EMG CGS Daniel Defense DDMK18 GBBR

If you have been waiting for the ultimate GBBR MK18 MOD.0, the EMG CGS Daniel Defense DDMK18 GBBR may well be it. This full metal gas blowback rifle platform boasts licenced trademarks from Daniel Defense via EMG, a 6.04mm tightbore inner barrel and almost entirely steel internals, meaning a long lifespan of. 

The real steel MK18 MOD.0 is in use by all branches of US SOCOM, including the US Navy SEALS, Delta, MARSOC and Army Rangers, and fits in perfectly with any of these loadouts, or a generic special forces loadout if you are less of a stitch counter. This version replicates the DDMK18, a civilian build assembled by Daniel Defense to mimic the real steel MK18 MOD.0, with a few extra perks thrown in. 

Starting at the tip of the 10.5-inch outer barrel we can find a birdcage type flash hider pre-installed on the barrel’s 14mm CCW male threading. The birdcage design also goes hand in hand in terms of looks with the handguard, jutting out two inches ahead for a compact front end, and is the appropriate flash hider design for the real Daniel Defense DDMK18 rifle. 

If the birdcage is a bit too pedestrian for your style or you are going for a special forces build, the 14mm CCW male threading at the tip of the outer barrel allows alternative flash hiders, suppressors or tracer units to be fitted to complete the look. 

Moving rearwards, we come to the handguard which is constructed from aluminium and is precisely machined using CNC technology. It doesn’t get more sturdy than this, with 10 inches of rail length available, you have plenty of space to add a myriad of accessories to suit your playstyle and loadout. The handguard has 20mm Picatinny rails at the 3, 6, 9 and 12 o'clock positions, ready for your mission essential accessories. 

The length of the rail allows you to position your accessories wherever you need them, be it a vertical or an angled fore grip, a tactical flashlight or a PEQ laser unit, or the whole lot! Another benefit of the free-floated rail design is that it prevents force from being applied to the barrel, allowing you to feel safe in the knowledge that your accuracy will be retained as much as possible when shooting from a supported position or steering the platform between targets. 

The iron sights of the DDMK18 are removable polymer flip-up aperture sights which mount to the upper 20mm Picatinny rail. Elevation adjustments are applied via the rotary dial below the front iron sight blade, and windage adjustments via the dial on the right side of the rear sight. The rear sight aperture can also be adjusted up and down via the dial on the sight itself, just below the aperture for those who prefer to keep the front sight as is and apply all adjustments on the rear sight. 

The receiver of the DDMK18 is similar in form to every other AR out there, with the exception that because it does not contain a gearbox, the receiver can be realistically sized. This results in a slim feel to the rifle, and a positively skinny pistol grip, marking this out as a GBBR and making it genuinely hard to distinguish from a real AR. Obviously, this doesn't make it better or worse for skirmishing, but if you are like us and appreciate attention to detail and faithfulness to the real article, you will feel a strange sense of satisfaction handling this bad boy. 

The bolt catch is right where we would expect; on the left side of the receiver, smack bang in the centre. On a GBBR, the bolt catch works exactly like the real thing, allowing you to quickly return the bolt carrier to battery after a reload and avoid using the charging handle. As with most of the hard-wearing parts on the DDMK18, the bolt catch is constructed from steel, ensuring reliable bolt locking in the long term. 

The HOP-up unit of the EMG/CGS DDMK18 is located inside the upper receiver, following the Tokyo Marui ZET system format. Taking the form of a small screw inside the front of the upper receiver, the HOP-up adjustment dial is accessible through the magazine well using a small flathead screwdriver. This is slightly different than the TM ZET System, using a screw instead of the gear inside the TM. The screw system actually makes the HOP-up easier to adjust and avoids the need to remove the charging handle and bolt carrier to access the adjuster easily. The easiest way we found to set the HOP-up is by locking the bolt to the rear and adjusting through the magwell. The HOP-up allows you to tune the DDMK18 for different ammo weights and extend your range, looking for the flattest possible trajectory.

The fire selector lever is located on the left side of the receiver, allowing for safety, semi and fully automatic settings at 90-degree instances. This means you can quickly switch between fire modes but be safe in the knowledge that you won't accidentally move the selector into a fire position when you don't intend to. Worth noting is that like the real steel AR platform and most other GBBRs, the fire selector cannot be set to "SAFE" without first cocking the rifle. 

The trigger guard is the standard mil-spec flat type, keeping things in line with the real MK18 MOD.0 issued to US Special Forces. The pistol grip is the legendary "A2" type, first seen on the M16A2 and common on military builds. The grip boasts textured panels on each side for improved traction and a finger ridge to help support and control the front end of the rifle when held in the "high ready" position. Like its receiver, the DDMK18's pistol grip is realistically sized and is compatible with any pistol grip for TM ZET System GBBRs as well as real steel AR pistol grips. 

At the base of the buffer tube is an ambidextrous sling plate sandwiched between the receiver and the castle nut. This plate is constructed from steel to provide the prerequisite strength for use with a single-point sling and uses a centrally positioned QD sling socket instead of the usual protruding loop. This sling point is ideal for a single-point bungee sling with a QD sling swivel but can also be used with a two-point sling with the addition of a rail-mounted front sling point. 

Following the sling plate we come to the stock of the DDMK18, which is the usual M4/AR15 format of a 6-position buffer tube with an adjustable crane battery stock. This stock can be locked into any 1 of the 6 positions and can be adjusted to suit any body type or loadout. The stock is the classic Crane stock, boasting a rubber butt plate and battery compartments on either side for CR123A accessory batteries. The crane stock may be a bit long in the teeth by modern standards, but still does its job well and includes 2 sling slots for conventional slings and a textured adjustment lever on the bottom. As with all AR buffer tube-equipped platforms, if you prefer a more modern stock solution, swapping the stock out for an alternative for AR buffer tubes is quick and easy.

On the inside, the CGS DDMK18 is based on the Tokyo Marui ZET System used in its MWS M4A1. This is already a flex, as the TM system is known to be far superior to other GBBR systems and has the widest aftermarket for upgrades. Speaking of upgrades, CYMA/CGS has sorted many of the known weak points in the TM design by using steel trigger parts, giving you a longer-lasting GBBR platform and saving you a wad of cash when it comes to upgrading down the line. 

To provide super strong recoil and an immersive firing experience, CGS added a steel bolt carrier to the ZET System formula, providing heightened immersion thanks to its extra mass. This also means you will need to use a stronger gas than you might in a Tokyo Marui to get the same rapid-fire performance. Also present in the CGS build is a 6.04mm tightbore, giving an edge in accuracy potential and gas efficiency, letting this short rifle do some good work at long range.

If you love violent recoil and immersive realism, a GBBR should be right up your street, and the EMG CGS Daniel Defense DDMK18 GBBR is one of the best value GBBRs out there. With licenced trademarks, a flawless full metal build, a tightbore inner barrel and almost entirely steel internals, this MK18 is practically perfect for any skirmisher seeking the oh-so-rewarding yet challenging GBBR playstyle!

Features

• Full metal construction
• Gas Blowback Rifle - Heavy recoil, realistic handling, low-cap mags - A rifle for the pros!
• 14mm CCW male threaded outer barrel - Ready for a suppressor or tracer
• Licenced by Daniel Defense via EMG - Full trademarks, immaculate engravings
• Steel birdcage flash hider - Suits Milsim builds perfectly 
• CNC Aluminium MK18 MOD.0 handguard - Flawless finish, military-style 20mm Picatinny quad rail
• 20mm Picatinny railed upper receiver - Ready for a red dot sight or scope
• Daniel Defense marked M4/AR-15 lower receiver - Standard AR lower with awesome DD markings
• 6-Position M4/AR-15 buffer tube - Adjust the stock to fit your body type and loadout
• Crane adjustable stock - The classic NSW Crane stock, includes sling slots and a rubber butt plate
• Low profile Mil-spec charging handle - Standard M4A1 charging handle with a steel latch
• QD Sling plate - Add a single-point sling using a QD sling swivel
• Gear adjustable HOP-up - Inside the upper receiver, accessible through the magwell, requires a flathead screwdriver
• Full steel trigger group - Save you precious money on upgrades, these will probably last forever
• Steel bolt catch - Another high-wear part made from steel!
• Tokyo Marui ZET system-based internals - Compatible with TM ZET system aftermarket upgrades
• Is this your first GBBR? If so, see the "Special Instructions" section below or our GBBR Guide

Package Includes

• EMG CGS Daniel Defense DDMK18 GBBR
• 30rnd Green Gas Magazine
• Cleaning rod 
• Speedloader

Special Instructions

This is a Gas Blowback Rifle. GBBRs require maintenance and careful handling and we do not recommend them for new skirmishers. Things to watch out for if this is your first GBBR:

• The rifle cannot be put into "Safe" mode without first being cocked. Generally, the best way to store a GBBR is with the magazine removed, the rifle uncocked and the fire selector set to "semi". Do not force the selector into "Safe" when the rifle isn't cocked; this will damage the trigger group parts.
• The HOP-up adjuster for this TM ZET system GBBR is inside the upper receiver and is accessible through the magazine well using a flathead screwdriver when the bolt is locked open. 
• GBBRs need to be cocked before the first shot, just like a GBB pistol. It is important that you do not double load a GBBR as this can break the nozzle. We recommend clearing the chamber of BBs with a cleaning rod in the event that you finish firing mid-magazine and the bolt does not lock back and show an empty chamber.
• GBBRs generally use higher pressure gas than GBB pistols due to the extra weight of the bolt. We recommend Green Gas (NUPROL 2.0, VORSK V6, ASG Ultraair) for general use and Red Gas (NUPROL 3.0, VORSK V8) for cold weather use.
• The faster you shoot a GBBR, the less accurate it will be. This is due to pressure variance as the gas reservoir cools down. Full auto is basically for fun, and these rifles run far better when used in semi-auto mode.
• Like a GBB pistol, GBBR magazines require maintenance. We recommend leaving a small amount of gas inside the magazine when stored, and not storing the magazines in a cold or damp environment. Magazine seals and valves will need lubrication and to be kept clear of dust and debris.