[SHOT 2026] Daniel Defense GL/SSC Re-issue

by Daniel Y

Published: January 23rd, 2026

shot 2026 daniel defense gl ssc re issue

Daniel Defense's extremely rare GL/SSC handguard is making a reappearance for the company's 25th anniversary. While it may look an awful lot like a RIS II rail, it is actually something much more niche. /here are all the details we know.

SHOT 2026 @ TFB:

True clone nerds need no introduction to the GL/SSC rail, but for the normals here is the backstory. The DD RIS II rail was a key part of the Block II upgrade program for the M4 SOPMOD. It is a very robust free-float railed handguard. The Grenade Launcher / Sound Suppressor Capable handguard was a slightly shorter model intended for use with a 12.5-inch barrel. Though it is shorter than the vanilla RIS II it retains the grenade launcher mounting ability of the original.

Only 125 GL/SSC rails were reportedly made. 100 went to the military and 25 went into private hands. This scarcity has made it an obscure object of great desire for some cloners. But hiding on a wall in plain sight was a new chapter to this story.

Daniel Defense is bringing GL/SSC back to celebrate the company's 25th anniversary in business. It will be sold as a complete rifle with a 12.5-inch barrel and carbine gas system. The receiver set is on the traditional milspec style rather than the newer RIII ambidextrous style. Pricing has not been released yet, and there were mixed reports on whether this will be available as a complete upper as well, but we will post a follow-up story when more information becomes available. The 25 current owners of GL/SSC rails will also be happy to note that the new ones will be marked “Savannah, GA” rather than the “Black Creek, GA” markings of the originals, so the real OG ones will bee distinguishable.

Another hidden gem in the Daniel Defense booth is a Tyr1 and Allegheny Arms KTMS-12 “Master Key” shotgun set up on a DD M4A1. The RIS II handguard system allows for M203 grenade launcher mounting, and this underbarrel 12-gauge mounts the same way so it is a nice fit. This is not a catalog item, so don't call Daniel Defense asking when it will be available, but it was so cool that it deserved a few pictures.

UPDATE 1/27/2026

Allegheny Arms reached out with a clarification. This will be an available limited-run item through Tyr1, shipping at the end of February. There will only be 50 produced of each of these versions. Here are the two options that will be offered:

Package 1 (~$4700 MSRP)

DDM4 14.5" Standard lower (SBR)

RISII FDE

B5 SOPMOD

A2 grips

AAC pingless 3 prong

AAC Rebar cutter

AGW KTMS (SBS)

Package 2 (~$4900)

DDM4 14.5" Ambi lower (SBR)

RISIII FDE

B5 SOPMOD