Daniel Defense MK18 RIII

Our next contestant was the Daniel Defense MK18 RIII, a SBR with a 10.3-inch barrel. This rifle is a SOCOM-inspired blaster and is absolutely feature rich. It is part of a new line that is primarily focused on a new and enhanced lower. This new design is completely ambidextrous. While there are others that make this claim, Daniel Defense has taken it to a whole new level. The ambidextrous controls perfectly fit into the gun and do not have the “afterthought” feel of some other guns. The controls on the right and left sides of the gun include a safety selector, mag release and bolt lock. The bolt lock/release is especially well designed with an oversized but not protruding bolt release. It is easy to index even with gloved hands and is something other companies would be well served to look at. Performance wise, we agreed that it was a shooter, and it quickly became one of our favorites. As a bonus, this was the only rifle to be provided with a 32-round magazine made by Daniel Defense.