First rifle purchase - DDM4 v7 Pro?

[freonr22]

having had a 20", a 16", a 14.5", to do over again, i really like the 18" .

OMG! its not a 12" SBR!

i think the 18" is a great length

[DrjonesUSA]

I assumed the Pro has the best trigger and potentially better components compared to the standard version. I agree that 16" barrel would be more universal and ideal for my intended use. But there is no Pro with 16" barrel. And also DDM4 V7 Pro is the only one available at Sportsman's Warehouse. I don't have the time to drive around to different FFLs. Sportsman's makes it convenient by ordering online and also I already have some reward points there from previous purchases.

If you have better ideas, let me know.

Yeah, upon closer look, I see the Geissele now....

If YOU like the PRO, it will be a rock-solid, kick-@$$ gun for you and you made a great choice.

Doesn't look like too many other internal parts are upgraded / diff from the other V7's, but it's moot; DD is top-tier, regardless. ALL their parts are GTG.

I don't think there's a huge diff btwn 16 and 18".....obviously 16" is a little more "standard" / common, and a tiny bit more maneuverable.... you know, for all the operations I'm sure you'll be running with this thing.

Just get it. Good choice!

[DrjonesUSA]

having had a 20", a 16", a 14.5", to do over again, i really like the 18" .

OMG! its not a 12" SBR!

i think the 18" is a great length

Can you expound on that a bit more?

Does the extra 2" vs. 16" make that big a difference in terminal ballistics?

Why else do you like the 18?

Just curious / trying to learn.

[naz]

No specific reason. I did not pick this model because of the barrel length. The chances of me going to shoot steel targets at 200-400 yards are far greater than using that rifle in home defense situation. I am not planing to have many rifles. Just one universal high quality 556 rifle will be all I need, at least until I get really proficient in this platform which I assume will take years.

Another option that looks very good for the money is Springfield SAINT Edge

[The War Wagon]

I am planning to buy my very first rifle and decided to go with DDM4 V7 Pro

Is this a good first choice in general? Would you recommend it?

Nope.



It's a GREAT choice. I can't speak to the Californication of it, but you have a rifle that's GTG out of the box. Add sling and optic to taste, and you're set.

[m16]

DD barrels are good to go.

I have a DD MK18 upper that I abuse the crap out of and it literally eats everything I feed it.

[freonr22]

Can you expound on that a bit more?

Does the extra 2" vs. 16" make that big a difference in terminal ballistics?

Why else do you like the 18?

Just curious / trying to learn.

i just like the balance, and rifle length gas system

interesting post below, from 8! years ago, and i said the same thing then.

if you arent doing competition, and what i thought i heard op say, was general purpose rifle, imho, its not a bad choice.

https://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=562141

everyone is different, but im the type, that likes the AMT longslide 7" barrell over the 5" barrell 1911

[DrjonesUSA]

i just like the balance, and rifle length gas system

interesting post below, from 8! years ago, and i said the same thing then.

if you arent doing competition, and what i thought i heard op say, was general purpose rifle, imho, its not a bad choice.

https://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=562141

everyone is different, but im the type, that likes the AMT longslide 7" barrell over the 5" barrell 1911

Cool Thanks for the info.
Will review that old thread.

What are your thoughts about using it for urban combat though?

Do you think the extra 2" makes any substantial difference in maneuverability?

[DrewTheBrave]

If you can afford it, you won't be disappointed.

I've built a few rifles with budget parts and they all functioned just fine. But as I shot more, improved my skills & knowledge, I began to understand the difference between rack grade parts and high quality components is more than just marketing hype. There's a reason companies like DD sell rifles for that price: they use well built components and have solid quality control systems in place. You could probably save $500+ if you built something similar yourself, but who knows how much troubleshooting that might require. If this is exactly what you want then there is definitely value in buying it as is.

On the subject of 18" vs 16" barrels, I'm of the opinion that 18" is a pretty awesome sweet spot for a 5.56/.223 AR15. The actual difference is pretty minimal - maybe 100+ fps difference in the 55 grain projectiles and maybe 50 fps in the heavy 70+ grain projectiles. In practical terms that means you might get an extra 30 yards or so of effective terminal range for expanding bullets, and 0.4 mils less drop at 500 yards with the 18" over the 16". That doesn't seem like much, but that .4 mils is a 7" difference at 500 yards - which could be the difference between an easy hit and a near miss.

Since you're probably going to change out the stock and grip anyway, it might be worth looking at a LaRue Ultimate Upper kit. You buy a lower from a local FFL, and LaRue sends the assembled upper to your door with everything you need to finish the lower. After you assemble the lower, you just snap the two halves together and pocket the ~$1000 difference. Which gets you a very nice optic & mount.

[LoadedM333]

Nice choice OP. Can't go wrong with DD.

I bought DDM4V3, nothing like Pro you're considering, back in 2014, it was the first mid-length gas system from DD I think and I was a very happy camper.

[prestige]

Thank you all for the help! I just placed an order for DDM4 V7 Pro. I checked the "gun show loophole" checkbox so I should have it at my front door by the end of the week. In all seriousness it will take two weeks until it gets to the store and another at least 10 days for the DROS. We all know how it goes. The good news is I will have some time to get the ammo which is hard to find these days. My purchase was not motivated by the political and social situation. I was planning an AR15 purchase for this summer for quite some time but the Springfield Professional purchase pushed the AR purchase a little further. I guess I have a thing for things that have "Pro/Professional" in their name.

Just a quick double check: If I decide to go featureless, the only thing I have to replace is the stock and the grip, right?

By the way, I just realized something: Does this rifle come with any sights? I don't see sights on the pictures.

[high_revs]

Just a quick double check: If I decide to go featureless, the only thing I have to replace is the stock and the grip, right?

By the way, I just realized something: Does this rifle come with any sights? I don't see sights on the pictures.

depends what you want to do. looking and reading about the buttstock, it's doesn't look collapsible but best to check it when you get it. unsure how you can dros/ffl it in the current format unless DD or your FFL will make it compliant like a ar maglock. so you can get a grip fin/kydex route, other type of grip orientation or like songofeugene's Thordse stock.

yep, no sights. you'll have to decide if you want to run BUIS also with some kind of optic, or just optic.

[naz]

You can pin the stock, so all you need to change to be featureless is the grip.

I went with the resurgent arms stock pin + featureless grip kit

[sigstroker]

If it has a flash hider you have to get rid of that.

18 inches is fine. There was a time everyone would be asking "why so short?" because 20 inch was the norm.

[prestige]

If it has a flash hider you have to get rid of that.

It comes with "Daniel Defense Muzzle Climb Mitigator, Gen II, 17-4 PH Stainless Steel, Salt Bath Nitride Finished". Is this something I can keep when I convert to featureless or I should get rid of it?