Thoughts on Daniel Defense AR's ?

I've owned a ddm4v5 and shot at MK18 recently at the range. If you don't plan on going to US for 3gun competitions and regularly shoot past 300 yards. I would go with the MK18 just as accurate, lighter and more balanced.

You can't go wrong DD at the price point.
 
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Here is one pic, the me 18 vid ddmk5
 
The range I belong to only goes to 300m. Both my DDM4V5 and Mk18 are accurate out to 300m. Currently I have a red dot sight on both, but will be putting a 1-4x optic on the DDM4V5 so I can try some longer range shooting. For local 3 gun both are suitable. I picked up the DDM4V5 because I intend to shoot in the U.S. this year.

I definitely like the Mk18 more just because I like shorter firearms but I don't really get an opportunity to use the advantage of the short length even at 3 gun matches. I find the DDM4V5 is well balanced, but I do not have any add ons such as flashlight attached to the front.

Both of DD's are stock and the only part I plan to change is the cocking handle. I don't grab the cocking handle with the two finger overhand grasp. I grab it with the thumb and finger on the left side and the cocking handle must twist slightly under the torque of cocking. It is shiney silver on one side.

If you have no plans on shooting in the U.S. and aren't worried about the Short Barrelled Rifle laws, then I would go with the Mk18.
 
Armycat, I appreciate the feedback. After all the damn looking and sorting and inquiring and hands on, it's the DD mk 18 in black with an aimpoint Pro Next choice is the grip, fore end, and hard case. This is getting expensive but it's something that must be done
 
Smiley1, what are your regrets? Is the size /length the issue? The V5 just felt heavy. I don't mind the length but the overall handling may have suiited someone who wanted the length. We're you able to stretch its legs at distances 200. Meters plus?
 
Hrcboy said:
I've owned a ddm4v5 and shot at MK18 recently at the range. If you don't plan on going to US for 3gun competitions and regularly shoot past 300 yards. I would go with the MK18 just as accurate, lighter and more balanced.

You can't go wrong DD at the price point.
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I recently took out the Tavor for plinking and I love the balance and ease of aim. I am debating whether I should sell my V5 and get the MK 18 instead. Is the difference in balance as big as I hear? I originally went with the V5 because of the longer rail so I could lock my offhand/arm to be more accurate when aiming, but I'm finding that it's not as natural and comfortable as holding the front like the Tavor with a bent arm. And the V5 is a bit front heavy. What do you guys think ? The Tavor really spoiled me...
 
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Kanwar88 said:
I recently took out the Tavor for plinking and I love the balance and ease of aim. I am debating whether I should sell my V5 and get the MK 18 instead. Is the difference in balance as big as I hear? I originally went with the V5 because of the longer rail so I could lock my offhand/arm to be more accurate when aiming, but I'm finding that it's not as natural and comfortable as holding the front like the Tavor with a bent arm. And the V5 is a bit front heavy. What do you guys think ? The Tavor really spoiled me...
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In the true way of gunnutz, my suggestion will be to keep the V5 and get the MK18 as well.

Have you done a lot of shooting with the locked out arm? I found it to become much more natural after a while, but definitely weird at first.
 
celtic1123 said:
In the true way of gunnutz, my suggestion will be to keep the V5 and get the MK18 as well.

Have you done a lot of shooting with the locked out arm? I found it to become much more natural after a while, but definitely weird at first.
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Ive done all my shooting with locked arm out, and it is natural for me especially in a competition
style setting under adrenaline. It's just that the Tavor spoiled me and didnt recoil like the V5 does, and the balance is really nice. I am considering getting a MK18 upper, but I have alot of other guns on the list.

Do you know of any stores that have one on display that I could check out and hold. Maybe I should sell the Tavor and get the balance for cheaper.
 
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I like my DDM4V7, the fit and finish are excellent and it runs smooth. I've only had issues with LAR-15 mags (older mags were slightly too bit for the mag well on the DD, newer mfg runs seem fine) and feed issues with cheap norc 5.56 (catching on the feed ramp and jamming the bullet into the case.) Other bulk ammo is fine, and of course match grade ammo has no issues. The Magpul MOE stock fits loose on the tube (normal) and is on my list of things to replace. I replaced the trigger with a Geissele DMR trigger which is very, very nice.

My only complaint has been accuracy, I cannot get better than 2MOA at 100 yards out of this rifle with match grade ammo (69gr SMKs.) This could be due to my optic, a 1-4x with a 1MOA dot but it's accurate enough for my needs at the range (banging gongs at various distances) but I am tempted to spin on a new heavy match barrel. I know you're a stickler for accuracy Tomochan so it is something to keep in mind.

Having replaced the trigger and considering a new barrel I am not completely convinced that the DD was the RIGHT rifle for me, a factory 'SPR' or 3 Gun type rifle may have been a more economical choice (eg a Stag 3G-R)
 
Thanks for the feedback everyone - esp Bolbmw for the comprehensive reviews and commentary; accuracy comments especially noted. I figure that DD is the way to go as I don't want to spend too much money on this platform again ( been there done that - last AR was a LMT MRP: awesome gun ! ) as I am only an occasional AR user. Now the choice is the V7 or the MK18..... mmm, decisions, decisions.
 
Tomochan said:
Thanks for the feedback everyone - esp Bolbmw for the comprehensive reviews and commentary; accuracy comments especially noted. I figure that DD is the way to go as I don't want to spend too much money on this platform again ( been there done that - last AR was a LMT MRP: awesome gun ! ) as I am only an occasional AR user. Now the choice is the V7 or the MK18..... mmm, decisions, decisions.
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If you had an LMT MRP before I would suggest you to stick with LMT. I have both but I prefer the MRP better. Slightly better trigger and you can swap barrel easily. And I do "feel" the LMT has a more solid upper. Get them when are on sale.
 
I've handled but not shot the DD MK18 at Wolverine Supplies. The build quality was great. ZERO slop between the receivers. I would buy one. I have many of their parts (rails, gas blocks, bolt carrier groups, etc) and everything is QUALITY.
 
I went with the M4 V7 / Votex Viper PST combo that Wolverine had on. Initial impressions are that it is an excellent firearm. Full review etc will follow in due course.
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I scored the M4V5 a while back, many trips to the range, lots of rounds fired, zero issues. Then again, as a range toy, it hasn't endured all that much in the way of hardships.
 
Kanwar88 said:
I recently took out the Tavor for plinking and I love the balance and ease of aim. I am debating whether I should sell my V5 and get the MK 18 instead. Is the difference in balance as big as I hear? I originally went with the V5 because of the longer rail so I could lock my offhand/arm to be more accurate when aiming, but I'm finding that it's not as natural and comfortable as holding the front like the Tavor with a bent arm. And the V5 is a bit front heavy. What do you guys think ? The Tavor really spoiled me...
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I have a Noveske Afghan with a 14.5" medium contour stainless barrel.
I use a Magpul UBR buttstock which is heavier than most other buttstocks but it balances the rifle perfectly.
I am small in stature but I have no problems completing a course of fire without my arms wanting to fall off.
Balance is more important than weight in my books.

Try removing the handguard and comparing its weight with the new Noveske NSR ones which are ultralight.
That may be enough to make you fall in love with your rifle all over again.
 
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