From left, Daniel Defense DD4 RIII, DD4 RIIIS, M4A1 RIII and MK18 RIII (Photos courtesy of Daniel Defense)
January 28, 2022
By Guns & Ammo Staff
More control, more flexibility, less weight. That’s what you get with Daniel Defense RIII rifles . The new DD4 lower is the same lower receiver you have come to love, trust and expect from Daniel Defense, now fully ambidextrous. And the all-new RIS III rail system was modeled after the infamous RIS II that was developed for SOCOM. The RIS III is M-LOK rather than Picatinny quad rail, includes the same 6 bolt lock-up found on the RIS II, and also features the same two-part design as the RIS II allowing it to free float M203 grenade-launchers. The all-new RIS III maintains the same strength and customization available with the RIS II but with less weight. The RIII family will be introduced in 4 configurations and available for purchase in Spring 2022. RIII rails and RIII Uppers will be available later in the year.
DD4 RIII (Photo courtesy of Daniel Defense) This lighter weight, fully ambidextrous version of our industry-standard DDM4 offers right- and left-handed shooters with even more flexibility and control. A 12.5-inch RIS III rail provides easy attachment/detachment of M-LOK accessories, and a mid-length gas system provides smooth, reliable cycling while also reducing perceived recoil and wear and tear on parts.
Features 16" chrome-lined, heavy-phosphate-coated Government-profile barrel for accuracy and durability Fully ambidextrous lower enables shooter to operate important rifle mechanisms without moving dominant hand from rifle grip 12.5" RIS III Rail—modeled after the RIS II two-piece handguard developed for SOCOM—features M-LOK attachment for lighter weight while accommodating M203 attachment DD4 RIII Specifications Caliber: 5.56Barrel Length: 16 in.Barrel Material: 4150 Chrome Moly VanadiumBarrel Type: Cold Hammer ForgedBarrel Profile: GovernmentRifling Twist: 1:7 in.Gas System Length: Mid-lengthMuzzle Device: Flash SuppressorOverall Length: 32 ¼ in. - 35 7/8 in.Weight (unloaded): 6.52 lbs.Rail System: RIS III 12.5 in. (M-LOK)DD4 RIIIS (Photo courtesy of Daniel Defense) This short-barreled version of Daniel Defense’s DD4 RIII comes with an 11.5-inch Government-profile barrel for maximum maneuverability and a carbine-length gas system for smooth, reliable cycling. Its fully ambidextrous lower offers right- and left-handed shooters with even more flexibility and control, while a 10.5-inch RIS III rail provides reduced weight and easy attachment/detachment of M-LOK accessories. Class III dealers only; all NFA rules apply.
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Features 11.5-inch free-floating Government-profile barrel and carbine-length gas system for increased maneuverability Fully ambidextrous lower enables shooter to operate important rifle mechanisms without moving dominant hand from rifle grip 10.5-inch RIS III Rail—modeled after the RIS II two-piece handguard developed for SOCOM— features M-LOK attachment for lighter weight DD4 RIIIS Specifications Caliber: 5.56Barrel Length: 11.5 in.Barrel Material: 4150 Chrome Moly VanadiumBarrel Type: Cold Hammer ForgedBarrel Profile: GovernmentRifling Twist: 1:7 in.Gas System Length: CarbineMuzzle Device: Flash SuppressorOverall Length: 27 7/8 in.- 31 ¼ in.Weight (unloaded): 5.92 lbs.Rail System: RIS III 10.5 in.M4A1 RIII (Photo courtesy of Daniel Defense) Daniel Defense took its battle-tested M4A1 design and made it even more operator friendly by adding a fully ambidextrous lower to provide right- and left-handed shooters with more flexibility and control. The company also swapped out the RIS II rail system with its new RIS III system, which reduces weight by using M-LOK attachment instead of Picatinny.
Features 14.5 in. chrome-lined, heavy-phosphate-coated M4-profile barrel features a pinned and welded DD Flash suppressor to extend length to NFA-required 16 in. Fully ambidextrous lower enables shooter to operate important rifle mechanisms without moving dominant hand from rifle grip 12.5 in. RIS III Rail—modeled after the RIS II two-piece handguard developed for SOCOM—features M-LOK attachment for lighter weight while accommodating M203 attachment M4A1 RIII Specifications Caliber: 5.56Barrel Length: 14.5 in.Barrel Material: 4150 Chrome Moly VanadiumBarrel Type: Cold Hammer ForgedBarrel Profile: M4Rifling Twist: 1:7 in.Gas System Length: CarbineMuzzle Device: Flash Suppressor, EXTOverall Length: 31 ½ in. - 34 ¾ in.Weight (unloaded): 6.39 lbs.Rail System: RIS III 12.5 in. (M-LOK)MK18 RIII (Photo courtesy of Daniel Defense) Less weight, more flexibility—with additional features that make this unmatched short-barreled rifle even lighter, more maneuverable and more controllable. The MK18 RIII features a fully ambidextrous lower receiver, and Daniel Defense replaced the RIS II rail system with a lighter-weight RIS III rail system that utilizes M-LOK attachment instead of Picatinny. Class III dealers only; all NFA rules apply.
Features 10.3 in. chrome-lined, heavy-phosphate-coated Government-profile barrel provides outstanding maneuverability and durability Fully ambidextrous lower enables shooter to operate important rifle mechanisms without moving dominant hand from rifle grip 9.5 in. RIS III Rail—modeled after the RIS II two-piece handguard developed for SOCOM—features M-LOK attachment for lighter weight MK 18 RIII Specifications Caliber: 5.56Barrel Length: 10.3 in. Barrel Material: 4150 Chrome Moly VanadiumBarrel Type: Cold Hammer ForgedBarrel Profile: GovernmentRifling Twist: 1:7 in.Gas System Length: CarbineMuzzle Device: Flash SuppressorOverall Length: 26 ¾ in.- 29 7/8 in.Weight (unloaded): 5.73 lbs.Rail System: RIS III 9.5 in.
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