U.S. selects SOLGW MK1 as next-generation 5.56mm assault rifle for Special Forces units.

U.S. Special Operations Command has chosen the Sons of Liberty Gun Works SOLGW MK1 as its next-generation 5.56mm assault rifle, confirming the award under the Combat Assault Rifle program. The selection signals a major shift in SOCOM's small-arms planning, aligning operators with a modernized platform that promises greater reliability and modularity.

U.S. Special Operations Command officials confirmed on November 20, 2025, that the Sons of Liberty Gun Works SOLGW MK1 assault rifle will become the command’s next standard 5.56mm combat weapon, a decision reached after a competitive evaluation that involved multiple industry submissions. According to program officials familiar with the announcement, the MK1 was selected for its consistent performance in reliability testing, its adaptable operating system, and its compatibility with SOCOM’s growing suite of optics and enablers. The rifle is scheduled to begin fielding in late 2026, providing units across Army Special Forces, Naval Special Warfare, Air Force Special Tactics, and Marine Raiders with a unified light-assault rifle.
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U.S. Special Operations Forces will begin fielding the new SOLGW MK1 rifle in 2026, shown here equipped with a suppressor, advanced optics, and modular accessories tailored for high-risk operations. (Picture source: Gunmen video Youtube channel)

Currently, the Colt M4A1 carbine serves as the standard-issue assault rifle across most U.S. SOCOM (Special Operations Command) Special Forces units. In service since the late 1990s, the M4A1 has undergone various enhancements but remains largely unchanged in architecture. The introduction of the SOLGW MK1 is not intended to replace all M4A1 rifles across the command immediately. Instead, it will be fielded incrementally, beginning with specific Special Operations elements that require a more rugged, precision-tuned, and suppressor-optimized platform for expeditionary and clandestine missions.

The decision to adopt the MK1 follows an intensive multi-year selection process, during which SOCOM subjected candidate rifles to extreme testing conditions. The trials included salt fog corrosion, full submersion in mud and brackish water, suppressed and unsuppressed high-volume fire, and exposure to temperature extremes ranging from Arctic cold to desert heat. The MK1 proved capable of maintaining accuracy and full reliability throughout these trials, a critical factor in its final selection.

The rifle itself is a select-fire AR-15–based platform engineered for durability and mission modularity. It features a forged 7075-T6 aluminum receiver set, a 41V50 chrome-moly-vanadium barrel with a mid-length gas system, and a corrosion-resistant bolt carrier group. Ambidextrous controls, an M-LOK free-floating handguard, and a finely tuned two-stage trigger enable the weapon to perform across a range of tactical roles, from close-quarters combat to precision engagements.

One of the decisive factors in selecting the MK1 was its superior performance under suppression. SOCOM operators frequently run suppressed in both urban and austere environments, and the MK1’s minimal zero shift, low gas blowback, and recoil stability under suppression set it apart during evaluation. The platform was also praised for its maintainability and long-term durability of its parts, particularly in high-round-count use.

While the M4A1 will continue to serve in many SOCOM and conventional units, the MK1 will fill a critical role in scenarios where reliability under extreme conditions and tight integration with suppressors are paramount. This includes maritime boarding operations, special reconnaissance, direct action raids, and high-risk advisory missions with partner forces. Sources familiar with the rollout plan suggest that Naval Special Warfare and select Army Special Forces battalions will be among the first to receive the new platform.

The selection of a rifle from Sons of Liberty Gun Works, an independent manufacturer better known in law enforcement and high-end civilian markets, also reflects SOCOM’s shift toward sourcing from smaller, quality-driven companies capable of rapid innovation. The award places SOLGW among a select tier of American firms entrusted with supplying weapons to the most elite U.S. combat forces.

Although the total contract value and quantity remain classified, procurement is expected to span several thousand units over multiple years. Additional orders are likely based on operational feedback. The MK1's success could also influence future Army and Marine Corps small-arms modernization efforts, especially as larger-scale rifle-replacement programs evolve.

For SOCOM, the move signals more than just a hardware upgrade. It reflects a broader recalibration of how the U.S. military equips its most capable fighters. By prioritizing reliability, modularity, and user-driven design, this decision reaffirms a commitment to battlefield dominance. By replacing the M4A1 in key operational pockets, the SOLGW MK1 not only modernizes the platform; it redefines what special operations rifles must deliver in the era of near-peer threats and global irregular warfare.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.