18 MOD.1, the Delta Armory ALPHA™ model is the best in its price range, offering the highly desirable MK18 styling with the authentic feel of full metal and some thoughtful modern enhancements. With pre-upgraded internals, loads of space for accessories and the highly upgradeable M4/AR-15 format, this is the M4 platform for those who want to deck out their primary to the max!

Features

• Full metal construction
• 6.03mm Tightbore inner barrel - Great accuracy potential
• 14mm CCW Male threaded outer barrel - Tracer/suppressor ready
• Flip-up iron sights pre-installed - Mounted to the top rail, press textured buttons to flip up
• MK18 MOD.1 style Quad 20mm Picatinny railed handguard - Loads of room for lasers, grips, flashlights etc.
• Remove the bottom section of the handguard to mount an M203 Launcher to the barrel - Make it a beast!
• 20mm Picatinny railed receiver - Ready for a red dot sight or rifle scope
• Unique receiver design - Angular surfaces, gripping texture on the front of the magazine well
• Enlarged trigger guard - Easy access for gloved or ungloved shooters
• Ergonomic pistol grip with reduced grip angle - Great for modern shooting stances, very comfy
• Ambidextrous sling plate - Mount a single-point sling on the left or right side
• Extended charging handle latch - Easy access to the HOP-up unit for adjustment
• Rotary adjustable HOP-up unit - Easy to adjust in fine increments, holds its setting well long-term 
• 6-Position M4/AR-15 buffer tube - Adjust the stock to suit your body type perfectly
• Unique Delta Armouries sliding stock - Plenty of battery space, low-profile adjustment lever & QD sling socket 
• Rear wired - Mini-Tamiya connector - Recommended battery: 7.4V 1300mAh LiPo in Crane/Nunchuck config.
• Reinforced version 2 gearbox - 
  • SHS Piston with steel full tooth rack
  • SHS Delayer chip
  • SHS Tappet plate
  • Quick change ball bearing spring guide
  • Steel 18:1 gearset
  • 8mm Ball bearing bushings
• Compatible with M4/AR-15 AEG magazines - Plenty of spares available

Package Includes

• Delta Armory MK18 MOD.1 M4/AR-15 ALPHA™ AEG
• 120rnd Mid-cap magazine