I’m currently in negotiations with HH6(the wife) to get a factory DD MK 18. l’d like to hear what current owners/users have to say about this platform. Please don’t turn this into a debate over barrel lengths as I’m set on the 10.3 inch platform. Also bear in mind that future plans for this include suppression and main use is home defense/short range(150-200yds or less) use. Thanks.
It feels more front heavy to me than a Mod 0 type upper with the KAC RAS handguard although Im sure they weigh about the same. I think its the perfect size for running a full size 5.56 can.
Awesome. Thanks. This is the kind of end user feedback I like to hear. I got to handle a couple that some ‘cool kids’ had on my last deployment and really like how they felt.
Mine is very high quality and I’m very happy with it. I love the easy maneuverability and the light weight. When shouldered, the muzzle sticks out no more than a pistol would when held in firing position, which is an argument in favor of the SBR for Home Defense.
I have two complaints / suggestions:
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There is no built-in sling attachment point like other rails offer.
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Accessories that have to be slid onto a rail, such as the Tango Down VFG (without the Quick-detach), require the removal of the bottom rail.
I used to have a Battlecomp on mine, which really worked as advertised. I have since removed the Battlecomp because the muzzle blast, combined with the blast from such a short barrel, was too much for my taste.
Mine is currently on lock down at the LGS waiting for ATF paperwork:
However, my buddy (Karmapolice on here) has the factory DD upper on his KAC SBR lower:
He dicked around with the buffer weight, which caused some issues, but once he went back to the H buffer (what the DD factory gun comes with), there were no more issues. It’s very light and quick. I have an SF buddy who was in the shop when I was filling out my paperwork and he says they loved theirs on last deployment.
I have the dd mk 18 upper. I have had no problems with it. I run a AAC M4-2000 on it 95% of the time. It just looks like the suppressor is “supposed” to be there.
Unsuppressed, however; I REALLY prefer my 11.5" BCM upper.
As a side note, I have had a lot of problems with Geissele triggers (S3G and SD3G) while running these sbr’s suppressed. (Failure to reset) Triggers work fine with longer barrels and on the shortys without the can.
Thanks for the replies guys 
I appreciate it. Seems to me from the limited replies that overall this is a very well liked weapon and the plus’s outweigh the minus’s. Would this be a fair assessment?
That would kinda piss me off.
It is easy enough to add a sling attachment point to the rail. I believe on a weapon system like this, a single point sling is probably called for anyway.
To the OP I don’t know that I would say benefits outweigh drawbacks. I mean, it is what it is… short, reliable, and has a high CDI factor. It is also loud and has heavier recoil than slightly longer systems.
I like mine, but if I could only have one sbr upper, it would prob be an 11.5
True, DD and the like have sockets for it. I’ve tried Magpuls RSA too. I was just saying if I sunk that kind of $ into a rail, I’d want sling attachments 
And I have 2 points on everything.
The sling attachment point thing doesn’t bother me. I typically run an attachment point on the rearmost point on the rail anyway. Reliable and handy are always a plus. As far as the noise factor goes I’m not concerned either. It’ll mostly be shot on private land and eventually suppressed. Thank again for everyone’s responses.
Kinda, but how far do you go with that? I could say that if I sank $1500 into my factory DD MK18 it should come with a better pistol grip than an A2 and a better stock than a Magpul MOE (I prefer the SOPMOD). Then again, jack the price up and it can be there, right?
Remember that the DD RIS II rails were made to meet a set of specs and win a Mil contract.
An RSA, VTAC LPSM, or Fortis QD, or the standard DD/GearSector/KAC Side QD cups can immediately solve the sling issue - and with options, over an integral unit (a 9" for that barrel length) that has a mount built in.
For a future double stamp host upper, 10.3, 10.5, or 11.5 is money, and the short list of handguards would be the Mk18RIS-II, DD 9.0 (Lite or OmegaX), Centurion C4 9", LT 9.0 - any combination thereof would be just fine. The price point of the DD Mk18 complete and Centurion complete upper (if you prefer that rail) are hard to beat.
True, but I don’t get a DD expecting a wonder-grip or stock. I do expect a great rail, barrel, and bolt…as a result of their reputation.
Yea I get that and it’s neat that it was for a mil contract. And it’s brown. But on an upper/gun where a lot of justification of the cost is due to the rail…I’d rather it came with the integrated option. That’s all.
Fair enough. I’ll be honest, if it wasn’t for it just “being” a MK18, I’d go URX or Centurion. Both of those come with QD sockets.
Cent. has spoiled me, that’s for sure. Building a MK12 now and I’m tempted to use a Cent. 12" instead of the typical KAC. Not having to send it away to get the barrel nut off is a real perk IMO
The MK18 is reliable and durable enough for hard use in unfriendly places. Even short guns get heavy with Elcan Specter DRs, PEQ 15s, KAC NT4s, and other hardware, but when streamlined they balance out nicely.
My Mk18 is easily handles the best with a can on compared to my other SBR’s, hands down.
Glad I came across this thread. I purchased a DD MK18 URG a couple weeks ago. It’s was a good purchase. Very happy with it. And I don’t mind the rail not having a sling attachment point. It’s comfortable to run on a single point.
I would recommend you take a look at the Colt 6945 before you make your final decision. Also if you plan to run a suppressor I would also look at the Colt 6933/6943 models. For the money the Colts are hard to beat and they hold value very well.