By: Friedrich Seiltgen
Copyright © 2023
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.
Today, with a combined 300,000 sq. feet of manufacturing space, Daniel Defense has maintained a commitment to quality and continuous improvement.
THE LIMITED SERIES
Daniel Defense has partnered with industry-leading manufacturers to build small batches of once-in-a-lifetime rifles, the Limited Series.
The Limited Series rifles are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. So, the best way to get your hands on one is to sign up for insider notifications and be one of the first to know what’s coming and when it’s available. But act fast because once these limited edition rifles are gone, they’re gone for good.
THE RECEIVERS
The lower receiver is a Daniel Defense proprietary part with enhanced flared magazine well, fully ambidextrous controls, and a rear QD swivel attachment point. CNC machined 7075-T6 aluminum with Type III hard coat anodizing and chocolate chip Cerakote finish.
The Upper Receiver is Mil-Spec with indexing marks and M4 feed ramps. CNC machined 7075-T6 aluminum with Type III hard coat anodizing and chocolate chip Cerakote finish.
THE BARREL
The 14.5 inch M4 profile barrel is chrome moly vanadium steel, cold hammer forged, with a 1:7 Twist, 14.5″ M4 Profile, Chrome Lined, Mil-Spec Heavy Phosphate Coated, with a permanently attached HuxWrx Flash Hider.
THE INTERNALS
The rifle is fully ambidextrous and features a Geissele SSA trigger and a GRIP-N-RIP charging handle.
THE FURNITURE
The Daniel Defense buttstock and pistol grip are glass-filled polymer with soft touch overmolding.
The Daniel Defense handguard is the RIS III 12.5, patented, 6-Bolt system, flat dark earth CNC machined 6061-T6 Aluminum. It is equipped with a dual-power Surefire Scout Light Pro powered by its included rechargeable lithium-ion battery or two 123A batteries, and an Emissary Development Handbrake is already mounted.
THE OPTICS
Optics include an HWS EXPS3 holographic sight allowing for fast target acquisition and an Eotech G43 Magnifier for a quicker transition from 3X to 1X. Both are finished in flat dark earth.
SPECIFICATIONS
Type: Gas-Operated, Direct Impingement, Semi-Automatic
Caliber: 5.56mm NATO
Magazine Capacity: 32 Round Magazine (1)
Sights/Optics: Eotech HWS EXPS3, FDE & Eotech Magnifier G43, FDE
Barrel Length: 14.5 Inches
Overall Length: 31.5 to 34.75 Inches
MSRP: $4,250
THE VERDICT
The M4A1 RIIi – “By The People” features the quality of workmanship you would expect from Daniel Defense, and its 100% satisfaction guarantee backs it against defects in original materials and workmanship.
The M4A1 RIIi – “By The People” comes shipped with a few extras, including a Blue Force Gear custom padded Vickers sling, an upgraded Daniel Defense branded hard case, a commemorative challenge coin, and a 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].