My Daniel Defense pistol build.

[daddyusmaximus]

I love my little 11.3" .300 Blackout SBR. I do NOT love the fact that it comes with federal hassles that make it a PITA to travel with. Also, I built it years ago strictly as a home defense gun. I was kinda hoping that as .300 BO got more popular, ammo prices would come down, but they never really did. At least,not as much as I'd like. My other AR was a typical one, a 16" middy in a RECCE style. I built these both on Spikes lowers. I'm not a brand snob normally, and got a good deal at a gun show. One (the one I made the SBR) has an American flag laser etched on it. Had to have that regardless...

Now I'm wanting a pistol (5.56) so I can travel to other states with it, and not have to ask permission. Also, just being a "pistol" has it's advantages these days. The SBA3 was a game changer here. I took the cheap route first time, just ordering up a PSA 10.5" pistol upper, after picking up a lower at a LGS. Not too bad. Yes, overgassed. Yes, not as good quality, but she went bang every time... Then I got the bug to change it up because I was felling nostalgic. I swapped out the upper for an A1 upper so it would have the same feel as what I trained on in basic all those years ago... Love it, but it's still a PSA barrel, lower...

Now I'm doing something I've never done before. Going with a more high end (at least to my standards) receiver set... Daniel Defense. I picket up a pistol lower, then a unbarreled upper. First thing I noticed is that I really like the SOB brace that came on it. It feels more comfy than the SBA3. Not by a lot, the SBA3 is pretty good, but it's noticeable. Then I see the problem... no way to put a sling on the SOB. Well, that's gotta come off. The SOB goes on the PSA, and the SBA3 (PSA marked... lol) goes on the DD.

Black Friday sales are already going, so I ordered a 10.3" BA Hanson barrel for it at a killer price. I have one other BA Hanson barrel, on a .308, and it's a shooter, so why not. The sale + my 10% military and LEO discount+ free shipping = less than half the cost of the Noveske I wanted. I did want this build to use better parts, but I can't go all out living on VA disability... It should be as accurate, (or accurate enough anyway for a combat gun) and I won't be shooting 30,000 rounds anyhow... Could never afford the ammo. Also, I got the lightweight version with the .625 gas block. I don't want this to be too heavy if I can help it. Not gonna freak out about weight either, but I had the choice of a lighter barrel, so I took it. Still a guaranteed MOA barrel.

It will get a good sight. I'm giving it the Comp M4s from the SBR. That thing never leaves the house. It's a home defense gun, so it really doesn't need the toughest sight there is. This new pistol will go everywhere, get banged around. It needs the durability of the M4s, even if it is heavy. I wanted a T2 so I can keep it light, (getting old) but $$$. Like I said, can't freak out about weight all the time. This choice would cost me a lot, so she gets the heavy old standby. I'll put a Sig on the SBR. I have 3 Romeo 5 sights on other guns, and they are great. I may try one of the other Romeo sights on the SBR.

Oddly enough, the "high end" DD doesn't come with a very high end trigger. Quite a bit of creep in it. I have a JP trigger in the PSA. I'll repurpose that for now til I can afford a Geissele SSA. I have the SSA-E in my .308, and love it. The JP is pretty damn good though. I have this one, and another in the RECCE. Had them for years, and they have been real smooth. Just not AS smooth. This one was in my SBR til it got an Echo II. Yes, I have though of putting that in this new pistol build since this will be a go everywhere, do everything gun. We'll see.

Anyway, this is just the start of the build, but time will tell.

Here is the obligatory photo of my starting point...