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Table of Contents
What’s the Difference Between Daniel Defense & LWRC?
The LWRC features fully ambidextrous controls, monoforged upper receiver with modular one-piece free float rail, and a “keyless” bolt carrier design, combined with a time-tested operating system. The DDM4 V7 Pro offers incredible weight savings and superior cooling, ergonomics, and an ambidextrous Grip-n-Rip charging handle to suppress the fire.
The LWRC IC DI uses an Enhanced Fire Control Group while the DDM4 V7 Pro uses Geissele Automatics Super Dynamic 3 Gun Trigger. DD uppers and lowers are MIL-SPEC, whereas the LWRC is proprietary, making the DDs slightly easier to modify.
Specification Chart
LWRC IC DI
- Brand: LWRC
- Model: LWRC IC DI
- Weight: 6.6lbs
- Length: 32″-35.25″
- Trigger: Enhanced Fire Control Group
- Barrel: 16.1 inches
- Calibers: 5.56 NATO
- Twist Rate: 1:7 RH
DDM4 V7 PRO
- Brand: Daniel Defense
- Model: DDM4 V7 PRO
- Weight: 7.40 lbs
- Length: 34 ¾” – 37 7/8”
- Trigger: Geissele Automatics Super Dynamic 3 Gun Trigger
- Barrel: 18″
- Calibers: 5.56 NATO
- Twist Rate: 1:7
In-Depth Comparison
LWRC & Daniel Defense Pricing
Design & Ergonomics
The stock of the LWRC rattles a fair bit while the Daniel Defense is tighter, has excellent rubber additions, and has ergonomic wrist angle, integral trigger guard, and non-slip grip for comfort and control.
The LWRC may be aesthetically and ergonomically better. Still, little details such as goofy spiral fluting, proprietary rail attachments make the DD a better option for a more substantial long-term setup.
Size & Weight - DD or LWRC?
Since Daniel Defense uses a proprietary gas piston system that adds more to its weight, the DD is more than a pound heavier than the LWRC. The Daniel Defense M4 V7 Pro has a longer barrel length, too. Since size and weight matters in shooting, the LRWC wins in this category for being more lightweight.
More on lightweight shotguns in this Benelli M2 & M4 comparison here.
Recoil
Daniel Defense & LWRC Scope
The Daniel Defense offers various optics and accessories that allow for the maximum sight radius for accurate shooting with its rail mounted iron sights.
At the same time, the LWRC DI lacks such, so if you want to have a better scope in LWRC, you will need to purchase an optic accessory. With this, the DDM4 V7 Pro takes another win.
Accuracy
Reliability - Daniel Defense & LWRC
Both the Daniel Defense & LWRC prefer heavier ammo because of their twist rate. The LWRC IC DI features an oversize extractor and one-piece gas key integral to the bolt that contribute to the reliable, consistent operation.
Simultaneously, the DD has a Geissele automatics Super Dynamic 3 Gun Trigger that delivers a championship-level break. When it comes to reliability, our team chose Daniel Defense because it shoots smoother with low recoil than the LWRC.
For reliable AR-15 ammo, here’s our Grendel 6.5 & 223 Remington comparison.
LWRC Pros & Cons
PROS
- Direct impingement system
- Angled ergonomic foregrip
- Rail panels and hand stop
- Fully ambidextrous lower controls
- Enhanced fire control group
CONS
- Harsher recoil
Daniel Defense Pros & Cons
PROS
- Muzzle climb mitigator
- Cold-hammer forged barrel
- Ambi safety selector
- Free-float rail system
- M-Lok attachment technology
CONS
- Heavier
- Expensive
Daniel Defense or LWRC? The Winner is...
In choosing between the LWRC vs Daniel Defense, the winner is the Daniel Defense M4 V7 Pro because it has a muzzle climb mitigator that ensures a low recoil, a free-float rail system for reliability, better scope with its M-LOK attachment technology, and better ergonomics. But the LWRC is almost as high-quality a rifle as Daniel Defense, so opting to get one would also be a good choice.
If you want a good read on high-performing ammo, check out our 300 RUM vs 300 Win Mag article.
Our #1 Recommendation
Daniel Defense
- Muzzle climb mitigator
- Free-float rail system
- M-Lok attachment technology
- Better Ergonomics
The lwrc also is chf heavy barrel made in house the fluting is to reduce the weight of the heavy size barrel. Also the lwrc is mlock available and free float rail. The only thing the DD has over the LWRC is the break.
I have had the pleasure of shooting these guns side by side many times. I opted for one and my brother opted for the other. Both are excellent choices. That being said he and I both agree on our units the DD had tighter groupings. The LWRC was lighter so carrying it all day would be easier. The downside is lighter also means more muzzle rise and felt recoil that impact your follow up shots. The LWRC does have the better trigger out of the box. Smoother cleaner and definitely a weak point for DD. You have to do SSA-E trigger upgrade but that’s all you have to upgrade. The LWRC all proprietary system is a pain and if you want to do any modifications or upgrades LWRC will make the money up that you saved by not going with the DD. Both offer great BCG’s LWRC being much easier to clean but DD having a chromed lined BCG gives you reinforced quality that is hard to beat. Lastly cold hammer forged chrome lined barrels are hard to beat. So hard to beat that even your top performer shotguns are all using them now. It’s a proven system that works to build strength and accuracy. I have seen where LWRC offers a proof research barrel as a upgrade to their fluted barrels. Their would never be a need to upgrade a DD barrel. Like I said in the beginning both are excellent choices but once your shooting 200+ yards the DD shows you what you pay for. Now my brother and I are looking at buying a REPR and a SCAR to compare now. I am very interested to see what we see out of these two.