Who is Daniel Defense?

What is Daniel Defense?

Daniel Defense is a gun manufacturing company out of Black Creek, Georgia, created by Marty Daniel in 2001 after he shot his first AR 15 in 1999. Daniel Defense is one of those companies that is hard to root against if you know about their owner, Marty Daniel. Daniel was an Electrical Engineering major at Georgia Southern University in 1985 when he subsequently failed out of college twice. After his 2nd failed attempt to become an electrical engineer, the University sent him a letter explaining the need for Marty to move on from college and try something else.  As a fighter and with great persistence, Marty Daniel ignored the school’s recommendation and went back for the 3rd time.  This time, Marty graduated with honors as an engineer and now sits on the Board of Advisors for Georgia Southern University.

As Marty Daniel continued to be intrigued by the AR 15, he noticed a glaring need for a flattop upper receiver, which makes the receiver lighter, more adaptable, and durable than the traditional upper receivers produced by Colt. He named this receiver the “Big Hole Receiver” started selling 96 of them after his family put their farm up for collateral for the loan. Once he got the $250,000 loan, he went to work creating and selling upper receivers until he got his big break in 2003, when he won the Special Operations Comand (SOCOM) contract for his new rail system, the RIS II.

Daniel Defense Rails

As Daniel Defense began to grow, they were able to consolidate all of their facilities and products under one 250,000 square foot manufacturing facility. Daniel Defense rails are all cold-hammer-forged, made with aircraft-grade aluminum, require no extra tools to assemble, are free-floating, and are made from a Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) machine. Daniel Defense is known as one of the best manufactures of rails and barrels because of their attention to detail and the precision provided by the CNC machine. The most popular and famous rail is the RIS II rail that went up against every gun manufacturer in bidding with SOCOM to become the standard rail for Special Operations soldiers.

Rail Interface System II (RIS II)

The RIS II is considered by many in the gun community as one of the most revolutionary rail systems, designed specifically for our nation’s biggest badasses. As SOCOM found the need to have an M203 (grenade launcher) attached to their rifle, they became frustrated by the weight and ergonomics of the standard Colt Barrel. They wanted a free-floating M203 attachment that was lightweight and more ergonomic. Daniel Defense accomplished this task by integrating the M203 parts into the rail system.

Omega Rail

The 2nd most popular rail system from Daniel Defense is the Omega rail system that offers a free-floating rail that is easily installed with an Allen Wrench. The same CNC machine that produces the SOCOM rail system produces the Omega Rail with the same precision and durability. Made from the highest aircraft-grade aluminum with type III Hard Coat Anodized finish. This 9″ rail system provides the best in quality, precision, and durability in a lightweight frame (8 oz), at an affordable price.

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Daniel Defense Rifles

There are two types of rifles that Daniel Defense produces, which are the bolt-action hunting rifle and the AR platform sporting rifle. Each rifle produced by Daniel Defense is cold-hammer-forged and manufactured from aircraft-grade aluminum in a CNC machine for maximum precision. I had the wonderful opportunity to shoot a Delta 5 .308 hunting rifle and was absolutely blown away. The free-floating interchangeable barrel, chambered in either a .308 or 6.5 Creedmore round, produces a level of accuracy that is almost unparalleled in a hunting rifle without modification. I’ve never seen a company guarantee a .75 MOA at 100 yards right out of the box, but Daniel Defense put their money where their mouth with the Delta 5 Accuracy Package.

Delta 5 .308 Rifle

The Delta 5 Hunting rifle is chambered in a .308 Winchester and a 6.5 Creedmore for the stopping power needed to bring down big game, such as Mule Deer, Elk, and Moose. The .308 model is fitted with an interchangeable 20-inch barrel and a 1:10″ twist rate for the barrel. Weighing 8.9 lbs and a 40-inch overall length allows the hunter to reach targets further out with better accuracy. Personally, I wouldn’t buy a hunting rifle unless it had a 24-inch barrel, but this rifle is incredibly well made and performs better than most other rifles on the market. If I had the money to spend on a Daniel Defense rifle, I’d buy the 6.5 Creedmore with the 24-inch barrel to make sure I get a little more range and accuracy at further ranges.

Specs:

Pros:

• Lightweight
• Accurate
• Durable
• Has interchangeable barrels
• Customization doesn’t require extra tools
• Built around the AR platform
• The 5-round Magpul magazine is perfect for hunters who are shooting longer distances
• Amazing trigger!

Cons:

• Very expensive
• I prefer the 24″ barrel
• I would go with the Tikka T3 for this price and setup

Features:

• 11 M-Lok attachment points
• 3 M-Lok attachment points for a sling
• Magpul magazine
• Adjustable cheek-riser
• Configurable buttstock
• Cold-Hammer-Forged Barrel makes it ready to use right out of the box

Why You Should Buy This Rifle

Daniel Defense is known in the gun world to create some of the best barrels and rail systems in the world, and this Delta 5 is no different. The barrel is cold-hammer-forged, so you don’t need to worry about the barrel wearing down as fast or if it’s zeroed in our not. With an incredible trigger pull of roughly 1.5 lbs, you can be much more precise from longer ranges if your mechanics are good. This rifle is accurate up to 500 yards with the right scope and weather conditions, so you will be able to reach out and touch your target from any mountain top or valley you find yourself in.

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Delta 5 6.5 Creedmore

If you were to ask me, which Daniel Defense rifle would I buy, the 6.5 Creedmore model is the one that I would choose for hunting. If you’re a government-trained sniper, the extra 4 inches might not mean too much to you, because you could probably shoot a fly off an Elk’s ass without hurting the animal. However, if you’re not an elite shooter, the 24-inch barrel will increase your range by at least 100 yards and, more importantly, increase your accuracy at any range you feel comfortable shooting at. This rifle is a little heavier at 9.5 lbs and has a lower twist rate than the .308 Winchester to allow for heavier ammo.

Specs:

Pros:

• Incredible Accuracy
• Extended range
• Durable
• Double-Safety trigger mechanism
• 1.4 lbs trigger pull weight
• Adjustable cheek-riser

Cons:

• A steep price, especially knowing you still need a scope

Features:

• 11 M-Lok attachment points
• 3 M-Lok attachment points for a sling
• Magpul magazine
• Adjustable cheek-riser
• Configurable buttstock
• Cold-Hammer-Forged Barrel makes it ready to use right out of the box

Why You Should Buy This Gun

I can’t recommend this rifle enough to any serious hunter who is looking for an advantage over the elements and the superiority of animal sense of smell and impeccable hearing. You’ll be able to accurately reach your target from distances over 400 yards with ease and stay far enough so the prey can’t hear or smell you (still stay downwind of your target). With a 24-inch barrel and a heavier bullet, this rifle is made for hunting in places like the Rocky Mountains, Cascades, and the Alaskan Wilderness. For the same price as the 20-inch barrel, you’ll get a rifle with more reach and accuracy without a ton of added weight.

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DANIEL DEFENSE DDM4A1

The Daniel Defense M4A1 is the same style rifle manufactured specifically for our SOCOM soldiers with the RIS II and the cold-hammer-forged barrel coated in heavy Phosphate and lined with chrome. The M4 rifle is one of the most popular rifles in the world, with hundreds of thousands sold over the last couple of decades. Almost every gun company produces a model of the AR-15/M4, so what separates Daniel Defense from the competition? The precision that Daniel Defense offers in their productions is due to the advanced CNC machine that cuts and molds the aircraft-grade aluminum into the perfect rifle, every time. The receivers are hard anodized coated to ensure incredible longevity and durability while maintaining its high standard of performance. The DD M4A1 also feels better because the weight distribution is more even than most other AR model rifles, providing great stability and increasing your control of the gun.

Specs:

Pros:

• Made from the highest quality materials
• Adjustable buttstock provides easy customization
• Requires no additional tools for customization
• Incredibly durable
• Reliable enough for SOCOM to carry in war

Cons:

• Comparable brands will save you $500-700
• Doesn’t come with standard sights

Features:

• Patented QD Swivel Attachment Point for rapid release
• CNC machined
• Cold-Hammer-Forged Barrel
• Pinned and welded for easy suppressor attachment
• RIS II for a maximum level of customization
• Interchangeable buttstock, pistol grip, and receivers.

Why You Should Buy This Gun

This M4 is one of the best on the market, and the price tag is not the only indication of its superiority. Once you hold this M4A1 from Daniel Defense, you’ll understand why its so expensive and sought after by sportsmen all over the country. If you need a home defense weapon or love to go plinking, this gun will not let you down in any way; just ask the Navy SEALS or Army Special Forces, soldiers, that trust their lives with this tool.

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DANIEL DEFENSE DDM4 V7 M-LOK 16” 5.56MM NATO RIFLE

The V7 model of the Daniel Defense M4 looks to be very similar to the original M4A1 design, but other than how it produced, it’s completely different. First, the barrel is 16″ providing more accuracy at longer ranges and is not equipped with the patented RIS II. The V7 model is made with the MFR XS rail system, which cuts the weight down significantly enough to notice the difference. The MFR XS is equipped with 7 different M-Lok positions for easy customization fo your rifle. The free-floating design reduces the felt recoil of the gun and allows for the Picatinny rail on the upper receiver to be sleek and streamlined to avoid any interference with the sight picture. This incredibly well-designed rifle is a great alternative if you want to save a few hundred dollars versus the RIS II.

Specs:

Pros:

• M-Lok Attachment holes
• The extended barrel provides better accuracy and range
• MFR XS rail system is lightweight and durable
• Cheaper than the M4A1

Cons:

• Still very expensive versus the competition
• Sights sold separately

Features:

• Free-floating barrel
• Extra lightweight from the MFR rail system
• Incredible built-in flash suppressor in the muzzle
• 7 M-Lok holes for maximum customization
• Cold-Hammer-Forged Barrel

Why You Should Buy This Gun

The Daniel Defense M4 V7 model provides better accuracy and range than the M4A1 and comes in at $200 less on average. In my opinion, this is one of the best M4 rifles you could own for the price, quality, and versatility that it offers a shooter. I would buy the V7 model over the A1 model if I had a choice because of the features and increased performance from range.

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Does Daniel Defense Offer a Warranty?

Yes! Daniel Defense offers a 100% money-back guarantee on any dysfunction of the product that was produced by them. If you have any issues with your gun, such as defects in the barrel, upper & lower receivers, trigger assembly, etc…, then all you have to do is fill out this form, and they will either fix the issue or give you a brand new product. The warranty doesn’t cover the installation of any other attachments from another manufacturer. This is why it’s always important to read the manuals or get professional gunsmithing help if you have concerns about customizing your gun.

Does Daniel Defense Offer a Military or Law Enforcement Discount?

Yes, if you’re a veteran or active duty member of the Armed Forces, you are eligible for a discount on most products they offer. If your a veteran, send them your DD214 and a copy of your photo ID to take advantage of this discount, which could save you a lot of money. Active-duty soldiers just need to send them a copy of your CAC Card for proof of service, and police officers only need to provide evidence they are actively serving as a law enforcement officer.

Conclusion

Daniel Defense is one of the more established and renowned weapons manufacturers in the country because of the attention to detail and quality of materials used to produce their weapons. If you had any doubt about purchasing a gun from Daniel Defense, look to the SOCOM community and the level of trust they put in this company to help defend themselves and freedom across the globe. 100% of their products are made in America, and they continue their support of the Armed Forces by offering discounts on their products for the men and women who defend our nation abroad and in their respective communities at home.