In the second issue of RECOIL, we took a close look at the Daniel Defense M4 Carbine, V7 LW. Hailing from Georgia and featuring a cold hammer forged barrel and many other components manufactured completely in-house, the Daniel Defense rifle proved to be versatile and impressively built. Daniel Defense offers a variety of models of rifles, complete upper groups, and all the separate components you could desire. But what if you want a custom configuration built to your specifications and sprinkled with magic pixie dust by the exacting and super detail-oriented craftsmen in Black Creek, Georgia?

Well, now you can do exactly that, with the help of the new “Build Your DDM4” feature on the Daniel Defense website. You can customize and purchase either a complete AR-15 rifle or upper receiver group. “The new Build Your DDM4 feature on the Daniel Defense corporate web site is a valuable tool aimed at customers who envision a different configuration than currently offered on our premium firearms,” explains Jay Duncan, VP of Sales & Marketing for Daniel Defense. “We’re excited to deploy this platform and witness first-hand the customer’s reaction to this option. We feel there’s nothing else available in the marketplace geared toward giving the gun enthusiast this amount of flexibility as they customize a firearm.”

Complete Rifles
For complete rifles, you can select a standard lower or one upgraded with the excellent and well regarded Geissele Super Semi-Automatic (SSA) trigger group. Both options include Magpul’s MOE Buttstock and Trigger Guard.

Once you’ve selected your lower, it's time to start on the upper. Choose whether you would like a carbine or mid-length gas system, and select between three caliber options – 5.56mm NATO, 6.8mm SPC II, or 300 Blackout (7.62x35mm). Note that only certain gas system and barrel length combinations are available in each caliber. For instance, in 5.56mm, a carbine-length gas system is offered with 14.5-inch and 16-inch barrels, while mid-length gas can be had in 14.5-inch, 16-inch and 18-inch. There are no rifle-length gas system offerings. 6.8mm comes in 16-inch and 18-inch lengths with mid-length gas, and 300 Blackout is a 16-inch barrel with carbine-length gas.

Then you can select your desired barrel length and between different profiles and twist rates, as applicable.  Note that while the site references NFA regulations for the 14.5-inch configuration, Daniel Defense told us that they will permanently install the selected extended muzzle devices on these barrels to achieve a 16-inch overall length for complete rifles.

There are currently up to three options for muzzle devices (depending on your caliber choice), all made by Daniel Defense from 17-4 stainless steel with a salt bath nitride finish – a flash suppressor, a muzzle brake, or a hybrid which Daniel Defense says will do both. As you build your custom configuration, the graphic above changes to reflect your choices, and there is a running tally on the left for what is about to hit your credit card.

You may then choose a standard or chrome-plated bolt carrier group (except for 6.8mm builds), also manufactured by Daniel Defense.

Daniel Defense initially built its reputation on its renowned railed handguards, and your next choice is which to go with.  You may choose from the Omega, Omega X, AR15 Lite, RIS II, EZ CAR, and Modular Float Rail systems, as applicable. Some longer handguards may require a low profile gas block to be fitted; otherwise the upper will come with a fixed front sight base.

Then, you can add additional front and/or rear fixed sights and a vertical forward grip, if so desired.

Upper Receiver Group
If you’re looking to customize just a Daniel Defense upper receiver group the configurator goes through the same steps as the Complete Rifle build, post choosing your lower. But there are additional shorter barrel options available for the 5.56mm, carbine length gas system. Instead of just the 14.5-inch and 16-inch, you can go with a 10.3-inch, 11.5-inch or 12.5-inch government profile barrel with a 1:7 twist. All NFA rules apply.

Once done with your complete rifle or upper receiver, you can save your work, order your creation, checkout an itemized parts summary, create a PDF, email it to a friend, share on Facebook and Twitter, or save the mockup of your rifle to use for wallpaper on your computer. When you click on the “Save Wallpaper” link, the small thumbnails do not reflect your custom build but don't worry – just click on the image with the background you desire and a high-resolution image with your configuration will be saved to your computer.

Daniel Defense will continue to add new products to the Build Your DDM4 configurator as they are developed and released, so remember to check back for new options.

danieldefense.com/build-your-ddm4

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