User Panel
[Last Edit: 871JZ]
[#1]
Originally Posted By VigilantPanda15: All these pics of folks' RIII builds is making me want to go out and get one. Sadly, since I now live in MD, I'd have to buy the rail and receiver separate from DD and assemble around an MD-compliant "heavy" barrel, which will probably add to the cost. View Quote Originally Posted By brodband8: what exactly does this heavy barrel thing consist of? View Quote Originally Posted By VigilantPanda15: According to Maryland State Policy: Either has to be marked as heavy, or just marketed by the OEM as heavy. My DD M4A1 now has a DD SOCOM barrel (had an M4 GOV barrel when I bought it) because that's a "heavy" barrel according to both DD and the USG's TDP for the M4A1. My BCM mid-length, meanwhile, has a medium-weight barrel that's almost identical to the barrel that came with the upper when I bought it (in VA), but is marked "HB" to comply with Marylandistan's BS law. View Quote Yup. There are some companies offering government, medium, lighter weight/profile barrels out there, but they specifically mark them "HBAR", which magically makes them compliant with MD law. It's a ridiculous law, but at least there's still options for those in that state. |
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[Last Edit: VigilantPanda15]
[#2]
Originally Posted By 871JZ: Yup. There are some companies offering government, medium, lighter weight/profile barrels out there, but they specifically mark them "HBAR", which magically makes them compliant with MD law. It's a ridiculous law, but at least there's still options for those in that state. View Quote I've actually been told by multiple MD gunsmiths that their barrel suppliers won't mark lightweight barrels as "HB" because they regard that as too much of a stretch of credibility. But yeah, medium-weight profiles that have been either marked "HB" or are just advertised as "heavy" are GTG. And yeah, I do remind myself that as much as I hate this state, at least it's not CA or NY or IL. But I still find it frustrating that I can't get a new factory URG and just slap it on an existing lower, the way that I could when I lived in VA. Instead, I pretty much have to buy the parts individually and assemble the upper myself (or have my gunsmith do it). |
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[#4]
Originally Posted By auroralarry: I recently purchased a DD4RISIII CA legal version. It does not have ambi mag release and bolt catch. Is the lack of both ambi feature due to CA compliant? I wrote an email to them. No response yet. I also broke the bolt catch due to my dry fire without upper mistake. I am still a bit surprised that bolt catch broken this easy. Is DD bolt catch MIM? https://i.postimg.cc/r0gHGQjM/broken-bolt-catch.jpg Last, my DD4 serial number begin with DDM4, shouldn't it begin with DD4? View Quote Even if it is mim parts doesn't mean mim is of lesser quality. They put mim parts in jet and aircraft engines as well as other critical parts in other industries. |
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Don't ever think the reason I am peaceful is because I forgot how to be violent
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[Last Edit: dalle0001]
[#5]
Originally Posted By auroralarry: I recently purchased a DD4RISIII CA legal version. It does not have ambi mag release and bolt catch. Is the lack of both ambi feature due to CA compliant? I wrote an email to them. No response yet. Could dd mistakenly put a DDM4 lower with Risiii upper and ship it as dd4risiii? I also broke the bolt catch due to my dry fire without upper mistake. I am still a bit surprised that bolt catch broken this easy. Is DD bolt catch MIM? https://i.postimg.cc/r0gHGQjM/broken-bolt-catch.jpg Last, my DD4 serial number begin with DDM4, shouldn't it begin with DD4? View Quote Not sure if 1 post person but I also got the lesser quality bolt catch from DD that's missing the bottom half of the bolt catch. I think they're going the el cheapo route with this and trying to see how much their customers won't notice. The fact you haven't heard anything and I haven't heard anything tell me that they're trying to sweep this under the rug. I can see from your photo that the lower half of yours is missing the beefier bottom paddle that's on every promo image of both the ambi and non-ambi lowers. Thinking of selling my DD ambi lower knowing that they probably went to a very cheap route to make it. The lower is very different in appearance from the promo one and it's much beefier in the promo one compared to the actual one. Mine starts with DD401..... so not sure if yours some sort of CA compliant serial though. |
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[#6]
Originally Posted By dalle0001: Not sure if 1 post person but I also got the lesser quality bolt catch from DD that's missing the bottom half of the bolt catch. I think they're going the el cheapo route with this and trying to see how much their customers won't notice. The fact you haven't heard anything and I haven't heard anything tell me that they're trying to sweep this under the rug. I can see from your photo that the lower half of yours is missing the beefier bottom paddle that's on every promo image of both the ambi and non-ambi lowers. Thinking of selling my DD ambi lower knowing that they probably went to a very cheap route to make it. The lower is very different in appearance from the promo one and it's much beefier in the promo one compared to the actual one. Mine starts with DD401..... so not sure if yours some sort of CA compliant serial though. View Quote Anyway, the bolt catch broke due to my mistake since this is my first AR15. However, if the lower is indeed wrong, how would it pass the QA? Here is a picture. https://postimg.cc/N2LCPVNt It is still brand new. I didn't notice this at the dealer since I am not familiar with ambi feature. After I broke the bolt catch, I search online video and only then I found out DD4 lower should have both ambi mag release and bolt batch unlike DDM4? |
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[Last Edit: tarheel7734]
[#7]
Originally Posted By auroralarry: Anyway, the bolt catch broke due to my mistake since this is my first AR15. However, if the lower is indeed wrong, how would it pass the QA? Here is a picture. https://postimg.cc/N2LCPVNt It is still brand new. I didn't notice this at the dealer since I am not familiar with ambi feature. After I broke the bolt catch, I search online video and only then I found out DD4 lower should have both ambi mag release and bolt batch unlike DDM4? View Quote Maybe someone at the gun shop did something shady and swapped out the lower because they wanted it or maybe it's a ca compliant thing. I'd call dd instead of waiting on an email. |
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Don't ever think the reason I am peaceful is because I forgot how to be violent
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[#8]
Originally Posted By auroralarry: Anyway, the bolt catch broke due to my mistake since this is my first AR15. However, if the lower is indeed wrong, how would it pass the QA? Here is a picture. https://postimg.cc/N2LCPVNt It is still brand new. I didn't notice this at the dealer since I am not familiar with ambi feature. After I broke the bolt catch, I search online video and only then I found out DD4 lower should have both ambi mag release and bolt batch unlike DDM4? View Quote As far as I understand CA had a roster of approved guns. It’s possible that the DDM4 lower is approved but not their newer DD4 lowers. I agree you should call to find out more on what they ship to CA. |
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[Last Edit: 871JZ]
[#9]
Originally Posted By VigilantPanda15: I've actually been told by multiple MD gunsmiths that their barrel suppliers won't mark lightweight barrels as "HB" because they regard that as too much of a stretch of credibility. But yeah, medium-weight profiles that have been either marked "HB" or are just advertised as "heavy" are GTG. And yeah, I do remind myself that as much as I hate this state, at least it's not CA or NY or IL. But I still find it frustrating that I can't get a new factory URG and just slap it on an existing lower, the way that I could when I lived in VA. Instead, I pretty much have to buy the parts individually and assemble the upper myself (or have my gunsmith do it). View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Originally Posted By VigilantPanda15: Originally Posted By 871JZ: Yup. There are some companies offering government, medium, lighter weight/profile barrels out there, but they specifically mark them "HBAR", which magically makes them compliant with MD law. It's a ridiculous law, but at least there's still options for those in that state. I've actually been told by multiple MD gunsmiths that their barrel suppliers won't mark lightweight barrels as "HB" because they regard that as too much of a stretch of credibility. But yeah, medium-weight profiles that have been either marked "HB" or are just advertised as "heavy" are GTG. And yeah, I do remind myself that as much as I hate this state, at least it's not CA or NY or IL. But I still find it frustrating that I can't get a new factory URG and just slap it on an existing lower, the way that I could when I lived in VA. Instead, I pretty much have to buy the parts individually and assemble the upper myself (or have my gunsmith do it). There's a couple lightweight profile barrels out there that are marked HBAR. Black River Tactical will also mark one of their "optimum" profile barrels as an "HBAR" if you request it. That's a great option, as they are very nice barrels. I moved out of MD a few years ago and couldn't be happier with that decision. |
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[Last Edit: 871JZ]
[#10]
Originally Posted By dalle0001: Not sure if 1 post person but I also got the lesser quality bolt catch from DD that's missing the bottom half of the bolt catch. I think they're going the el cheapo route with this and trying to see how much their customers won't notice. The fact you haven't heard anything and I haven't heard anything tell me that they're trying to sweep this under the rug. I can see from your photo that the lower half of yours is missing the beefier bottom paddle that's on every promo image of both the ambi and non-ambi lowers. Thinking of selling my DD ambi lower knowing that they probably went to a very cheap route to make it. The lower is very different in appearance from the promo one and it's much beefier in the promo one compared to the actual one. Mine starts with DD401..... so not sure if yours some sort of CA compliant serial though. View Quote @dalle0001 Is this what your bolt catch looks like? If so, what's wrong with that? It's an upgrade compared to a standard mil-spec bolt catch. Attached File Attached File Attached File |
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[Last Edit: dalle0001]
[#11]
Originally Posted By 871JZ: @dalle0001 Is this what your bolt catch looks like? If so, what's wrong with that? It's an upgrade compared to a standard mil-spec bolt catch. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/363550/1000005363_jpg-3118934.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/363550/1000005361_jpg-3118931.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/363550/1000005362_jpg-3118932.JPG View Quote Yes! Look at how beefy that is! You could really toggle that thing all day with your left index finger. The one I got has just a small knob on it that lifts it 75%. The top switch is the beefy one shown in the promo but the bottom leverage is just a standard looking knob. It's not just mine too as I'm noticing it on videos and reviews that seem to change for reasons they don't want to answer. The right side one is fine though. I wish I would have caught that before I bought it as it would have impacted my choice on buying it. It's hard to catch until you start using it and seeing that it's not fully engaged when you use your left index finger to toggle the bolt. The problem is though the smaller knob would have been fine if they didn't have this huge raised surface that seems to restrict it from being fully pressed. That's why I believe the upgraded beefier one would be better because it's slightly more raised above the higher base which would let you toggle the catch. Does it work? Kinda.... I actually managed to run outdoors with it Saturday afternoon and I would run around and do little malfunction drills where I would lock the bolt back with my left index finger and found the rifle would slip the bolt sometimes unless I really dig my finger into it. This is with gloves on. Without gloves, it works sort of fine but had it slip the bolt once unless I really put emphasis with my left finger to push into the center groove more. I'm thinking of giving DD this week to answer on why they switched the bolt catch out and really going to sell it off after this week end since it's really bothersome to me. |
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[Last Edit: 871JZ]
[#12]
Originally Posted By dalle0001: Yes! Look at how beefy that is! You could really toggle that thing all day with your left index finger. The one I got has just a small knob on it that lifts it 75%. The top switch is the beefy one shown in the promo but the bottom leverage is just a standard looking knob. It's not just mine too as I'm noticing it on videos and reviews that seem to change for reasons they don't want to answer. The right side one is fine though. I wish I would have caught that before I bought it as it would have impacted my choice on buying it. It's hard to catch until you start using it and seeing that it's not fully engaged when you use your left index finger to toggle the bolt. The problem is though the smaller knob would have been fine if they didn't have this huge raised surface that seems to restrict it from being fully pressed. That's why I believe the upgraded beefier one would be better because it's slightly more raised above the higher base which would let you toggle the catch. Does it work? Kinda.... I actually managed to run outdoors with it Saturday afternoon and I would run around and do little malfunction drills where I would lock the bolt back with my left index finger and found the rifle would slip the bolt sometimes unless I really dig my finger into it. This is with gloves on. Without gloves, it works sort of fine but had it slip the bolt once unless I really put emphasis with my left finger to push into the center groove more. I'm thinking of giving DD this week to answer on why they switched the bolt catch out and really going to sell it off after this week end since it's really bothersome to me. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Originally Posted By dalle0001: Originally Posted By 871JZ: @dalle0001 Is this what your bolt catch looks like? If so, what's wrong with that? It's an upgrade compared to a standard mil-spec bolt catch. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/363550/1000005363_jpg-3118934.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/363550/1000005361_jpg-3118931.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/363550/1000005362_jpg-3118932.JPG Yes! Look at how beefy that is! You could really toggle that thing all day with your left index finger. The one I got has just a small knob on it that lifts it 75%. The top switch is the beefy one shown in the promo but the bottom leverage is just a standard looking knob. It's not just mine too as I'm noticing it on videos and reviews that seem to change for reasons they don't want to answer. The right side one is fine though. I wish I would have caught that before I bought it as it would have impacted my choice on buying it. It's hard to catch until you start using it and seeing that it's not fully engaged when you use your left index finger to toggle the bolt. The problem is though the smaller knob would have been fine if they didn't have this huge raised surface that seems to restrict it from being fully pressed. That's why I believe the upgraded beefier one would be better because it's slightly more raised above the higher base which would let you toggle the catch. Does it work? Kinda.... I actually managed to run outdoors with it Saturday afternoon and I would run around and do little malfunction drills where I would lock the bolt back with my left index finger and found the rifle would slip the bolt sometimes unless I really dig my finger into it. This is with gloves on. Without gloves, it works sort of fine but had it slip the bolt once unless I really put emphasis with my left finger to push into the center groove more. I'm thinking of giving DD this week to answer on why they switched the bolt catch out and really going to sell it off after this week end since it's really bothersome to me. @dalle0001 So this is what you have? I can clearly see why that would be difficult to use because of the raised boss around the bolt catch that extends lower than it does on a standard lower. I would try calling DD and asking them to send you the upgraded/updated bolt catch. They sent me a RIS II barrel nut and hardware pack for free without even being asked to, so my experience with their customer service was excellent. Attached File If you're consistently using your left index finger to lock the bolt back, then I'm assuming you're left handed? Or are you just practicing weak side manipulations? Can you use the right side (ambi) bolt catch? Or maybe just replace the original DD bolt catch with something like this one from Forward Controls Design. It's not only longer/larger than a standard bolt catch, but it also protrudes outward, which would fix your problem. It would be a 60 second swap and much easier than selling the entire rifle, which would more than likely end up in a net loss greater than what it would cost to simply purchase the upgraded bolt catch. Attached File |
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[#13]
Originally Posted By 871JZ: @dalle0001 So this is what you have? I can clearly see why that would be difficult to use because of the raised boss around the bolt catch that extends lower than it does on a standard lower. I would try calling DD and asking them to send you the upgraded/updated bolt catch. They sent me a RIS II barrel nut and hardware pack for free without even being asked to, so my experience with their customer service was excellent. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/363550/1000005366_jpg-3119576.JPG If you're consistently using your left index finger to lock the bolt back, then I'm assuming you're left handed? Or are you just practicing weak side manipulations? Can you use the right side (ambi) bolt catch? Or maybe just replace the original DD bolt catch with something like this one from Forward Controls Design. It's not only longer/larger than a standard bolt catch, but it also protrudes outward, which would fix your problem. It would be a 60 second swap and much easier than selling the entire rifle, which would more than likely end up in a net loss greater than what it would cost to simply purchase the upgraded bolt catch. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/363550/1000005367_jpg-3119578.JPG View Quote Thanks. You’re actually the first person who seemed to understand the issue. I did think of swapping bolt catches but it’s a special cut to make room for the right side catch. I’m ambi myself and can shoot left or right handed equally. Hopefully DD themselves can answer but haven’t heard anything yet on it. I’m guessing they rushed this out the door as the manual itself shows a blown up diagram that includes the beefy left side paddle. Not sure what happened but hopefully we can get an explanation and more lefty users who can give feedbacks. |
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[#14]
Originally Posted By dalle0001: Thanks. You’re actually the first person who seemed to understand the issue. I did think of swapping bolt catches but it’s a special cut to make room for the right side catch. I’m ambi myself and can shoot left or right handed equally. Hopefully DD themselves can answer but haven’t heard anything yet on it. I’m guessing they rushed this out the door as the manual itself shows a blown up diagram that includes the beefy left side paddle. Not sure what happened but hopefully we can get an explanation and more lefty users who can give feedbacks. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Originally Posted By dalle0001: Originally Posted By 871JZ: @dalle0001 So this is what you have? I can clearly see why that would be difficult to use because of the raised boss around the bolt catch that extends lower than it does on a standard lower. I would try calling DD and asking them to send you the upgraded/updated bolt catch. They sent me a RIS II barrel nut and hardware pack for free without even being asked to, so my experience with their customer service was excellent. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/363550/1000005366_jpg-3119576.JPG If you're consistently using your left index finger to lock the bolt back, then I'm assuming you're left handed? Or are you just practicing weak side manipulations? Can you use the right side (ambi) bolt catch? Or maybe just replace the original DD bolt catch with something like this one from Forward Controls Design. It's not only longer/larger than a standard bolt catch, but it also protrudes outward, which would fix your problem. It would be a 60 second swap and much easier than selling the entire rifle, which would more than likely end up in a net loss greater than what it would cost to simply purchase the upgraded bolt catch. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/363550/1000005367_jpg-3119578.JPG Thanks. You’re actually the first person who seemed to understand the issue. I did think of swapping bolt catches but it’s a special cut to make room for the right side catch. I’m ambi myself and can shoot left or right handed equally. Hopefully DD themselves can answer but haven’t heard anything yet on it. I’m guessing they rushed this out the door as the manual itself shows a blown up diagram that includes the beefy left side paddle. Not sure what happened but hopefully we can get an explanation and more lefty users who can give feedbacks. I'm sure DD will get it sorted for you. Lots of great feedback regarding their service, just have to be patient! |
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[#15]
Originally Posted By 871JZ: I'm sure DD will get it sorted for you. Lots of great feedback regarding their service, just have to be patient! View Quote Yeah I gave it some serious thoughts but today I put up my last remaining spare lower. I now only have my DD ambi lower and an upper with a spare barrel and parts. I've been downsizing for the past several years and I think the DD lower is exactly what I want. Hoping they could make it perfect for me to keep for life. |
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[#16]
Originally Posted By auroralarry: Anyway, the bolt catch broke due to my mistake since this is my first AR15. However, if the lower is indeed wrong, how would it pass the QA? Here is a picture. https://postimg.cc/N2LCPVNt It is still brand new. I didn't notice this at the dealer since I am not familiar with ambi feature. After I broke the bolt catch, I search online video and only then I found out DD4 lower should have both ambi mag release and bolt batch unlike DDM4? View Quote Update, I called DD and they confirmed DD4 lower with ambi mag release and bolt catch feature can't be made CA compliant. So all DD4RISIII rifle to california market will have DDM4 lower. |
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[#17]
Originally Posted By auroralarry: Update, I called DD and they confirmed DD4 lower with ambi mag release and bolt catch feature can't be made CA compliant. So all DD4RISIII rifle to california market will have DDM4 lower. View Quote That's good to hear! That makes sense as I looked up the roster and see it has the DDM4 listed. Funny you can slap any upper on it though. Did you get a new bolt catch or are you going to install a new one yourself? |
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[#18]
Originally Posted By dalle0001: That's good to hear! That makes sense as I looked up the roster and see it has the DDM4 listed. Funny you can slap any upper on it though. Did you get a new bolt catch or are you going to install a new one yourself? View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Originally Posted By dalle0001: Originally Posted By auroralarry: Update, I called DD and they confirmed DD4 lower with ambi mag release and bolt catch feature can't be made CA compliant. So all DD4RISIII rifle to california market will have DDM4 lower. That's good to hear! That makes sense as I looked up the roster and see it has the DDM4 listed. Funny you can slap any upper on it though. Did you get a new bolt catch or are you going to install a new one yourself? I don't know if I would say that's good to hear. I believe the ambi lower is what he wanted (and was expecting), but not what he received due to the unconstitutional laws in his home state of CA. |
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[#20]
Originally Posted By auroralarry: Yes, I did. https://i.postimg.cc/tTHrcx8r/New-bolt-catch.jpg There is a new problem. I found out that I can't install the DD maglock device which is a thin piece of metal with the new none DD bolt batch. This maglock device was installed with DD's bolt catch together in the bolt catch slot. With a none DD standard bolt catch, there is simply no space left for this. https://i.postimg.cc/28q445K3/DD-maglock.jpg My original plan is to go ARMaglock/Hogue PIN+Kingpin solution anyway. So next step is to install the kingpin. Unforuntely, being milspec, the castle nut on DD is staked... Since I don't have beef castle nut wrench, I basically have to drill and destroy the thing to get it unlocked. https://i.postimg.cc/HnQwqvDR/staked-castle-nut.jpg View Quote CA is awful. 🫤 |
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[#21]
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[Last Edit: AZ_SBR]
[#22]
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