Spikes Tactical vs Daniel Defense? please help me decide

Jriss138 · 08-01-2012, 18:05

Hello I am not new to the AR platform but I never really thought of actually owning one until now (they remind me of work haha) For some reason now I have the bug to own one. I have the option of buying either a Spikes Tactical ST-15 16" M4 LE Carbine http://www.spikestactical.com/new/z/...ine-p-387.html
Or a DANIEL DEFENSE M4 CARBINE, V2
https://danieldefense.com/rifles/dan...arbine-v2.html
I can get the Spikes for around $830 with about a one month wait and I do have a Knights Armament quad rail that I would put on it. Or I could buy the Daniel Defense right now for around $1200 that is in stock at my local gun shop. Both are in my budget. I know the DD is quite a bit more but I don't mind paying more for quality, as long as its justified. I don't however want to pay more for a name. I know the DD has a cold hammer forged barrel and includes the quad rail. What are your thoughts? I'd appreciate the input very much.

shadow65 · 08-01-2012, 18:25

Get the DD. You won't have to second guess your self.
Dave N

Tim151515 · 08-01-2012, 18:25

Ever gonna mount accessories? if so Id get the DD. By the time you put a (quality) quad on the Spikes it will be almost as much as the DD. just my .02

BenjiEDF · 08-01-2012, 18:33

I really like DD, and I would suggest you get the mid length though not the carbine version. I like the rail on this one better but they make a quad rail version too.

Tim151515 · 08-01-2012, 18:44

^^ nice looking rifle.

Jriss138 · 08-01-2012, 19:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim151515

Ever gonna mount accessories? if so Id get the DD. By the time you put a (quality) quad on the Spikes it will be almost as much as the DD. just my .02

Yes I definitely want the quad rail but like I said in the original post. I have a Knights Armament drop in 2 piece quad rail that I can mount if I chose the Spikes

catalyst686 · 08-02-2012, 00:11

I have a DD upper 16" with omega X rail, I had a stripped Spikes lower and put the two together, I've never had a single malfunction, DD is top notch quality, I love the gun, this isn't my current set up, but this is when I first got it and this is the only pic ive got of her

WoodenPlank · 08-02-2012, 00:16

DD by a mile.

**MrMurphy** · 08-02-2012, 07:35

Between the two, get the DD, no contest.

Pricewise, both are a bit high.

mjkeat · 08-02-2012, 08:52

Since post count means so much, DD.

Jriss138 · 08-02-2012, 09:20

OK, so it seems like DD is the way to go. What about the Daniel Defense M4 Carbine, XVEZ? http://westernsportonline.com/index....roducts_id=921
It is spec'd more closely to the Spikes except it has a drop in 2 piece rail system included. It does not have the free floating quadrail that the DD has in my original post. But I can get this one for a lower price new. The local gun shop has one of these too and they are discontinued so once its gone its gone. I don't think I need free float rails anyway.

**MrMurphy** · 08-02-2012, 09:30

Either of the DDs would serve you well for a first rifle.

Freefloat isn't absolutely necessary, but smart to have.

***Fire_Medic*** · 08-02-2012, 10:13

My little story on why Daniel Defense has won me over as a loyal customer, aside from the fact that I like much of their products.

When I first put my sbr together last year I bought a "used" DD upper on arfcom to which I had the fsb shaved down and a vtac rail installed. when the paperwork came back and I went to shoot it my shots were all over the place no matter how I adjusted my irons. I had a few other shooters I shoot with give it a try with the same result, including the guy who built it. I though great, barrel issue now I'm gonna need a new barrel or upper. My buddy says let me call my guy at DD first and see what he says. We told them I bought the upper used, wasn't trying to pull anything here. They said send it in, doesn't matter if you bought it used or not, they wanted to look at it.

So after the upper was stripped and sent to DD I got a call from them the day after they received my upper. They would not say what the issue was, just that they would be replacing the barrel free of charge but I would have to fork out $70 for the low pro gas block because they weren't' gonna shave down a fsb for no reason.

Despite me buying it used off the Internet, they replaced my barrel and I incurred what I feel was a minimal charge for the gas block, and they paid shipping both ways too. You can't beat that kind of CS. The rifle is a tack driver ever since and I could not be happier.

Had their factory sbr's been available when I put mine together it's what I would have bought.

In your case I would take the DD over the spikes any day of the week, but I would shop around for a better deal than what you're getting locally.

Good luck
FM

Jriss138 · 08-02-2012, 12:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenjiEDF

I really like DD, and I would suggest you get the mid length though not the carbine version. I like the rail on this one better but they make a quad rail version too.

they have that 1 in stock at the local gun shop too I think it's a little over 1100. Could you give me a reason why I should choose this one would it be lighter? would I be out of luck if I wanted to mount a angled foregrip From Magpul

WoodenPlank · 08-02-2012, 13:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jriss138

they have that 1 in stock at the local gun shop too I think it's a little over 1100. Could you give me a reason why I should choose this one would it be lighter? would I be out of luck if I wanted to mount a angled foregrip From Magpul

You can still mount an AFG, as the 3, 6 and 9 o'clock rails are able to be removed and moved around as needed. Mount a rail segment where you want your AFG to go, then bolt on the AFG.

Jriss138 · 08-02-2012, 13:36

Ok, I never researched that rail before that seems like a nice set up, full quad rails are heavy especially when they are as long as some of these mid lengths. It is nice to only have rails where you need them. I think this one may be my pick. Plus I have been hearing a lot about the mid length gas system and this one has it.

Trey83 · 08-02-2012, 16:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenjiEDF

I really like DD, and I would suggest you get the mid length though not the carbine version. I like the rail on this one better but they make a quad rail version too.

I'd go with this one and never look back

Jriss138 · 08-02-2012, 17:21

Just put money down on a DDMV7! Picking it up Tuesday! This journey for an AR took some twists and turns but I think it ended up with a better ending than the one I had planned haha. Thanks for all the input.

Trey83 · 08-02-2012, 18:33

Congrats! We expect an update with pics.

K. Foster · 08-02-2012, 19:09

Jriss, You made a good choice.

Jriss138 · 08-02-2012, 20:50

Sure thing I'll take home pics and see if I can figure out how to upload them after I pick it up. I was originally looking for an A3 style M4 carbine since that is what I am used to and train with. After handling the DDMV7 it just felt so great. Even with the standard weight CHF barrel it felt so light thanks to the modular rail system. I can't wait to shoot the thing. I'm already thinking of things I want to upgrade on it. Possibly replacing the Magpul MOE stock with an STR or an ACTS-L. Replacing the A2 pistol grip comes first though. BCM gunfighter mod 1 grip come to mind and while I order that I might as well get one of their gunfighter charging handles. I think it's safe to say I got the bug... bad

Trey83 · 08-02-2012, 20:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jriss138

Sure thing I'll take home pics and see if I can figure out how to upload them after I pick it up. I was originally looking for an A3 style M4 carbine since that is what I am used to and train with. After handling the DDMV7 it just felt so great. Even with the standard weight CHF barrel it felt so light thanks to the modular rail system. I can't wait to shoot the thing. I'm already thinking of things I want to upgrade on it. Possibly replacing the Magpul MOE stock with an STR or an ACTS-L. Replacing the A2 pistol grip comes first though. BCM gunfighter mod 1 grip come to mind and while I order that I might as well get one of their gunfighter charging handles. I think it's safe to say I got the bug... bad

Yup, you sure do

There aren't many things that you will need to replace on that rifle but those BCM goodies are a nice place to start.

WoodenPlank · 08-02-2012, 20:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jriss138

Sure thing I'll take home pics and see if I can figure out how to upload them after I pick it up. I was originally looking for an A3 style M4 carbine since that is what I am used to and train with. After handling the DDMV7 it just felt so great. Even with the standard weight CHF barrel it felt so light thanks to the modular rail system. I can't wait to shoot the thing. I'm already thinking of things I want to upgrade on it. Possibly replacing the Magpul MOE stock with an STR or an ACTS-L. Replacing the A2 pistol grip comes first though. BCM gunfighter mod 1 grip come to mind and while I order that I might as well get one of their gunfighter charging handles. I think it's safe to say I got the bug... bad

Good call on both the GF grip and charging handle. There's a new version of the Gunfighter charging handle out with some nice refinements over the original model. I can't quite justify buying a new one for the slight improvements, though, when my older version works fine.

The grip is fantastic. A bit skinny, but the steeper grip angle definitely helps.

***Fire_Medic*** · 08-02-2012, 21:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jriss138

Sure thing I'll take home pics and see if I can figure out how to upload them after I pick it up. I was originally looking for an A3 style M4 carbine since that is what I am used to and train with. After handling the DDMV7 it just felt so great. Even with the standard weight CHF barrel it felt so light thanks to the modular rail system. I can't wait to shoot the thing. I'm already thinking of things I want to upgrade on it. Possibly replacing the Magpul MOE stock with an STR or an ACTS-L. Replacing the A2 pistol grip comes first though. BCM gunfighter mod 1 grip come to mind and while I order that I might as well get one of their gunfighter charging handles. I think it's safe to say I got the bug... bad

Suggestion- lots of AMMO and about 10 good mags, ambi safety, a good sling and way to mount it, and go get some training. As you start to use the rifle and train with it you will see what other people are doing/using, most folks will let you check thier stuff out, and you can talk to people at training who have most likely trained before, and you will see what you would like to upgrade for your own preferences. Don't be in such a hurry (I know it's hard) to slap everything you can on it. Make it a build with purpose in mind, tailored to YOU and in the long run you will be happier and have saved money, trust me, lol.

Congrats again on a fine rifle!

WoodenPlank · 08-02-2012, 21:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fire_Medic

Suggestion- lots of AMMO and about 10 good mags, ambi safety, a good sling and way to mount it, and go get some training. As you start to use the rifle and train with it you will see what other people are doing/using, most folks will let you check thier stuff out, and you can talk to people at training who have most likely trained before, and you will see what you would like to upgrade for your own preferences. Don't be in such a hurry (I know it's hard) to slap everything you can on it. Make it a build with purpose in mind, tailored to YOU and in the long run you will be happier and have saved money, trust me, lol.

Congrats again on a fine rifle!

Absolutely.

Also, whatever you do, avoid single-point slings like the plague. Get a QD mount that will fit the MFR (might have to mount a rail segment then attach the mounting point to that) and get a good quality 2-point padded sling with QD swivels. Get the QD socket for the stock you decide you want to keep, and get to work.

Sling should run from the outside side of the stock (ie: right side if right handed) over your strong shoulder, across your back, and come out under the opposite arm pit before attaching to the fore-end.

For the sling itself, look at the Blue Force Gear VCAS (Vickers sling) or a Viking Tactics (Lamb sling). Both are excellent products that will serve you well.