View Full Version : Evaluating Daniel Defense's 14.5" CHF LW 5.56 barrel...
Hi guys, figured I would share a recent evaluation of mine that is a little bit different from my normal reports as I don't typically evaluate light weight barrels, or things from Daniel Defense. With so many great companies making solid AR kit these days, I haven't had the chance to try out Daniel Defense as much as I'd like to in the past. So with that said, I'm pretty confident I left what little bias I would have had out of this particular evaluation, and all data contained below is formatted in the most scientific approach that I could achieve. I bought this barrel from RainierArms several weeks ago.
http://www.rainierarms.com/img/shop/product/474e7c0cc042ef23e88ecda0b32de3e3.jpg
http://www.rainierarms.com/img/shop/product/1e314518d3b8f9da1e4082fb9209b902.jpg
http://www.rainierarms.com/img/shop/product/807027ca2b6e06a64fd522357dff4bcc.jpg
General Specs:
Barrel Material: Chrome Moly Vanadium Steel
Barrel Type: Cold Hammer Forged
Barrel Caliber: 5.56 NATO
Barrel Twist: 1:7
Barrel Length: 14.5″
Barrel Profile: Lightweight Profile
Barrel Gas System: Mid-Length
Gas Block: Pinned Low Profile
Inside Finish: Chrome Lined
Outside Finish: Military Specification Heavy Phosphate Coated
Muzzle Thread: 1⁄2×28 TPI (Threads Per Inch)
Gas Port Diameter: .625
Barrel Extension: A4
Weight: 1 lbs 6 oz
Made in the USA!
Accuracy Evaluation....
http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac81/trident1982/DSC07698.jpg
http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac81/trident1982/DSC07702.jpg
Procedure: 10rd groups/100yds/prone w. bipod
Three groups of Hornady 55gr. VMAX (30rds) is my long time "control" for evaluating barrels @ 100yds. Other ammo groups are being posted just for "snapshot" purposes.
Barrel temps were never allowed to reach over 75 degrees F while shooting an individual group, and a 5 minute break was allowed between groups.
Barrel temps are monitored via digital infrared thermometer...
http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac81/trident1982/DSC07711.jpg
Conditions:
Temp: 66 degrees F
Humidity: 87%
Pressure: 30.15 -->
Elevation: 461ft.
Rifle: DD 14.5" mid length CHF LW/Geissele 13" SMR MK1/Geissele SD-E trigger/NF NXSc 2.5-10x24 w. mil dot. Atlas bipod.
Results:
http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac81/trident1982/DSC07780.jpg
"Control groups" Hornady 55gr. Vmax:
https://i.imgur.com/kdl2Zul.jpg
For reference/comparison: same procedure/ammo/etc as above except these were shot with an uber accurate Rock 18" 5R SS SPR barrel....we can clearly see how the lightweight profile starts out "lights out" accurate, but sure enough as stats grow...we see each additional group's POI change slightly, and open up. Just like blackjack in a casino, you can beat the house for an hour or two...but as time goes on, you can't defy the house's odds. The SPR barrel is obviously gonna be more accurate, but it's really important to note not so much the group size measurements, but rather how consistent each group's overall POI remains the same.
http://i53.tinypic.com/zsvc01.jpg
"Snapshot groups" (L-R: Hornady 5.56 75gr. TAP T2....Federal M193....Hornady 55gr. Zmax):
http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac81/trident1982/DD4.jpg
Velocity Evaluation:
http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac81/trident1982/DSC07754.jpg
http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac81/trident1982/DSC07751.jpg
Setup: Oehler 35P proof screen chronograph set 10yds from muzzle
**Barrel temps were never allowed to reach over 75 degrees F while shooting an individual velocity string, and a 5 min. break was allowed in between different strings.
Conditions:
Temp: 66 degrees F
Humidity: 87%
Pressure: 30.15 -->
Elevation: 461ft.
Velocity results:
http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac81/trident1982/DSC07763-1.jpg
Ballistic charts for each individual ammo type were calculated using the above "true" velocity data, and then my actual conditions.
M855 / 14.5" Ballistic chart
http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac81/trident1982/DSC07765-1.jpg
MK318 / 14.5" Ballistic chart
http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac81/trident1982/DSC07767-1.jpg
M193 / 14.5" Ballistic chart
http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac81/trident1982/DSC07772-1.jpg
FINAL REPORT:
Grades....
Accuracy: B+
Handling: A+
Consistency
(resistance to accuracy
degradation from
barrel heat): C-
Machining/finishing: A+
chrome lining, rifling, GB fixture, feed ramps, muzzle threading, and exterior phosphate coating were all excellent on this particular barrel.
In summery,
If Daniel Defense makes every product in their line up as nicely as they do these barrels, then they will for sure cement a place in the AR industry for a really long time to come....right alongside Colt, LMT, KAC, etc.
I'd strongly recommend this barrel for any Patrol/Duty/HD/PD type AR build where one isn't likely to encounter scenario's that will require either copious amounts of precision, or large volumes of successive firing.
For what it is.....one helluva tiny barrel....I'm walking away very impressed:)
*** As always, the velocity data wouldn't be possible without a fellow awesome member's generosity...Thanks Slomo for the usage of the 35P.
Thanks. Another very interesting post.
justin_247
08-23-12, 15:05
Those are better results than I expected. Pretty impressive!
Grease Monkey
08-23-12, 15:15
I just recently used this barrel (with fsb) on my most recent build and I have been very happy with it's performance as well! This was my second barrel from them and I think I will continue to use their barrels in future builds. Thanks for the great post!
The accuracy is what it is for a barrel in that catagory. Perfectly acceptable.
That port size seems small for a 14.5 middy based on what the boys were saying in another thread... They were liking ports in the 7 range for that set up.
Markm-
Do you think he was measuring the barrel diameter at the gas block rather than the gas port itself?
Excellent write up, but I have to make note of one thing: The gas port diameter is not .625". That is the diameter of the barrel at the gas port. The gas port diameter is above 0.070" from the one I measured a long time ago.
Thanks Trident, that is the exact barrel that I was looking at for my wifes rifle, looks like you just sealed the deal for her!!
justin_247
08-23-12, 17:21
The description should say, Barrel Diameter at Gas Port: .625".
I have 2 of these barrels ( one LW and one standard,) both are accurate as hell and have been great purchases.
Great post Trident! I own several Daniel Defense barrels including this one. I do have a Colt 14.5 and a BCM 14.5 lw and all are great but I always seem to lean toward the DD barrels.
Markm-
Do you think he was measuring the barrel diameter at the gas block rather than the gas port itself?
I have no idea about the diameter. I was talking about the gas port.
I have no idea about the diameter. I was talking about the gas port.
.625 would make a huge gas port!
These do have pretty healthy gas ports - my wife's DD 14.5" LW MID will run my A5 lower fine. I'm glad to see these barrels are capable of decent accuracy - all I care about is putting cheap ammo into a 4MOA dot all the time on that upper.
Thanks for the write up. I have a DD 16" barrel on build I did and love it. Reaches 500 yards easy. I just purchased a DD 14.5" barrel for my next build I should have done next week. Looking forward to testing it as well.
.625 would make a huge gas port!
Maybe... The armrorer types were saying that the short dwell on the 14.5 would be optimal a like a .072ish gas port.
ClearedHot
08-24-12, 08:49
From what I've been reading it would seem that gas port diameter on most DD barrels are larger than that of Colt/LMT/BCM barrels.
.625 would make a huge gas port!
That'd be one big ass gas port.
Maybe... The armrorer types were saying that the short dwell on the 14.5 would be optimal a like a .072ish gas port.
Check your decimals, homie.
Check your decimals, homie.
Mine look ok. But the .625 looks a little on the gassy side. ;)
I'm pretty sure we can go out on the common sense limb and assume it was supposed to be .0625?
Mine look ok. But the .625 looks a little on the gassy side. ;)
I'm pretty sure we can go out on the common sense limb and assume it was supposed to be .0625?
Must be from eating Mexican ammo...
Actually I think the OP meant it's 0.625 in barrel diameter at the gas port.
I have two of these barrels, and the gas ports clock in the 0.070" range, putting it in line with what you're referencing as correct.
The OP needs to reword that one spec, since it's confusing the way it's written.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y37/csch1971/photobucket-39273-1328913006611.jpg
#48 drill = .076 +/- this drill bit was real snug in my DD barrel
colt191145lover
08-25-12, 15:58
What about doing another 10 shot group test after shooting a mag or 2through the gun?
Ive always wonderd how much the group would open up with the LW barrel after sustained fire?
To those who posted kind words, I really appreciate em:)
colt191145lover...I had planned on another cpl. of tests in regards to exactly what you are talking about if there is enough interest. Essentially I'll be removing the 5min. breaks in between groups...but will keep a relatively relaxed cadence of fire in that I will still be shooting for precision groups. The differences b/t my cold bore group and say a third group will shock a lot of people I think.
These days, no major barrel or rifle evaluation is complete without capping it all off with at least one or two LR locale trips. Rifles really start to talk when you shoot past 600yds with them I've found. This little 14.5" barrel I'm sure is gonna be solid up to at least 700yds in terms of really high hit percentages on 2/3rd sized torso steel.
I have no idea about the diameter. I was talking about the gas port.
Looks like the OP forgot a zero after the decimal point. So did you mean gas port diameter is .0625 OP?
Retracted links from DD, and Rainier Arms for this particular barrel since the current production models have different specs, and Rainier removed their original product link.
Refer to the excellent post above from Archad that shows the correct measurement for this barrel's gas port diameter. It's diameter at gas port is .625" as reported by DD specs.
No ball busting from me and if it came across that way, I apologize.
Just curious if the spec in question was the barrel diameter at the gas port or the actual gas port diameter.
I guess it doesn't really matter.
No apologies necessary brother, and I don't think you or anyone else was really trying to break my balls.
Ultimately it's my fault if something I wrote is confusing, and I'll use this as constructive criticism for my next write up where I will then make sure to at least confirm a cpl. of the manufacturers listed specs.
Well good. I didn't want my first post here to come off as rude.
I'm buying a DD midlength 16 upper in a few weeks and with this good review (among others that I have read) it looks like I am making the right decision.
TRIDENT82
Glad to see you playing with this barrel. Any chance of you putting a can on it and seeing what the POI shift is?
I have just done a build with this barrel for a nephew, but for reasons (long story:rolleyes:) I will not be able to test it properly for awhile and am planning it being his hog rifle with an AAC M4-2000 can on it.
Thanks :)
No plans for a can on this build as I personally think that this LW barrel would really start to flex w/ a suppressor. Wish I could help out though.
I forgot to add this when colt191145lover posted above, but M4Fundi just reminded me....
I've found that threads like these of mine become exponentially mor informative when folks request specific things to look closer at. So I really value and appeciate any and all requests for further testing.
justin_247
08-25-12, 20:34
The gas port diameter is NOT .625". Daniel Defense obviously fat fingered it all when they were typing. What they are referring to is the diameter of the barrel (LW profile = .625").
They do not publish the diameter of their gas ports on their website.
What DD said was diameter AT gas port, not diameter OF gas port. Meaning that's the diameter of the barrel at the gas port. It's retarded that 10 people post commenting on that when the answer was in the 9th post. :confused:
Anyway.. do you or your buddy use that chronograph often enough to justify the cost of one? It's a nice setup you have. How far can you shoot there?
Leroy...over the last cpl. yrs. I hop around 2-3 different LR shooting locales, all with at least a min. of about 1k. The locale for the LR evaluation of this barrel below is just an incredibly scenic, and beautiful piece of Earth.
RE: Chrono value? Never being a re-loader personally made me always refrain from the $100-200 purchase, and that is where Slomo's awesome generosity came in to play, not only did he have a chrono I could use to start adding in all the various velocity data points to the threads I start, but he sent me the gold standard of all chronographs. Way back in the day, and then present day the 35Ps go for IIrc $500. That's certainly the most expensive chrono I've heard about. So if your a precision die hard re-loader, I'd say that a $100-$500 unit would pay for itself quite quickly.
For anyone else, it really depends how much your willing to pay for A.) curiosity, and B.) make your LR shooting easier.
I love that chrono, and now it's serve me a ton of great use. Now that I've had one, I will not ever go without one if that helps as well.
Long range evaluation, and video.....
Before...
http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac81/trident1982/DSC07834-1.jpg
After...
http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac81/trident1982/DSC07845-1.jpg
Driving away...:cool:
http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac81/trident1982/DSC07854.jpg
Conducted two main tests...
1.) LR precision/accuracy test: 10rd group @ 731yds .... slow fired
** method for measurement = the actual precision calculated group size
2. ) LR consistency test: 20rds @ 731yds.... rapid fired
** unit for measurement is the hit percentage on 2/3rd torso steel while engaging it as rapidly as possible. This is testing how the barrel will hold up as barrel temps rise, aka..how well does the established base line of accuracy remain as the barrel gets hotter, and hotter.
You guys tell me how you think this barrel performs....it's best to let footage lead on this one, as I can't imagine anyone predicting how the barrel did today.
The 10rd. group posted below is perhaps the best one I've ever shot to date, and those who know me know...I shoot perhaps way to many damn groups:) I wouldn't even post a pic of that group if I didn't have it on film, no way could I have predicted that in my wildest imagination.
Very confirmatory to see how my favorite LR 5.56 ammo (TAP T2) measured both 10rd. groups @ 100yds, and 731yds the same give or take.
http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac81/trident1982/yoyo.jpg
LR evaluation video...
Daniel Defense's 14.5" CHF LW 5.56 Mid @ 731yds (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_cIuMw0_R0&feature=youtube_gdata)
Greetings Trident,
Always look forward to your posts and love seeing your vid's. Great info...thank you.
Some questions from watching the video...
1. What is the impact velocity of the .223 TAP 75gr round?
2. Is the time of flight to target roughly a second or so?
3. Please don't take this the wrong way or think I'm ranking on you, but in the 2nd part of the vid, you mention that you're shooting at a higher rate to see if the barrel heating up becomes an accuracy issue. It didn't seem like you were picking up the pace all that much to heat up the barrel. I'm sure shooting at 731 yards, the pace is not going to be nearly machine gun fast, but I wonder if the cadence was enough to really heat up the barrel to really see how the heated up barrel would affect accuracy?
Again, as always, thanks for your fantastic posts and vid's!!!
#48 drill = .076 +/- this drill bit was real snug in my DD barrel
Cool.
I used one of these barrels for a build about 8 months ago. I ordered it with their pinned low-pro gas block. Amazing barrel. I'll see if I can dig up a pic.
Parts:
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o309/laninga66/2012-02-22100841.jpg
Finished:
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o309/laninga66/2012-02-24155159-1.jpg
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o309/laninga66/NiBAR1.jpg
I bought a DD 14.5 middy. Don't think it is the thin profile. Bought it while awaiting 900 month back order from Noveske. :D
Markm dropped it in a Vltor vis 12.5 and we topped off with Bushnell tactical 1-6.5. It held an inch with our 69 grain load, MAYBE 1.5 with some loads I too love the hornady VMAX. I didn't over study it, but I was impressed too. I run it with a can 95% of the time. I did not get over gassed. It has run perfectly with all loads. Using Vltor A5.
Mr Trident, very nice write up.
I'll see if I can dig up a pic.
Parts:
What flash hider is that?
Magic_Salad0892
08-28-12, 10:22
What flash hider is that?
It almost looks like the B.E. Meyers FH.
What flash hider is that?
DD, it's the extended version of this (https://danieldefense.com/components-parts/muzzle-devices/daniel-defense-flash-suppressor-assembly.html).
Works as well as an A2 and I bought it cheaper than the Bravo Co. A2X.
I believe it's stainless and was pretty tough to drill into.
What flash hider is that?
Yeah, it's sexy. I know ;)
I have 3 of these barrels and they have been great.
justin_247
08-28-12, 21:02
Now I am extremely impressed. I did not expect these kinds of results.
GeorgiaBoy
08-28-12, 22:30
I have a good friend that does the barrels at DD. You would be surprised at how many barrels they make each week, and how many they scrap each week because they don't meet strict specs.
DD definitely makes a good product and they are determined for that to say like that.
pappa...no thread of mine would be complete w/o you leaving a kind word or two in it, thanks as always pal
rauchman....
1. What is the impact velocity of the .223 TAP 75gr round?
1206 fps @ 725yds
*** I'd like to think I know why you ask this question....either way that data point you requested was very important when prepping the LR evaluation. The reason I conducted the tests at @ 731yds was because I wanted to shoot this barrel the absolute furthest I could while still remaining slightly super sonic at target. Any further out, and the bullets will enter into transonic flight prior to going subsonic. This can cause issues with stability depending on which projectile is used.
2. Is the time of flight to target roughly a second or so?
Your correct...right about 1.2 sec. Or a little over 2 sec. for the Bang............Ding:cool:
3. Please don't take this the wrong way or think I'm ranking on you, but in the 2nd part of the vid, you mention that you're shooting at a higher rate to see if the barrel heating up becomes an accuracy issue. It didn't seem like you were picking up the pace all that much to heat up the barrel. I'm sure shooting at 731 yards, the pace is not going to be nearly machine gun fast, but I wonder if the cadence was enough to really heat up the barrel to really see how the heated up barrel would affect accuracy?
the second test was being shot on the already warm/hot barrel from test 1 + another 10rds. A pencil profile 14.5" barrel is gonna get hot super quick anyway by nature. Anytime your smoking a barrel (my barrel starts smoking roughly half way into the test.), than it's easily hot enough to degrade your accuracy by a noticeable bit at even a 100yds. The hard core precision guys would stroke out if their barrels starting smoking. Generally the ones I've been around don't like heat past the point where it's uncomfortable to leave a finger on it for a few seconds.
I went ahead and watched the raw or unedited footage in order to time the rate of fire. My videos are pretty shitty, and the worst part is the editing because I have to make every single one of those different frames ..i.e. make the scene for the 1x cam/ test 1..then make the scene for 25x HD / test 1....and so forth, and add them all together in one main video. I also hate to edit shot strings...as it will exaggerate the performance, but due to either time restrictions from youtube, or because it would be too boring I often have to.
Cadence rate for test 1 + cold bore conditions: 10 rds in 65 secs / 1rd fired every 10.5 sec.
Cadence rate for test 2 + already heated conditions: 20rds in 76 secs / 1rd every 5.8 sec.
Perhaps the hardest part of doing these threads is just not having lots of other examples to try and emulate from. Even more rare for me is that my threads usually focus heavily on evaluating a rifle at the outer most limits of it's performance envelope.
Once Molon gave the internet, and these forums up....I stopped having any major source of inspiration for my threads in terms of how they should be approached or conducted. I can't believe he didn't pull a Dave Chappell sooner now. If I thought more folks like yourself took the time to read or watch what I share on M4C, I'd gladly do more of these threads. Great questions...all three of them. Your interest, and appreciation is readily clear, so that first part of question 3 didn't insult me in the least - no worries mate:)
ETA: I'm not sure if you meant to ask for the .223 TAP, but just to clarify I was using..and the above data is based on the 5.56 TAP T2.
Mr Elbowseed
08-29-12, 08:45
Good info and good videos on youtube man. :thank_you2:
Greetings TRIDENT82,
Thanks for your response. As always, you have a fan in your work.
1. What is the impact velocity of the .223 TAP 75gr round?
1206 fps @ 725yds
*** I'd like to think I know why you ask this question....either way that data point you requested was very important when prepping the LR evaluation. The reason I conducted the tests at @ 731yds was because I wanted to shoot this barrel the absolute furthest I could while still remaining slightly super sonic at target. Any further out, and the bullets will enter into transonic flight prior to going subsonic. This can cause issues with stability depending on which projectile is used.
Yup, this is what I was wondering. I saw your posts on the 16" RECCE and how the 77grn rounds went sub sonic just past 800 yards. I would guess that the .223 TAP would make it to 650-700 yards or so before going transsonic?
2. Is the time of flight to target roughly a second or so?
Your correct...right about 1.2 sec. Or a little over 2 sec. for the Bang............Ding:cool:
3. Please don't take this the wrong way or think I'm ranking on you, but in the 2nd part of the vid, you mention that you're shooting at a higher rate to see if the barrel heating up becomes an accuracy issue. It didn't seem like you were picking up the pace all that much to heat up the barrel. I'm sure shooting at 731 yards, the pace is not going to be nearly machine gun fast, but I wonder if the cadence was enough to really heat up the barrel to really see how the heated up barrel would affect accuracy?
the second test was being shot on the already warm/hot barrel from test 1 + another 10rds. A pencil profile 14.5" barrel is gonna get hot super quick anyway by nature. Anytime your smoking a barrel (my barrel starts smoking roughly half way into the test.), than it's easily hot enough to degrade your accuracy quite a bit at even a 100yds. The hard core precision guys would stroke out if their barrels starting smoking. Generally the ones I've been around don't like heat past the point where it's uncomfortable to leave a finger on it for a few seconds.
Cadence rate for test 1 + cold bore conditions: 10 rds in 1:05 / 1rd fired every 10.5 sec.
Cadence rate for test 2 + already heated conditions: 20rds in 1:16 / 1rd every 5.8 sec.
Thanks for the info. I've never shot anywhere near that range, nor do I have a pencil barrel to work with. One gets the impression from reading so many threads, that light weight barrels will suffer accuracy degredation severely from heating up the barrel. Thanks for doing this experiment and providing some real world insight on the characterists and capabilities of this setup. It does make me want to consider a pencil, or lighter weight, barrel for a future project. Would you consider experimenting more w/ the 14.5" barrels, or do you find the 16" more ideal for your needs? It seems like you gain 50 or so yards w/ the 16". It makes me wonder if something along the lines of a Noveske Afghan would be worth considering as well.
I thought you would like to see the rest of the ballistic chart for the 14.5"/TAP T2 combo...
http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac81/trident1982/DSC07877.jpg
Thanks, muchly appreciated! Would you expect much balistic difference in using the Sierra / Nosler 77gr load?
Perhaps the hardest part of doing these threads is just not having lots of other examples to try and emulate from. Even more rare for me is that my threads usually focus heavily on evaluating a rifle at the outer most limits of it's performance envelope.
Once Molon gave the internet, and these forums up....I stopped having any major source of inspiration for my threads in terms of how they should be approached or conducted. I can't believe he didn't pull a Dave Chappell sooner now. If I thought more folks like yourself took the time to read or watch what I share on M4C, I'd gladly do more of these threads. Great questions...all three of them. Your interest, and appreciation is readily clear, so that first part of question 3 didn't insult me in the least - no worries mate:)
ETA: I'm not sure if you meant to ask for the .223 TAP, but just to clarify I was using..and the above data is based on the 5.56 TAP T2.
Hadn't realized Molon was not doing his testing anymore. I could of sworn I saw something from him not too long ago.
Anyway, stand firm sir. While this site has some of the best contributors to the AR15 world, and firearms in general, not many do what you and Molon do. It is very much appreciated and valued. You (both) do a great job of providing clear data one aspect of weapon capability.
Thanks for clearing up my misunderstanding of which load was used. For some reason, I thought I had seen you mention .223 TAP.
All in all, thanks again!
Moonlight Again
08-29-12, 09:44
(snip) If I thought more folks like yourself took the time to read or watch what I share on M4C, I'd gladly do more of these threads.
Trident:
In terms of this board, I'm a know-nothing nobody from nowhere, but I really appreciated your review of the DD barrel. This was a great example of a "data rich" post---not just, "Hey, I shot it and it was great." This review is the kind of thing that people log on to find.
Plus you always have great pics of your sticks.
I thought you would like to see the rest of the ballistic chart for the 14.5"/TAP T2 combo...
http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac81/trident1982/DSC07877.jpg
Didn't notice it before, but....errr, ahhh, have to ask, is this for a 5.56 load? The energy looks really high for the round. .308 maybe?
Trident,
Sorry to post in an old thread, but figured this was the most appropriate place for my question. How would you compare this DD CHF LW with the lightweight Noveske N4 in terms of accuracy and weight?
rauchman.....I believe you are correct, as I must have entered a wrong value in.
HKfan...I wish I could be of more help to you, however I've never owned the Noveske barrel in question.
ZINCOGNITO
05-13-13, 13:45
Thanks Trident for the great review. But I'm now torn between this barrel and the Noveske 14.5" lw. Is there a real difference?
My pleasure. I can't offer really any comment on the Noveske barrel vs. the DD one I have since I don't own the Noveske model.
What I can say is that DD has earned my next barrel purchase based on this particular barrel's performance.
I mated this upper/barrel w/ a much lighter rail setup, and it sees almost all of my ammo these days. The new rail made me appreciate this LW barrel even more.
http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac81/trident1982/DSC09397-1.jpg (http://s888.photobucket.com/user/trident1982/media/DSC09397-1.jpg.html)
http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac81/trident1982/b147e787-0e1e-49fe-b9bc-cb3edd3ff13e_zps8f9656ee.jpg (http://s888.photobucket.com/user/trident1982/media/b147e787-0e1e-49fe-b9bc-cb3edd3ff13e_zps8f9656ee.jpg.html)
ZINCOGNITO
05-13-13, 15:24
My pleasure. I can't offer really any comment on the Noveske barrel vs. the DD one I have since I don't own the Noveske model.
What I can say is that DD has earned my next barrel purchase based on this particular barrel's performance.
I mated this upper/barrel w/ a much lighter rail setup, and it sees almost all of my ammo these days. The new rail made me appreciate this LW barrel even more.
http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac81/trident1982/DSC09397-1.jpg (http://s888.photobucket.com/user/trident1982/media/DSC09397-1.jpg.html)
http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac81/trident1982/b147e787-0e1e-49fe-b9bc-cb3edd3ff13e_zps8f9656ee.jpg (http://s888.photobucket.com/user/trident1982/media/b147e787-0e1e-49fe-b9bc-cb3edd3ff13e_zps8f9656ee.jpg.html)
That looks bad ass and I'm sure it shoots even better. Is that an SD-C or SD-E trigger?
I'm in the process of building something similar. Vltor upper, Noveske lower and the Mk4 then have them cerakoted in dark burnt bronze.
Anyhow, DD 14.5" lw barrel it is. Now, let's see if I can find it......
skijunkie55
05-13-13, 15:31
My pleasure. I can't offer really any comment on the Noveske barrel vs. the DD one I have since I don't own the Noveske model.
What I can say is that DD has earned my next barrel purchase based on this particular barrel's performance.
I mated this upper/barrel w/ a much lighter rail setup, and it sees almost all of my ammo these days. The new rail made me appreciate this LW barrel even more.
http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac81/trident1982/DSC09397-1.jpg (http://s888.photobucket.com/user/trident1982/media/DSC09397-1.jpg.html)
http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac81/trident1982/b147e787-0e1e-49fe-b9bc-cb3edd3ff13e_zps8f9656ee.jpg (http://s888.photobucket.com/user/trident1982/media/b147e787-0e1e-49fe-b9bc-cb3edd3ff13e_zps8f9656ee.jpg.html)
great review and awesome looking setup! I've got the 16" LW on my DDM4V7 and it shoots like a dream.
Nice! I just bought one of these barrels to go with my new Centurion CMR rail. I'll be mounting a suppressor so I'll add what the POI shift is in here. Thanks for an informative thread homes.
ZINCOGNITO
05-13-13, 16:32
Nice! I just bought one of these barrels to go with my new Centurion CMR rail. I'll be mounting a suppressor so I'll add what the POI shift is in here. Thanks for an informative thread homes.
What muzzle device are you going to run?
ZINCOGNITO
05-15-13, 19:18
Anyone know where I can find said barrel?
Strykeback
05-19-13, 01:35
I really liked this writeup and had planned around a 16" version for my light build. But friends kept bugging me that this barrel would open up or wouldnt be a good candidate for taking it to the carbine classes I wanted to take so I just started looking into the noveske N4 and the centurion midweights. 8 ounces heavier but they move all the weight towards the handguard.
Awesome vid and I'm still on the fence which is ok since none of these barrels are anywhere...
Anyone know where I can find said barrel?
You're welcome dawg! (http://www.midwayusa.com/product/963991/daniel-defense-barrel-ar-15-pistol-556x45mm-nato-lightweight-contour-mid-length-gas-port-1-in-7-twist-145-hammer-forged-chrome-lined-chrome-moly-matte-pre-ban)
I got mine last week, from purchase to door was 5 business days.
I really liked this writeup and had planned around a 16" version for my light build. But friends kept bugging me that this barrel would open up or wouldnt be a good candidate for taking it to the carbine classes I wanted to take so I just started looking into the noveske N4 and the centurion midweights. 8 ounces heavier but they move all the weight towards the handguard.
Awesome vid and I'm still on the fence which is ok since none of these barrels are anywhere...
It'll do just fine. The N4 and Centurion are great though. if you have the cash, i would look no further. On that note, the LW Centurion will do perfectly fine. It's not actually a LW/pencil profile, if that's your concern. Monty refers to it as a stretched Govt. profile in one of the old CA threads.
Came to this thread today.
Also like to add my thanks for this and all your other great posts TRIDENT82! I know that compiling this type of information and then posting it takes a tremendous amount of effort even when you love doing it.
Strykeback
05-19-13, 10:19
It'll do just fine. The N4 and Centurion are great though. if you have the cash, i would look no further. On that note, the LW Centurion will do perfectly fine. It's not actually a LW/pencil profile, if that's your concern. Monty refers to it as a stretched Govt. profile in one of the old CA threads.
Mine is more an issue of wanting the speed handling and balance of a pencil with some extra accuracy. Basically wanting it all would the centurion or noveske handle just as lively being that they move the weight back against the upper? Might just call DD and see if I can order one direct rather then searching for stripped barrels.
i was actually looking for a 14.5" mid length lw barrel and this review was helpful. my options were dd, bcm, and noveske. they were roughly $70 apart from each other but honestly, i dont think i would notice a tangible difference between any of them.
G34Shooter
06-19-13, 17:29
Nice review!
Lawnchair 04
07-13-13, 11:30
i was researching this barrel for my upcoming build, great info on the barrel in this thread, the only thing holding me back was the fact ill be running a surefire suppressor on it and was concerned with the possibility of excessive poi shift. has anyone that has run a l/w barrel with a suppressor got any further info? should i just pick up a govt profile instead? the rifle will mainly be a range toy/class rifle.
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