By: Friedrich Seiltgen
Copyright © 2024
DANIEL DEFENSE
Daniel Defense is a family-owned and privately held firearms manufacturer in Black Creek, Georgia. Founded in 2001 by President/CEO Marty Daniel, the company started from Marty’s vision to create custom accessories for his M-16 rifle.
An avid sportsman and supporter of the 2nd Amendment, Marty Daniel committed himself to produce a product unmatched in quality and precision. Just 18 years later, Marty Daniel’s concept has evolved into one of the most recognizable brands in the firearms world, manufacturing the world’s finest AR-15 rifles, rail systems, and accessories for civilian, law enforcement, and military customers.
Today, with a combined 300,000 sq. feet of manufacturing space, Daniel Defense has maintained a commitment to quality and continuous improvement.
THE LIMITED SERIES
Daniel Defense has partnered with industry-leading manufacturers to build small batches of once-in-a-lifetime rifles, the Limited Series.
The Limited Series rifles are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. So, the best way to get your hands on one is to sign up for insider notifications and be one of the first to know what’s coming and when it’s available. But act fast because once these limited-edition rifles are gone, they’re gone for good.
THE TROPIC DAZE
The Limited Series build #13 Tropic Daze rifle takes the best-selling DD4 V7 to the wild side with a MultiCam Tropic Green Cerakote basecoat in Daniel’s Rattlecan—only the third-ever iteration of this popular finish—and adds a customizable Edgar Sherman Design MultiCam Tropic Sling.
THE RECEIVERS
The lower receiver is an ambidextrous Mil-Spec with a flared magazine well and QD swivel attachment point. It is made of 7075-T6 aluminum, Type III hard coat anodized with Radian Weapons Talon Ambidextrous Safety in FDE.
The upper receiver is Mil-Spec with M4 Feed Ramps made from 7075-T6 Aluminum, Type III hard coat anodized, and an ambidextrous Radian Weapons Raptor LT in FDE.
THE BARREL & MUZZLE DEVICE
Cold hammer-forged 16-inch, chrome-lined, government profile chrome-moly steel barrel with a 1:7 twist and Mil-Spec heavy phosphate coating, with a HuxWrx “Blastphemy” blast deflector in FDE that protects the shooter from overpressure by redirecting escaping gasses forward.
THE FURNITURE
The Tropic Daze is equipped with a Magpul CTR buttstock in FDE, a Magpul K2 pistol grip in FDE, a Daniel Defense 15-inch forend that is CNC machined of 6061-T6 aluminum, with M-LOK attachments at 3, 6, and 9 o’clock, Type III hard coat anodized with an Emissary Development handbrake mini in FDE to support hand placement and help prevent slips, and Ergo WedgeLok rail covers. Also included is an Edgar Sherman Designs (ESD) MultiCam Tropic Sling.
THE OPTICS
Nightforce NX8 1-8x24mm F1 Riflescope on Reptilia 30mm AUS Mount.
SPECIFICATIONS
Type: Semi-Automatic, Gas Impingement
Caliber: 5.56 NATO
Magazine Capacity: 30 Rounds
Sights/Optics: A full-length Picatinny rail with Nightforce NX8 1-8x24mm F1 Riflescope
Barrel Length: 16 Inches
Overall Length: 32 1/4 – 35 7/8 Inches
Weight: 6.2 Pounds
MSRP: $4,999
THE VERDICT
The Tropic Daze features the quality of workmanship you would expect from Daniel Defense, and its 100% satisfaction guarantee covers defects in original materials and workmanship.
The Tropic Daze comes shipped with a few extras, including an upgraded 44-inch Royal case, a commemorative challenge coin, and a certificate of authenticity.
That’s all for now, folks! Please keep sending in your questions, tips, and article ideas. And as always – “Let’s Be Careful Out There.”
Friedrich Seiltgen is a retired Master Police Officer with 20 years of service with the Orlando Police Department. He conducts training in Lone Wolf Terrorism Counterstrategies, Firearms, and Active Shooter Response. His writing has appeared in RECOIL, Soldier of Fortune, The Counter Terrorist Magazine, Off Grid, American Thinker, Homeland Security Today, and The Journal of Counterterrorism & Homeland Security International.
Contact him at [email protected].