Buying the right M4 off the shelf is, at best, an exercise in reading the fine print. And, at worst, it's a frustrating waiting game. Popular configurations in every brand seem to sell out instantly, and less popular setups might not appear in stock for months. Daniel Defense just launched the easiest way to get exactly the AR you want.
Using their new online build tool, you can build a complete DD AR or just an upper. The website lets you point and click your way through the selection of barrel length, gas system length, hand guard, muzzle device, sights, bolt carrier group and fore end grip. At the end of the process you can order your gun, print a parts list and even get an image of your gun to share or use as desktop wallpaper while you wait for it to arrive. Daniel Defense tells me their goal is to ship custom builds within a day of receiving the order.
Just be aware that while DD isn't adding a surcharge to put your gun together, there are instances where they have to charge you for custom work, such as pinning the muzzle on a 14.5" barrel. There is also a federal tax that amounts to about $200 on custom built guns.
