This is written in response to several recent email and IM that I’ve gotten. Hopefully this will answer some question, or at least provide a basic reference for the listed items.
I should point out that I do not work for Daniel Defense, though I do have quite a few of their rails, and use them on my duty and training weapons. These pictures and comments are mine, and reflect only my own views and thoughts. I should point out before we start that all of the DD rails are available with either the M4 or Lite rail series (except the RIS II), and I’ve tried to show pictures of each.
The DD 12.0 FSP is a rail that extend, and wraps around the Front Sight Base of the AR15/ M16 family of carbines. Uses for this extended rail space are limited only by the imagination and needs of the user. Bipods, sling mounts, or in my case, extending a light are only a few. For my uses as a city police officer, I originally used a 12.0 FSP to get my light out farther, which reduced the shadowing off my 16: carbine barrel. Below are a few pictures of different setups I’ve used and shot.
The DD 9.5 series is available in both the M4 and Lite series. They are similar in shape, and both wrap around the sides and bottom of the Front Sight Base (FSB). Unlike the DD 12.0 FSP, the DD 9.5 does not cover the top of the barrel in front of the FSB with a section of rail, nor does it extend past the FSB. Its probably easier to look at the pictures and see the difference. This rail also allows the mounting of items farther out than a traditional rail would allow, while still allowing for the durability of a pinned Front Sight that comes on most AR15/ M16s. This setup also allows for a folding front sight that is protected from impact when folded down.
The below rail is the DD M4 RIS II M4 Mark 1 Mod 0, which was developed and selected for United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM) for the SOPMOD II trials. After what I believe was several years of testing, the DD RIS II was selected, and was awarded the contract. The DD RIS II free floats both the barrel, and the M203 grenade launcher (or other similarly mounted device). As you can see from the below pictures, the DD RIS II increases usable mounting space on the rail, and wraps around the FSB.
While designed for the military market, the DD RIS II rail is also available on the commercial market as well.
Excellent pics and descriptions. I like these types of rails alot, and use them on my work and personal guns. I have KAC MRE rails and DD 12.0 FSPs and both are great.
The RIS II does not free float the M203, unfortuately, as it’s attachment system is still the standard barrel clamp.
Since you guys have a lot of experience with this type of rail, I have a question:
Can you mount an Insight M3X or a SF X200 light on the 12 o’clock rail IN FRONT of the FSB and not have it block/interfere with your sight picture?
This includes the DD and KAC MRE rails.
After seeing Ned Christiansen’s Ideal Light Mount (ILM) here I think that would be a pretty good spot for a light. No shadowing off to the side and no barricade problems.
I just checked my rails, and on both the RIS II and the DD 12.0 FSP, there are 6 railed slots forward of the FSB, and roughly 3" of rail space. From memory, there is roughly 3/8th" of clearance from the FSB to the start of the rail.
I do not have the Insight M3X or a SF X200 light, so I can’t mount that for you to do a physical check. I’ve never seen that mounting method before, thanks for sharing that. I’ve been meaning to pickup a M3X, this might be a good reason to look harder. While I think it would work, it would be a tight fit, and I’m honestly not sure.
Isn’t the rear still hooked around the barrel on the M203 when using the RIS II? I tested the RIS II submissions at Crane and DARC. I understand that it will not use the M203 QD bracket from the M4, but the rear still contacts the barrel.
