Daniel Defense - Looking For Info

4039 Views 16 Replies 12 Participants Last post by Bushflyr, Nov 19, 2010

MyGlocks

Discussion Starter · Nov 16, 2010

I am in "full press" research mode for my first AR-15. I am considering several makes, but for my first I am looking to buy a complete "off-the-shelf" AR-15 and not build one this first time around.

Daniel Defense has hit my radar recently and I am looking for as much feedback as possible. I am looking for all the pictures and details you are willing to provide.

Thanks in advance!!:wavey:

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

mes228

· #2 · Nov 16, 2010 (Edited)

I've owned several AR's, among them Armalite (2), S&W (2), Les Baer (1), and a couple more that I never got around to firing. I now own a daniel Defense and an FN. The Daniel Defense is my favorite among the ones you can purchase. It is built as good as it can be. With all the right parts and all the right procedures. Very accurate and very reliable. I like the FN as well, or perhaps a little better, but FN is not available as a purchased product. Both are "better" (pretty subjective outside of combat) than the other AR's I've owned. All were good though, all have been accurate, all have been reliable. The AR is a great design that's reliable, and excellent for accuracy. Suppose that's why it's held up so long as a military arm.

boomhower

· #3 · Nov 17, 2010

I recently went through the same process and went with Daniel Defense, placed my order this morning. The main reason I chose DD over BCM, Spikes, and most others they are a manufacturer. DD makes the vast majority of the parts of their rifles. Most other simply stamp their name on them and do the assembly. But that's just me.

What are you looking for in a rifle? Varmits, long distance accuracy, work, home defense, etc. That makes a big difference in what we would suggest. Also price range.

My suggestion for an off the shelf all rounder would be a DD V3 LW from Clydes Armory for $1179.

MyGlocks

Discussion Starter · #4 · Nov 17, 2010

boomhower said:
...What are you looking for in a rifle?

Primary reason is to complete my home defense collection, and to do a little recreational shooting. I want to stay under $1250 for initial purchase. Willing to spend more later for "upgrades".

J8127

· #5 · Nov 17, 2010

I bought a DD M4v2 on a semi-impulse buy. I was looking for an M&P15T and they showed me that and I went "damn this is nice" and bought it. Only thing I don't like is the sling adaptor which I had replaced with a magpul asap plate, and I feel like there is more play between the receivers than there should be, but that's just me.

djegators

· #6 · Nov 17, 2010

I suggest you not get hung up on the complete rifle deal, that is unless you find a great a deal on new or barely used one. Due to taxes on firearms, you will pay 11% more, than if you buy a lower and upper separately and marry them. Bravo "blem" lowers can be had for $250 + stock of your choice, and smartgunner has DD uppers for less than $500. You are not likely to find a NIB top tier AR for under $1000.

limitdliability

· #7 · Nov 17, 2010 (Edited)

3

I love my DD upper. SmartGunner.com has a great custom build option that has good prices. Tommy (from SG) has said it is only good through the end of the year so order soon. It only takes about 2-3 weeks for the upper to be custom built to your specs, test fired, and shipped to you!

P.S. I'm not affiliated in any form or fashion with either DD or SmartGunner, just a satisfied customer

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Bowtie

· #8 · Nov 17, 2010

limitdliability said:
I love my DD upper. SmartGunner.com has a great custom build option that has good prices. Tommy (from SG) has said it is only good through the end of the year so order soon. It only takes about 2-3 weeks for the upper to be custom built to your specs, test fired, and shipped to you!

P.S. I'm not affiliated in any form or fashion with either DD or SmartGunner, just a satisfied customer

That is a BEAUTIFUL no BS rifle you have...

Navitimer

· #9 · Nov 17, 2010

I love my DDM4!!

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surf

· #10 · Nov 18, 2010

Daniel Defense is a top notch maker of the AR/M4 rifle platform. As mentioned they make most of their own parts and recently purchased their own hammer forge machine to make their own cold hammer forged barrels. There are very few US manufacturers that own this extremely expensive machinery and that shows the commitment by Daniel Defense to produce their own high quality barrels and weapons. Daniel Defense also produces perhaps THE best line up of quad rails on the market and accessories are very high quality.

I do not own a complete Daniel Defense rifle however, I do own several that wear Daniel Defense barrels, Daniel Defense rails and accessories. As far as bang for your buck, it is very hard to beat the features that Daniel Defense offers on a complete rifle especially for the price that they offer it at. Daniel Defense is always on my short list of manufacturers that I classify as Top Shelf.

If it matters any Larry Vickers, one of the biggest, or most well known and respected trainers in the industry, recently chose Daniel Defense to produce a rifle to his specifications as a limited edition variant (Daniel Defense, Larry Vickers Signature Series) for release to the public. It is the very rifle that he uses.

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MyGlocks

Discussion Starter · #11 · Nov 18, 2010

surf said:
If it matters any Larry Vickers, one of the biggest, or most well known and respected trainers in the industry, recently chose Daniel Defense to produce a rifle to his specifications as a limited edition variant (Daniel Defense, Larry Vickers Signature Series) for release to the public. It is the very rifle that he uses.

I saw a couple of his videos. This was one of the primary reasons the DDM4 is at the top of the list right now!:thumbsup:

bdoub1eu

· #12 · Nov 18, 2010

I just picked up a DDM4 v5 from Rainer Arms (they will beat any price on the Internet by $5). I also talked to Jay from DD a few times before I made my purchase. I haven't read a single bad review of DD and their CS is top notch. Can't go wrong with them, my friend...

MyGlocks

Discussion Starter · #13 · Nov 18, 2010

bdoub1eu said:
Can't go wrong with them, my friend...

This is what I continue to hear everywhere I've asked about DD! I just have to sell a Glock to have the funds to pull this off.:crying:

mjkeat

· #14 · Nov 18, 2010

I just pulled the trigger on a DD LW Mid with PA BC 1.5. I really wanted to stick w/ the no rail option but opted for the DD RIS II because it was a good deal. We'll see if it stays on or gets sold and replaced w/ a MOE.

limitdliability

· #15 · Nov 19, 2010 (Edited)

Bowtie said:
That is a BEAUTIFUL no BS rifle you have...

Thank you sir, I don't mean to hijack this thread, but I shot this DD upper for the first time today. This is at 50 yards with crummy 55gr AE223 with irons (as pictured above)
Group is around 2 inches, definitely could do better with heavier/better ammo and if it wasn't below freezing at the range today

Sorry its upside-down, uploaded from camera phone.

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surf

· #16 · Nov 19, 2010

MyGlocks said:
This is what I continue to hear everywhere I've asked about DD! I just have to sell a Glock to have the funds to pull this off.:crying:

It's only a hunk of plastic. Not like it is a 1911 or anything.

In any event, below is one of the many builds that I have done based off of a Daniel Defense barrel. I do some groups at 50 yards at a fair pace. With an EoTech 553 at 50 yards, the weapon and Daniel Defense barrel easily manage a 1" group at a fairly decent pace. If I were shooting for a true zero grouping I would slow the pace and the groups would tighten. So even at this pace the rifle is still clicking off 2MOA.

16" DD 4150 NON-CHF barrel. This is the exact same rifle that I do a full 15 part video build series. Here is the weapon shooting.
Part 1 of 3

Bushflyr

· #17 · Nov 19, 2010

2

That is one fine looking hunk of iron. You must be 6'3" though to reach that fore grip, though. My arms don't stretch that long. :supergrin:

Very similar to my own grail build:

OP: You won't go wrong with DD. Buy yourself a 16" or 14.5" mid gas, light contour gun and you'll never part with it.

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