Daniel Defense DD4 RIII

Daniel Defense builds its rifles in Black Creek, Georgia, and it's known for cold hammer-forged barrels and well-finished AR-pattern rifles. The DD4 line is its fully ambidextrous AR-15 platform, and the DD4 RIII pairs it with the RIII rail. Daniel Defense's RIII rails use M-LOK slots instead of full quad rails, which saves weight, and they attach with a six-bolt system. RIII rifles pair that rail with a fully ambidextrous lower, so the bolt catch, safety selector and magazine release all work from either side, along with the ambidextrous GRIP-N-RIP charging handle.

This rifle is chambered in 5.56mm NATO with a 16-inch cold hammer-forged barrel in chrome moly vanadium steel, government profile, with a 1-in-7 twist and 1/2-28 threads. It runs a mid-length direct impingement gas system with a pinned low-profile gas block.

The handguard is the 12.5-inch RIII rail, which free floats the barrel and attaches with six bolts. The buttstock and pistol grip are Daniel Defense designs with soft-touch overmolding. The receivers are hard coat anodized, and the steel parts have a heavy phosphate coating.

It measures 32.25 to 35.9 inches long and weighs 6.52 pounds. Daniel Defense includes a hard case, and the rifle is made in the USA.

The DD4 RIII is a good fit for anyone who wants a full 16-inch carbine with truly ambidextrous controls. Left-handed shooters, in particular, get a rifle that works the same way for them as it does for everyone else.

If you want a modern, lightweight 5.56 carbine with Daniel Defense's barrel quality and controls on both sides, the DD4 RIII is a smart choice. It's a practical rifle for home defense, training and general use.