If I were shopping for a complete AR

[andrewP]

Don't buy a Daniel Defense rifle

Based on what criteria? I've seen lots of posts claiming that they build a good rifle. I'm not currently in the market, but based on what I'd read previously, they were up near the top of my personal list if I ever have the spare cash. (Note that I'm a total noob with regard to ARs, and basically only know what I've read on the internet; my total AR shooting experience is *2* rounds through an unfamiliar rifle at an "open house" event at one of the local ranges.)

[Tronster]

The bench and sandbags look familiar, SMSC range by chance? Nice EVO setup by the way! Mine lacks any optics so I can't verify the 1 moa spec.

Why not? Optics are not a requirement for shooting well.

True, some really good shooting can be done with iron ghost ring sights, but when the front sight blade is as big as the target the human element really starts to come into play. I was zeroing my AR for a 50/200 yard zero, and at that distance I can see the bullseye of the target. If I really take the time to sight in with irons and make a proper trigger pull (as best as I can with a stock military trigger) I can make a 1" group at 50 yards. I'm betting a low power optic would cut that group in half since even very slight imperceptable movements or misalignment would be more noticable in an optical zoom. So to my naked eye a one inch deviation at 100 yards is nearly indistinguishable, and I don't claim to be a phenominal shot. Actually I don't even own one single scope on any of my guns!

[DoxaPar]

I'm starting to really dig those Huldra ARs (and I love the pics in this thread). I gotta be honest, the piston-driven marketing is starting to woo me. It seems like more manufacturers are pushing it from the ads I've seen. Despite the constant negative feedback I hear ("OMG don't buy a piston AR") I really haven't heard a single good reason, backed up by evidence, why it's a bad choice. This attitude seems like it's left over from the past. There seem like a lot of positives to me. After all, one of the most reliable and durable rifles in the world is piston driven. If the accuracy issues can be address with better precision and parts and manufacturing why not?

/shrug

Edit: And their 1 MOA promise really makes this a non-issue for me, at least.

[Tronster]

I think it's because very early AR piston systems had carrier tilt issues causing accelerated wear in the upper receiver and buffer tube or gas key shearing issues. But some companies, such as Adams Arms (who build the Huldra), have designed a one peice carrier with some slight geometry changes that have eliminated those problems. I'd bet most of the people who ridicule the piston AR's have never even owned one. I've used both, both work just fine, one just happens to be more labor intensive to clean.

[Hmac]

I'm starting to really dig those Huldra ARs (and I love the pics in this thread). I gotta be honest, the piston-driven marketing is starting to woo me. It seems like more manufacturers are pushing it from the ads I've seen. Despite the constant negative feedback I hear ("OMG don't buy a piston AR") I really haven't heard a single good reason, backed up by evidence, why it's a bad choice. This attitude seems like it's left over from the past. There seem like a lot of positives to me. After all, one of the most reliable and durable rifles in the world is piston driven. If the accuracy issues can be address with better precision and parts and manufacturing why not?

/shrug

Edit: And their 1 MOA promise really makes this a non-issue for me, at least.

I was contemplating this very subject as I was soaking and scraping the bolt on on my SBR yesterday. Huldra HQ is about 15 minutes from my house and I shoot with the Huldra boys often. Everything I know about that rifle contributes to my rethinking my "gas piston is a solution looking for a problem" stance that I've had for many years.

[DoxaPar]

@Tronster, thanks for the explanation. That's helpful.

[gman1868]

I would not buy another Daniel Defense rifle because they have no concept of Customer Service. After I bought one of their rifles they sent me a gift card for $250 then refused to honor it. Not so much as a spare part, nothing.

Dishonest and bad Customer Service. Not worth spending my hard earned money on.

Had I not spent 2 years working on my 3-gun rifle based on the gun I bought, I would have sold it and bought something else.

[andrewP]

I would not buy another Daniel Defense rifle because they have no concept of Customer Service. After I bought one of their rifles they sent me a gift card for $250 then refused to honor it. Not so much as a spare part, nothing.

Dishonest and bad Customer Service. Not worth spending my hard earned money on.

Had I not spent 2 years working on my 3-gun rifle based on the gun I bought, I would have sold it and bought something else.

Ah, I see. Bad experience with customer service makes sense as a reason why you'd be against buying from them.

[Hmac]

I guess anyone can have a bad day. Generally, Daniel Defense is known for excellent customer service, and my own experience with them on a minor BCG issue reaffirms that. I would buy from them anytime with confidence that they'll stand behind their product.

[andrewP]

I guess anyone can have a bad day. Generally, Daniel Defense is known for excellent customer service, and my own experience with them on a minor BCG issue reaffirms that. I would buy from them anytime with confidence that they'll stand behind their product.

Yeah, I wouldn't let one person's bad experience stop me from dealing with them altogether, but it would serve as a "heads up" and cause me to investigate further before making a decision, just to make sure it's not a pattern.

[Back In Black]

Had another go at it today. One f'ing round screwing up the works.

[MNGunGuy]

No forward assist either? Looks like a budget rifle similar to the Colt 9600 that just came out. I think PSA would be your best bet for a great value on a quality rifle. Some companies are using melonite to line barrels now and that doesn't seem to effect accuracy. Seems to be superior to chrome lining also.

No FA on a comp gun is common practice as lightened comp bolt carriers have no serrations for an assist anyway.

I would not buy another Daniel Defense rifle because they have no concept of Customer Service. After I bought one of their rifles they sent me a gift card for $250 then refused to honor it. Not so much as a spare part, nothing.

Dishonest and bad Customer Service. Not worth spending my hard earned money on.

Had I not spent 2 years working on my 3-gun rifle based on the gun I bought, I would have sold it and bought something else.

That sucks but I've had the opposite results from DD CS. They've gone out of their way every time I've called to make things right, including free upgrades on my custom build and shipping swag as a thank you after the fact. As far as quality goes, I used it all year without any changes and never had a single jam or other issue. So far I've been happy with the purchase. My custom build was just finished for next year though so the DD will be switching roles.

[mecra]

I love my DD. Good fit and finish and excellent lightweight barrel, and they sent me a barrel nut wrench for free.

Accurate, lightweight, and nice looking gun.