President Donald Trump and his protection details have seen their fair share of very public security failures. As a result, the public has gotten a good look at the Knights Armament Company SR-16 rifles fielded by the United States Secret Service. Despite the KAC rifles being one of the most premium AR-style platforms on the market, with KAC’s KS-1 being adopted by UK Special Forces, the Secret Service updated to a new service rifle.
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On Nov. 25, 2025, the Secret Service published a Request for Information seeking a 5.56mm AR duty rifle and accessories. The Statement of Work specifically required a barrel length between 12.25 and 14 inches, not including the muzzle device. That muzzle device would also have to accept the HUXWRX FLOW 556K suppressor, which has to be mounted and delivered with the rifle.
By Sept. 23, 2026, the $20,000,000 contract was awarded to Geissele Automatics. While neither Geissele nor the Secret Service would publicly comment on the specifications of the contract rifle, Geissele has been extremely successful with their Super Duty line of ARs.
Originally a trigger company, Geissele became known for their crisp and precise race gun triggers for competition rifles. Combining competitive performance with combat reliability, the Geissele Super Select Fire trigger was adopted by Special Operations Command. With this endorsement, the semi-automatic versions of the SSF became the go-to triggers for civilian shooters and law enforcement.
Geissele’s next milestone was the adoption of the MK16 Super Modular M-LOK rail for the Upper Receiver Group-Improved. Updating the M4 carbine platform to a lighter and slimmer handguard that can accept modern M-LOK accessories, the URG-I has been adopted by Army and Air Force Special Operations Commands as well as the Coast Guard’s Maritime Security Response Team in various lengths.
While the military’s URG-I uses Daniel Defense barrels, Geissele created a proprietary barrel profile to offer with their complete Super Duty rifle. With this, Geissele evolved from an accessory manufacturer to a full firearms manufacturer. Featuring the same MK16 handguard as the URG-I, the Super Duty also includes Geissele’s world-class triggers.
Originally offered to law enforcement officers, the Super Duty is now an extremely competitive option on the civilian market. With the release of the MOD1, Geissele updated the Super Duty with integrated steel QD inserts in the handguard and a HUXWRX flash hider. While Surefire muzzle devices and suppressors are the choice of SOCOM, HUXWRX has exploded in popularity with civilian shooters and law enforcement (including the Secret Service). Notably, SOCOM appears to be shifting towards HUXWRX with the HICAR program.
Geissele is also famous for its Airborne Charging Handle which is included with the Super Duty. Offering ambidextrous manipulation, it remains accessible to the operator while reducing the risk of snagging on gear. Perhaps most importantly, the ACH features a shelf to minimize gas blowback to the operator while shooting suppressed. Paired with a low back pressure suppressor like a HUXWRX, the Super Duty is one of the best suppressed ARs on the market.
Although certain features like barrel length for the Secret Service Geissele contract rifle were not made public, accessories in addition to the HUXWRX suppressor were noted. Specifically, the contract calls for the rifles to be equipped with MAGPUL MIAD Gen 1.1 grips and MAGPUL CTR stocks, both in black.
While magazines don’t have to be supplied, the contract does require compatibility specifically with Magpul Gen 3 30-round PMAGs, both windowed and non-windowed. Gen 3 PMAGs feature an over-insertion tab to prevent feeding issues as experienced by a competitor in Delta34’s “All Skill, No Excuses” Match where participants all shot Geissele Super Duty rifles.
The KAC SR-16s in use with the Secret Service, primarily with the Counter Assault and Emergency Response Teams, utilize 11.5-inch barrels. With the change to a slightly longer barrel, the Secret Service may be addressing a tactical requirement for increased range. The Geissele contract required functionality with 5.56x45mm ammunition from 55 to 77 grains, a minimum barrel life of 10,000 rounds, and accuracy of at least 2 MOA.
Let’s just hope that the Secret Service doesn’t have to put any of their rifles, old or new, into action.
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