I saw a 14.5 RIS II Daniel Defense in Lviv at a gun store for $4,400 USD when I converted the price from UAH. They're usually about $1,800 USD in the states, absolutely insane. Same with optics. An EoTech EXPS 3-0 was about $1,400 USD in Ukraine and about $550-650 USD in the states depending on where you get it from. Wild prices over here, glad your unit got them
About $1,000 USD of the $1,800 is just for the name. Unless it's custom or ultra precise or something else special, current fair market value for an "average mil-spec" AR is $400 to $800 USD. Of course all the "iconic name brands"(Colt, DD, FN, ect..) tack on more just because their name is on it...
@@greenghost5009 if you're buying a knights armament rifle, you're still paying for the name. All the name brand rifles have the same precision and reliability as the non-name brand rifle. 1.5 to 3 MOA with M855 green tip. The only reason to buy a name brand rifle is so you can say "I own a Colt." or "I own a KAC." ect... or you're just a collector. If you want something special(ultra lite, ultra precise, ect...) you're better off building from scratch, that way you get exactly what you want. Nothing wrong with being a collector or just wanting to have something just to have it, but for practical purposes(combat) any decent reputable company making a "mil-spec", 16" 1:8 or 1:7 twist M4/AR with a 15" free-float M-lok handgard for $400 to $600 USD is as good or better than any rifle I ever fired in the US military. If you're all about that fire superiority/ mag dump life, or if you use a lot of tracers, just make sure the barrel is chrome lined, because it increases barrel life. If you're not laying down high volumes regularly and rarely use tracers, then you don't need chrome lining.
We use that same aimpoint mount in the Finnish army. I would recommend either ziptying that quick release lever down or turning around the mount so that the lever is on the right side because on the left it can catch on your gear, open, and fall off. In my battalion two guys lost their aimpoints during our 6 months of service, though we found them after searching in the forest. Not a very nice thing!
Sadly not an uncommon occurrence. Which is why I'm not really supporting sending aid to a country that's doing shady stuff with it. I wonder how many millions went across the boarder since the war started? I know it's a lot, an m4 goes missing in the US army and you're going to prison... Ukraine? Ehh they sale that stuff to people who may help them.
Really interesting to hear insight from a user who is more accustomed to AKs. I'm happy to hear that the M4 is treating you well. Hopefully you'll find time to review the Bren 2- take care in the meantime!
Iv seen a few reviews of ARs but never from someone who uses an AR on missions for what they are designed for. Iv been running ARs on the gun range since 2006. I use a Holosun optic and a 2 stage trigger because its only range use.
Your channel is excellent, it provides real, wartime feedback we never get normally. This is probably the most underrated channel I know of. I think you deserve to get the ACOG. If you get in touch I'll find you one and can have it in Ukraine in 2-4 weeks.
I have an older LMT Defender 2000, 10.5", which is about on par with the DD rifles. These are fantastic rifles, extremely well made. Take care of it and it'll take care of you.
Hi Val, you probably already know this, but a good way to reload a ar15/m4 ist to just firmly insert the mag and then giving it a quick pull to make sure it is seated properly without tapping it. Stay safe
As a former daily carrier of the AR system I recommend using dry graphite lube only. You will be very very surprised how much more reliable the system will be if you stop using oil based lubricants.
@@wurzel9671 because modern smokeless gun powder is literally covered in graphite. And no, Aluminum is not reactive to graphite. I should know I weld it all the time. Gallium sure, but most assuredly not graphite.
What is the ratio of AK platform rifles to more western platforms like the M4/AR/M16 that you see most guys using? I’d expect it to be like 90% AKs but I see a lot of footage of fighters with M4’s or CZ BRENs
Great video AS ALWAYS - this channel is incredibly underrated, real reviews by an active soldier heroicly defending his country. Stay safe & Slava Ukraini!
The AR15 doctrine does require more maintenance, but I have shot a lot of rounds through my colt AR15 and just use a lot of oil between training sessions, I only clean the insides after 2k rds or so, but again I'm not in an actual war so I can't speak to well on the topic. Also if you can slam magazine in too hard it sounds like you might have a weak magazine release spring or something, easy fix but parts might be rare over there.
If your not already aware the settings on the adjustable gas block will over time seize and carbonlock. So I keep it set in the best overall setting for field conditions.
What 556 ammo are u guys getting? All 62/55 grain ball or any good stuff m855A1 mk318 mk262? If i had to pick Id want a Colt/FN/LMT m4a1 or Hk416, LMT R20.
If you get the opportunity to get a NOVESKE Arms rifle, take it. They are the best M4 style rifle on the market hands down. Made just a few miles from my house.
Did a live round eject when you removed the mag and cocked it? Almost as good as loading the PG7L round in the RPG7 inside your house. Ifyou put a suppressor on it you will be thankful for the adjustable gas block. You will have much less gas blowback in your face from out of the action.
What's your opinion on the recoil difference between Ak and m4? Theoretically AK should have less recoil because the bullet is slightly less powerful. Would you say it's noticeable or too small to tell the difference?
AK has more recoil. It has lower velocity but the projectile weighs 2.5x more. Also there’s more to felt recoil than just external ballistics, an AR has its barrel inline with its stock, the AK has a higher bore. Also the AR’s direct impingement gas system eliminates some of the reciprocating mass that a long stroke gas piston system has. Also on an AR behind the bolt there’s a buffer the bolt carrier group is slowed down by (giant coil spring in the stock with a buffer the bolt carrier group is dampened by) but yeah, no comparison the AR has an unbelievably mild recoil.
@@zackzittel7683 I mean AK74. Ak74 uses a smaller bullet (7n6 is 52 grains vs M855 60 grains). So theoretically AK has lower recoil impulse, but it has a long stroke gas piston which means more mass traveling backwards, but at the same time the standard Ak74 has a much more effective muzzle device, with the only downside being a large flash and the large concussion, so both those should balance it out, that's why I asked which has lower recoil because there's no way to tell unless you shoot it yourself.
Well, a standard ak74 has a big muzzle break which works pretty well at taming recoil.. Also it really depends on how much gear/weight you have on it too as that cuts down on perceived recoil. A stock military ak74 is going to have a little less recoil than a stock m4 with a bird cage flash hider. Though once things are weighed down more with lights/aiming modules/etc the inline recoil of an m4 helps stay on target a little better I'd say. Adding a break would only help more. Perceived recoil may be different when staying on sights due to *how* it recoils is the thing though, like a push vs a jerking recoil.
I appreciate your channel, Valgear, very informative 👍 Have you ever got your hands on any trophy AK-12s? If that's the case, what are your thoughts on the rifle?
@@valgear5525 Can you tell, please, what are the problems of AK-12 in your opinion or tell me where can I see those if you've already covered them before?
The reason for an adjustable gas block is so you have the correct pressure if you are running a suppressor, and if you take the suppressor off and need to adjust the amount of gas that’s running the bolt-you won’t have to reinstall a new gas block. I’m guessing they come standard with adjustable gas blocks seeing as Daniel Defense are supposedly really good quality (I’ve never used one myself)…but anyway-be safe and hey-if you do end up getting a suppressor, now you know.
No, they don't actually, although i understand why you thought/assumed that. Some models of Daniel Defense rifles come from the factory with adjustable gas blocks, but a lot of them don't. Unless I'm not remembering things correctly, from what I've seen, the majority of their rifles do not come with adjustable gas blocks. The one i have didn't come with an adjustable one anyway
Those are made not far from where I live! Daniel Defense is located in my home state of Georgia, in a town called Black Creek, Georgia. I own a Daniel Defense DDM4A1 myself, and they are definitely a top-tier manufacturer, and build solid and reliable products, however buying their products certainly will hit your wallet pretty hard, and you may have to skip lunch and/or dinner for a while, just to offset some of the cost if you are basically poor, like myself....hahaha just kidding, well actually only slightly kidding 😂😢
as an american the prices are so crazy it hurts my brain. in 2016 after trump got elected (when everyone thought antigun hillary clinton would), there was a huge surplus of ar parts for the rush to buy before the ban, that never happened. so I was buying new mfg ar parts kits and building them, not any well known brand names but same mlock front rail, larger charging handle, one piece grip/lower, normal stock, all for 199$. i saw the price and i only needed 1 or 2 for myself, but i ended up buying 10. built them all, different barrel versions, and then when the ban happened recently in my state before it went into effect i gave one to every family member so they wouldnt have to register it. now days even with all the fear of ban, an ar15 basic model is only ~600-700$. 4000$ for a brand name DD.... insane economy.... i feel bad you guys have to spend so much of ur sallary on ur gear. atleast you can, unlike orcs. long live heros.
I shoot an AR rather regularly and I do have one piece of advice to anyone who has a similar quad rail- Getting a grip for the metal quad-rail I highly highly recommend. After sending a hundred plus rounds down range that metal quad rail will be very hot to the touch, even with gloves on(though not as hot its still not comfortable). The grip will help accuracy and comfort shooting. Stay Dangerous, Valgear.
Here's my input on a "short" rifle in .223/5,56: On a .223 (doesn't matter what rifle) barrel length is *very* important. *11,5"* - loud, big flash, need a big cca 6,5" silencer to fully kill flash. A lot of energy is wasted. *Final setup* has a "18 inch" barrel (11,5 is barrel + 6 inch silencer) *14,5"* - much *more* muzzle velocity, much *less* flash, takes a smaller 4,5" (mini) silencer to fully kill flash. *Final setup* is a "19 inch" barrel (14,5 is barrel + 4,5 inch silencer) - this is *as compact* as a "short 11,5" but much more *powerful* The 14,5 allows you to reach much further effectively (the 11,5 reaches too, but stays in air longer so wind carries it way off target, + it's much weaker) The 14,5 is much less "gassy" because of the Mid-length gas system (at least on AR15s, but other guns have a similar thing going on) I have a 11,5" (AR15) personally and it's not as good as people think. I have a friend I told to buy a 14,5" and he's very happy (AR15 in his case)
Idk how hard it would be but the TA31 Acog is amazing I’ve beat the hell out of mine and it held zero great Definitely would recommend buying them used too Have you all tried to reach out to Trijicon They are great to work with
Have you looked into the 1-8x VCOG its got pretty much acog durability same forged aluminum housing and no scope leveling? Just a thought i know its more expensive but adds more magnification.
@@valgear5525 Ah that's a shame, could you cnc (or even 3D print) an adaptor mount for use on something? Must be a way to recycle them to something useful.
Very interesting video, thanks for it. So far I've seen many of the AR-type rifles are lacking backup iron sights. Even if a Aimpoint is a Aimpoint, every technical device can go down, so is there a special reason for the lack of back ups, or are they just not delivered? Too bad, that no one donated Steyr AUGs, I'd love to see how they would work out under the harsh ukrainian environment. Stay safe out there, my friend!
@@Pentazemin44 So you had issued one in service than? Actually i found the trigger good enough for what it is. Sure, no fancy sporting trigger like a civilian competition gun, but than, thats not what the AUG was thought for. I've had issued an A1 back than, and found the 1,5 optical sight not to be the greatst solution in every situation, but still, it was useable. And xou know what? At least, unlike other rifles, the StG77 had an optical sight.
optics have gotten very good, it your optic is damaged by sharpnel or bc you got launched into the air by an explosion you have worse problems than shooting accurately
@@muellermartin9661 It is what it is as the saying goes, despite all it flaws its still pretty much an okayish rifle but it belongs in the previous millenium. Optics arent that great, very narrow and with weird cross which doesnt have the bullet drop compensator (even soviet pso-1 had it lol). The trigger - you already know my opinion. Front grip is kinda weird but feels good holding it. I was never issued AUG, shot it couple times on open sky range. Personally I feel like its more a police type of gun, wouldnt take it to the battle but again - thats my opinion.
@@Pentazemin44 Fair enough. Speaking the optic and it's reticle, you just need to know how to use it the right way. From one outer side of the circle to the other it's exact 12 "Strich" (mils) 3 each line, 6 the space between it. Knowing that, you can use the circle for range estimation with the right formula. Or as a referencepoint if you have a moving target, sidewind etc. A vehicle with 6 meters lengh messures 12 Strich at 500 meters fur example. The rifles usually will be zeroed at 200 meters. So from 0-300 you can basically use one hold. At 300 meters a man sized 180 cm fits exactly in the inner circle, at 150 meters he reaches to the outer lines of the circle. Again, it never was thought as sporting gun, and with my comment i exclusively meant service rifles, no tuned civilian ones. Try an A2 with a scope of your choice, replace the military trigger with costum trigger kit, and try it again, mabe you like it more than, even I know, Bullpups are a love it or hate it story.
I think the rifle might be out of spec and needs to be looked at by a gunsmith. I went through multiple Colt and FN made m4/m4a1's/civ ar15 and never had an overinsertion issue.
Why not LPVO? Just a weight concern? They're stupidly popular with shooters here in the US. I can understand not trusting such a large, expensive sight to battlefield conditions though.
People in the US military and probably others I'm sure will run LPVOs in combat.. as he said the ones that are generally considered to be tough and proven are quite expensive though.
@@valgear5525 I love your channel for down to earth gear info. I don't think anyone else is covering this kind of stuff with the perspective of someone who's used eastern and western gear outside of a shooting range. I bet a lot of people would be stoked to hear your view on gear loadouts in general. A lot of people will swear that you need this PEQ box or that optic. It's wild to see dudes spending 600 dollars on rail mounted lights with remote switches for home defence in America while dudes actually fighting for freedom and their homes are rocking maglights with electrical tape. I dunno, maybe an update on your loadout even and why you picked certain kit. Your recce loadout was really interesting. Also loved when that round popped out lol. Giving gun youtubers heart attacks.
@@kitawithsomenumbers most people just think its cool. all you need for home defense is a pump action shotgun. scopes are a force multiplier though. and modern lpvos are pretty damn tough. I think they have a bad reputation because only recently are they able to withstand combat. Of course if you get something like this you can't expect to be able to toss it around and expect it to survive. You have to treat it nicely just like you would a thermal optic or a drone or any other fancy equipment
The ability to over insert the mag is odd... it may just be a problem with DD, or you may need to adjust the mag release... I've heard that it's a problem with the new US M5 Sig rifles, but never played with one. I've slapped the snot out of lots of mags in ARs/M4s with open bolts(in training, combat, and civilian life) and I've never had or seen or even heard of that issue with this platform. I'm not saying the platform is perfect and flawless, but that's a very odd malfunction to have. Also, you may be able to get a 45 degree selector switch online that may work for you.
On FtoF problem: Looks like a well worn GI aluminum mag he is using, although he mentions also happened on Magpul mag. I have seen wear and collapse on the detent stop shoulder of the NATO and old aluminum GI mags when I bought surplus... they can then go past the triangle stop punched in the aluminum and overinsert. Don't know if that was Val's problem though... hence mag prob, not gun or user!
@@qinarizonaful lol yeah pretty sure he's competent enough to insert a mag, so I'm pretty sure it's not his fault. If it was a mag or 2, I'd say it was bad mags. He made it sound like it was just about any mag he tried if the bolt was open and he smacked the mag aggressively. Aside from some inherent flaw in the lower, like a mag well out of spec or otherwise damaged, my next guess would be the mag release/retention assembly. If it's not tightened enough, or the spring is weak, or the male nub that locks into mag is damaged... hopefully he gets it figured out.
Damn, whoever had this rifle before you really screwed over all of his buddies by selling off all the parts, wtf, seriously they should have some type of UCMJ
Are we Americans allowed to send you grips, hand guards and other furniture items to Ukraine? Or is that part of US ITAR act. I have furniture I can send
Lol. I'm issued with m4+acog. Changed it for aimpoint asap. Acog have terrible eye relief, suck at distances below 100m, at night, suck at shooting while moving (walk, drive)
Very controversial assessment about some westernized weapons, as practice shows AK is more capricious and less reliable platform than the same AR-platforms.
Lol. Billions and Billions of our taxpayer dollars have been sent to Ukraine only to hear them complaining about American products. Hopefully Americans will stop trying to help people who do not need our help in the first place. Why can't Ukraine just stop taking American aid if everything we send you is crap?
HE LIVES as far as the malfunctions go alot of the kit sent over is already used and not to mention the ddm4 had its gas system fucked for wtv reason so that could be why im curious how the bren is performing contrary to the ar15 pattern of rifles especially because of price point and they arent super popular compared to the ar15 or ak platform
