I’m Lance Rankin, owner and gunsmith at Western Sport in Roanoke, Texas, just north of Fort Worth. This post started life as one of our monthly gear roundups back when the shop was younger. Rather than let it sit here with stale prices on it, I’ve reworked it around the question customers actually ask me: what gear is worth the money? Here are three picks from that original list that have held up.
Daniel Defense DD5V1
The DD5V1 was Daniel Defense’s first swing at the .308 platform, and it landed. I’ve had these on my bench plenty of times, and the build quality is exactly what you’d expect from DD. The two-stage Geissele SSA trigger is the standout for me. Crisp take-up and a clean break, and it comes on the gun from the factory instead of being the first thing you replace.
A few things worth knowing about this rifle:
- Free-floating cold hammer forged barrel
- KeyMod handguard with a 15-inch Picatinny top rail (this was before DD moved most of its lineup toward M-LOK)
- Improved extractor geometry and dual ejectors, which matter more on a semi-auto .308 than most people realize
- Takes SR-25 pattern magazines
- Right around 8.3 pounds, which is light for the caliber
Daniel Defense backs its guns with a satisfaction guarantee against defects in materials and workmanship. The usual caveat applies: abuse the gun or botch an install with off-brand parts and you’re on your own. If you’re weighing DD against other premium builders, I put my honest opinion in writing over at Daniel Defense vs BCM.
Viking Tactics wide padded sling
Slings are the most underrated piece of gear on a rifle. Guys will spend four figures on a gun and then hang it off a bargain-bin strap. The upgraded VTAC wide padded sling fixed the two complaints people had about the original: Viking Tactics added a textured rubber pull tab so you can adjust it fast without looking, and swapped the plastic buckles for metal hardware with elastic stow bands. Simple changes that made a good sling better. I’ve watched customers run these hard for years without a failure, which is about the highest compliment a sling can get.
Daniel Defense complete uppers
When I first wrote this post, the star of the show was an 18-inch mid-length DD upper with a 12.0 rail that Daniel Defense produced exclusively for Western Sport. It sold at a steep discount at the time and it moved fast. Specific models come and go, but the advice behind it stands: a complete Daniel Defense upper is one of the smartest ways to upgrade an entry-level rifle without building from scratch. Push out two pins, swap the upper onto the lower you already own, and you’ve got a different gun. No FFL paperwork needed for an upper, either.
If you’re not sure what barrel length or gas system suits how you shoot, start with my guide to choosing the right upper receiver for your AR-15.
Where to find it
Browse current inventory over in the shop, including our full range of Daniel Defense products. We’re a small family operation, which keeps overhead low and prices honest. If you find in-stock gear cheaper somewhere else, call me and I’ll see what I can do. Questions about a build or a product? Email [email protected] or call 817-393-4000.
Lance Rankin is the owner and Chief Gunsmith of Western Sport, a family-run Type 07 FFL and Class 3/SOT dealer in Roanoke, Texas, serving shooters since 2007. Born and raised in Texas with over 50 years of experience handling firearms, Lance purchased Western Sport in 2017 and turned his lifelong passion into his profession. He specializes in AR-15 and AR-10 platform rifles, manufactures Western Sport’s own AR-15 line under the Rankin Industries brand, and runs the shop’s in-house Cerakote coating operation. When he’s not behind the counter or the workbench, you’ll find him on his ranch deep into the night, hunting coyotes with an AR-15 and thermal optics. Lance holds an MBA and personally shoots and tests the products Western Sport sells.
