After receiving all your help, I feel like i’ve pretty much got this figured out, and I appreciate everyone’s input. I don’t want to keep having this thread bumped to the top; I know there are much more important questions than this one! Thanks again
Hi, I’m looking to buy/build my first AR, and I’m trying to decide what route to take here. I know I want it to be a 16" middy or a 14.5" middy, but I’m not sure about the rest.
If I get a 16" middy I was thinking about just buying a complete Daniel Defense M4. It would be this one:
I found someone selling it for around $1200, which seems like a pretty good deal.
My second option is building a M4 using the following pieces:
BCM Standard 14.5" Mid Length Upper Receiver Group w/ Daniel Defense LITE 12" Handguard
BCM gunfighter charging handle
BCM complete lower
BCM M16 BCG
Buying from bravo company usa and g and r tactical the total for the BCM comes to about $1350.
I like that the BCM build won’t have a front sight, will have a longer handguard, and is 14.5". But I like that the DD will be cheaper and professionally built, especially since I haven’t put anything together like this before.
Also, the DD has a fixed front and rear sight and I plan on putting some kind of ACOG on the rifle. Will the fixed sights get in the way?
I don’t mean to start anything by asking this, but is BCM a better/more reliable company than DD? I know they’re both rated very well, but is there any reason I should shy away from the DD?
I haven’t used an AR from Daniel Defense, but I’m sure their ARs, just like their other products, are top notch. Couldn’t go wrong with either.
That said, I love my BCMs. No, I adore my BCMs. On cold nights I’m tempted to make the GF sleep on the couch so I can keep my BCMs nice and warm and safe next to me.
For the price, the quality, the reputation, and the amount of available options over their competitors, BCM is the winner in my eyes.
I have both a 16" mid-length upper from BCM, and one of their newer 14.5" mid-lengths. If you can live with the pinned flash hider/comp, or are willing to play games with the NFA, the 14.5" would be my choice. Running my 14.5" with a FSC556, H2 buffer, and 55gr.-62gr. ammo is ridiculously soft. The 16" shoots very well, and I’m sure you could get it to shoot just as soft using a similar set up. It’s your choice, but the 14.5" is very nice as many here will tell you.
As someone who’s first build went with the low-pro gas block, I’m not a fan of it for a carbine. The extra rail space is nice for a grip further out, but I just prefer the fixed front sight.
It’s rock solid and not much short of a bomb blast is going to loosen it, if even that. No screws to wear out or loosen, no mechanisms to get loose or sloppy, just reliability. If you plan on using a fixed front sight anyways, I don’t see why you wouldn’t go with the regular front sight.
If you’re using a mount like LaRue or the others, you should clear the front sight. Even the factory mount might. I don’t think the fixed rear will allow you to get your eye close enough to the ACOG, as ACOGs have pretty short eye relief (1" if I’m not mistaken). Take this advice with a grain of salt as I haven’t the experience with ACOGs.
If you buy the parts you have listed above for the BCM it will also be “professionally built”. You won’t be assembling anything that you wouldn’t do for cleaning anyway.
I bought the DD M4 and have been very happy with it. The people I have delt with there are very nice and they stand behind the product, just like they advertise, satisfaction guranteed. I removed the rear site and put on a Ma Tech, and am running a Aimpoint CompM4. I have run about 3000 rounds through it with no problems at all. Also a Vickers sling. I have no experience with BCM so cannot comment on them, but everything I have read about them sounds good. You probably cannot go wrong with either. Grant at G&R Tactical is very good to work with and I would give them a big thumbs up!
Just my 2 cents…
Hope this helps.
Buy the BCM complete upper (14.5 middy), and put it on a Spike’s complete lower (it’s $110 less than the BCM one). You can’t really go wrong between BCM/DD though.
Get a few Pmags and lots of ammo, then you’ll be gtg.
Edit: I hope BCM’s “summer” sale isn’t ending this week…
I just got the DDM4 V3 last thursday and this past saturday shot around 1,000rds with only 1 ftf due to a bad mag spring. I absolutely love this rifle. The quality of this rifle will not dissapoint you. By the way the rail is top notch.
Daniel Defense. Great Customer service; they will always take care of you, for life. IMO; they make the best “out of the box” M4. I have the V1 and I couldn’t be any happier with it/its performance.
Just buy a ton of ammo and shoot like crazy; you will be happy!
The only problem I see is you need to be sure you never want to change anything on a 14.5" rifle, as the flash-hider is permanently pinned, making changes in rails, gas block, or muzzle device very difficult, if not impossible. As a first AR, I would want the option to possibly change components, and go with a 16" barrel. That’s what I did with an LMT 16" carbine as my first AR.
The DD sight is mounted on the rail, and is removable. You can get a folding rear site to use as a BUIS (Back Up Iron Sight.) I personally favor Magpul MBUS rear sights. Although they are polymer, they are only a backup, and have always popped up and functioned when needed. I don’t think you will even notice the front site through a magnified optic like an ACOG. I have an Iron front sight on one of my 6.8 ARs, and don’t even notice it through a 3-9x40 scope.
Both are top quality companies. My last two ARs have been built using DD lowers from G & R (with various options) and the last one has a 16" BCM middie upper with 9" DD rails, essentially duplicating the DDM4v3.
I think I know where you are getting the price for that DDM4v3, and I have recommended that place and rifle to several folks.
Flip a coin. :dance3:
Literally.
I went through the exact same dilema a couple months ago. Some very helpful people on this forum answered all my questions, and as you can see from what’s already been said here, you really can’t go wrong with either.
Personally, I have my mind set on a DD M4V3. :happy: (If I could just get my hands on the accursed thing…)
But if I found a BCM tommorrow for the right price, I wouldn’t hesitate to get it instead.
DD for $1,200. If something goes wrong, it goes to DD. No question. Nothing wrong with piecemeal, but for a first AR, just get the DD and your GTG. Front sight not a problem with the ACOG or RDS.
You will be well served wih either rifle. As far as the cost difference you’re not comparing apples to apples. The BCM you quote has a more expensive charging handle and rail. When you buy a BCM upper if you click on add a BCG and CH you save about five bucks and get a standard CH for free.
As someone already pointed out you are not building a gun just assembling the parts something easier than field stripping. Just add some lube and go shooting. With the BCM you will need a rear sight too. Have you looked at the blemished BCM lowers offered by BCM and G&R tactical it will save you $90. I think it is $250 plush shipping and a transfer fee. If thee DD is on the shelf you save that but have tax on the whole gun.
Congratulations by the way. It is pretty exciting to see some one new to the AR deciding between two excellent guns! You should feel great about either. It sounds like the rail will be your deciding factor.
thanks again for all your help guys, I’m really glad I found these forums before I decided to buy. also, although this is my first rifle, I’m pretty sure it won’t be my last. which ever way I go on this one, I’ll definitely try the other for my second.
