In December of 2017, Estonia began trials for a new weapons platform to replace their outdated/aging Swedish-made 7.62x51mm caliber AK4s, which is a licensed version of an HK G3A3 (2nd Infantry Brigade), 5,56x45mm caliber Galil (1st Infantry Brigade) and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.
Estonia has requested external piston rifles for health reasons. They are concerned with the health risks of overexposure to propellant residues and gasses (lead and other heavy metals). Approximately 14 companies submitted entries. These included: Heckler & Koch, CZ, Beretta/SAKO, Sig, Patriot Ordnance Factory, Israeli Weapons Industry, Lewis Machine and Tool and Radius. After the first round of testing, the only remaining weapon systems, which met the minimum requirements to continue on to the final testing, were Lewis Machine and Tool (MLCPS & MWS), Heckler & Koch (416 and 417) and Sig Sauer (MCX & 716G2 DMR). POF made the final down select, but was excluded due to the shipping of rifles for testing being delayed.
The final selection would be based on 40% cost, 30% service life value, 20% durability/life span, and 10% results of testing. According to Col Sirk (Estonia Centre for Defense Investments) “The competition was decided after shooting tests, weighing the results alongside the total life cycle costs and estimated life span of the firearms. The committee appraised in the first place the reliability and dependability of the weapons, as well as, economic feasibility, i.e. total cost of the project. It is our goal to buy an automatic firearm that is precise, handy and dependable in different weather and environmental conditions”.
The final selection would be based on 40% cost, 30% service life value, 20% durability/life span, and 10% results of testing. According to Col Sirk (Estonia Centre for Defense Investments) “The competition was decided after shooting tests, weighing the results alongside the total life cycle costs and estimated life span of the firearms. The committee appraised in the first place the reliability and dependability of the weapons, as well as, economic feasibility, i.e. total cost of the project. It is our goal to buy an automatic firearm that is precise, handy and dependable in different weather and environmental conditions”.
When the last rounds were fired and the numbers tallied, the last rifle standing was the LMT MLCPS and MWS rifles. This rifle has many similarities to the rifles recently delivered to the New Zealand Defense force with two major differences. First, is the operating system. The Estonians chose the external piston (short stroke piston) instead of the traditional internal piston (direct impingement) operating mechanism. To my knowledge, this is the first military sale of LMT’s external piston rifle. The second is the rifle uses the new MLok upper Monolithic Upper Receiver instead of the quad M1913 rail receiver. The LMT MWS rifle chambered in 7.62x51mm is also an external short stroke piston operated rifle. This is the first time I have seen this. Commercially, the MWS has only been available in internal piston (direct impingement). Perhaps this was designed specifically for this tender. It appears to just be a scaled-up version of the 5.56x45mm MRP external piston mechanism.
The lower receivers of both 5.56x45mm and 7.62x51mm rifles is their MARS, which is fully ambidextrous. The MARS lower receiver includes: ambidextrous selector lever, magazine release and bolt catch/release. Provided is the LMT SOPMOD stock, 6-position receiver extension with a quick detach mounting point on the rear of the receiver extension end plate. The lower also has an enhanced trigger guard, Ergo pistol grip and flared magazine well. The rifle was supplied with the Magpul PMag Gen 3 with window.
The upper receivers are the industry’s only true monolithic uppers. Machined from a solid forging of 7075 T6 aircraft grade aluminum and anodized as per military specifications. The receiver is designed to have the ability for the operator to change out barrel assemblies with little more than an included torque limiter. This enables the rifle to be equipped with different barrel lengths, different calibers and even different operating systems by removing two locking screws. The barrel is completely free floated inside the receiver. The one chosen has MLok slots, where a rail panel can be placed by the user wherever needed. The MRP/MWS monolithic upper receiver and the barrel extension are equipped with extended feed ramps. Both rifles are equipped with LMT manufactured front and rear back up iron sights.
The bolt carrier is one solid piece of steel with a flat proprietary nickel coating. The bolt is manufactured from a stronger material than the Carpenter 158. LMT also offers an enhanced bolt for the 5.56x45mm rifle. The exact configurations of the two rifles purchased by Estonia has yet to be released.
The upper receivers are the industry’s only true monolithic uppers. Machined from a solid forging of 7075 T6 aircraft grade aluminum and anodized as per military specifications. The receiver is designed to have the ability for the operator to change out barrel assemblies with little more than an included torque limiter. This enables the rifle to be equipped with different barrel lengths, different calibers and even different operating systems by removing two locking screws. The barrel is completely free floated inside the receiver. The one chosen has MLok slots, where a rail panel can be placed by the user wherever needed. The MRP/MWS monolithic upper receiver and the barrel extension are equipped with extended feed ramps. Both rifles are equipped with LMT manufactured front and rear back up iron sights.
The bolt carrier is one solid piece of steel with a flat proprietary nickel coating. The bolt is manufactured from a stronger material than the Carpenter 158. LMT also offers an enhanced bolt for the 5.56x45mm rifle. The exact configurations of the two rifles purchased by Estonia has yet to be released.
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