Category: Lmt

Lewis Machine and Tool to Provide Estonia with New Combat Rifles

1/10/2019

In December of 2017, Estonia began trials for a new weapons platform to replace their outdated/aging Swedish-made 7.62x51mm caliber AK4s, which is a licensed version of an HK G3A3 (2nd Infantry Brigade), 5,56x45mm caliber Galil (1st Infantry Brigade) and 5.56x45mm caliber G36 (Border Guards) rifles that were used by their Defense Forces, Police and Border Guards. Estonia has a large Border Guard service due to their sharing a border with Russia. Estonia maintains 6,000 active duty personnel and 35,000 militia. The contract was for approximately 16,000 weapons chambered in both 5.56x45mm assault rifles, as well as, 7.62x51mm designated marksmanship rifles. The split has yet to be released. The contract is worth approximately $25 million US dollars. The contract would run from early 2019 and be completed in 2021 with an option to extend for additional weapon systems up to 2026.

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LMT New Zealand Parts Replacement

10/5/2018

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Last week, several of my viewers forwarded me two articles on mechanical problems with the MARS-L rifles that LMT had manufactured for the New Zealand Defense Force, and they wanted to know what my take on it was.

As many of you know, I am an avid supporter of the LMT products and feel the rifle that the Kiwi’s procured was perhaps one of the finest battle rifles in the world. One which I would be ecstatic to carry if forced into harm’s way. So, what went wrong? First, everything I am discussing here is my personal opinion of what caused these issues.

Although, I have worked for LMT in the past doing technical writing, training and intel work, I have not worked for them since 2015. I have had little to no communication since then and, in fact, have had great difficulty getting product to review since then. I receive no commissions, perks nor anything from LMT for promoting their equipment. I have promoted the MRP system since its introduction around 2003 when working on my book, Black Rifle II. Since then I had been a loyal champion for LMT as an author. At that time in 2003, LMT was a rather small organization and for the first time was just releasing their own full firearms. I worked directly with Karl Lewis on my media work. They were not well known by the commercial market, but well known by the manufacturing industry making OEM components for several high-end manufacturers.

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The 300 AAC Blackout

8/22/2018

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Over the last several years many new calibers have been introduced to the AR-type platform. On the AR15 platform there is the 204 Ruger, 6.8mm Rem SPC, 6.5 Grendel, 7.62x39mm, 5.45x39mm, 5.7mm, 450 Bushmaster, 458 SOCOM, .50 Beauwolf and .499 LWR. There is also a whole other array to the AR10. Of those mentioned above, the only one who has done really well is the 6.8mm Rem SPC. There are several manufacturers of rifles and ammunition. However, around the 1991 time frame, a new round was developed by JD Jones of SSK Industries that would prove versatile and offer tactical advantage, the 300 Whisper®. In November of 1992 he would trademark the name.

During research for this article, JD Jones was interviewed to get the back drop on the development of the 300 Whisper®:

“I first licensed Thompson Center to use it and they put it into the Contender and it became quite popular in the Handgun Metallic Silhouette competition for years. T/C uses a 1-10 twist which is not good for sub-sonic with heavy bullets. Initially in the AR we used a single port gas system, which is about what S & W is now using. We found with heavy sub-sonic bullets, 1680 powder would function in it (although quite dirty), and high velocity ammo also had a small window of functioning without working the gun too hard. The SSK adjustable gas system solves the problems of functioning with a quite wide window of proper functioning, with a wide range of powders and bullet weights. This system has an L—for generally low velocity ammo and H for high velocity ammo, and in-between those settings the gas is shut off. For example, we have loaded 220 subsonic (1040 fps) and 220 HV (1400 fps) from a 10” M-16 for some people. In a non adjustable gas system, the port pressure of the HV load would be quite high giving excessive bolt velocity with a single non adjustable system if the sub sonic was to function reliably. With our system, the HV will work the gun OK but also too violently for my taste. We’ve used 6” to 12” twist rate and found 8” or 7” to be the most versatile. It is probably the most copied cartridge in existence today. It was CIP dimensioned many years ago and commercially manufactured in Europe for about 15 years. It has been called the 300/221; 300 Hush, 300 Murmur (France), 300 fireball, etc., and the latest, 300 Blackout. Over the years there have been many problems with the functioning of AR’s with single non adjustable gas ports but the chamber dimensions have all seemed pretty close---close enough to use the 300 Whisper® dies and basic data. In 1992 the practical way to make the cases was simply to open the 221 case to 30 cal. Anyone could do that with the dies we supplied. 223---5.56 case wall thicknesses varies a lot—however later we had hundreds of thousands of cases made from primarily LC military brass---with an operation to give proper neck wall thickness. Inquires were made to the majors to make brass. One asked for an order for 1 million rounds loaded ammo and they “would consider it” and Pete Pi told me the other just turned it down flat. I think ANY chamber is capable of having problems with cases made from SOME 5.56 or 223 brass due to ending up with excessively thick neck wall thickness.”

The 300 Whisper® was never submitted for acceptance by SAMMI. What this means is that there was never an industry standard on cartridge case dimensions, chamber dimensions of loading specifications. This makes it difficult for an ammunition producer to make ammunition that will work properly in any given firearm. Ammunition has been manufactured by Hornady and Corbon, however, a majority of the ammunition has been hand loaded with cartridge cases manufactured from the 221 Rem parent case.

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LMT Introduces Their New Zealand Rifle for Commercial Sale

2/26/2018

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One of the more exciting product releases for me has been the LMT release of a commercial version of their New Zealand rifle (NZ16). LMT won the contract for the next generation fighting rifle for the New Zealand Army to replace their aging and outdated AUG rifles. The LMT production line has been busy for awhile meeting their contract with New Zealand. But with that out of the way they are now able to bring this awesome rifle to the commercial market. I have to say, I believe this is the perfect M16/M4 variant. If I had to walk into battle tomorrow, of any firearm in the industry, the MARS New Zealand rifle would be what I would pick up. This rifle has every modern enhancement one could ask for and then some.

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LMT Enhanced Bolt & Carrier

1/17/2018

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In the late 1990’s, US SOCCOM had experienced significant issues with failures to extract as well as bolt structural failures on their M4A1 rifles. The problem was serious enough where Karl Lewis was approached to design an improved bolt carrier group that would correct the shortcomings of the standard GI bolt carrier group. The new design would improve the durability and reliability of the M4A1 carbine for SOCOM. LMT delivered their Enhanced Bolt Carrier Group because failure was not an option.

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LMT LM308MWSA 7.62mm Select Fire Rifle

8/31/2016

59 Comments

The LMT LM308MWSA Rifle is a direct derivative of the semi-automatic LM308MWS. The combat proven L129A1 in use by British sharp shooters has gone on to be adopted by other countries as well. The New Zealand Army purchased a very similar rifle but had the additional requirement for fully automatic capability. This makes complete sense in the fact that snipers go out either alone or in a two man team. If they were to get into trouble by having the select fire capability, as well as the heavy barrel, the rifle could serve as a light support weapon to provide the heavy fire power that may be required to break the engagement. The LMT LM308MWSA does just that. It provides precision accuracy but in the moment of need can provide a heavy volume of fire.

Due to the modularity of the MWS upper receiver, the barrel is easily swapped out at the user level. Barrels are offered in mil-spec chrome plated configuration, as well as match grade configurations. Based on my experience of having the opportunity to fire most 7.62mm selective fire modern military rifles, the LMT LM308MWSA stands out from the rest in its excellent controlability on fully automatic fire. LMT has found the balance between weight and cyclic rate of fire to make the rifle easy to control and keep on target, where other rifles in its class have significant recoil and muzzle climb.

59 Comments

August 11th, 2016

8/11/2016

10 Comments

LMT MARS-CQB16

The newest addition to the LMT lineup, the long anticipated fully ambidexterous lower receiver. This video has a first look at the MARS lower and the selective fire capability. A technical review and demonstration of the MRP CQB monolithic upper receiver. I believe that this rifle system is the fourth generation evolution of the m16 series weapons.

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August 05th, 2016

8/5/2016

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Aero Precision M5 .308 Winchester Carbine

Aero Precision M5 upper and lower receiver set
Aero Precision 16 inch SS bbl
LMT SOPMOD Stock
Magpul MIAD pistol grip
Seekins Precision Billet Magazine Release Button
Gemtech Suppressed Bolt Carrier
Centurion Arms CMR Free Floating Handguard
SilencerCo Specwar Flash Suppressor
SilencerCo Omega Suppressor
ARMS, Inc #40L backup sights
ARMS Throw Lever Mounts
Truglo scope

My Southeast Texas Hog Gun! The Aero Precision is one of the highest quality receivers in the industry. They are now selling complete guns. They are also a major OEM supplier with high quality components.

3 Comments

Lewis Machine and Tool to Provide Estonia with New Combat Rifles

LMT New Zealand Parts Replacement

The 300 AAC Blackout

LMT Introduces Their New Zealand Rifle for Commercial Sale

LMT Enhanced Bolt & Carrier

LMT LM308MWSA 7.62mm Select Fire Rifle

August 11th, 2016

LMT MARS-CQB16

August 05th, 2016

Aero Precision M5 .308 Winchester Carbine

Signed Armorers Manual

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