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Thread: New Daniel Defense upper, well sort of... What would you guys/gals do?

  1. #1
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    New Daniel Defense upper, well sort of... What would you guys/gals do?

    So I bought a new to me, used Daniel Defense upper receiver.

    It was advertised as being a DD upper and from the pictures I saw, it appeared to be. Let me give you the break down of what I got in the mail:

    Daniel Defense Omega-X FSP rail
    Daniel Defense upper receiver
    BCM/VLTOR Gunfighter Mod3 Charging Handle (can't complain about that)
    Daniel Defense read A1.5 sight
    Spike's Tactical Standard Phosphate HPT/MPI Tested M16 BCG
    DPMS 16" 1x9" Twist, AP4 Contour (their M4 cut barrel)

    Now, I knew it was coming with a Spikes Tactical BCG. I could clearly see the "Spider" laser engraved into the side of the carrier (sellers pictures), where the DD would have been, if it was a Daniel Defense That was the least of my concern. Spikes has a quality BCG, it's HPT/MPI tested and all that good stuff. It's quality just like any of the DD, BCM, LMT etc BCG's out there.

    What has me annoyed is the DPMS barrel. The seller claims he bought it that way and did not know it had a DPMS barrel. He didn't seem to concerned to hear about my issue and before I could even ask for a refund he said, well I sold that upper to fund another project, the money is gone so I can't even offer you a refund, sorry.

    He said he put 1,500 or so threw it, zero issues. I believe he had no issues, DPMS stuff isn't THAT bad. It's just when your expecting a DD upper, well the barrel is the heart and soul of the whole damn gun!

    I picked up the whole upper for $525.00 dollars shipped, it's lists out at $1039.00 on DD's website.

    Did not come with the DD vertical forward grip btw.

    SO here is my question... I have $400~$450.00'ish set aside for optics, been saving for a Aimpoint Micro-T or maybe an EOTech XPS. I'm thinking about just using part of that money to BUY a Daniel Defense barrel and waiting on the optics. If it was one of you, what would you do? Get the DD barrel or just skip it and use the DPMS and get the optics?

    I can get a basic button rifled DD barrel for $220'ish. I don't think it really matters if it CHF's or not for what I'm doing which is just weekend plink'ing and a SHTF gun. Then again maybe for just a basic plinker and a SHTF gun, the DPMS is good to go? I did put 200 rounds threw without a single failure, it's just the point of the thing. Like I said above, the barrel IS the heart of the Daniel Defense upper.

    On the lower receiver end it's all decent quality too. I built that myself using a Smith and Wesson lower, full Daniel Defense LPK, a Magpul MIAD rifle grip and a Magpul CTR stock kit. Then it's got a Magpul ASAP sling attachment point on it. The gun is quality all around but that dang DPMS barrel just seems out of place!

    It's like having a Porsche with a Ford Fiesta motor in it!
    Last edited by Roadblock; 02-29-12 at 13:02.

  2. #2
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    Basically you got screwed and unfortunately you have no recourse. I would get rid of the SPMS barrel and sell it to someone who thinks they are good.

    Put a good barrel in it and then move on.



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  3. #3
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    Sell the barrel on arfcom and get what you can out of it. You could try and get a barrel from the equipment exchange on here to help keep the cost down.
    "Arms are the only true badge of liberty. The possession of arms is the distinction of a free man from a slave." - Andrew Fletcher, 1698

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  4. #4
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    Another option available to you is to just follow your original plan, purchase your optics. Run the barrel you have for a few months. Start saving and then pick up the barrel you want a few months down the road, if a CHF barrel is really what you want, save for it. You already settled once and burned yourself, because you dealt with somebody who has lower expectations/ standards than you.
    “Never try to teach a pig to sing; it wastes your time and it annoys the pig.” Robert Heinlein

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by Iraqgunz View Post
    Basically you got screwed and unfortunately you have no recourse. I would get rid of the SPMS barrel and sell it to someone who thinks they are good.

    Put a good barrel in it and then move on.
    I totally agree, that based on the principal of the thing I did get screwed.

    I did add on the cost of all the Daniel Defense parts, including the Spike's BCG and I did save a decent chunk over piecing it all together myself and even if I buy a DD CHF barrel, I'll still have saved a little over buying the complete upper. That said, it wasn't the deal it was advertised to be.

    At least it all looks new. Nothing on the barrel, rail or upper is even scratched, dinged or dented. Still, it burns my ass a little and I don't really believe the seller didn't know. Looks like one of those well, I want this Daniel Defense rifles but if I piece it together myself, cut a few corners I can save a few dollars and have a the super-cool-operator rifle I always wanted!

    I think I'm formulating a plan. This is not my first or only AR. I have a couple cheapo's too. I have a DTI (Del-ton) lower with a CMMG LPK, Magpul MOE stock, rifle grip and a 16 inch DS Arms upper with a BCM BCG. Then I also have a Bushmaster XM-15 E2S Patrolmen's Carbine with a 14.5 incher pinned and welded, Magpul stock, rifle grip and Surefire Carbine rail. Also have an EOTech 511 on it.

    This Daniel Defense build was suppose to be my first high end build. I wasn't really looking to build another AR but the price was right on the upper (I thought) and I had a spare Smith and Wesson lower receiver, Magpul CTR stock and MIAD grip just sitting in the safe. Oh and I also happened to have that Daniel Defense LPK just sitting new in the bag too. Picked that and the Smith lower up for a pretty good price at a gun show a while back but had never used them for anything.

    Anyway, off topic here. I was getting to my "plan". I know I want a 300 Blackout. I think I might just buy my optics now and save up some 5.56 brass then buy the needed stuff to reload .300BLK and then go get a Daniel Defense .300 Blackout barrel.

    I'll still have a a couple 5.56 AR's for plinking but then I'll have a .300BLK SHTF rifle for when the politicians, er I mean zombie's come!
    Last edited by Roadblock; 02-29-12 at 14:59.

  6. #6
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    You can probably sell that barrel, and not spend a huge shit ton of money to get you something quality. A DD CHF, BCM, or any of the FN CHF everybody is selling now would be a kick ass addition to an otherwise high quality upper.

    Throw 'er up on the EE at TOS or something, and pick out a new barrel. You're still coming in at far below the average DD upper...
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  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by Iraqgunz View Post
    Basically you got screwed and unfortunately you have no recourse. I would get rid of the SPMS barrel and sell it to someone who thinks they are good.

    Put a good barrel in it and then move on.
    You would probably be well served with a standard (non-hammer forged) BCM or DD barrel. Keep saving those pennies and buy a quality optic after you get a good barrel.

  8. #8
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    Just about every family has a "Black Sheep" somewhere in their family tree! So yours has a DPMS barrel, no big deal. For what you want to use the rifle for, I would just shoot it. Only thing I would change is to swap out the Spikes BCG with the BCM BCG you already have. See, the "Bastard Son" is getting better already!

  9. #9
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    Link to the ad?
    Stick


    Board policy mandates I state that I shoot for BCM. I have also done work for 200 or so manufacturers within the firearm community. I am prior service, a full time LEO, firearm instructor, armorer, TL, martial arts instructor, and all around good guy.

    I also shoot and write for various publications. Let me know if you know cool secrets or have toys worthy of an article...


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  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by Grumpy MSG View Post
    Another option available to you is to just follow your original plan, purchase your optics. Run the barrel you have for a few months. Start saving and then pick up the barrel you want a few months down the road, if a CHF barrel is really what you want, save for it. You already settled once and burned yourself, because you dealt with somebody who has lower expectations/ standards than you.
    I agree with this. I'd also try to squeeze a partial refund from the seller as well, atleast it will make you feel a little better. That combined with what you make off the dpms barrel, will get you close to the barrel you want. All in all, you still did get a pretty good deal though so I wouldn't sweat it too much.

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