M4 CARBINE INSTRUCTION/SAFETY MANUAL 1|Page
FIGURE 1 – Daniel Defense M4 Carbine CAUTION: USE ONLY CLEAN, DRY, ORIGINAL, HIGH QUALITY COMMERCIALLY MANUFACTURED AMMUNITION IN GOOD CONDITON which is appropriate to the caliber of your firearm. We do not recommend the use of remanufactured or hand loaded ammunition because it may severely damage your rifle. CARBINE CHAMBERED FOR: SUITABLE AMMUTION 223 Rem 222 Rem 222 Rem Mag. 5.56mm 7.62x39mm 5.
SECTION 1 PRECAUTIONS READ AND UNDERSTAND ALL THE FOLLOWING PRECAUTIONS BEFORE REMOVING THIS FIREARM FROM ITS PACKAGE. This Daniel Defense product is potentially lethal! It is classified as a Firearm or Dangerous Weapon by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. ! WARNING: IF THIS FIREARM IS CARELESSLY OR IMPROPERLY HANDLED, UNINTENTIONAL DISCHARGE COULD RESULT AND COULD CAUSE INJURY, DEATH, OR DAMAGE TO PROPERTY.
NOTICE Daniel Defense shall not be responsible for injury, death, or damage to property resulting from either intentional or accidental discharge of this firearm, or from its function when used for purposes or subjected to treatment for which it was not designed.
This instruction manual should always accompany this firearm. When you lend, give or sell this firearm, be sure this manual goes with it. The firearms in this manual are classified as “semiautomatic assault weapons” under the 1994 Crime Bill. In the U.S.A. they are restricted to law enforcement/government use only. Be sure to comply with all federal and local regulations governing their possession and use.
LIST OF SECTIONS SECTION TITLE PAGE SECTION TITLE PAGE 1. PRECAUTIONS 3 Rear Sight (Windage) 23 2. Main Features 7 Zeroing Weapon 25 3.
SECTION 2 MAIN FEATURES The Daniel Defense M4 Carbine is a lightweight, semiautomatic firearm chambered in 5.56mm NATO. Features include the Omega X 12.0FSP Rail System, Fixed Back-Up Iron Sight, 16” 1:7 Twist, Chrome Lined Barrel, Vertical Foregrip, MagPul MOE 5-Position Collapsible Buttstock, and a MagPul 30 PMAG magazine. All actions are gas operated with the bolt closed.
SECTION 3 SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS You may be an experienced, safe shooter already familiar with the procedures in this instruction manual, or you may have never handled a firearm before. Either way, we urge you to read this entire instruction manual carefully. YOU MUST FOLLOW THE SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS FOR YOUR SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF OTHERS. ! WARNING: When you squeeze the trigger, you must expect the firearm to fire, and you must take full responsibility for firing it.
CAUTIONS: ! GENERAL HANDLING CAUTIONS 1. ALWAYS HANDLE YOUR FIREARM AS IF IT WERE LOADED so that you never fire it accidentally when you think it is unloaded. 2. NEVER POINT YOUR FIREARM AT ANYTHING YOU DO NOT INTEND TO SHOOT so that if it fires accidentally, injury, death, or damage to property will be prevented. 3.
6. ALWAYS BE AWARE OF POSSIBLE RISK FROM DROPPING YOUR FIREARM. Some parts of the mechanism could be damaged. You may not see the damage, but if it is severe, the firearm may discharge and cause injury, death, or damage to property. If your firearm has been dropped, have it examined by a competent gunsmith before using it again. 7.
! RANGE CAUTIONS 10. ALWAYS BE SURE YOUR BACKSTOP IS ADEQUATE to stop and contain bullets before beginning target practice so that you do not hit anything outside the range shooting area. 11. ALWAYS PUT A KNOWLEDGABLE AND RESPONSIBLE PERSON IN CHARGE TO MAINTAIN SAFETY CONTROL WHEN A GROUP IS FIRING ON A RANGE. Obey their commands so that discipline is maintained to reduce the likelihood of accidents. 12. ALWAYS CARRY YOUR FIREARM EMPTY WITH THE BOLT LATCHED OPEN WHILE ON A RANGE until preparing to fire.
manufacturers design their products within exacting engineering safety limits. Handloads and remanufactured ammunition are sometimes outside those limits and can be so unsafe as to blow up the chamber, damage the receiver and magazine, and cause injury, death, or damage to property with costly repairs to your firearm. 15. ALWAYS CHECK THAT AMMUNITION IS CLEAN AND UNDAMAGED BEFORE USING THE FORWARD ASSIST.
19. ALWAYS WEAR AND ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO WEAR PROTECTIVE SHOOTING GLASSES. Flying particles could damage eyes and cause blindness; but protective shooting glasses should prevent such injury. 20. ALWAYS KEEP THE SAFETY SELECTOR LEVER SET TO “SAFE” WHEN YOUR FIREARM IS LOADED AND COCKED until you are aiming at a target and intend to fire. This will minimize the risk of an accidental discharge. 21. ALWAYS KEEP CLEAR AND KEEP OTHERS CLEAR OF THE EJECTION PORT.
24. NEVER ATTEMPT TO FIRE IF WATER IS IN THE BARREL. Water can accumulate if your firearm is exposed to heavy rain or fog. Open the bolt and allow water to drain before firing. Clean a wet firearm as soon as possible. 25. NEVER SHOOT AT A HARD SURFACE SUCH AS ROCK, OR A LIQUID SURFACE SUCH AS WATER. A bullet may ricochet and travel in any direction to strike you, others around you, or even an object you cannot see, causing injury, death, or damage to property. 26.
! MALFUNCTION CAUTIONS 30. IF YOU EXPERIENCE A FAILURE TO FIRE, ALWAYS HOLD THE FIREARM, POINTING TOWARDS THE TARGET OR SAFE OPEN AREA AND WAIT 30 SECONDS. If a hangfire (slow ignition) has occurred, the round will fire within 30 seconds. If round does not fire, cycle the bolt, eject the round and examine the primer. If the firing pin indent on the primer is light, off center, or nonexistent, have your firearm examined by a competent gunsmith before continuing to fire.
! CLEANING AND STORAGE CAUTIONS 32. ALWAYS MAKE SURE YOUR FIREARM IS NOT LOADED BEFORE CLEANING AND STORING so that it cannot be fired when it is unsafe to do so. 33. ALWAYS KEEP AND STORE YOUR FIREARM AND AMMUNITION IN A SEPARATE LOCKED RECEPTACLE OUT OF REACH AND SIGHT OF CHILDREN AND UNTRAINED PEOPLE, to minimize the risk of firearm and ammunition being easily available for loading and firing. ! FIREARM ABUSE 34. NEVER ABUSE YOUR FIREARM by using it for any purpose other than shooting. 35.
SAFETY FEATURES \ Trigger Guard The Trigger Guard is a metal strip below the trigger to protect it from damage and to help prevent accidental discharge. The Trigger Guard should always be in position. The Trigger Guard on the Daniel Defense M4 features radiused and beveled edges to accommodate shooters wearing gloves. Safety Selector Lever The Safety Selector Lever is located on the left side of the lower receiver and has two positions, “FIRE” and “SAFE.
Bolt Locking Safety Features This firearm can fire only when the bolt is fully locked to the barrel and the firing pin is free to move forward. The firing pin is prevented from reaching the cartridge by the bolt carrier. Only when the bolt carrier moves forward over the bolt, rotating it to the fully locked position, can the firing pin move forward enough to fire the rifle.
Fail Safe Firing Mechanism In case of any failure of the firing mechanism, the top of the hammer and the underside of the carrier are machined in such a way that if the hammer was not held rearward by the disconnect or trigger sear surface, then the hammer would ride under the carrier and drop into engagement with the back of the firing pin to stop or prevent firing.
SECTION 4 FUNCTION The Daniel Defense M4 Carbine has a semi-automatic action. With the action cocked, chamber loaded, and selector lever set to “FIRE” the firearm may be fired by squeezing the trigger. The trigger rotates, disengaging the trigger sear surface from the hammer. The hammer spring drives the hammer forward to strike the firing pin, which in turn strikes the primer in the base of the cartridge, igniting the primer composition which ignites the main powder charge.
position, until the buffer assembly strikes the bottom of the receiver extension and stops. The action spring then forces the bolt carrier group forward so that the face of the bolt strips the next round of ammunition from the magazine and thrusts it into the chamber. Simultaneously the extractor snaps into the groove of a cartridge case and the bolt locks into the barrel. The hammer is now held rearward by the disconnect. When trigger is released, the disconnect is rotated back releasing the hammer.
AMMUNITION SELECTION Daniel Defense firearms are designed to function with a variety of brands and types of factory manufactured ammunition in the appropriate caliber. NOT ALL AMUNITION WILL PRODUCE THE SAME RESULTS. Daniel Defense recommends that after you read and understand this manual, you go to the range and fire different ammunition which is appropriate to the caliber of your firearm as recommended on the inside front cover. Once you find the ammunition which functions best - keep using it.
USE OF SIGHTS ON THE DANIEL DEFENSE M4 CARBINE FRONT SIGHT. The mechanical sights consist of a front sight and an adjustable rear sight. The front sight post can be adjusted up or down for elevation and to establish the point of bullet impact (zeroing). The purpose of zeroing is to confirm that your rounds strike the target where you expect.
ONE CLICK ADJUSTMENT OF REAR SIGHTS IN MINUTES OR ANGLE ONE CLICK ADJUSTMENT BARREL LENGTHS WITH SIGHT 16 in. Elevation 1.43’ NOTE: As a useful guide, 1 minute of angle is approximately equivalent to a deflection of 1 inch at 100 yards. To calculate the change in the point of bullet impact for any known change in sight setting use the following formula: Where: R = Range ………..… distance from firearm to target in meters or yards A = Angle of deflection ….
Zeroing Sights If you have mounted a telescopic sight follow the zeroing instructions provided with the sight. To zero your mechanical sights here is the procedure to follow: 1. The front sight post and rear sight windage knob are adjusted so you can hit your point of aim at 300 meters. 2. The small aperture must be in the up position. 3. During zeroing, only the front sight post and rear sight windage knob are adjusted to move the point of bullet impact on the target. 4.
Elevation change in point of impact on the target at 25m. 16 inch Barrel 1 Click = 0.5 in 2 Clicks = 0.9 in 3 Clicks = 1.4 in 4 Clicks = 1.9 in To move next shot group up turn front sight post clockwise. To move shot group down turn front sight post counterclockwise. 8. If your shot group is not centered on the target from side to side, measure the distance from the center of the target to an imaginary line running vertically through the center of the shot group.
To move your next shot group to the right turn windage knob clockwise. To move shot group to the left turn the windage knob counterclockwise. 9. Repeat firing groups of 5 rounds and adjusting the sights as described above until you are satisfied that the group is where you want it on the target. Your sights are now zeroed. 10. Make a careful note of your windage setting and leave it set that way. 11. Select the aperture size for the range at which you are most likely to be firing.
FORWARD ASSIST The forward assist allows you to help the bolt to lock into the barrel, but it will only be useful on rare occasions when the bolt fails to lock automatically. When you must use the forward assist, it is usually time for you to clean your firearm paying particular attention to the cleanliness of the chamber and bolt. ADJUSTABLE BUTTSTOCK The Daniel Defense M4 Carbine has a 5-position collapsible Magpul MOE buttstock.
LOADING ! CAUTION: ALWAYS CHECK THAT AMMUNITION IS CLEAN AND UNDAMAGED BEFORE USING THE FORWARD ASSIST. Forcing damaged ammunition into the chamber can damage your firearm and can result in injury, death, or damage to property. TO LOAD A MAGAZINE: ! 1. CAUTION: READ SAFETY INSTURCTIONS (SECTION 3). 2. Use only ammunition recommended inside the front cover of this instruction manual as suitable for your firearm. Examine the ammunition, particularly on and around the primer.
CAUTION: READ SAFETY INSTURCTIONS (Section 3) – KEEP YOUR FIREARM POINTING IN A SAFE DIRECTION AND DO NOT TOUCH THE TRIGGER. 1. Remove empty magazine: depress magazine catch which is located on the right side of the lower receiver, and extract magazine from the magazine well. 2. Press in on bottom of thumb piece of bolt catch while grasping and pulling back on the charging handle, to cock the hammer and leave bolt and carrier latched open to the rear.
6. Keeping fingers away from the ejection port and muzzle pointing in a safe direction, press in on the top of the thumb piece of the bolt catch. This will release the bolt carrier group to move forward and feed a round from the magazine into the chamber. THE FIREARM IS NOW LOADED WITH A ROUND IN THE CHAMBER AND THE HAMMER IS COCKED. 7.
UNLOADING ! CAUTION: ALWAYS UNLOAD YOUR FIREARM IMMEDIATELY AFTER USE AND PRIOR TO CLEANING AND STORAGE TO MINIMIZE THE RISK OF ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGE. To Unload: CAUTIONS: READ SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS. KEEP YOUR FIREARM POINTING IN A SAFE DIRECTION. DO NOT TOUCH THE TRIGGER AND KEEP HANDS AWAY FROM THE EJECTION PORT. 1. Set the safety selector lever to “SAFE”. NOTE: 2. The hammer must be cocked to place this firearm on “SAFE”. Press the magazine catch and remove the magazine. 3.
5. When the magazine is removed and the chamber is empty, push the top portion of the bolt catch to allow the bolt carrier group to return forward. 6. Remove remaining live rounds by sliding them forward out of the magazine. 7. Collect live ammunition for safe storage and spent cartridge cases for disposal. FIRING Before firing, practice your stance, aim, rhythm and breathing for steady aim with your firearm UNLOADED. Practice firing on a range before using your firearm for any other type of shooting.
To Fire: CAUTIONS: READ SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS IN SECTION 3. KEEP YOUR FIREARM POINTING IN A SAFE DIRECTION. DO NOT TOUCH THE TRIGGER AND KEEP HANDS AWAY FROM THE EJECTION PORT. 1. Load the firearm as previously described. 2. Grasp firearm with one hand on handguard and other hand on pistol grip with index finger resting along outside of trigger guard. Raise firearm and pull buttstock firmly into shoulder … extend buttstock as necessary. 3. Aim by aligning target with front and rear sights. 4.
NOTE: This firearm can also be fired without a magazine in place. 8. Release trigger, remove finger from trigger, and set selector lever to “SAFE.” If you have fired the last round from the magazine, the bolt will be held to the rear so that the firearm can quickly be reloaded by replacing the magazine, or the chamber can be inspected to make sure it is empty. ! CAUTION: WHILE FIRING, IF YOU NOTICE A DIFFERENCE IN SOUND OR RECOIL, STOP FIRING. A bullet could be stuck in the barrel.
If the firing pin indent on the primer appears normal (in comparison with previously fired rounds) assume faulty ammunition; segregate the misfired round from other live ammunition and empty cases; reload and carry on firing. Note: 1: On the Daniel Defense M4 Carbine, it is normal for a light firing pin indent to appear on cartridges which have been fed into the chamber, but not fired. Note: 2: Dispose of misfired rounds in accordance with ammunition manufacturer’s instructions.
SECTION 5 MAINTENANCE Your Daniel Defense M4 Carbine will perform better, last longer and remain safer when it is properly maintained. Follow the instructions in this section to keep your firearm in good condition. CAUTION: 1. MAKE SURE THAT THE MAGAZINE IS REMOVED AND THAT THE FIREARM IS UNLOADED SO THAT IT CANNOT BE FIRED. 2. WEAR SAFETY GLASSES IN CASE YOU LOSE CONTROL OF SOME SPRING LOADED COMPONENT WHICH COULD INJURE YOUR EYES.
STRIPPING FOR CLEANING IMPORTANT: To prevent loss of small components during stripping and cleaning, lay them out in an orderly fashion. 1. Read safety instructions in Section 3 and previous CAUTIONS. 2. Press the rear take down pin in from the left hand side of lower receiver and pull the pin out on the right hand side of the receiver until it comes to a positive stop. 3. Pivot the lower receiver down and away from the upper receiver. 4.
7. Push in the firing pin retaining pin from right to left of the bolt carrier group and remove the pin by pulling it out to the left. 8. Tilt the bolt face up and remove the firing pin. 9. Push the bolt in towards the carrier until bolt rotates and comes to a stop, then turn the bolt cam pin through 90° (i.e., at right angles to its normal position). 10.Remove the cam pin by lifting it out and away from the bolt and bolt carrier. 11.Pull the bolt forward and remove it from the bolt carrier. 12.
2) Push the release lever down and pull the buttstock rearward. 14.Depress the buffer, maintaining pressure as the buffer is under spring tension, to prevent it from being ejected when the buffer retainer pin is depressed. Depress the buffer retainer pin to permit the buffer and the action spring to move forward. Depress the hammer to allow the action spring and the buffer assembly to continue moving forward and be completely removed from the receiver extension.
Periodically, when your firearm has not been fired, we suggest you clean it when necessary and at least once or twice a year in a temperate climate, or as often as once a week in a tropical climate. If you carry a loaded firearm UNLOAD it and clean it when necessary and at least once a month. If you get your firearm wet, clean it as soon as possible.
through the barrel. Repeat, changing patches with each pass through the barrel, until the last patch comes out clean. 3. Visually inspect the barrel; if it is clean, proceed directly with step 8, but if it remains dirty, continue with step 5. 4. *(Note: Items 5 & 6 should be applicable only after firing.) Attach brass wire bristle bore cleaning brush to cleaning rod and dip brush in firearm cleaning solution. Thoroughly scrub out barrel, passing the brush all the way through before reversing the movement.
any of these conditions are discovered, have them corrected before firing again. (See Servicing and Repair later on in this section.) 9. Lightly dampen a flannel patch with gun oil and pass it once through the barrel, leaving a thin film of oil on the inside surface. Leave this film of oil on the surface if firearm is to be stored. If it is not be stored, or if it is being removed from storage for use, pass the dry patch through the barrel and chamber to remove as much oil as possible. 10.
CLEANING THE MAGAZINEN FOR ALL CLEANING, MAINTAINANCE, AND CARE INSTRUCTION, PLEASE REFER TO THE INSTRUCTIONAL INSERT PROVIDED WITH YOUR MAGPUL PMAG. STORAGEN ! CAUTION: ALWAYS UNLOAD YOUR FIREARM FOR STORAGE AND STORE AMMUNITION SEPARATELY. Store your firearm and ammunition securely locked in separate locations out of the reach and sight of children. (Children are naturally curious and do not always believe or understand the real danger and responsibilities of firearms.
An illustration and list of part names are included in the next section of this instruction manual to help you identify the parts you need, but it is most important to note that all parts are not available for sale. Those parts which are available should be installed by Daniel Defense or by a competent gunsmith. When ordering parts, please provide the part name as it is given on the Parts List along with the serial number of the firearm.
NOTE: Various Federal and State laws and local ordinances govern the transfer and transportation of firearms. Take the advice of the Dealer in your state on how to send your firearm to Daniel Defense. Before shipping your firearm, take note of some important points to remember: CAUTION: MAKE SURE THE MAGAZINE IS EMPTY AND THE FIREARM IS NOT LOADED. 2. Write a letter explaining the problem and your requirements in as much detail as possible.
SECTION 6 PARTS ILLUSTRATION AND LIST This section is provided so you may identify names of parts for your own interest. However, for adjustment, repair or spare parts information, see Section 5 “Servicing and Repair”.
FIGURE 19 (cont.
FIGURE 19 (cont.
FIREARM RECORD Daniel Defense Model# ______________________________ Serial No.
WARRANTY STATEMENT N The Daniel Defense M4 Carbine carries a 100% satisfaction guarantee against defects in original materials and workmanship. If your Daniel Defense M4 Carbine shows evidence of such defects, Daniel Defense will make every accommodation to fix, repair, or replace your firearm in the most expeditious and inexpensive manner possible. Daniel Defense does not warranty products or damage caused to our products by the correct or incorrect installation of other manufacturer’s products.
If your instruction manual becomes lost or destroyed, obtain a replacement by writing to Daniel Defense. 6002 Commerce Blvd., Suite 109, Savannah, GA 31408 USA or call 1-866-554-4867. Make a note of the address. When requesting a manual, include the information which is on the left side of your firearm together with its serial number or quote the Part No. as shown on the back of this manual. This instruction manual should always accompany this firearm.
