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 producing 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 been partnering 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 Daniel Defense Limited series rifle for April 2023 is the MK12 Archer. Let’s have a look at its features.
THE RECEIVERS
The receivers are Mil-Spec, with the lower featuring an enhanced flared magazine well and a rear receiver quick detachment swivel attachment point. They have been machined from 7075-T6 aluminum and hard coat anodized.
THE BARREL
The barrel is a proprietary blend of stainless steel that has been cold hammer forged with a 1:7 Twist, 18″ long with an MK12 profile, finished in a Diamond-like coating, and HP/MPI Tested.
It’s fitted with a Daniel Defense muzzle climb mitigator, manufactured from 17-4 PH stainless steel, a salt bath nitride finish, and an M16 profile.
THE FURNITURE
The buttstock is a black Magpul PRS Lite buttstock, while the handguard is a prototype flat-front MFR XL 15-inch and CNC Machined from 6061-T6 Aluminum. The Archer has an Atlas BT46-NC PSR bipod installed. The pistol grip is a Magpul MOE-K2+, and Daniel Defense gave the Archer its unique Rattlecan Cerakote finish.
THE OPTICS
It’s equipped with a Steiner T6Xi 2.5-15×50 riflescope featuring Steiner’s Never Lost locking windage and elevation knobs. The Steiner optic features four night and seven day levels of illumination with an MSRP of $2,184.99 alone.
SPECIFICATIONS
Type: Semi-automatic, gas impingement
Caliber: 5.56 NATO
Magazine Capacity: AR-type magazines or drums, ships with a 20-round Lancer magazine in “Translucent Smoke”
Sights: Steiner T6Xi 2.5-15×50 Riflescope
Barrel Length: 18 Inches with M12 Profile
Overall Length: 34.75 to 37.875 Inches
Weight: 7.4 Pounds
MSRP: $4,250
URL: www.danieldefense.com
THE VERDICT
Like all Limited Series releases, these rifles are a one-time offering in extremely small quantities and tend to sell out quickly! Sign up with Daniel Defense for notification of next month’s design.
The MK12 Archer comes with a bonus black-on-black Cole-Tac Woobie bag and playbook, an upgraded Royal case, 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 Off Grid, RECOIL, Floridajolt.com, Soldier of Fortune, The Counter Terrorist Magazine, American Thinker, Homeland Security Today, and The Journal of Counterterrorism & Homeland Security International.
Contact him at [email protected]