By: Friedrich Seiltgen
Copyright © 2024
DANIEL DEFENSE
Daniel Defense is a family-owned and privately held firearms manufacturer in Black Creek, Georgia. Founded in 2001 by President/CEO Marty Daniel, the company started from Marty’s vision to create custom accessories for his M-16 rifle.
An avid sportsman and supporter of the 2nd Amendment, Marty Daniel committed himself to produce a product unmatched in quality and precision. Just 18 years later, Marty Daniel’s concept has evolved into one of the most recognizable brands in the firearms world, manufacturing the world’s finest AR-15 rifles, rail systems, and accessories for civilian, law enforcement, and military customers.
THE LIMITED SERIES & MORE
Daniel Defense has partnered with industry-leading manufacturers to build small batches of once-in-a-lifetime rifles, the Limited Series.
In addition to the Limited Series, Daniel Defense has recently started working on their 9mm lineup. They debuted their new Daniel Defense H9 9mm pistol at the 2024 SHOT Show. The DD H9 is based on the Hudson H9 pistol. Daniel Defense purchased the original drawings from the bankrupt Hudson Manufacturing and went to work. Engineers kept the basic appearance but went through the pistol and redesigned several assemblies as well as the operating system. With the new design in place, as well as modern manufacturing techniques, the H9 pistol is a success.
Another new design is their 9mm Pistol Caliber Carbine, which will be released later this year. The PCC is built around the reliable CZ Scorpion magazine and looks very promising. Daniel Defense will offer the PCC in carbine, SBR, and pistol versions.
THE M4A1 RIII FSP – 50 SHADES OF FDE
Limited build 12 is a mix of old-school and new tech. This rifle comes with an old-school Trijicon TA31F ACOG 4×32 BAC riflescope and other extras, including the newly released Modlite 18350 Weapon-Mounted light. It is finished in Flat Dark Earth and Coyote Brown, unlike anything Daniel Defense has ever produced.
THE RECEIVERS – INTERNALS – FURNITURE
The lower receiver is Mil-Spec with an enhanced flared magazine well with a rear QD swivel attachment point, while the upper receiver is a Defense RIS III FSP, CNC machined of 7075-T6 aluminum, and Type III hard coat anodized in Flat Dark Earth. Other features include a Precision Reflex M84 Gas Buster charging handle with a combat latch finished in Flat Dark arth, a Geissele SSA Trigger, and a B5 Aluminum Trigger Guard. The buttstock is a Coyote Brown B5 SopMod, the pistol grip is a Coyote Brown type 23, and the handguard is a Daniel Defense M4A1 FSP Rail Interface System (RIS) III in Flat Dark Earth. A weapon light mounted on the forend is a Modlite 18350 OKW WML with ModButton Lite (Link USB-C) 4.5” Cable and Unity Tactical “Gascap” Link USB Tailcap in flat dark earth mounted via a Daniel Defense Scout Light Mount.
THE BOLT & BARREL
The bolt carrier group is Mil-Spec MP tested with a staked gas key. The barrel is hammer-forged chrome moly vanadium steel, 14.5 inches long, 1:7 twist, with a forged front sight base and a pinned and welded SureFire 3-prong muzzle device finished with a Mil-Spec heavy phosphate coating.
SPECIFICATIONS
Type: Gas Impingement, Semi-Automatic
Caliber: 5.56 NATO
Magazine Capacity: Daniel Defense 32 Round Magazine, as well as others
Sights: Fixed Front Sight, MBUS Pro LR adjustable rear sight, and a Trijicon TA31F ACOG 4×32 BAC riflescope
Barrel Length: 14.5 Inches
Weight: 6.39 Pounds
MSRP: $5,500
THE VERDICT
The latest limited edition is a unique build with the high quality typical of Daniel Defense. It features high-end component upgrades that make it perfect for tactical use and collector alike.
The rifle ships with a Mission First Tactical 16 oz. 9 Bang Flip-Top Bottle, Multitasker M4 Tool, challenge coin, upgraded 42” Royal Case in Coyote Brown, Coyote Brown BFG Vickers padded sling with QD, a Magpul 30-Round PMAG, and certificate of authenticity.
That’s all for now, folks! Please keep sending in your questions, tips, and article ideas. And as always – “Let’s Be Careful Out There.”
Friedrich Seiltgen is a retired Master Police Officer with 20 years of service with the Orlando Police Department. He conducts training in Lone Wolf Terrorism Counterstrategies, Firearms, and Active Shooter Response. His writing has appeared in RECOIL, Soldier of Fortune, The Counter Terrorist Magazine, Off Grid, American Thinker, Homeland Security Today, and The Journal of Counterterrorism & Homeland Security International.
Contact him at [email protected].