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 SPECIAL EDITION M4A1 RIII – “GWOT” (GLOBAL WAR ON TERROR)
“HONORING THOSE WHO SERVED SELFLESSLY”
The Daniel Defense GWOT is designed exclusively for military and law-enforcement customers who dedicated their lives to defending freedom. The limited-edition GWOT rifle package symbolizes their eternal gratitude and is available only to military and law enforcement customers at special pricing with proof of service. On July 4th, 2023, the GWOT rifle package will be retired forever.
THE RECEIVERS
The upper and lower receivers are proprietary Daniel Defense with an enhanced flared magazine well, fully ambidextrous controls, and a rear receiver QD swivel attachment point. They are CNC machined of 7075-T6 aluminum, Type III hard coat anodized, and the lower is engraved with “Global War on Terror.”
The ambidextrous control allows both left- and right-handed shooters to operate the bolt catch, safety selector, and magazine release without moving or removing their dominant hand from the rifle’s grip. Its GRIP-N-RIP Charging Handle is ambidextrous as well.
THE BARREL & GAS SYSTEM
The GWOT barrel is chrome moly vanadium steel, cold hammer forged, with a 1:7 Twist, 14.5″ long with a Government Profile, chrome lined, Mil-Spec Heavy Phosphate Coated, and HP/MPI Tested. The Muzzle device is a pinned and welded Daniel Defense flash suppressor made of stainless steel with a salt bath nitride finish.
THE FURNITURE
The Daniel Defense buttstock and pistol grip are glass-filled polymer with soft touch overmolding. The GWOT is equipped with a 12.5-inch RIS III forend quad rail featuring an M-LOK attachment for lighter weight and coated with a Flat Dark Earth Cerakote finish.
THE SIGHTS
Magpul MBUS Pro flip-up sights
SPECIFICATIONS
Type: Gas Impingement Semi-Automatic
Caliber: 5.56mm NATO
Magazine Capacity: 30 Rounds
Sights/Optics: Magpul MBUS Pro Flip-Up Sights
Barrel Length: 14.5 Inches
Overall Length: 31.5 -34.75 Inches
Weight: 6.39 Pounds
MSRP: $1,967
URL: www.danieldefense.com
THE VERDICT
The GWOT 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 GWOT comes shipped with a few extras, including a Blue Force Gear Padded Vickers Sling, a full latch impact plastic case, a GWOT 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].