DD 14.5 Midlength [Archive] - M4Carbine.net Forums

Col_Crocs

07-27-10, 23:12

Thoughts, experiences, reviews from anyone running them?
they appear to be sold out at most places but havent seen any real discussions on it yet...
Hoping to see some experiences and observations with different buffers, ammo, comps or no comps etc...

500grains

07-27-10, 23:17

I checked GandRtactical.com yesterday and they had DD hammer forged CL pencil bbls in stock. I ordered a carbine bbl due to immediate availability of a MOE forearm.

MookNW

07-28-10, 01:32

I just received a 14.5 gov profile cfh mid-length in the mail from Addax tactical 2 days ago($249 stripped). Got it mounted on an upper build and just took it to the range tonight. 25 yd indoor range was all I had to work with, but got great groups with the 2-moa aimpoint. I'm gonna bring it to a group shoot this weekend and can let you know more after I put a couple hundred more thru it.;)http://a.imageshack.us/img6/7467/gunjuly028.jpg (http://img6.imageshack.us/i/gunjuly028.jpg/) Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)http://a.imageshack.us/img8/3599/gunjuly026.jpg (http://img8.imageshack.us/i/gunjuly026.jpg/) Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)http://a.imageshack.us/img196/4474/gunjuly025.jpg (http://img196.imageshack.us/i/gunjuly025.jpg/) Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

Rated21R

07-28-10, 07:27

I'm ready to jump on the midlength bandwagon, however I would prefer a light weight one, that said I still haven't decided if I am going 14.5 and pinned FH or 16 inch yet.

Col_Crocs

07-28-10, 07:55

MookNW: Thanks! Looking forward to your update. Let us know how it compares to the other carbines at the shoot. :D
Rated21R: Due to flexibility, the 16 would be the more practical choice if you dont really feel the length but all the positive feedback, not to mention markm's and IG's review of BCM's 14.5 middy, has made the 14.5 a real contender despite its impracticality.

spamsammich

07-28-10, 09:34

MookNW

07-28-10, 09:37

A friend of mine has some welding gear. Pinned it for the cost of lunch.

spamsammich

07-28-10, 09:48

A friend of mine has some welding gear. Pinned it for the cost of lunch.

I keep telling myself I'm going to learn to TIG someday...
Welders are good to know.

decodeddiesel

07-28-10, 09:49

...I still haven't decided if I am going 14.5 and pinned FH or 16 inch yet.

This is exactly the dilemma I am facing.

Rated21R

07-28-10, 10:08

This is exactly the dilemma I am facing.

Good to know I'm not the only one who is facing this dilemma.

spamsammich

07-28-10, 11:24

for as much as I dislike the inconvenience of having a pinned FH, these middy barrels appeal to me. I really liked my Afghan compared to my LMT 14.5 (not that the LMT was bad, the Afghan was softer shooting with less muzzle jump). I could see myself picking up one of these some time if the pricing is still pretty low. Paired with the VTAC rails, this would make a very light option. Especially if they ever go pencil profile. if you stick to a barrel nut that has commonality with other rail systems like how the Troy barrel nut works with VTAC or Troy TRX extreme rails and the DD barrel nut works with omega X or Lites, pinned muzzle devices are less of a PITA.

flanntastic

07-28-10, 14:03

14.5 DD HF barrel, mid length gas....its one of my favorites

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h52/flanntastic/58424495.jpg

MookNW

07-28-10, 14:44

Spam, is your lmt 14.5 a mid length? What would cause it to be harsher than the noveske? Larger gas port? Please school me.

decodeddiesel

07-28-10, 14:46

LMT does not make a mid length 5.56 barrel. His rifle is a carbine gas system.

500grains

07-28-10, 15:20

Good to know I'm not the only one who is facing this dilemma.

I solved it by getting one of each.

Rated21R

07-28-10, 15:58

Will a DD Lite 10 cover the gas block on a middy?

Col_Crocs

07-28-10, 18:54

Will a DD Lite 10 cover the gas block on a middy?

It will stick out a little bit. Best guess is a quarter inch, more if using an extended gas block.

Col_Crocs

07-28-10, 18:55

14.5 DD HF barrel, mid length gas....its one of my favorites

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h52/flanntastic/58424495.jpg

Nice! How does it shoot compared to other systems you have on hand?

Rated21R

07-28-10, 20:01

It will stick out a little bit. Best guess is a quarter inch, more if using an extended gas block.

I wish DD made an 11 inch rail. I am trying to do a DD middy build, guess I will have to go with a 12 inch FF rail.

Col_Crocs

07-29-10, 08:49

You could pin the gas block and not have to worry about it sticking out.
Personally, I think a DD Mk18 RIS II is long enough for my needs. Shouldnt be an issue for me since I'd pin my GB regardless of rail length.
I have been eyeing the Troy TRX extreme lately though. More length less weight.

MadcapMagician

07-29-10, 09:23

Will a DD Lite 10 cover the gas block on a middy?

I've got a setup in this configuration. I use a Daniel Defense gasblock and it sticks out approximately a 1/4". I think it looks pretty good. The 10" rail is a nice balance between length and weight. The 14.5 middy is the softest shooting non compensated setup I've ever shot. I like the weight of the govt profile with this barrel. For me, the featherweights are too easy to overswing on targets. A lightweight rail with a standard barrel provides for a nicely balanced rifle when running and gunning.

As for rail length, I've really been digging the 10" setups. I've got the 10.0 lite rail on the 14.5 middy and a 9.5FSP on an SBR and find they're about the perfect all around length. I also have a 12.0 FSP on another 14.5 but with a carbine gas system. After using both I've found that functionally the 12" rails are nice for 16"+ barrels, bipods and 12 o'clock mounted lights. If you're not in that category I'd recommend trying the 10" rails.

toekneeg

07-29-10, 10:06

^^could you post a pic of your 14.5" middy with the 10" rail? Haven't found a pic yet.

Thanks in advance

m1a_scoutguy

07-29-10, 11:30

I built a DD 14.5 Middy myself awhile back & I really like it !! I have a buddy thats a welder,,so no big deal for me,,plus living in NY,,everything has to be pinned & welded,,so its just a fact of life for us guys behind the lines !! Anyways,,,I really like the weight & balance of the whole setup,,,its my "New" favorite AR out of my 3,,,:D I originally wanted a 11 inch Troy Extreme,,but went to a local gun show and in the Extreme all they had was the 13 inch so I bought it with the thought that if I didn't like it I could send it back & replace it with the 11incher. Well after its all said & done,,I like the 13,,it brings everything out,,the front BUIS is mounted farther out for a longer sighting plane & just handles very nicely,,it also covers the Lo-pro gas block no problem !!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v59/m1ascoutguy/012.jpg

MadcapMagician

07-29-10, 22:11

Here are pics of the 10" Rail and gasblock.

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/CIMG1738.JPG

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/CIMG1737.JPG

spamsammich

07-29-10, 23:56

LMT does not make a mid length 5.56 barrel. His rifle is a carbine gas system.

Right, the LMT was a carbine gas system, the Noveske Afghan I had was a middy and I always wished it were lighter. over 2 lbs for a 14.5" barrel was a little tiring for my mousy arms after a while. These DD barrels should kick some ass.

Rated21R

07-30-10, 07:21

Here are pics of the 10" Rail and gasblock.

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/CIMG1738.JPG

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/CIMG1737.JPG

Not too bad. I thought I remember reading somewhere that someone made a shorter gas block, might be an option. I wish DD had an 11inch rail it would be perfect.

toekneeg

07-30-10, 08:33

Thanks for the pics Madcap.

Looks good.

RogerinTPA

07-30-10, 09:37

LMT does not make a mid length 5.56 barrel. His rifle is a carbine gas system.

LMT makes one in the MRP, which I have.

Rated21R

07-30-10, 09:49

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=BCM%2DURG%2D16MD+BFH+VIS10

Just thought I would share this link too. I just found it while searching for options. This shows a 16 inch barrel but it does seem as if the gas block is covered.

decodeddiesel

07-30-10, 09:53

LMT makes one in the MRP, which I have.

Interesting, I wasn't aware of that. Is that the gas system they use in their 16" MRPs?

toekneeg

07-30-10, 10:20

anyone have a light weight 14.5" barrel?

I've been email back and forth with Joe. 2-3 week ETA on their light weight barrels.

About to pull the trigger on the barrel, just not sure if I want a light weight or regular. I'm thinking the regular will be fine with a 10" rail. I'm thinking the light weight would be harder to "control"

Thoughts?

RogerinTPA

07-30-10, 10:20

Interesting, I wasn't aware of that. Is that the gas system they use in their 16" MRPs?

yes it is. The one I got has the rifle length rail from rainierarms. http://www.rainierarms.com/?page=shop/detail&product_id=714 It's a good weapon but a bit heavy compared to my other middy (saber defense upper on a colt sporter lower) and carbines.

decodeddiesel

07-30-10, 11:02

yes it is. The one I got has the rifle length rail from rainierarms. http://www.rainierarms.com/?page=shop/detail&product_id=714 It's a good weapon but a bit heavy compared to my other middy (saber defense upper on a colt sporter lower) and carbines.

Cool. I am pretty sure I will either be going with a DD CHF 14.5" middy or BCM 14.5" middy with a rifle length URX for my build.

jp0319

07-30-10, 12:42

I have a 14.5" DD Middy that was built by DD a couple months ago. It is very well assembled. I have not shot it since I have not had a FH permed yet. I am waiting on the Battle comp 1.5 to put on it.

MookNW

08-06-10, 02:15

So , I took the new 14.5 out for a m4c shoot this last weekend.
This is an upper I built with the barrel I showed in an earlier post on this thread. Ammo was BVAC 55 gr fmj. I think they load it to .223 standards, but it was LC head-stamped brass. Round count for the day was about 250-300.
Mind you this is the cheapest brass ammo in WA state, so I wasn't expecting match accuracy. I am also a novice shooter.
The irons were zeroed at 25 yards previously. I rezeroed at 50 yds when I had the proper facilities to do so, and the groups were about 2.5" with my best group of 5. I had to use irons, as I left my aimpoint at home. (aimpoint groups at 25 yds were about 1.25", benched)
I brought my other upper to compare back to back (Colt 6940 16", a2 fh, carbine gas) I have to say that both of these uppers had very similar recoil impulses. I was running them with the standard h buffer that came with my colt. The dd14.5 was just a hair softer, but not what i had expected. I'm under the assumption that depending on the what kind of ammo I'm using, an H2 or even H3 buffer will affect the recoil positively.
All in all, the gun ran fine, with the exception of an error on my part.;) I think I'll just run it with the h buffer for awhile, as the recoil is manageable.http://a.imageshack.us/img812/672/007f.jpg (http://img812.imageshack.us/i/007f.jpg/) Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)http://a.imageshack.us/img809/4605/005sd.jpg (http://img809.imageshack.us/i/005sd.jpg/) Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)http://a.imageshack.us/img683/5910/003pmq.jpg (http://img683.imageshack.us/i/003pmq.jpg/) Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)http://a.imageshack.us/img198/4927/img4188y.jpg (http://img198.imageshack.us/i/img4188y.jpg/) Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

MookNW

08-06-10, 02:20

double post

Col_Crocs

08-06-10, 02:22

Thanks MookNW! What direction was you brass flying on both uppers?

MookNW

08-06-10, 02:27

Oh yeah that. IIRC the 6940 puts it 2:00-3:30 and the dd mid is around 3:00-4:30. I'll verify this weekend. Slammed at work.:D

MookNW

08-08-10, 10:46

After shooting this weekend, the dd 14.5 with h-buffer and BVAC xm193 was putting the brass at around 2:30. A friend tried it out with one of his mags, which had pmc bronze in it and they were hitting at 3:00 dead on. Could this be a prescription for an H2 or H3 buffer? Any Ar mechanics chime in.Casings were hitting the front edge of the deflector and were mildly dented. From a recent video, I saw that they were landing about 5 or 6 ft away. Didn't bring the 6940 upper. ColCrocs, any buffer/spring recommendations? http://a.imageshack.us/img580/1090/004vkj.jpg (http://img580.imageshack.us/i/004vkj.jpg/) Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

spamsammich

08-08-10, 11:36

if it cycles reliably on the weakest ammo you're likely to shoot, don't mess with buffer weights. You're over thinking. That deflector is doing it's job.

MookNW

08-08-10, 11:48

Thanks Spam, overthinking can get pretty expensive.