If you’re just entering the market for a new AR-15 style firearm or have owned one or two in the past, you may be wondering why certain brands and models are so much more expensive than others. It’s not hard to get lost in the terminology and fancy words each company uses to separate their model from everyone else, but some models truly rise above the rest and the Daniel Defense DDM4v11 is one of them.

First and foremost, Daniel Defense is one of the few companies today that uses cold hammer forged (CHF) barrels. There are numerous debates on how to rifle a barrel, but we won’t go there now, CHF in most people’s opinion is the most accurate style of rifling. The DDM4v11 comes chambered in 5.56 NATO with a 1:7 twist, or 300 BLK with a 1:8 twist, making it excellent for shooting those heavier bullets which works great for match shooting and hunting. The DDM4v11 barrel also uses mid-length gas system which reduces recoil over typical carbine length gas systems. Paired with the right optic and ammunition this barrel will prove to you why it deserves to be in another class from other ARs. If a longer barrel is your thing, the DDM4v11 is offered in a Pro version with an 18” rifle length gas system barrel as well. For folks looking to shave a few ounces off the weight of the gun, the DDM4v11 is offered in a LW and SLW version as well.

As far as aesthetics go, the DDM4v11 sports a 15” KeyMod rail, Daniel Defense furniture, and is offered in Black, Mil Spec+ Bronze, Tornado Grey, and Kryptec Typhon. The KeyMod rail is excellent for adding attachments quickly and securely. The KeyMod system offers a return to zero for attachments as well. If you are a fan of Magpul’s M-LOK system, have no fear as the gun is offered with that setup as well in the DDM4v7 model. The Daniel Defense furniture is another great feature of this gun. Instead of the old A2 style furniture many ARs come with these days, Daniel Defense has created their own overmolded furniture to give you a better, more comfortable grip on the rifle. The stock, rail, and receiver end plate all have QD sling attachment points as well. This offers the shooter the ability to use a single or double point sling system without adding attachments and weight to the rifle – sometimes it truly is the little things.

All in all, these rifles make for an outstanding hunting, target, defense, or just plain recreational plinking rifle. You will find the MSRP of this rifle starting around $1599, but your local gun shop will likely come in under that figure. Don’t forget, a rifle is only as good as the optic you have paired with it.