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Daniel Defense

Daniel Defense GL/SSC SBR (12.5")

Factory 12.5" 5.56 SBR on the GL/SSC RIS II rail with integrated M203 mounting; NFA-regulated transfer item

Key Highlights

  • Free-float GL/SSC RIS II rail with M203 mounting built in
  • 12.5" cold hammer forged chrome-lined government-profile barrel
  • 1/2x28 threads under the A2 flash hider for suppressor use

Specifications

Price
$2,499
Weight
6 lb 3.200000000000003 oz
Calibers
5.56mm NATO
Rail Type
picatinny

Capability Profile

0-10 Scale Across 8 Axes

Compatibility Tags

family: modern-riflefamily: ar-patterntrigger: ar-fcginterface: picatinny-tophandguard: picatinnybarrel: compactmag-type: stanagthread: 1/2x28

Overview

GL/SSC stands for Grenade Launcher / Sound Suppressor Capable, and the rail is the reason this rifle exists. Developed under SOPMOD Block II, the GL/SSC RIS II is a shortened free-float quad rail sized to a 12.5-inch barrel that carries the M203 mounting hardware in the rail itself rather than in a bolt-on hanger kit. Daniel Defense built only a small original run, most of which went to military users, which is what made the handguard a clone-build white whale before the 2026 commercial release.

The rifle underneath the rail is standard Daniel Defense practice: a 12.5-inch cold hammer forged, chrome-lined, mil-spec heavy phosphate coated government-profile barrel with a 1:7 twist on a carbine-length gas system, wearing a DD A2 flash hider on 1/2x28 threads. The 12.5-inch length is the compromise the program wanted, keeping meaningful velocity over a 10.3-inch MK18 while staying short enough to work in and around vehicles.

This is the SBR configuration, so it is an NFA-regulated firearm: it transfers on a Form 4 through an SOT or FFL, with the tax stamp and registration that implies, and federal law sets a minimum purchase age of 21 for a short-barreled rifle. Buyers who do not want the paperwork should look at the GL/SSC pistol, which shares the barrel, rail, and muzzle hardware.

Key Features

  • Free-float GL/SSC RIS II quad rail with integrated M203 mounting
  • 12.5" cold hammer forged, chrome-lined government-profile barrel, 1:7 twist
  • Chrome moly vanadium steel, mil-spec heavy phosphate coated
  • Carbine-length gas system
  • DD A2 flash hider on 1/2x28 threads
  • Factory SBR configuration, no pin-and-weld required
  • Ships in a Daniel Defense full-latch impact case

Pros

  • +The GL/SSC rail is not sold on any other complete Daniel Defense rifle
  • +12.5" barrel holds more velocity than a 10.3" MK18 at similar handiness
  • +6.2 lbs bare leaves room for a suppressor without going over 8 lbs
  • +Factory SBR, so no pinned-and-welded muzzle device to work around

Cons

  • NFA item: Form 4 transfer, tax stamp, registration, and a 21-year-old minimum age
  • Quad rail is heavier and less comfortable bare-handed than M-LOK
  • Carbine gas on 12.5" runs overgassed once a suppressor goes on
  • Current storefront price sits well above the $2,026 launch MSRP

Detailed Specifications

sku
02-088-22304-047
caliber
5.56mm NATO
Barrel Length
12.5"
Overall Length
29" - 32.25"
weight
6.2 lbs
Gas System
Carbine-length
railSystem
Picatinny quad rail (free-float GL/SSC RIS II)
Trigger
Mil-spec
Twist Rate
1:7
threadPitch
1/2x28
barrelProfile
Government
barrel
Chrome moly vanadium steel, cold hammer forged, chrome lined, mil-spec heavy phosphate coated
Muzzle Device
DD A2 flash hider
magazine
DD Magazine
case
Daniel Defense Full-Latch Impact Plastic Case
nfaStatus
Short-barreled rifle; Form 4 transfer through an SOT or FFL

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