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Yup. Walked into LGS yesterday (im new to the area) only to behold one KAC 11.5 SBR (with the 3.1) for $350 less than I've seen them online and no wait for form 3 between dealers. I walked out with the upper and my form 4 to be mailed today. Now my KAC 11.5 (URX 3) is no longer lonely. I likes me to have two of each model.
Now just have to wait for lower to clear ATF...
Complete DDM4's are about 1/2 the cost of KAC rifles?
paid $1,330 for my DDM4V1, V5s could have been had for slightly less and V7s for even less than that at the time I picked mine up back in May. So ya, if I bought a V5 & V7 you're talking $2,500ish for 2 rifles vs. $2,000 for 1 rifle. Sounds silly, but that $100 less to make it $1,900 makes a big difference to me when making a value judgment.
I think one of the things that sometimes gets lost in these comparisons is what you get with an SR15 package.
2 stage trigger: $350
SOPMOD stock: $200 - $75 (Magpul stock)
Ambi fire controls: $60
Ambi Bolt release: $30
Add up all those parts and we're at about $550.
The DD V5/V7 don't seem to come with sights.
Rear KAC micro flip sight: $140
Front Low Pro flip sights: $150
Add the sights into the mix and you're at about $850.
If you take your $1250 DD rifle and add that $850, you're at the cost of an SR15 Mod1.
This not taking into consideration the value of the proprietary bolt or gas system.
This is why it's my opinion that the SR15 is not only a great rifle, but economically, is a very good value when compared to what you get from other manufacturers.
All valid points and it makes it really close. The ambi controls are intagible IMO, even though I'm a righty, still nice to have. The SOPMOD stock I can take or leave, although I'd much rather have a CTR than the stupid MOE stock (idk why DD doesn't just put a CTR on).
One issue, KAC components are over priced. I'd likely sell the trigger due to reports of it being unreliable (breaking around a few thousand rounds), which is a major turn off to me and selling it I'd get a fraction of it's MSRP, then I'd have to replace it. E3 bolt is a major positive, but if I wanted a heavy duty bolt I'd always have the option of the LMT enhanced bolt to a DDM4.
Once all these issues are factored in, the value is close and the $100 may seem kinda silly to get turned off over, it's turned me off. Like I said, I'm patient and I'll probably sit until I see the deal I want, or forever if I don't find that deal.![]()
I agree that some of the features may not be of interest or of use or just not needed for some.
I'm not familiar with the trigger breaking, I've seen you mention if a few times, but I'm not sure if that's a real issue or not.
But to the larger point of value, it does seem to me that most of the rifles discussed in these threads, KAC, DD, LMT, etc, really are not that far apart in cost when comparing comparable rifles with comparable features.
It seems to boil down to availability, brand loyalty, and how much value an individual places on some of the intangibles that always factor in to civilian purchases. I place great value in innovation and R&D, whereas someone else may not. Some people find great value in getting beer can holders and powdered spices with their rifle, I don't.
Fortunately, most of the manufacturers seriously discussed produce quality rifles that would meet the needs of the majority of people (recreation, home defense, etc).
I agree, KAC, Noveske, DD, BCM, Larue, Colt, LMT are hard to argue with. Some of it is personal preference. DD & KAC make lightweight rifles, this is a main attraction for me, generally speaking LMT & Noveske seem to be heavier tack drivers.
Regarding the KAC trigger, no first hand experience or even first hand knowledge. That info was obtained searching M4C. A previous poster mentioned it is no longer an issue, but it still creates some doubt in my mind.
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