things get a bit extra complicated whilst you upload a suppressor to a brief barrel. reliable operation with direct-impingement guns is basically dependent on right bolt provider timing, and suppressors can boom the bolt speed extensively. Suppressing a wonderfully functioning short-barreled AR can flip the gun right into a malfunctioning nightmare. changing the buffer and buffer spring, or installing an adjustable fuel block, can make it work, however it’s a process. It’s high-quality to have a rifle that just works and works while not having to mess with it.
one of the companies doing an exceedingly desirable job of that is Daniel protection. I’ve tested several Daniel defense guns, and they’ve all worked very well right out of the field. The company’s ARs are simple, lightweight, direct-impingement weapons available at affordable prices. i latterly attended a SureFire occasion that delivered every other Daniel protection rifle to the listing of ARs that just undeniable paintings, even suppressed.
Gun information
SureFire’s media events are acknowledged for their sensible trying out of gadget. heading off the usual low-key events, SureFire tends to put the individuals and system via actual schooling. This occasion became no exception—attendees went through solutions organization global’s high-hazard Dignitary safety direction. Designed to familiarize police gadgets with the fundamentals of running a dignitary safety team, it calls for a weapon that simply works.
“throughout the high-chance Dignitary protection route, my issued MK18 ran flawlessly.”
Daniel defense furnished the rifles for the occasion, and most had short barrels. All had been ready with SureFire’s SOCOM556-RC suppressors. the various rifles were Daniel defense MK18 SBRs in five.56mm NATO, inclusive of the only I used. each turned into prepared with a U.S. Optics SR-8C 1-8X scope and Dueck defense attractions. ready with an illuminated 8C Mil reticle, the SR-8C is designed for each near quarters and longer tiers. for the reason that MK18 finished so nicely during the event, I ordered one for more thorough checking out at my domestic range.
The MK18 is a factory SBR to be had to all who can legally possess them, and it’s constructed to the identical specs as its pick out-hearth navy and police equivalent. It starts offevolved with a Daniel protection solid upper receiver mated to a 10.3-inch, bloodless-hammer-cast, chrome-covered barrel with a 1-in-7-inch twist charge and a 5.56mm NATO chamber. It also has M4 feed ramps for dependable functioning in harsh situations. The barrel is capped with an A2-fashion flash suppressor, however SureFire SOCOM muzzle brakes/adaptors are to be had upon request.
Firepower is channeled thru a CNC-machined 4140 steel gasoline block as a part of the carbine-duration gadget. Surrounding the barrel and gas machine is Daniel defense’s MK18 RIS II handguard, which the organization supplies to USSOCOM. to be had in black or Flat dark Earth, the light-weight RIS II handguard provides masses of rail area along side QD sling cups. Rounding out the upper receiver is an M16-profile, magnetic-particle (MP) tested, chrome-coated and nicely staked bolt carrier organization.
For trying out at my domestic range, I used my Daniel defense mil-spec lower, which is certified for SBR use. these lower receivers are machined from 7075-T6 aluminum and consist of a flared magazine nicely and QD swivel attachments on the rear. Daniel defense’s complete MK18 rifles feature the organization’s new collapsible inventory and pistol grip, which function attractive and purposeful rubber overmolding for more suitable manage. My private Daniel protection decrease is prepared with an ambidextrous mag release, a PWS buffer tube and a Geissele terrific Semi-computerized (SSA) -stage cause.
My check rifle also came with a SureFire SOCOM muzzle brake, so I connected my SureFire SOCOM762-MINI sound suppressor. U.S. Optics let me take the SR-8C scope I used at the faculty lower back with me to thoroughly take a look at the MK18. I additionally kept the Dueck protection offset attractions in area to round out the bundle. In all, my take a look at rifle become configured as intently as viable to the one I used during the SureFire occasion.
variety Time
for the duration of the high-threat Dignitary safety course, my issued MK18 ran flawlessly. The suppressor turned into connected at some stage in the direction, too. There had been no malfunctions, even beneath a few pretty extreme fire. The SOCOM556-RC is a rugged suppressor constructed specifically for a army contract. that is the second time I’ve used a brief-barreled Daniel defense AR with this suppressor, and the utter reliability constantly amazes me. As I said, a few 10-inch-barreled ARs, suppressed or now not, may be unreliable. however that simply does no longer seem to be the case with Daniel protection rifles. capturing excessive spherical counts in a right away-impingement gun with a suppressor can in reality gum up the works, and the rifles we used at some stage in the route were given quite dirty, but they kept on working.
most of our taking pictures became in close quarters, from 50 yards and in. using the U.S. Optics scope turned into quite easy. At simply near variety, turning on the lighted reticle essentially offers you a red dot to paintings with. With the scope’s three.7 inches of eye relief, it turned into feasible to get a solid sight photograph, even operating round limitations and in some very unconventional positions. The scope on my MK18 never had an trouble, and it still works perfectly after numerous subsequent tests.
returned at my home range, the only real difference in MK18 configurations was using a .30-quality suppressor—a brief one at that. If there has been any difference in function, it become much less gasoline inside the motion and a chunk slower bolt velocity. I opt to run this SOCOM762-MINI on 5.56mm rifles, specifically in the event that they have shorter barrels. certain, this setup is not as quiet, however it’s lighter, shorter and cleanser. it's far plenty quiet for operations, and the SOCOM762-MINI could be very sturdy. there was also no discernible shift inside the point of impact at 50 yards, and any at 100 yards amounted to much less than an inch typical.
This MK18 functioned just as well as the only I used during the schooling—no longer a single issue, even under some pretty full-size speedy-fireplace strings. in case you’re going to burn ammo speedy, make sure you wear gloves; it will get warm. The suppressor mated up very carefully to the forend, making for a brief average package deal. The MK18 become very on hand and fast on track. And it stayed on track with little or no flinch.
The MK18’s accuracy proved to be exquisite, with my pleasant institution measuring a tad over an inch at 100 yards the use of Silver nation Armory’s sixty four-grain PPT round. due to the fact that this spherical is pretty much perfect for obligation use, it become a nice suit. the whole lot fell right round an inch and a half, with the largest institution measuring simply below 2 inches. all the ammo ran without trouble.
eliminating the suppressor, the SOCOM muzzle brake did its activity nicely, retaining the rifle on course. it's miles simply absolutely loud on its own, however, so if that is a obligation gun, choose the version that includes a flash suppressor—one with a view to reduce your flash signature with out taking the fellow subsequent to you out of the fight.
De last Notes
The U.S. Optics SR-8C has surely grown on me. Having the 8X magnification is fine for figuring out threats, and it offers all the magnification you will ever need. Set at 1X with the illuminated reticle, the SR-8C works quite similar to any pink dot. over time, I discover my area of view honestly much less obstructed and clearer with optics. it may be a piece tougher to get an ideal sight picture, but while you do, it's far clearer, particularly if the scope is a certainly parallax-free 1X.
Daniel protection’s brief-barreled guns are the maximum constantly dependable I’ve tested. There are simply others that work, but each Daniel defense SBR I’ve examined has worked, even suppressed. they're lightweight, reliable, nicely built and fairly priced, and the MK18 isn't any exception.
For more information on the MK18, visit danieldefense.com or call 866-554-4867.
