230grain.com articles said:
Daniel Defense, best known for AR-15 accessories, unveiled something new at the 2009 SHOT show, showing the world that they were not only capable of accessorizing an AR-15, but could also build one from the ground up.
Larry Vickers, the Special Forces Operator turned gunsmith, was one of the many behind the effort. From what we saw at the show it seemed that he and Daniel Defense had indeed pulled something off. Not only was their AR-15 lightweight, it was packed to the gills with features. We made a note of it and enjoyed some conversation with the representatives at the booth, who boldly declared that the rifle offered "out-of-the-box tactical supremacy."
We took pictures and moved on.
There were some doubts on our minds, however, at the end of the day: Daniel Defense was a good company and the AR was nice, but would they be able to bring the same product to the market?
Several months later, with a sample on hand, we can now tell you that yes, they can deliver.
These are all great features, and they make for an impressive and well thought-out rifle. But do they, and the performance of the rifle itself, produce the "out-of-the-box tactical supremacy" mentioned by the DD people at SHOT? Would the gun cash the checks marketing's mouths were writing?
The rifle arrived without little fanfare, nestled inside a 30lb drop-tested locking case.
The contents were similarly understated: one AR-15 Rifle and one Magpul Pmag.
More than a couple of features jump out at you when you pick up the rifle:
Daniel Defense quick detach swivel attachment point:
Center mounted for ambidextrous acceptance of push button swivels.
Magpul enhanced trigger guard.
The popular upgrade to the standard AR trigger guard comes standard.
Full-length vertical Foregrip:
Made of injection molded nylon. It feels durable and solid, yet lightweight.
The foregrip is held in place by an end cap which, when screwed into place, pushes the inner cylinder's lips up to wedge into the rails and hold the grip in place.
With the grip screw removed the VFG slides along the rails with little resistance.
Closed and locked into place.
The inner cylinder inside the VFG is actually a compartment that is deep enough to hold a single AAA or AA battery.
Moving up from the foregrip, we see the company's newest rail system, the Daniel Defense Omega Rail, a free-floating full-length uninterrupted rail system:
While the rail breaks for the installed mil-spec front sight base, the rest of the Omega rail continues past it to permit mounting additional accessories.
Integrated ambidextrous swivel mounts up front complement the rear QD swivel mount.
Left and right side swivel mounts.
There is a lot of attention to detail in this rifle:
Steel inserts for the screws on the upper. Washers on the screws.
Rail ladder covers come included to protect hands, rails, and other possible snaggy or damaging combinations.
A standard A2 "birdcage" flash suppressor caps off the barrel.
Included is another new offering from Daniel Defense, a fixed backup iron sight, made from anodized aircraft-grade aluminum.
Magpul MOE adjustable stock.
Opening it up to inspect the internals, we noted the properly staked gas key:
Bolt face.
Milspec A4 feed ramps.
Heavy Buffer.
Flared magazine well.
Not explicitly pictured is the 5.56 chambered, hammer-forged 16” 4150 MP-tested, chrome-lined barrel with 1:7 twist.
The complete package:
(Note: I forgot the Pmag in these photos, click to enlarge.)
As part of another rifle comparison, we took the BUIS off, set up up a target at 100 yards, and mounted the DDM4 in a rifle rest. We took took one shot to zero the scope; the remainder of the rounds speak for themselves.
The center shot was for scope adjustment, but the group doesn't lie. Don't mess with Daniel Defense marketing.
We were glad to see our initial positive impressions of the DDM4 reinforced by the finished product. Daniel Defense's M4 carbine meets or exceeds military specifications, and shows a great deal of thought went into its design. The modularity of AR-15s is often touted as a strong point, but the DDM4 renders that largely a moot point by supplying the most common and desirable modifications up front.
You could say it's ready...right out of the box.
- Daniel Defense | DDM4
- Lower| Military Spec with Enhanced Magazine well and Magpul 5 position MOE stock
- Upper|Military Spec with A4 Feed Ramps
- Barrel|16" MP Tested, Chrome Lined 1:7 twist, Government Profile
- Chamber|5.56
- Carrier Group|Properly staked, MP tested
- MOA| 0.488 @ 100yards in the first 5 shots.
We give this one a full 230 grains.
{Back to the Articles...}
As a side note, our very own NES member, economist, shot that group. Great shooting!
