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 LMT won the contract for the next generation fighting rifle for the New Zealand Army to replace their aging and outdated AUG rifles.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.
The New Zealand rifle is for the most part a slightly modified MARS-CQB. There are but three differences which make it the New Zealand rifle: (1) the WarComp flash hider, (2) the bayonet lug, and (3) is the computer chip under the magazine fence. I have been following LMT for most of their existence and the MRP (Monolithic Rail Platform) has never before been offered with a bayonet lug to the general public.
What makes this rifle so perfect in my eyes? First, it is built on the MRP CQB monolithic upper receiver which by removal of two screws permits you to change out barrels of both caliber and different barrel lengths. When Karl Lewis introduced his MRP platform in 2003/2004 I immediately thought this was the 4th generation M16. It was preceded by: First the 601, second the M16A2, and third the M4 carbine. The 1/7 inch twist with 6 lands and groove right twist barrels will be free floated inside the monolithic handguard. The rails are quad Mil-Std-1913 rails. The issue barrel is the 16-inch chrome moly vanadium chrome plated military grade barrel. The rifle uses a mid-length gas system, which in my eyes, is a reliability enhancement.
It assists with ease of extraction by way of increasing dwell time, allowing the cartridge case additional time to contract. In my opinion, 16” is ideal for the 5.56mm carbine and I was glad to see New Zealand went with it. Your velocity is high enough to see very little accuracy difference from a 20-inch barrel out to 400 meters. With the velocity, the projectiles will have excellent terminal performance compared to the 10.5 and 14.5-inch barrels. The Warcomp muzzle device does an outstanding job of both recoil reduction, as well as, flash suppression. The MRP CQB is equipped with a forward assist, fired cartridge case deflector, and ejection port dust cover. The upper receiver is equipped with LMT’s ambidextrous charging handle.
The rifle utilizes the standard LMT bolt carrier group. Due to the use of the mid length gas system the Enhanced bolt carrier is not needed. The mid length gas system accomplishes the same task as the altered cam track on the enhanced bolt carrier. All LMT bolts are test fired with a 70,000-psi proof cartridge, and then magnetic particle inspected to ensure against stress fractures as any proper military supplier would do with military grade firearms.
The lower receiver is the LMT MARS (Modular Assault Rifle System). This is LMT’s first fully ambidextrous lower receiver. Because it was still in development, early rifles tested in New Zealand did not have this lower. All New Zealand rifles now utilize this lower receiver. This is a fully ambidextrous lower receiver. It has an ambidextrous safety lever, as well as, magazine release. The bolt catch is also ambidextrous and can be used as both a bolt catch, as well as a bolt release on the right side. Additionally, LMT has a new winter trigger guard.
The New Zealand rifle has a computer chip added to it. The rifle that was at SHOT Show also had this feature. However, I am not sure if this will be offered on the NZ16 or not. The rifle comes with a receiver extension end plate that also serves as a QD sling socket. The receiver extension has six positions and uses a SOPMOD stock. The trigger is the LMT two stage made in-house on LMT Wire EDM machines. The only difference between the two is that the New Zealand rifle is selective fire and the commercial is semi auto only.
The rifle comes with the LMT low profile rear and front metric backup sights, and three rail protector panels. Like the New Zealand rifle, it is also provided with a Gen 3 PMag with window as well as a preset torque wrench for removing and replacing the barrel assembly. Also provided is a tactical two-point sling. The MSRP on the NZ16 is $2,699.00 and is sure to become a collector’s item to commemorate LMT’s first general issue army rifle contract.
What makes this rifle so perfect in my eyes? First, it is built on the MRP CQB monolithic upper receiver which by removal of two screws permits you to change out barrels of both caliber and different barrel lengths. When Karl Lewis introduced his MRP platform in 2003/2004 I immediately thought this was the 4th generation M16. It was preceded by: First the 601, second the M16A2, and third the M4 carbine. The 1/7 inch twist with 6 lands and groove right twist barrels will be free floated inside the monolithic handguard. The rails are quad Mil-Std-1913 rails. The issue barrel is the 16-inch chrome moly vanadium chrome plated military grade barrel. The rifle uses a mid-length gas system, which in my eyes, is a reliability enhancement.
It assists with ease of extraction by way of increasing dwell time, allowing the cartridge case additional time to contract. In my opinion, 16” is ideal for the 5.56mm carbine and I was glad to see New Zealand went with it. Your velocity is high enough to see very little accuracy difference from a 20-inch barrel out to 400 meters. With the velocity, the projectiles will have excellent terminal performance compared to the 10.5 and 14.5-inch barrels. The Warcomp muzzle device does an outstanding job of both recoil reduction, as well as, flash suppression. The MRP CQB is equipped with a forward assist, fired cartridge case deflector, and ejection port dust cover. The upper receiver is equipped with LMT’s ambidextrous charging handle.
The rifle utilizes the standard LMT bolt carrier group. Due to the use of the mid length gas system the Enhanced bolt carrier is not needed. The mid length gas system accomplishes the same task as the altered cam track on the enhanced bolt carrier. All LMT bolts are test fired with a 70,000-psi proof cartridge, and then magnetic particle inspected to ensure against stress fractures as any proper military supplier would do with military grade firearms.
The lower receiver is the LMT MARS (Modular Assault Rifle System). This is LMT’s first fully ambidextrous lower receiver. Because it was still in development, early rifles tested in New Zealand did not have this lower. All New Zealand rifles now utilize this lower receiver. This is a fully ambidextrous lower receiver. It has an ambidextrous safety lever, as well as, magazine release. The bolt catch is also ambidextrous and can be used as both a bolt catch, as well as a bolt release on the right side. Additionally, LMT has a new winter trigger guard.
The New Zealand rifle has a computer chip added to it. The rifle that was at SHOT Show also had this feature. However, I am not sure if this will be offered on the NZ16 or not. The rifle comes with a receiver extension end plate that also serves as a QD sling socket. The receiver extension has six positions and uses a SOPMOD stock. The trigger is the LMT two stage made in-house on LMT Wire EDM machines. The only difference between the two is that the New Zealand rifle is selective fire and the commercial is semi auto only.
The rifle comes with the LMT low profile rear and front metric backup sights, and three rail protector panels. Like the New Zealand rifle, it is also provided with a Gen 3 PMag with window as well as a preset torque wrench for removing and replacing the barrel assembly. Also provided is a tactical two-point sling. The MSRP on the NZ16 is $2,699.00 and is sure to become a collector’s item to commemorate LMT’s first general issue army rifle contract.
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