Birthday is coming up. Better half says I can get a new toy.I’ve been looking at DDXV. DD is asking $1300.00. I found a better deal with G&R for $1199.00.
I was also looking on Spikes website. They’re selling the ST-15 for $950.00,plus the ST-15 comes with double heat shield handguards and the same MPI CHF barrel by DD.
I guess the question comes down to: Do I want DANIEL DEFENSE on the lower or the cool looking RED SPIDER? Both lowers come with a
flared mag well or is there something I’m missing between the two?
Should I be happy with basic model as it comes or should I justify the $250.00 saving and get it with a DD 7.0 lite rail or the LaRue 7"
Feedback appreciated on which M-4 and which quadrail.
DD Barreled Upper (can go lightweight of govvy). DD or Troy/VTAC rail. Grant has these custom uppers available. Something like a 16" middy with 10.0 Lite should be awesome.
Spike’s EXO coated BCG; Lower Receiver
WOA or G&R for the LPK, round out the rest from grant (BCM GFH Charging handle, FH of your choice)
Grant can set you up with everything but the lower and BCG - get those direct from Spikes and you’ll be quite set.
My lightweight is this exactly (already had a different lower, and went with a BCM IonBond BCG, but otherwise identical)
+1
I’m sure Spike’s makes a nice rifle, I’m just not crazy about any type of color fills or funky BCG coatings. For that matter, I don’t even like animals or insects of any type carved into my receiver. Or funny or witty sayings on the inside of the dust cover, flash hider, or anywhere else on a firearm. It’s a tool, not a toy. But that’s just me. Get what you like, it’s your money, it’s your rifle!
I don’t care for color fills but you don’t have to get them they’re optional.
No way I’d take a Spike’s over a DD.
I would. Price is right. Specs are great. Quality is great. The money saved could go toward a new optic or something. I’m sure not going to pass on an awesome deal on a quality weapon just so I can post pics of my DD and impress Joe Bob forum guy who happens to like DD more than anything in the whole wide world LOL.
i have no experience with dd rifles but spikes rifles are great and as you can see and the only complaint people can make is the color fill that you dont have to get
I think everyone has forgotten the specs here. DD has nice stuff, however they are typically made from a softer material than other companies in the same price range. Spikes lowers are made of 7075 T6 aluminum forging to mil-spec dimensions, where Daniel Defense is made from 6061 and has a Type III hardcoat anodized coating to make it appear as if the materials are of equal strength. Well they may be at first but as that coating wears off it will reveal a softer aluminum. I would go with spikes if I was planning on keeping it for myself, if I was going to sell it in the near future I would lean towards Daniel Defense. You’ll find more internet rangers throwing good money at you for whatever Larry Vickers endorses.
Ironfins, I dont think that is correct. There was a thread around here last week or so mentioning the same thing (I cannot find the thread, but I know id had daniel defense in the title) and I believe it was the VP of DD postd that that WAS a typo, the do use 7075. As far as the anodizing, I do not know. But I don’t think DD is cutting any corners when it comes to quality. I am not knocking Spikes, they also do quality stuff as well from what I hear, but I think DD is better personally.
As far as Vickers is concerened, if an SME is going to consult on any project/product and the company implementingit is willing to follow high quality standards and the outcome appears to be a quality product, more power to them. They invested $$$ to get it right.
How many of you who are bashing Spike’s have actually owned one of their lowers?
I tried to fit a BCM upper and Vltor MUR upper to my Daniel Defense lower, and I would have needed an Accuwedge and KNS anti-walk pin it was so loose.
The MUR fit the Spike’s lower perfectly. Just the right amount of resistance to push the pin out. And the vertical lines matched exactly.
Daniel Defense makes great barrels and rails, no doubt, but it’s a lower receiver we’re talking about. It has no moving parts until the lower parts kit is added. I like the flaring of DD’s mag wells, but I do believe their anodizing needs some improvement.
Here’s what I’d suggest…
Spike’s lower
LWRC, DD, or G&R lower parts kit
Daniel Defense or BCM hammer forged barrel
BCM upper receiver
Spike’s nickel boron bolt carrier group & hammer, or Young Mfg. chrome BCG
This is true. With the modularity of the AR, I just don’t see a compelling reason to buy a complete one unless it’s going to save me a bunch of time and money. Then again, I’ve been at it a while and I’d try to get the best of breed (or max value) in all components.
Bottom line- Spike’s is worth looking at, for sure. So is Daniel Defense.
I looked at Midway and a few other websites. Don’t get me wrong I like their rails and some of their other features. However I grow tired of constantly getting a run around on what materials they use. I called them 6 months ago about a Carbine Burnsed Loop that was advertised on their website as “steel” when I called about LEO pricing I was told it was made from aluminum, so I ended up choosing TROY. Which had excellent customer service super fast shipping and what you see online is what you get, a get piece without any over-flashing or manufacturing marks. The Burnsed Loop was advertised on Brownell’s as aluminum, it has now been changed on DD’s website. I understand typos happen, but come on people, don’t turn people off to a good company because your website manager doesn’t have a clue. I really would like to see someone test a few samples and see if the lowers are really what they claim. It seems kinda of odd when a material question comes up twice…I am not convenience, that’s why I bought Spikes over Daniel Defense.
Bud, Boss- The issues lie with the parts. Is the barrel B-11595E steel? If not, made with what? Is the bolt MPI and HPT tested? Individually and not batch? Is it shot peened? Is the barrel HPT tested? Individually and not batch? How’s the staking? Castle nut staked? Heavy buffer or carbine? The answers to these questions puts DD on top of Spikes. There have been several threads on this.