Daniel Defense MK18 RIII 5.56mm SBR

Manufacturer	Daniel Defense
System Compatibility	5.56mm NATO / .223 Remington CQB & Entry Platforms
Product Type	National Firearms Act (NFA) Short-Barreled Rifle (SBR)
Receiver Construction	CNC Machined 7075-T6 Aluminum, Type III Hard Coat Anodized, Fully Ambidextrous Lower
Barrel Specifications	10.3″ Government Profile, Cold Hammer Forged, 1:7 Twist, Chrome Lined
Rail System & Gas	RIS III 9.5 M-LOK Handguard (FDE Anodized) \| Carbine-Length Gas
Requirement Note	Regulated NFA Item: Requires ATF Form 3/4 Approval and 21+ Age Verification

Authorized Distributor for Daniel Defense Government Sales. PAI Defense is a premier holder of state and federal contracts, specializing in the deployment of elite tactical systems for military, law enforcement, and corrections clients. The Daniel Defense MK18 RIII takes the combat-proven, USSOCOM-pedigreed CQB performance of the original MK18 and integrates a fully ambidextrous lower receiver and a lightweight RIS III 9.5 M-LOK rail. Featuring a 10.3-inch cold hammer-forged barrel, the MK18 RIII delivers unmatched maneuverability, seamless cross-dominant operability, and uncompromising reliability for specialized entry and vehicle teams.

Procurement Strategy: This specialized armory equipment is restricted to professional agency acquisition and regulated NFA transfer. Please reach out to us to ask for a quote or submit a request for proposal (RFP).
Ecosystem Compliance: As a fully licensed Type 10 FFL and SOT (Special Occupational Taxpayer), PAI Defense is fully authorized to supply your agency or qualified personnel with regulated National Firearms Act (NFA) items, handling ATF Form 3/Form 4 transfers smoothly under government contracts.

Description

The Evolution of a CQB Legend: Fully Ambidextrous Integration The MK18 RIII builds upon the legendary size, weight, and performance profile of the military-issue MK18 by introducing a proprietary, fully ambidextrous lower receiver. Operators can intuitively manipulate the bolt catch, safety selector, and magazine release without moving or removing their dominant hand from the pistol grip. Combined with the ambidextrous GRIP-N-RIP charging handle, the RIII architecture ensures flawless cross-dominant operability during high-stress dynamic room clearings and vehicle transitions.

Advanced Rail Technology & Barrel Construction

RIS III 9.5 M-LOK Handguard: Modeled after the revolutionary RIS II two-piece handguard developed for USSOCOM, the 9.5-inch RIS III utilizes an M-LOK attachment interface and a patented 6-bolt bolt-up system. This significantly reduces overall weapon weight while maintaining a rock-solid platform for laser aimers, white-light illuminators, and optics.
10.3″ Cold Hammer Forged Barrel: Built around a Chrome Moly Vanadium steel barrel with a 1:7 twist, chrome lining, and heavy phosphate coating. Individually HP/MPI tested, it matches the exact length utilized for standard military CQB upper receivers, paired with a smooth-cycling carbine-length direct impingement gas system and an H buffer.

Important Procurement Note (NFA Regulation & Age Requirements) The Daniel Defense MK18 RIII is classified as a Short-Barreled Rifle (SBR) and is strictly regulated under the National Firearms Act (NFA). Under U.S. law, purchasers must be 21 years of age or older, and transfers require federal NFA paperwork, approval processes, and Class 3 dealer facilitation. PAI Defense assists agency compliance officers in streamlining this process from quote to final transfer.

PAI Defense: Your Fully Licensed Procurement Partner Navigating government acquisitions for NFA-regulated weapon systems requires a strategic, compliant B2B approach. PAI Defense provides the audited technical specifications and streamlined RFP processes necessary to support procurement officers. By utilizing our Type 10 FFL and SOT licensing, your agency gains direct, lawful access to elite short-barreled systems designed to keep your operators safe and operational divisions at peak efficiency.