A couple of weeks ago I heard that Tommy @ SmartGunner.com was offering an almost unheard of deal on brand new Daniel Defense Upper groups, and seeing how I was in the market for a new 14.5" setup I contacted him to see what he could do for me. I ended up ordering a DD 14.5" CHF LW Mid-Length barrel with a DD 12" Lite rail and a pinned Phanton flash hider to finish everything off. I will say that the price was incredible and his customer service was great. The guys at Daniel Defense kept me in the loop with the build progress since they actually make these at their facility. It came in yesterday and needless to say I’m speechless. The finish and fit are top notch and everything about it just oozes with quality. The job Daniel Defense did on the flash hider pinning is amazing, so much so that you really have to look for the pin and weld marks.
I’ll have a full range report soon. My aimpoint T-1 and Troy flip up sights should be here by Friday so I plan on sighting everything in this weekend. I couldn’t decide between the T-1 or a Eotech XPS2-0…I hope I made the right choice with the T-1.
Enough with the talk though, here’s the specs and pics:
First of all, I like this build quite a bit. How much does it weigh? It looks like it’ll be light, at least if you get rid of all those rail covers :sarcastic:
The main advantage an Aimpoint has over an EOTech is IMO the battery life. While hundreds of hours is a lot with the EOTech, you can leave an Aimpoint on for years. So for a HD (or patrol, combat, etc) gun, you can turn the thing on and leave it on and just change the batteries once a year–you know, to be safe. I don’t know if I’d be changing an Aimpoint Comp series for a Micro, though… unless the one on that upper is from another gun or one of the lookalikes, of course.
I haven’t had time to break out the scale yet, but I plan on doing that tonight. I may have gone a little overkill on the XTM rail covers, but I want to make sure the rails stay in good shape for years to come. They really don’t add much weight and the grip is actually pretty nice.
The RDS pictured is a PA M3 in the standard high mount. I wanted to put a few rounds downrange before my aimpoint came in and it was just sitting on the shelf collecting dust. It works well for the price I paid and works perfect on the M&P 15-22 I bought it for.
I was just giving you a hard time about the rail covers I have some guns with lots of rail covers as well, because that’s what works well for those particular handguards. I tend to go with the ladder style covers like you have behind your AFG, mainly to keep clothing and gear from getting snagged.
If you like how the RDS on there now works, just wait until you get the T-1 going! Can’t blame you wanting to just get the thing shot, I’m the same way.
I like the upper. I ordered the exact same upper a little over a week ago from same place.:laugh:
I had a really hard time deciding between the eotech and aimpoint also. I went a different direction with the xps 2-0 which I got yesterday with a two cases of ammo to test the upper. Only thing that barely tipped me to the eotech is I grew up in Michigan so decided to go that route this time. I plan on getting a T1 at some point thou just to see whats best for me.
We’ll have to compare notes once we both get some rounds downrange.
This is the exact build I’m drooling over right now! 14.5in LW middy, hammer forged barrel, with a BC 1.5. BCM doesn’t make BFH 14.5in middies, so DD it is. Unfortunately I’m in no position to make the purchase.
Thanks for all of the compliments, I’ll try to answer the questions so I hope I don’t miss anything.
How long was the wait from the time you placed the order with Tommy till you received the upper?
My wait time was a little longer than usual because Daniel Defense was still setting up their equipment to perform the flash hider pinning when I ordered. Daniel Defense is shipping these uppers about 5 days after the order is placed. It’s well worth the wait and even at 5 days that’s still a lot better than some companies and their wait times.
I just ordered the exact same thing myself except with a Battlecomp 1.5. It was simply and offer I couldn’t refuse
Tommy started selling the BC 1.5 as an option after DD had already started building my upper, but I don’t regret getting the Phantom. It’s nice and will suit my needs well. I have a BC 1.0 on one of my other guns and it’s very nice.
I’ll get some weight figures up tonight, so stay tuned.
Sorry I didn’t get this information up last night, but I was able to get some weight numbers on this new build.
The full gun came in at 6.7lbs with everything on it. I’ll drop some weight when I move over to the T-1, but then negate some of that with the Troy sights. Overall I’m still extremely happy with the way it turned out, so much so that it sleeps beside me at night
When my wife and I got married she wasn’t very comfortable with me having an AR under the bed while we slept, so for a while I comprised with a M&P 40 in the nightstand and kept the ARs locked up. Overtime she’s become more comfortable around them and no longer has a problem. I came home from a business trip last week and walked in the bedroom to find “her” AR underneath her side of the bed with the Aimpoint on and ready. It was one of the proudest moments I’ve had :laugh:
It’s nice when they stop being “lil girls” and become women aint it? When I and my wife first got together she was like your wife in all respects. These days she’s a firearms “power shopper”.
Great looking AR There are some good deals out there if you shop around. I agree with the quality of Daneil Defense. I am amazed with the accuracy and ballance of my DDM4 v4 . Good stuff . Have fun shootin.
Nice rifle. I think I will order a set up similar to yours. I already have a DDm4 and I am really happy with it. I was going to order a BCM 14.5 Midlength upper, but the more I’ve been thinking this may be a better option for me. The rail set up you have is the 12.0 rifle rail right? That is how it is listed on the websight.I know that it’s not the 12.0 FSB. I was just making sure that I was picking the right rail on the order sheet. I sent Tommy an e-mail a few minutes ago. Did you contact him by phone first or did you just fill out the order sheet on the websight?
I have some guns with lots of rail covers as well, because that’s what works well for those particular handguards. I tend to go with the ladder style covers like you have behind your AFG, mainly to keep clothing and gear from getting snagged.
