{"id":58281,"date":"2020-08-15T15:58:04","date_gmt":"2020-08-15T20:58:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/milesfortis.com\/?p=58281"},"modified":"2020-08-15T15:58:04","modified_gmt":"2020-08-15T20:58:04","slug":"58281","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/milesfortis.com\/?p=58281","title":{"rendered":""},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/2020\/08\/daniel-defense-ddm4-pdw-pistol-300-blackout-first-rounds\/#axzz6VDrsTMS7\">Daniel Defense DDM4 PDW Pistol (300 Blackout) \u2013 First Rounds<\/a><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/cover-1-600x450.jpg\" alt=\"Daniel Defense DDM4-PDW\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Daniel Defense has established itself as a major player in America&#8217;s booming gun manufacturer market, garnering a solid reputation as well as lucrative military contracts. All this was done in the span of only two decades, a relatively short time considering the age of other popular manufacturers. At the 2020 SHOT Show, Daniel Defense announced a new addition to their line-up, the DDM4-PDW. Designed as a compact variant of their DDM4 series of AR&#8217;s, the DDM4-PDW takes advantage of the short-barrel-friendly ballistics of the .300 AAC Blackout cartridge.<!--more--><\/p>\n<p>Let&#8217;s take a look at the DDM4-PDW&#8217;s tech specs as provided by Daniel Defense before diving into unboxing and range reports.<\/p>\n<h3>Daniel\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/amolnd.us\/4rk?xid=fr1597524987942eba\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" data-orig-url=\"https:\/\/amolnd.us\/4rk\" data-ml-id=\"14\" data-ml=\"true\" data-xid=\"fr1597524987942eba\">Defense DDM4 PDW Pistol (300 Blackout)<\/a><\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_462706\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-462706\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-462706 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/1-1-600x450.jpg\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/1-1-600x450.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/1-1-450x338.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/1-1-225x169.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/1-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/1-1-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/1-1.jpg 800w\" alt=\"Daniel Defense DDM4-PDW\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-462706\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Daniel Defense DDM4 PDW Pistol (300 Blackout)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Tech Specs:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>LOWER RECEIVER: Mil-Spec with Enhanced Flared Magazine Well and Rear Receiver QD Swivel Attachment Point. CNC Machined of 7075-T6 Aluminum<\/li>\n<li>UPPER RECEIVER: Mil-Spec with Indexing Marks and M4 Feed Ramps. CNC Machined of 7075-T6 Aluminum<\/li>\n<li>BARREL: Chrome Moly Vanadium Steel, Cold Hammer Forged, 1:7 Twist, 7\u2033\u00a0S2W Profile, Chrome Lined, Mil-Spec Heavy Phosphate Coated, and HP\/MPI Tested<\/li>\n<li>GAS SYSTEM: Low Profile Gas Block CNC Machined of 4140 hardened steel with Mil-Spec Heavy Phosphate Coating, Pistol Length, Direct Impingement<\/li>\n<li>MUZZLE DEVICE:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/amolnd.us\/4rm?xid=fr1597524987942fgh\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" data-orig-url=\"https:\/\/amolnd.us\/4rm\" data-ml-id=\"15\" data-ml=\"true\" data-xid=\"fr1597524987942fgh\">Daniel Defense Linear Compensator<\/a>, 17-4 PH Stainless Steel, Salt Bath Nitride Finished<\/li>\n<li>BOLT CARRIER GROUP: M16 Profile, Mil-Spec MP Tested, Chrome Lined, Properly Staked Gas Key<\/li>\n<li>BUFFER: Maxim Defense Enhanced Buffer System<\/li>\n<li>HANDGUARD: MFR XL 6.0 M-LOK, CNC Machined of 6061-T6 Aluminum, Type III Hard Coat Anodized<\/li>\n<li>CHARGING HANDLE: GRIP-N-RIP Charging Handle, Body CNC Machined of 7075-T6 Aluminum, Handles &amp; Latch CNC Machined of 6061-T6 Aluminum, Heavy Duty Stainless Steel Roll Pins, Type III Hard Coat Anodized<\/li>\n<li>BRACE: Maxim Defense CQB Pistol Brace<\/li>\n<li>PISTOL GRIP: Daniel Defense Pistol Grip, Glass Filled Polymer with Soft Touch Overmolding<\/li>\n<li>Made in the USA<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure id=\"attachment_462710\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-462710\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-462710 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/5-600x450.jpg\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/5-600x450.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/5-450x338.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/5-225x169.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/5-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/5-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/5.jpg 800w\" alt=\"Daniel Defense DDM4-PDW\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-462710\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Daniel Defense DDM4 PDW Pistol (300 Blackout)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3>First Impressions:<\/h3>\n<p>Out of the box, the DDM4-PDW (pistol braced version) gives a strong first impression.\u00a0 Starting with the basics you&#8217;d expect from any decent AR, this gun shows great parts fitment and is clear of obvious tooling marks.\u00a0 The receivers fit together tightly, without any slop.\u00a0 Basic boxes checked.<\/p>\n<p>Moving up, I ran some dry-fire and weapons manipulation drills.\u00a0 The bolt carrier group slides back and forth as if on wheels.\u00a0 Brand new this gun feels like it&#8217;s broken-in.\u00a0 This charging handle is one of my favorites already, drawing favorable comparisons to the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/amolnd.us\/4rl?xid=fr1597524987942hce\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" data-orig-url=\"https:\/\/amolnd.us\/4rl\" data-ml-id=\"16\" data-ml=\"true\" data-xid=\"fr1597524987942hce\">Radian Raptor ambi handle<\/a>.\u00a0 The over-molded pistol grip is comfortable, a nice bonus.\u00a0 The linear compensator is great on the 7\u2033 barrel, keeping the exaggerated bark to a dull roar.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_462707\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-462707\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-462707 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/2-1-600x450.jpg\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/2-1-600x450.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/2-1-450x338.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/2-1-225x169.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/2-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/2-1-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/2-1.jpg 800w\" alt=\"Daniel Defense DDM4-PDW\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-462707\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Daniel Defense DDM4 PDW Pistol (300 Blackout)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>While the Maxim PDW stock\/braces are among the most durable out there, they do lack in one feature that I consider to be a near necessity: the ability to extend the stock\/brace without depressing the release latch.\u00a0 CMMG has this feature on one of their stocks (called \u201cgrip-n-rip\u201d, not to be confused with the charging handle on this gun with the same name).\u00a0 Q has this feature on their honey Badger stock\/braces as well, and I&#8217;ve used it long enough to feel like I don&#8217;t want to do without it for a home defense gun.\u00a0 A small quibble in the big picture, and one some shooters will disagree with me on, especially since the Maxim brace gives the best\u00a0<del>cheek weld,<\/del>\u00a0I mean shooting position from any of the PDW braces I&#8217;ve seen.<\/p>\n<p>The included finger stop is also a near necessity and a welcome addition to the DDM4-PDW.\u00a0 With a 6\u2033 forend, there&#8217;s not a lot of real estate to grab onto and the hand stop gives the shooter a consistent hold with the support hand, and well as a safety-check before a finger heads past the firing line, so to speak.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_462708\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-462708\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-462708 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/3-600x450.jpg\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/3-600x450.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/3-450x338.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/3-225x169.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/3-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/3-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/3.jpg 800w\" alt=\"Daniel Defense DDM4-PDW\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-462708\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Daniel Defense DDM4 PDW Pistol (300 Blackout)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Summer break is always a tough time to get some shooting done, with so few good ranges nearby and so many people busy with them.\u00a0 To get some time alone I was forced to visit a couple short ranges to get groups done with this gun (and a pair of others).\u00a0 I started off with a quick zero on the attached Trijicon ACOG.\u00a0 I brought out some Federal 120gr Power-Shok rounds, as well as a bundle of\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/magtechammunition.com\/products\/ammunition\/300-blackout-200gr-fmj-subsonic\/\">Magtech 200gr<\/a>\u00a0subsonic rounds.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_462711\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-462711\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-462711 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/6-600x416.jpg\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/6-600x416.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/6-450x312.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/6-225x156.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/6-768x532.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/6-500x346.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/6.jpg 800w\" alt=\"Daniel Defense DDM4-PDW\" width=\"600\" height=\"416\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-462711\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Daniel Defense DDM4 PDW Pistol (300 Blackout)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>I&#8217;ve spoken on the Federal cartridge before, and used it very successfully in hunting.\u00a0 I reluctantly mention the Magtech subsonic loading now, because as soon as word gets out it is going to be even tougher to find than it already is.\u00a0 Magtech is making one of the best subsonic loadings for the .300 Blk, with regards to accuracy and reliability.\u00a0 Being a FMJ round it isn&#8217;t optimized for hunting, but runs great even in my picky rifles that are tuned for suppressed supersonic.\u00a0 Don&#8217;t sleep on Magtech if you haven&#8217;t heard of them, this stuff is awesome!<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_462712\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-462712\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-462712 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/7-600x450.jpg\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/7-600x450.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/7-450x338.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/7-225x169.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/7-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/7-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/7.jpg 800w\" alt=\"Daniel Defense DDM4-PDW\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-462712\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Daniel Defense DDM4 PDW Pistol (300 Blackout)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Back to the range.\u00a0 The Federal 120gr averaged a little under 2 MOA, which is pretty par for how the round performs in most of my rifles.\u00a0 Magtech&#8217;s subsonic FMJ grouped closer to 1 MOA, excluding a couple of fliers caused by sweat dripping into my eyes.\u00a0 100\u00b0+ isn&#8217;t optimal for shooting!\u00a0 If I were to pick one thing that could improve the groups, it would be the trigger.\u00a0 It&#8217;s great for combat shooting, which this gun is set up for, but not as great for tight groups.\u00a0 The trigger is a bit heavy but has a clean enough break.\u00a0 If you&#8217;re shooting for a hit\/miss, the hammer drops right when you want it to.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_462715\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-462715\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-462715 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Photo-Jul-27-3-01-32-PM-e1597425676876-600x546.jpg\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Photo-Jul-27-3-01-32-PM-e1597425676876-600x546.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Photo-Jul-27-3-01-32-PM-e1597425676876-450x410.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Photo-Jul-27-3-01-32-PM-e1597425676876-225x205.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Photo-Jul-27-3-01-32-PM-e1597425676876-768x699.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Photo-Jul-27-3-01-32-PM-e1597425676876-500x455.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Photo-Jul-27-3-01-32-PM-e1597425676876.jpg 800w\" alt=\"Daniel Defense DDM4-PDW\" width=\"600\" height=\"546\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-462715\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Magtech&#8217;s subsonic FMJ, average group @25 yards<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_462709\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-462709\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-462709 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/4-600x450.jpg\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/4-600x450.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/4-450x338.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/4-225x169.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/4-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/4-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/4.jpg 800w\" alt=\"Daniel Defense DDM4-PDW\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-462709\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Adding a dash of function with form, a custom mag from MFT featuring art by @Paigeosity<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>After moving to another range site (at higher elevation), I worked some CQB drills on a mini-IDPA steel plate at 25 yards.\u00a0 The DDM4-PDW really showed off as a well-balanced and deftly-set up little PDW.\u00a0 This is exactly the kind of gun I want to pull out when something bad goes bump in the night, or from behind the seat when a 4-legged tasty target of opportunity presents itself.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s easy to get excited about shooting a new gun.\u00a0 \u00a0As a professional reviewer, that sheen wears off pretty quickly.\u00a0 When I say that the Daniel Defense DDM4-PDW is one of the nicest AR&#8217;s I&#8217;ve shot in the last 4 years, that puts it atop a pile of many dozens from major manufacturers.\u00a0 I&#8217;ll be getting the DDM4-PDW out to a longer range soon, I&#8217;m really looking forward to grouping at 100 yards and running a couple more ammo types through this gun.\u00a0 In the meantime, I wanted to drop off this quick (1000 word) heads-up as to what Daniel Defense is bringing to the table with their instant classic, the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/amolnd.us\/4rk?xid=fr1597524987942haf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" data-orig-url=\"https:\/\/amolnd.us\/4rk\" data-ml-id=\"17\" data-ml=\"true\" data-xid=\"fr1597524987942haf\">DDM4-PDW.\u00a0 This gun runs $1865<\/a>\u00a0and has financing available.\u00a0 Check it out!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Daniel Defense DDM4 PDW Pistol (300 Blackout) \u2013 First Rounds Daniel Defense has established itself as a major player in America&#8217;s booming gun manufacturer market, garnering a solid reputation as well as lucrative military contracts. All this was done in the span of only two decades, a relatively short time considering the age of other &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/milesfortis.com\/?p=58281\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[36],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-58281","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-gun-schtuff"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/milesfortis.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/58281","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/milesfortis.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/milesfortis.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/milesfortis.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/milesfortis.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=58281"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/milesfortis.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/58281\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":58282,"href":"https:\/\/milesfortis.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/58281\/revisions\/58282"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/milesfortis.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=58281"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/milesfortis.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=58281"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/milesfortis.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=58281"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}