Which to purchase? LMT MWS Defender or DD5 V3

[Robertsk1]

Morning all,

Have the chance to purchase either the LMT MWS Defender or DD5 V3, both in .308, both new guns. I can get the DD5 for several hundred cheaper. I already have 308 guns, but looking for another 308 AR variant that will be reliable and will produce 1 MOA groups at 100yds with either match factory ammo or handloads. Gun will be used for fun, shooting out to 500yds.

Of the two which would be the best bet for 2023? I will be upgrading the triggers/stocks also.

[crosseyedshooter]

As an owner of an LMT MARS-H, I'd really recommend evaluating your uses before picking one or the other. The DD has an adjustable gas block (set and forget, not switchable), novel ambi controls and is generally more usable with lighter overall weight. The LMT buys you the monolithic upper and heavy barrel with over-gassed reliability. I think both will do what you want as far as accuracy is concerned.

[Hammer_Man]

I’d go with the LMT. Combat proven, and the monolithic upper makes for easy barrel changes.

[BillBond]

I would go for DD.
Had problems with two LMT monolithic uppers and they would do nothing at all about it, and had problems with one DD upper and they bent over backwards to take care of me.

[Robertsk1]

I would go for DD.
Had problems with two LMT monolithic uppers and they would do nothing at all about it, and had problems with one DD upper and they bent over backwards to take care of me.

What issues did you have with the 2 LMT uppers? And were they bought as uppers or as a complete rifle?

[hk_shootr]

The DD5 is a shooter. It’s also lighter weight.
The barrel modularity with the LMT is a plus, but it’s a much heavier platform. But, with the weight, comes less recoil from the bench.

Hard call……I believe I would go with the DD

[MadAngler1]

I chose the DD5V3 over the LMT for several reasons:

1. Daniel Defense has great customer service whereas LMT is hit or miss.

2. The DD5V3 is lighter, more nimble, than the 16” MWS, and I don’t need the ability to quick change barrels.

3. The DD5V3 has an adjustable gas block making shooting suppressed easy. It loves the Surefire 762K SOCOM i bought for it. For the LMT, you have to buy a modified gas tube for it or an adjustable gas block conversion unless you run an OSS can: https://www.dwilsonmfg.com/LMT-Adjustable-gas-block-conversion_p_140.html

4. CHF chrome lined barrel!!! Need I say more

Thus far, I am happy with my purchase after 250 rounds or so. Now I need more trigger time and a dedicated optic……and a week to take a course with it.

[lowprone]

I too went through all these , wash, rinse, repeat, finally just bought a SCAR 17.

[MadAngler1]

I too went through all these , wash, rinse, repeat, finally just bought a SCAR 17.

Ha! I own one as well and wouldn’t sell it ever! Only issue is the lack of a shoulder on the barrel for suppressed use. Never has failed me and is stupid easy to maintain.

[Sidneyious]

A basic bitch ADM

[Jsp10477]

What did you get?

[Robertsk1]

DD5, primarily because of the weight. I decided to go with a lighter weight ar10 variant because I have an older AR10 that weighs 12lbs before magazine.

[RUTGERS95]

never go DD, never support anti 2a companies

[Fastcat]

I have had a hate/hate relationship with AR-10s. I have owned 4 with issues: Inexplicable loss of accuracy, reliability issues, more weight than I wanted. After handling and shooting a buddies DDM5(he is a prior service guy who is not a gun guy and uses that rifle for everything. He has that and a G19) I bought one last week for just over 2k out the door (DDM5V3). So far I have 263rds though it with no malfunctions. Sub MOA with 168gr handloads, 1.5 MOA with Winchester m118lr(that shit is hot), 2 MOA with M80 ball, and 1.25 MOA with 110gr Nosler Varmegedon handloads. 25% unsuppressed, 75% suppressed. Gassing seems perfect on each setting. Good hits out to 640 so far with a 1-10 gen 3 RZR. Still handy enough for general purpose carbine stuff with a loaded mag, 1-10, backup irons, and a Modlite.

[MadAngler1]

I have had a hate/hate relationship with AR-10s. I have owned 4 with issues: Inexplicable loss of accuracy, reliability issues, more weight than I wanted. After handling and shooting a buddies DDM5(he is a prior service guy who is not a gun guy and uses that rifle for everything. He has that and a G19) I bought one last week for just over 2k out the door (DDM5V3). So far I have 263rds though it with no malfunctions. Sub MOA with 168gr handloads, 1.5 MOA with Winchester m118lr(that shit is hot), 2 MOA with M80 ball, and 1.25 MOA with 110gr Nosler Varmegedon handloads. 25% unsuppressed, 75% suppressed. Gassing seems perfect on each setting. Good hits out to 640 so far with a 1-10 gen 3 RZR. Still handy enough for general purpose carbine stuff with a loaded mag, 1-10, backup irons, and a Modlite.

+1. I love mine. With a Surefire 762 SOCOM K can, I don’t even have to put on the suppressed mode for most loads. I get about 1-1.25 MOA with M118 clone ammo.

[bsank]

I have had a hate/hate relationship with AR-10s. I have owned 4 with issues: Inexplicable loss of accuracy, reliability issues, more weight than I wanted. After handling and shooting a buddies DDM5(he is a prior service guy who is not a gun guy and uses that rifle for everything. He has that and a G19) I bought one last week for just over 2k out the door (DDM5V3). So far I have 263rds though it with no malfunctions. Sub MOA with 168gr handloads, 1.5 MOA with Winchester m118lr(that shit is hot), 2 MOA with M80 ball, and 1.25 MOA with 110gr Nosler Varmegedon handloads. 25% unsuppressed, 75% suppressed. Gassing seems perfect on each setting. Good hits out to 640 so far with a 1-10 gen 3 RZR. Still handy enough for general purpose carbine stuff with a loaded mag, 1-10, backup irons, and a Modlite.

The 1-10 lpvo has been adequate for your purposes? Some say that the 2-10 is superior but I keep drifting back to the 1-10 for general purpose.

[Fastcat]

The 1-10 lpvo has been adequate for your purposes? Some say that the 2-10 is superior but I keep drifting back to the 1-10 for general purpose.

It’s been perfect on that rifle. Yesterday I was doing close drills with it and shooting in 25+mph winds to 450. That rifle is just handy enough that I would miss 1x on the bottom end.

[The Dumb Gun Collector]

I probably would have gone with the DD5 as well. The MARS is a chunk. I have a MR762 so I know how heavy AR's get old fast

[artoter]

DD5, primarily because of the weight. I decided to go with a lighter weight ar10 variant because I have an older AR10 that weighs 12lbs before magazine.

Well, you picked a good one!