Crooked Daniel Defense Magazine Well (See Description)

[@maxfalconi6995]

In that price range it's unacceptable

[@DesertRat.45]

Which is why I bought a poverty pony. It works and didnt cost me in this price range.

[@DeadlyBreath9790]

In any price range it’s unacceptable, it’s out of spec.

[@why6212]

Yeah that's worse left offset than my cheapest 80 pr center cast. I wonder what causes it

[@JJC-o6l]

All companies make a lemon from time to time. QC is staffed by human beings and you know what that means.

[@WesleySmith4004]

Would you feel better/worse if it was an Anderson or PSA lower? Honestly makes me wonder how it even happened and if these things go through the slightest of QC.

[@TacticalToolbox]

I keep seeing more and more of these kind of quality fails from Daniel lately

[@SchooloftheAmericanRifle]

Agree. Sadly DD is not alone. Many other brands can't seem to make a consistently well built gun.

[@tobywonkinoby8916]

@@SchooloftheAmericanRiflewhat other brands are you seeing taking a hit in quality lately?

[@SchooloftheAmericanRifle]

@@tobywonkinoby8916 all of them.

[@bobbyberry5559]

​@@SchooloftheAmericanRifle bidenomics = "if you like it, I love it" - QC

[@deanknight7133]

Issues with geissele super duty rifles?

[@seamusorourk8652]

Thank you for the second video on this issue. DD has one of mine right now. Having a myriad of problems…Failing to feed, failing to strip a round out of any magazine, failure to go into battery, failure to eject.

[@SchooloftheAmericanRifle]

That's what this issue leads to. Your lower may have the same problem.

[@michaelbarfield528]

Even "premium" firearms manufacturers have a "lemon" every once in a while....although at those "premium" prices, they should not.

[@ETHRON1]

Boy do they...

[@michaelbarfield528]

@@ETHRON1 "Yep!"

[@jasonstem4378]

Which is fine. That's why you have QC so that lemon doesn't go out the door

[@caseyschryber1255]

@@jasonstem4378lol wut, it’s fine that they make sub par products?

[@raifsevrence]

@@caseyschryber1255 sub par products get made all the time. QC is supposed to catch the sub par products before they move on to the next step. When sub par is caught it should be recycled. My guess is too many items got ruined consecutively. Instead of taking the hit and losing a bunch of money and having a late order, they decided the forgings were good enough to send them out anyways and hope they don't cause serious issues.

[@GTFBITK]

I use a premium Anderson $35 lower.

[@EvanDickersonM81]

I believe that's what the kids call a big oof.

[@0num4]

She'll still run for a few thousand rounds, very likely without significant issue. But if I bought it and it gauged out of spec, I'd 100% go back to the manufacturer to fix, replace, or refund the receiver. I had to do that with a Bravo Company BCG several years back. The grooves which rode over the magazines were not machined deeply enough--about 40 thou under--and feeding was damned-near impossible. They did the right thing and got me a new bolt carrier within the week.

[@Tonshiki_]

@@0num4 It'll run, but not without significant feeding issues. DD really needs to sort out their QC issues they've started having these last few years as they make a great rifle but this only hurts brand reputation.

[@0num4]

My M16A2, which I took to Iraq, had a bowed magazine well, straight from the factory (FN, not Colt). Not sure how out-of-square it was, but the left side of the receiver was bulged out at the mag well--I named her Mercedes, accordingly. Best damned rifle I ever handled--she may not have been optimum, but I never had a stoppage outside of when we were training w/ blanks. "MILSPEC" can be a dirty word 😄 Even the most reputable manufacturers will eventually put out a dud. This is why QC is such an important step in the process.

[@petesheppard1709]

Yep. 'Mil-spec' means a part meets the performance requirements as stated by the military; if your mag well had not functioned correctly it would have been rejected. Everything else is secondary; like an AK front sight tower. If it zeroes, it meets spec even if canted.

[@GTFBITK]

Im glad you made it back stateside.

[@curseofthegreat]

Seeing more like this from DD reinforces my beliefs that 1. DD is woefully overpriced for what they’re delivering these days and 2. Major manufacturers are seriously letting QC standards slip.

[@taylorsrus9543]

Price drives demand. Seems everyone is going to the 'its cheaper to replaces the comebacks than it is to check them all' model.

[@TheDragonofRevelation]

​@@taylorsrus9543If I was a customer I'd be pretty mad that I'm paying for hit or miss products. I hear car manufacturing is going the same way too, just crank out trash and hope it doesn't get returned.

[@taylorsrus9543]

@@TheDragonofRevelation happens to you every day.

[@TheDragonofRevelation]

@@taylorsrus9543 I know...

[@pops71]

My issue is that now you have seen 2 with similar problems from what appears to be different times of manufacture. It brings into question a lot of other tolerances from a higher end, built for duty service rifle.

[@traillesstravelled7901]

At that price point, there's no excuses.

[@ryankc3631]

Right? There is no way anybody inspected that before shipping.

[@davekreitzer4358]

As always - Very educational Chad , thanks for sharing

[@WilliamSaverino]

There's no way DD QC didn't spot this, it's a shame a Company with such a good reputation would ship a product like this.

[@fredted1611]

Friday at 4:30 lower, or Monday morning hangover lower. It happens. Human QC is well Human.

[@why6212]

I'm convinced every good company these days just leverages their good name to cut corners. If a company is widely known as great, you're too late to buy their stuff, it's already on its way to being crap.

[@goodnewseverybody739]

I worked 2 decades in production and welding, companies strive for greatness until they are established and then rest on their laurels, few if any exceptions. This is why I would build my own if I had to put my life on it, thanks to this channel I have that option 🫡

[@aliceburte9278]

Always enjoy listening 👍🇺🇸

[@PassDaHorchata]

You do the lords work man. God bless you

[@Justin31789]

Just like Marty Daniel , crooked as hell.

[@Mustard_Face]

I’d be interested to see how a DD lower compares to the ‘poverty pony’ lowers from Anderson. More so to see how close they are in spec to each other, not that one would be a better investment than the other.

[@Saboteur_91]

I’d be more interested in seeing DD vs PSA lower. I know Anderson has had issues w the bolt catches but I’ve yet to hear about issues w PSA lowers. Brassfacts did a video on the Anderson lower bolt catch issue if your interested

[@johndoe3johndoe382]

The real question could be, what type of materials are they made from? Maybe the cheaper lowers/uppers are made with lower quality aluminum, softer materials, not properly heat treated, etc. Meaning, you start seeing the differences at high round counts. Or maybe they're the same, good questions.

[@waruikoneko1635]

I have an 18" I built off an Anderson lower. It does want it was designed to do, which is go bang. It's not a duty gun or meant to be military grade. I know it has sloppy tolerances, but that acknowledgement came with the money I spent. (or saved, rather) I'm good with it. However if I'd dropped the money for a DD lower, I would def expect better. Still, I don't think this kind of debacle is common from DD, or that it would be realistic to compare this 'one-of' sample case to Anderson or PSA. Especially PSA, which is notoriously awful on QC. (and I like PSA)

[@m4carbinesdotcom]

I have used many Anderson lowers with zero problems. But, on rare occasions I have used Spikes and Geiselle which are better. That said, all of the lowers work fine.

[@woodystube1000]

@johndoe3johndoe382 There are fewer factories making aluminum forging for lowers than people think. Someone who knows this info better please step in, but I’m pretty sure Anderson gets their lower receiver forging from a manufacturer that supplies a large number of other manufacturers with lower forging as well. What I’m saying is the aluminum is coming from the same plant as a lot of other brands of lowers. Anderson (and others) just finish machining the receiver. The aluminum itself is not what makes Andersons or PSA’s different. It’s the machining specs and finish that MAY be out of spec or substandard. Problems with budget rifles usually don’t stem from out of spec receivers, but it does happen.

[@clutchcargo1239]

I always wondered why DD is so darn expensive... 2K and up... Could this mag well offset be a special feature to match slightly offset feed ramps... and it's actually a proprietary feature to make it run smoother than mil spec... Lol, I wondered! 😇

[@onpsxmember]

Hey there Chad, Thanks! Can't be said enough. You give out so much knowledge. I was wondering if you would do 2 videos, that might bring more people on the channel that'll hook them to watch all the other videos that contain lots of nuggets and show the tools needed: 1. A reduced video of what can be checked on a new/used AR with minimal tools to avoid the biggest downfalls and to read wear. 2. Same, but showing how much more can be done with 4-6 Gauges. (Guess who sells them?) 3. Another tier. Get the next Gauge set to do 80%. At an auction, limited time...what would you check? The more people check their rifles before buying, there'll be less lemons. Just a suggestion. If you add tags, videos are easier to find. You're close to 300 videos, playlists help with 80 or more a code system may make things faster (maybe just for you). Have a nice weekend, health to you and your family and a big thanks to your wife doing so much filming.

[@marcatkinson5187]

If I remember correctly in the first video the rifle was sent back to Daniel defense to their armorer and they said there's nothing wrong with it and yet here we are again with yet another Daniel defense rifle with the same problem. DD circling the drain..

[@RJGuitz]

Damn. I know it's "only 5 forges bro". But QC from a big named company should be paramount.

[@fredted1611]

Human QC is well Human, you never missed something?

[@DILLIGAF88]

@@fredted1611bet if it was any other brand than Daniel defense you wouldn’t be defending them😂

[@forrest225]

DD has had issues with mag wells for years. Usually involves PMAGs not dropping free.

[@goodbonezz1289]

A buddy of mine just sent me this video because I had the same problem and more. Last year I purchased their DD5 SBR…NOTHING but problems. This issue must have been the reason that not only would the mag not drop out of the mag well, but the release button was very hard to press in. Additionally, if there was a round in the chamber, the charging handle was extremely difficult to pull to the rear to extract that round. I mean, two hands and sometimes having to slam the buttstock down to move the handle. Then, extremely wild groups even at 25 yards. Lots of metal shavings in the upper/bolt/star chamber. And one of my favorites…I couldn’t figure out why the adjustable gas block always seemed impossible to get at with the allen tool provided until after the SECOND time I received the gun back from the factory. I finally noticed it was the small bolts of the magpul fore grip I installed that were coming in to contact with the underside of the gas block itself, causing it to rotate enough to block the adjustment side from access to the tool. After considering where to move the fore grip, there was no other piece of real estate that felt good or made sense. The first time I sent it back, they replaced the barrel and test tired it with heavier grain ammo than I was using…I was using PMC XTAC 147 grain. They tried blaming the issues on the ammo..yeah. The second time I forget what they said they did because nothing had changed. Mag button still tough, mags had to be pulled out, charging handle had to be grenaded to discharge a round, groups still were terrible, still producing lots of shavings, and when I figured out the terrible placement of the gas block, that was it for me. The gun handled and operated like a pig. Was put together by grade schoolers. Not the experience I expected at all. Got a full refund, but was still out the $200. Stamp.

[@charlesaferg]

I bought a DD "socom" upper from brownells a few months back that had pin holes not line up with any lowers.

[@warrenharrison9490]

Must have been the third shift Saturday night production.

[@99cobra2881]

After a 3 day weekend/Holiday

[@m4carbinesdotcom]

In the industry it is called a Monday Gun.

[@not_that_jon_guy]

Would be really nice to see you dig into the why Criterion Core series barrels as of lately are having so many gassing issues and popped primers with good quality ammo. My first Criterion barrel turned my rifle into a bolt action after about 700 rounds, Criterion replaced it and now its non stop issues at sub 200 rounds.

[@ttip9411]

How does this happen with modern CNC production? I can eyeball that shit and tell it's not right did Daniel Defense get bought out by AMF?

[@TheDragonofRevelation]

A myriad of factors can cause out of spec issues with CNC production.

[@IRishbuck58]

Good information 👍

[@Gchang54]

always felt when you go past the $1.5k-$1.8 mark for AR's, its a point of diminishing returns.

[@Musashi2012]

I’ve had a few QC problems with DD. But I can say that they stand behind their products and will take care of the customer. With that being said it’s never fun tracking down ffls that will send your lower off and receive for less than 50-100 so it is inconvenient. Thanks for the video

[@shawn78789]

What are other ways to inspect Lowers for that issue without the tool you used? Also, how many critical inspection parameters are there for a Mil. Spec. AR Lower?

[@fredted1611]

Ah enroll in his school and find out. Not everything is out on KZbin from his school and he has good reasons for that.

[@shawn78789]

@ Yeah, I wish I could; doesn’t hurt to ask though.

[@IsaiahChapter53isAboutJesus]

Chad, are there any videos coming out on the multiple rifles/uppers from multiple manufacturers you bought?

[@scout3058]

This is why I still use my Olympic Arms K3B from 2009. Never had a malfunction, never had a part break. I have upgraded some of it, but the lower, barrel and BCG are the original pieces. Tried and true, and it cost me $700 back then.

Some these companies get big and quality control gets bad. That should have never left the factory.

[@thespectator2976]

Alot of ppl is talking about D,D here in sweden, but i dont see the thing with theese. Ty for a nice video, we can all see how "fantastic" they are :)

[@timeverhartofficial]

Gun shop owners have told me DD is one of the worse companies they have ever worked with being extremely rude to gun shop owners and the customers.

[@whiskerbiscuit99]

@@timeverhartofficial from my experience id agree

[@hyphydan]

Made in USA = Juan Carlos or Marisol loading CNC Machine

[@KidCorporate]

Del'quandrius Defense

[@Rudyelf1]

That’s what happens when Billy Bob thinks he rates a certain salary that isn’t commensurate to skill. Management crunches numbers and realizes a few returns is worth the reduction in payroll.

[@TheDragonofRevelation]

​@@Rudyelf1Ironically you don't think it'd hurt a company more to claim a product is worth big bucks only to find major issues like this. I can understand issues being more common in a $500.00 AR over a $2,000.00 AR...

[@JonesMetalCraft]

Nothings perfect I suppose. DD is great to work with so I agree it won't be a problem for the owner. We use them at work and their armorer, Joe has been incredibly helpful.

[@blaketamblyn1099]

Crazy. Im cheap and own a PSA. I use my money on ammo. Shoots everytime. Rain, snow, mud. 2000+ rounds. Why do these top tier rifles have these manufacturing issues?

[@SPIN1963_]

Nice catch ... love to get a copy of that gage.

[@DIXONSIDER00]

I’ve seen you do autopsy’s on psa uppers but do you actually do work on them? I’d love to get my psa 11.5 inch feed ramps looked at by you. I just wish I could see a video of one you did so I can visually see

[@2rich2Mr]

How about it DD, at least have the decency to chime in. We still love you.

[@utley]

curious, arent those CNC milled? never heard of a bent mag well before. I can only assume that would happen on a hand made 80% lower and a jig, but not with a CNC mill.

[@filster1934]

No, forged lower magwells are broached. Most, but, not all billet lowers have milled magwells, but, that's just because the lower is in the VMC already so you might as well mill it out, and broaching machines are big bucks.

[@steveninaz9576]

Thank you Sir

[@409harvesting]

Do you have a list of gunsmiths from Az that have taken your course somewhere? Id love to have one of my 22 arc rifles gauged out. Its been nothing but problems from the jump.

[@joelatkinson2080]

Another great video!!!

[@leeparker9436]

Does LMT make the lowers for Daniel Defense? Maybe DD hired the LMT quality control team.

[@johnyarborough1604]

Friend of mine bought one new and the barrel split open like a tin can at about 500 rounds.

[@conservativeteacher1987]

So this guy paid a hefty premium for this lower and if he didn't have access to this gauge in your class he probably would have never known. Heck, if you have to spend the time and money spec'ing out your premium lower than you can just go with an Anderson or PSA. If something is out of spec then send it back for another one and use the savings for a nice drop-in trigger.

[@filster1934]

Forget the gauging for squareness, if someone can't see the offset of the magwell, they're blind.

[@CPLBSS88]

Doing Gods work.

[@jimscott5705]

This is why for about $2,000, I went with Geissele.

[@Titan_Moss37]

Nice choice, the super duty is probably the best direct impingement rifle on the market, regardless of price.

[@mattgeiger9988]

For 900, I got PSA sabre with FN CHF barrel

[@kennethhundt526]

Could you please tell me a good name for BCG so I can run one of the better ones in my AR's. I listened to Many people on these video's and probably purchased the wrong ones. I have Nickle Boron from Aero Precision, Mistic Black from Cryptic. I am going to build another 308 upper but need a good BCG. Please give me some good advice. I love watching all your video's and have learned a lot from them. I have some of the tools you have recommended and want to build them right. I am into precision shooting, so money is not too much of the problem.

[@IndependentArmz]

So glad you show the truth of it

[@btrswt35]

Quality control!

[@ETHRON1]

Im confused...if the lower is out-of-spec why would you continue to build it??🤔😕

[@SchooloftheAmericanRifle]

@@ETHRON1 student only has one lower. He can abandon the build, or build and work around the problem. The lower needs to be replaced but not using it would prevent him from having a full class experience.

[@ETHRON1]

​@@SchooloftheAmericanRifle oh that makes sense..

[@jaylyons7348]

Holy crap, thats pretty extreme. Daniel Defense at that, sheesh.

[@CowboyRei]

I've learned that the sweet spot with any company is right before they get big and start mass producing. You get the best product at the peak because they are still trying (DD, Colt, Sig). After that it's only a good design that saves them (Berretta) when they don't need to care about QC as much anymore because of mass sales. There are exceptions of course (Glock).

[@ronsorrentino6207]

Love your informative teaching, and thus, learning from, videos. That said, don’t take this wrong. Who has the money for all of these tools to check their AR every time they buy the parts to check one before building it or to check one they’ve bought? These days having been forced on disability I have a hard time just affording ammunition. :/ lol

[@TheDragonofRevelation]

You have a point... I would love to get some of these gauges but right now I'm penny pinching everything that I can.

[@MrRhsmike189]

Where can we get this gauge?! Or is there a way to check confim roughly without one?

[@godsdozer]

should have bought a PSA 😝

[@fredted1611]

Nah Omni for the win

[@Titan_Moss37]

Psa is too expensive, gotta go bear creek arsenal 👌🏻

[@mikecollins8241]

@@Titan_Moss37 BCA upper, PSA lower.. I just "built" 2 this fall, both work flawlessly.. well under a $1000 each, including glass, mags, Magpul furniture etc..

[@Ellienollie]

I have a daniel defense and i noticed certain magazines (specifically metal ones) seem to get slightly hung up. I thought it was maybe the gun was brand new and maybe that was the issue. But not im very concerned this is the issue and im also concerned they arent gonna do anything about it help me

[@snakeman48]

In todays amrket all manufactures are allowing bad productis to get out. Sad

[@FirstLast-ff7qx]

You are correct. Its terrible.

[@slendsunny8272]

what is the proper way to cut out this big opening as magwell, broaching?

[@filster1934]

Yes, forged lowers are broached. He mentions the broaching in the video.

[@CGR89]

Daniel Defense Sidewinder magwell

[@ZoMcYo]

There is a grey area between perfection and efficient production. I run cnc machines and most companies aim for somewhere in the middle.

[@gregscott2563]

Before I comment I need to check my 80% from Atomic Engraving. QC is the issue here and of course set up in a CNC. I am sure DD will fix it and hopefully cover FFL fees if any.

[@mrfrm1975]

I found this video educational and interesting

[@daviddrago9360]

I’ve been seeing a lot of DD lowers out of spec, sad to pay that much for something that QC was thrown out the window. Due their issues with QC I’d say they are down to Aero Precision quality with 1/3 more in price. No Bueno😢

[@yomonkeyness]

WTF, so who makes the best ultra premium hardware? Is this an outlier or is this just what we should expect from them? If I want to build the best of the best rifle, what do I buy now? I thought DD was it.

[@stephen_crumley]

LWRC

[@SchooloftheAmericanRifle]

Not LWRC

[@yomonkeyness]

@SchooloftheAmericanRifle what do you think is the best?

[@cpuff7]

How is this possible since the magazine well is broach cut?

[@shaunybonny688]

If you intend to use your rifle for something serious oh idk like defending your life you need to QC it regardless what the manufacturer does.

[@samadams9557]

That’s a lot of money to be getting that kind of return.

[@christurner8255]

Damn thats probably whats wrong with my DDM4V7. Mags won't drop free.

[@grizzlyblackpowder1960]

"rock in mags arent efficient" well neither is sending back every third rifle because qc on the ar is sliding quickly.

[@navajorezathlete1202]

PSA and FN never let me down

[@PnP-td1mt]

In for all the garage “builders” that think stuff like this doesn’t need to be checked 😂 Even head space checks are unnecessary…

[@jesscobb2279]

Chit happens. Someone has to deal with it, and who you gonna call? 😂😂😂

[@fredted1611]

Ghostbusters of course

[@filipineaux]

Just torque it back to straight like they do car frames 😂😂😂

[@dlbracer56]

Hokey SMOKES!

[@FafthriechRalofson]

but i was told spending more money would ensure i had proper parts lol

[@greasemonkeyviking384]

Still baffles me that DD is considered premium.

[@tin7499]

Sometime, a no brand cheap milspec is a way to go😂

[@Chandler_89]

aside from this. DD takes at minimum two weeks to send out even the most basic orders. insanity

[@boatrat]

"Oh hell no.", would be my reaction.

[@toytowninc680]

Come on Marty!

[@2.Plus.2.Equals.5]

DDs cost way too much for something like this. Even $400 bargain PSAs can get that right.

[@ecleveland1]

I wonder how that slipped through? More than one person handled that lower and any of them should have caught that.

[@daveh777]

I keep hearing bad stuff about Daniel Defense. Enough to be sure I will never bother with one.

[@BlueCollarDude101]

"Daniel Defense is the best" they say... lol

[@joshuabruce9920]

I'm just waiting on the day I see a Geissele come across this table in such poor condition. Or, even worse, a Geissele come across his table that had already been sent back to and cleared by the manufacturer as good to go(nothing wrong) , only to still have the same failures. Hope i never see that day.

[@PoliticallyInsensitive]

Paying $2k+ for a rifle is stupid regardless of the name stamped on it. The last three builds I've done used a PSA and two Spikes lowers. No problems whatsoever.

[@johnthomson2377]

That thumbnail made me verbally say "holy shit" without even realizing. That's pretty bad.

[@arendpool6456]

Great video. Maybe I'm using the wrong terminology or misunderstand the process, but doesn't the military acceptance check each rifle? In other words check it for mil-spec? You have a great number of tools and gauges, maybe you could do a video on how the military does this. I built a Frankenstein AR twenty years ago, i just assumed if the parts are rated mil-spec they should fit and fire. I thought process if the part is mil-spec, buy it at the lowest price. The gun worked flawlessly, of course i had some trouble when I needed to sell it. The brand bigots poo-poo'd it.

[@tangledline]

The average guy will not notice this. I wonder how many other casting issues they have overall. I am good with my old Sig 556. I am just done with AR's DD/Colt/AP... I am just no longer impressed as I was back in the 90s when I was LE.

[@HerrDoctor-z1m]

The quality of the ARs coming out of these so called premium rifle companies are terrible. I switched to buying cheaper parts from companies like Anderson. If it breaks, i am not out of a lot of money. So far, my 2 Anderson lowers have held up quite well. I have shot a lot of matches using them. Their milsec dimensions can be a little off in some areas, but nothing that i can't fix.

[@chuckfinley3152]

Didn't you do a video warning people about not QC'ing gucci parts.......

[@jellyfrosh9102]

There's guys in Ukraine running everything under the sun and the consistent thing I have heard about DD is they don't hold up. Videos like this don't surprise me.

[@toddparsons2980]

Wow

[@ryanpatton5937]

Daniel Defense shouldn't be letting this kind of stuff out there doors. I tried to be a Daniel Defense fan, but after their head of sales gave me the run around for 3 months, I was done with them . Too many other companies build stuff 100 times better

[@jonathanrogers9961]

Everyone hypes Daniel Defense, I just don't see it. Of the ones I have seen in the wild, the first one was failing to lock open on an empty mag, the 2nd had a really rough trigger, the 3rd had a factory cerakote job and the receiver pins did not want to come out, and the fixed rear sight broke apart when he tried to zero it.

[@JB-nc9yn]

But...James Reeves says they are worth it?

[@jonathanrogers9961]

@JB-nc9yn Well if James Reeves says so, that changes everything.

[@JB-nc9yn]

@@jonathanrogers9961 Indeed😉

[@rayperry7315]

I will just stick with my pre-ban Colts .