M&p 15 vs Daniel defense
- Thread starter gmcman66
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_Genocide_
Member
You cannot compare the 2.
I think that it depends on what you want it for. If you want a good basic AR and are not concerned with frills, then go with the Smith. If you want something with a better resale value, go with the DD. While I have never owned an DD I seriously looked at them as well as other brands when researching which AR to get. I ended up getting the S&W VTAC II. It checked the most boxes on my want list. Daniel Defense makes a really good AR. They are among the top few best AR manufacturers.
JaPes
Member
I always wonder why resale value is ever a factor in choosing any firearm. If I look at a firearm and think "hey this has a great resale value" then it's a firearm my subconscious is telling me I'll eventually sell. Why buy it in the fist place if I'm just going to resell it?
GMCman666, what your intended purpose of use for an AR-15? Is the rifle going to be mostly used on the range? Is your rifle going to be shot at relatively close distances or longer distances? At what frequency are you going to use your rifle? How many rounds per year are you going to shoot? Do you have any physical challenges that need to be considered?
Comparing a S&W v.s. Daniel Defense without any knowledge of how the rifle is to be employed, or which trim level to compare is difficult. Without knowing a little bit more about your goals makes it difficult. We need just a little bit more information to give you decent opinions of what rifle will suit your intended purpose of use to maximize your value for the dollar.
I'm a vehicular speed addict. I have more self control now than I did in my 20's. Even today I would love to own a Suzuki Hyabusa (a.k.a. organ donation machine) just to run that motorcycle at WOT. Problem is given my age, location, skill level, and environment I would never be able to wring out every minute bit of performance that machine is capable of. I know this. I've never bought the bike because I know I'd be throwing away good $$$ for capability I'll never use. Same logic goes into buying an AR most of the time.
Now if you want a cool rifle that others will say "Dang, that's a DD!" and be envious, then go for it. Hell, I have one rifle just for that stupid reason. I knew it did nothing any better than my current 5.56 projectile launching devices, but I wanted it.
GMCman666, what your intended purpose of use for an AR-15? Is the rifle going to be mostly used on the range? Is your rifle going to be shot at relatively close distances or longer distances? At what frequency are you going to use your rifle? How many rounds per year are you going to shoot? Do you have any physical challenges that need to be considered?
Comparing a S&W v.s. Daniel Defense without any knowledge of how the rifle is to be employed, or which trim level to compare is difficult. Without knowing a little bit more about your goals makes it difficult. We need just a little bit more information to give you decent opinions of what rifle will suit your intended purpose of use to maximize your value for the dollar.
I'm a vehicular speed addict. I have more self control now than I did in my 20's. Even today I would love to own a Suzuki Hyabusa (a.k.a. organ donation machine) just to run that motorcycle at WOT. Problem is given my age, location, skill level, and environment I would never be able to wring out every minute bit of performance that machine is capable of. I know this. I've never bought the bike because I know I'd be throwing away good $$$ for capability I'll never use. Same logic goes into buying an AR most of the time.
Now if you want a cool rifle that others will say "Dang, that's a DD!" and be envious, then go for it. Hell, I have one rifle just for that stupid reason. I knew it did nothing any better than my current 5.56 projectile launching devices, but I wanted it.
I need resalr value. I dont intend on selling my weapons, but i need to know beforehand what i could sell it for if ever needed. I look at everything in life as an investment, and if i want something but i can resale for 0$, thats fine but i dont want to find out when i sell, i want to know before.
I am interested in the differences and such.
I am interested in the differences and such.
OP
gmcman66
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All valid points. The intended purpose is some comp,plinking,defense. I'm the kind of person that too likes to know he can get most if not all his investment back,wishful thinking..lol. I have one DDV11 with a DDV3 due to arrive this week. I like the M&P but there are build and quality differences that I know exist.
Most of the DDs I have seen sell for at least twice what a Sport or similarly priced AR sell for. Think about pocketing the difference, investing it in mutual funds, and making enough return in 5 or 6 years to pay for the Sport. Resale value is not always what it's cracked up to be, if you have to spend two or more times as much to get it.
ChattanoogaPhil
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Buy a $1600 DD and you can probably sell for $1300. Buy a $500 Sport and you can probably sell for close to $400. There's a bottom floor $ on ARs and the Sport is right about there new. Primary Arms has had quite a few $400 off sales on DD rifles so be careful what you pay for one.
That said... by the time you buy a couple thousand rounds for $600, $700 Aimpoint or whatever, $250 trigger, $100 in mags, sling, grip, stock... the difference in resale between just the rifles will be laughably meaningless.
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sgtsandman
US Veteran
It's like trying to compare a Toyota, Honda, or a NIssan to a Lexus, Acura, or Infinity. The M&P15 will be a reliable firearm that will get the job done.
ARs are like cars: no one makes all the parts (in fact, they buy many of the major parts-like receiver forgings- from the same folks) and there are Rolls Royces, Porsches, Chevys and Moskvas.
DD got its start making gee-whiz parts for Spec Ops folks and expanded into complete rifles. Their rifles reflect this background. Buy one and you may be the most tactikewl dude on the range. The real question is: do you really NEED all the doo-dads and features?
As previously noted, the various M&Ps will launch bullets with little or no difference from the DD. The greatest performance variable between them will be the operator. Most of us would find greater benefit from spending the price difference on practice ammunition (and good optics if you need/want them).
DD got its start making gee-whiz parts for Spec Ops folks and expanded into complete rifles. Their rifles reflect this background. Buy one and you may be the most tactikewl dude on the range. The real question is: do you really NEED all the doo-dads and features?
As previously noted, the various M&Ps will launch bullets with little or no difference from the DD. The greatest performance variable between them will be the operator. Most of us would find greater benefit from spending the price difference on practice ammunition (and good optics if you need/want them).
dullh
Member
That is true - especially on price.
For what 99.99% of most of us do with an AR, anything S&W makes will outlast us all. That also goes for PSA, CMMG, DPMS...
If, however, you wanna be the big shot name dropper around the range, go with Daniel Defense, Noveske, LMT, etc...that's about all you're going to get out of it...well that and you'll be the envy of your online gaming buddies...
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Same goes for cars and really everythig else in life. Sometimes ghe added benefit of paying more is less depreciation. Looks like not yhe case in ARs. Might just be better to buy cheaper ones ao that you have more! Will have to look into thes $400 off sales.
On another note. Guns dont seem to be havung too many salea right now. Guessing itll pick up on memorial day and 4th of july? Looking at hoarding ny money until then
On another note. Guns dont seem to be havung too many salea right now. Guessing itll pick up on memorial day and 4th of july? Looking at hoarding ny money until then
As a lurker, I'd hate to make my first post about a complaint, but I have owned a DDM4v5 LW since about December of 2013 which was bought new straight from DD shipped to the store I work at, and I have to say, it is not all that great.
I only owned one other AR before this, a spikes tactical, which I sold to buy the DD.
The DD trigger is a standard GI trigger with a horrid pull. Although it doesn't matter and is purely aesthetic, the bolt carrier group on the spikes was machined more smooth. Also, the castle nut staking on the spikes was done neatly on every groove, whereas the DD barely had any staking. It was done improperly and very sloppy, as if they didn't even use a center punch and were drunk on the job.
The gun was also from a period where DD cranked out a large batch of out of spec lowers. The pistol grip screw hole was off center, and the factory DD A2 grip screw hole was wider to accommodate the out of spec lower, and the detent spring hole on the factory A2 grip was flared open with wider tolerances. The aftermarket TangoDown grip wouldn't fully scew on to the gun as a result.
I called them around a week after SHOT show, and they told me their customer service lady had called in sick, and that she would call me the next day. The man on the phone mentioned that he had heard complaints of Magpul grips not fitting.
The next day I got no call, so I called them back the day after I was supposed to get the call and they told me they were busy because of SHOT, which was already over by then, and that they either told me that they'd contact me for the warranty exchange in a few days or that I should call back after another few days. I can't recall.
About 9 days of runaround later, I finally got my shipping label only after I bypassed the guys on the phone and emailed a higher up, Joe Marler. He is the one who finally got the customer service lady to contact me. Mind you, Springfield armory has gotten me my warranty repaired 1911 back to my door within 8 days of me first calling them and shipping the gun that same day on their dime.
Although DD eventually made it right, I have heard from and read about many others on forums who had the same problem as me, and seeing as to how the rep on the phone knew that there were complaints, I feel like they may have purposely sent out an out of spec batch that someone screwed up on to save costs.
I honestly don't see DD as special anymore and wouldn't buy another one. I'll stick to other mil spec makers, like colt, BCM, FN, or build my own or such.
Rifle in question.
I only owned one other AR before this, a spikes tactical, which I sold to buy the DD.
The DD trigger is a standard GI trigger with a horrid pull. Although it doesn't matter and is purely aesthetic, the bolt carrier group on the spikes was machined more smooth. Also, the castle nut staking on the spikes was done neatly on every groove, whereas the DD barely had any staking. It was done improperly and very sloppy, as if they didn't even use a center punch and were drunk on the job.
The gun was also from a period where DD cranked out a large batch of out of spec lowers. The pistol grip screw hole was off center, and the factory DD A2 grip screw hole was wider to accommodate the out of spec lower, and the detent spring hole on the factory A2 grip was flared open with wider tolerances. The aftermarket TangoDown grip wouldn't fully scew on to the gun as a result.
I called them around a week after SHOT show, and they told me their customer service lady had called in sick, and that she would call me the next day. The man on the phone mentioned that he had heard complaints of Magpul grips not fitting.
The next day I got no call, so I called them back the day after I was supposed to get the call and they told me they were busy because of SHOT, which was already over by then, and that they either told me that they'd contact me for the warranty exchange in a few days or that I should call back after another few days. I can't recall.
About 9 days of runaround later, I finally got my shipping label only after I bypassed the guys on the phone and emailed a higher up, Joe Marler. He is the one who finally got the customer service lady to contact me. Mind you, Springfield armory has gotten me my warranty repaired 1911 back to my door within 8 days of me first calling them and shipping the gun that same day on their dime.
Although DD eventually made it right, I have heard from and read about many others on forums who had the same problem as me, and seeing as to how the rep on the phone knew that there were complaints, I feel like they may have purposely sent out an out of spec batch that someone screwed up on to save costs.
I honestly don't see DD as special anymore and wouldn't buy another one. I'll stick to other mil spec makers, like colt, BCM, FN, or build my own or such.
Rifle in question.
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cyphertext
US Veteran
Any maker can produce a lemon... DD, Noveske, Colt, BCM, CMMG, S&W, DPMS... any of them. What matters most is how they handle the customer after the fact.
As far as comparing DD to S&W... specs and materials used will differ. Little things like full auto carrier vs. semi auto carrier, barrel steel, buffer weight.... things that many might not notice a difference in, or may depending on the ammunition they use.
And as far as resale, or being an investment.... commercially produced AR 15s that are cranked out by the thousands each year are not "investments". Especially ones that are bought to be used.
As far as comparing DD to S&W... specs and materials used will differ. Little things like full auto carrier vs. semi auto carrier, barrel steel, buffer weight.... things that many might not notice a difference in, or may depending on the ammunition they use.
And as far as resale, or being an investment.... commercially produced AR 15s that are cranked out by the thousands each year are not "investments". Especially ones that are bought to be used.
Maddmax
US Veteran
It's like buying an SUV. Are you going to keep it on the concrete or take it off road and really play with it hard ?
I've had zero issues with both brands of weapons and I don't "baby" any of them.Another thing I liked about the DD is being able to get a mid and full length gas system along with different barrel lengths.
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Id have to disagree. All ARs were note expensive after sandy hook. AKs have consistently risen in price too.
cyphertext
US Veteran
Take that expensive AR you bought after Sandy Hook and see if you can sell it today for what you paid... you can't.
Same with the AK... short term market increase and will come back down over time. Shoot them all you want, they are still making them.
My son's pre-1900 1894 Winchester on the other hand... investment grade firearm that is no longer in production.
I dont think youre following. The object would be to have some on hand before any panic. Also AKs have still gone up even after panic has subsided. They still steadily rise. Same with bullets and magazines.
Obviously buying high and selling low results in a loss in really any trading or selling. Its like saying go buy the stock when its at its peak and sell it 1 years later when its come down in price. Thats why its stocks are a bad investment : / just doesnt make sense.
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cyphertext
US Veteran
You aren't following... the motley fool has an article showing that AR and AK prices, while they have had some peaks and drops, as an average year over year have been flat. That is not an investment. AR prices are actually down. Colts that sold for $1400 a few years ago, now sell for $950 at Walmart... that should be a clue, if you are buying it at Walmart, it ain't an investment.
Yes and in a few years it will peak again. Id say thats an investment. I dont know what your definition of an investment is, but if something goes up or down, its worth buying low and selling high to me. You can buy ammo at walmart. That price has only inceeased with time.
i mean a dollar is a dollar but people invest in it. We used to be worth more than the canadian. Then canadian passed us, now weve passed them.
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