I recently got my new Daniel Defense M4 V7... a quick report. This one is chambered in .223/5.56 with the 16" government profile barrel (not the lightweight.) My intent for this rifle is to be an SPR-concept at the distances available at my local range, which has a max of 250 yards. My previous AR was a NEA-15 10.5", which I have since sold to a friend (which means I still get to shoot it - yes!) I have only shot NEA and Norinco AR's, so any opinions are based against that. I primarily shoot a custom rem 700 in 308 in a A5, mclennan barrel, jewel trigger, etc.
When I ordered this rifle I had high expectations. Having had my NEA for a year it was time to change things up. While I found the NEA great fun for plinking off of metal targets at any reasonable distance (100y, 200y) its accuracy suffered from the 10.5" barrel. Being used to higher precision rifles I wanted to do more. I picked the V7 because of DD's reputation. It has the new modular float rail which is fast becoming the new trend. They're lighter than the monolithic rails we usually see, offer more mounting positions and are frankly way more comfortable to hold. My plan was to add an optic suitable for both close range and longer range use, and settled on a Vortex PST 1-4x mounted in the Vortex ADR QD mount (a rebranded ADM, which are reviewed quite positively.) The Vortex/ADM has way more contact area with the rail and feels extremely substantial. A very solid mount (and it bloody well should be at over $200.)
The rifle arrived quickly from Wolverine Supplies (who are awesome as always to work with) and the BC CFO was fairly quick with this transfer (5 days, of course it probably helps that I emailed them.) Everything arrived extremely well packed. Included was a hard case, which is fairly flimsy. Frankly a rifle of this quality deserves a better case and I'll be looking into other options. With an optic mounted the rifle just barely fits into its case. The rifle came well packed and covered in a light film of lube, which was easily removed with a cotton cloth. The quality then immediately becomes apparent. The fit and finish are excellent, especially when compared with the NEA's and Norinco's I am familiar with. The upper, lower, rail are a perfect solid black color. There are no milling or machine marks to be seen anywhere. The barrel has a slightly different finish, which adds a nice contrast. The included flash suppressor is of a surprising quality and looks extremely well made. I'll find out its effectiveness later.
Functionality out of the box, the rifle clearly needs a break in. Cycling the action is gritty, and was much improved after a full field strip clean/lube and cycling the action a number of times. Out of the box the trigger is like most AR triggers... heavy, clunky and just not all that exciting to use. Having become used to my Jewel trigger I decided to buy a Geissele Hi-Speed Match Rifle DMR Trigger. After a somewhat tedious install (the supplied pins with the Geissele are precision machined to be slightly larger, and there was definitely an interference fit with the DD) I could not be happier. This trigger is incredible. Frankly I did not think a AR trigger could be so smooth and positive to use. Despite anything I may do to this DD, this will always be the single most important upgrade I will have ever done. To quote Ferris Bueller, " If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up."
Up front is an Atlas BT10-LW17 Bipod which is incredibly well machined and a perfect match for the DD. Having several bipods already; Harris, Versa-Pod and the Rempel... this bipod oozes quality and is only slightly surpassed by the Rempel (which serves a completely different audience.) This thing means business, and is going to be my go-to bipod on any rifle I can install a rail on. It's that good and I haven't even shot it yet.
I'll be taking the DD to the range tomorrow to break it in and do a range report and I have high expectations. If this thing doesn't shoot well I will be very disappointed. Based on what I have read and what I've seen in my own - I have nothing to worry about. The only issue I have noticed so far is that LAR-15 magazines are an extremely tight fit. Some of mine are fine, some won't fit without a lot of force. PMAGS are fine. I have ordered a newer batch of LAR-15's and hopefully they fit better. As shown in these pictures, the rifle weights 8.8lbs. Badass.
If it doesn't shoot well, I suppose there always is a 18" match barrel from ATRS and I can turn this into a true SPR. Hey Rick!
I'm very excited.
