KAC SR 15 and LMT MRP Question

AR/M4 AR General Discussion
1

Hey Guys,

I need a little advice on a 16" rifle here. I currently have a LMT MRP 12" piston upper that has never been used. I was planning on running it on an SBR’d Noveske lower. I’ve decided to go the 11.5" BCM route on that so it left me thinking it was time for another 14.5" or 16" rifle.

I don’t have a ton of experience with the SR15, but a buddy has one and I’ve put a number of rounds through it. I know I’ll end up with one eventually, just not sure if that’s now or later.

I’ve spent a lot of money on the transition from 1911’s (Nighthawk mostly) to polymer 9mm’s. M&P’s and Glock 17’s with all the standard mods, etc. I don’t know what’s different this time around with the polymer guns, but I’m shooting them almost exclusively this past 6 to 9 months while my 1911’s don’t really see much use. So, I’m trying not to spend much money and do this mostly by trade.

Anyway, I’m starting to ramble, so here’s the main question for those that have handled both guns and where I’m getting stuck… Do I trade off the new 12" piston barrel and bolt for a 16" middy MRP barrel and bolt, or do I trade the MRP upper towards a SR15? I’m even thinking about throwing a handgun in there too and maybe get the whole rifle.

I have not shot the DI MRP 16", so I’m not familiar with how it runs. How does it perform against the KAC? Is the weight comparable or is it just as heavy as the piston upper? How does it handle with the 16" DI barrel, is it as floats shooting as the KAC? Forgetting about the KAC lower for a moment, how much difference would one notice comparing the 16" MRP CQB middy to the KAC SR 15 upper?

Now, I know I’ll end up with the KAC eventually. I don’t want to see a brand new MRP lose a lot of money trading it in for the KAC upper (or whole rifle). I don’t want to spend too much money here, but I want something I can really enjoy for now that’s in the 14.5" or 16" range.

What would you guys do? Would you try to trade the 12" piston barrel and bolt for a 16" DI barrel and bolt or would you look into trading the entire MRP upper in for a SR15 upper, or even trade the MRP and a handgun in for a complete SR15 rifle?

I’m not new to ARs and I shoot a few times a week, but I am new to the MRP and SR15. This gun will see a lot of rounds and most of it’s time will be spent shooting drills and a number of classes… It won’t be seeing much time on a static range.

Sorry if I rambled a bit here. I just need some advice on what you guys would do and how much difference I’d notice between the two.

Thanks so much for your time…

Jonathan Consiglio

2

If you know you’re going to have a KAC SR-15E3 eventually one way or the other, why not just buy it and enjoy it NOW?

3

I would recommend, with great personal bias, the SR15. :slight_smile:

I do not own one, but have shot one several times…they are ridiculously light AND soft shooting. The only gun that I have shot that shoots softer is my 14.5" BCM middy w/ permed FSC556, running an H3 buffer. But only by a little. And it’s still not made by KAC. :wink:

4

I know, this is what I’d like to do, but unless I can find a way to make pretty much an even trade, I might have to put that off.

If I do the barrels, my 12" and bolt is brand new, so I’d imagine I could find someone with a 16 DI that would trade even.

If I trade the upper for a SR15 upper, it’ll probably cost me a bit out of pocket since the MRP will be “used”. I see the uppers from $1,300 to $1,500 online, but not sure if any of those places take trades. If I do it locally, I’ll get taxed pretty hard. One shop sold a used SR15 for almost $2,200.

The other option is to trade the upper and a handgun (maybe a 226 of mine that has an Equinox-style slide and marked Custom Shop from 2007 or 2008) for a complete SR15, but I’ll probably still have to pay out of pocket if it’s locally.

I’m pretty much at my limit on spending for the next 2 months or so. once I get all this stuff paid off, then I can buy another rifle, which I will, I just want something now that I can trade for and only spend on ammo.

Thanks for the reply.

That’s another gun I’m looking at doing. Right now, I’m working on the 11.5" BCM upper. I’ve heard nothing but great things about the 14.5" middy.

Is it the lightweight profile? I’ll be putting a BattleComp or maybe a Triple Tap on my next rifles.

5

Do you guys know of a supplier online that may take the MRP on trade towards the KAC? That would push me to do the KAC now. I’d do it locally, but it’ll be about $300 more for the gun and I’d get much less for the trades.

Appreciate any advice anyone has and I’d still love to hear how the 16" DI MRP shoots compared to the KAC.

Thanks again.

6

16" MRP D.I. is more accurate and weighs more than the SR-15 upper.

I personally believe the best complete lower is the SR-15 and the best complete upper is the MRP…they mate extremely well together.:slight_smile:

7

heres what you do, Ill even break it down into steps for ya, so its easier to plan.

  1. Sell off the MRP, and any other AR related stuff you dont use.
  2. Buy two SR-15 e3’s.
  3. shoot the dog piss out of them.
  4. come to the same conclusion as the rest of us that they are the cats ass.
  5. sell of the rest of your non KAC AR rifles, and components.
  6. buy yet more SR-15’s.
  7. plot about getting factory KAC SBR’s and DMR type guns.
  8. start planning on how you will get an SR-25 EMC and EMR.
8

Thats what happened to me :frowning:

Now the only non NFA ARs I have are KAC.

What you need to do is find someone who has an SR15E3 and shoot it, or even just go pick one up. After you shoot one you will be in love.

9

I’ll agree that it weighs more. I’ve seen pictures of .4 MOA - .8 MOA 10 shot groups with the E3.

Attached I have a picture I saved of a .53 MOA group with Mk. 262 a user here did. I saved it and use it as a background on my computer sometimes.

I have never seen a group like this with an MRP. Though I’d really love to see one if you have it. ;):smiley:

On track: Buy the KAC. It’s tits.

10

Alright, now I just need to try to make the SR15 happen without spending much money. Not sure if I should get the whole rifle or just the upper and run it on a Noveske lower for now. Ambi controls aren’t a huge deal to me. I’ve run standard lowers for years and just starting running the BAD lever a few months ago.

Now, does anyone know of a dealer (site supporter would be good) that would take a trade towards the KAC?

Thanks again. You guys are a big help.

Jonathan Consiglio

11

Not sure if your serious about .4-.8 moa 10 shot groups when your posting a single 5 round group shot with arguably the most accurate factory load…:rolleyes::confused:

Here is some real groups pal:cool:

TAP T2…cold bore first 5…last 5 of the session after 75rds fired

12

And in honor of your conclusion I shall run an SR15 upper on an LMT lower!

13

So, do you guys know of any places that might take my MRP on trade for an SR15?

I only have about 100 rounds through one and was already in love, but the more I read, the more I want one…today.

Any advice on this one would be greatly appreciated, I’m ready to just do the damn thing!

14

Just my opinion but I’d trade uppers.

I have a full E3 and I don’t think the lower is the standout part, it does have ambi-everything but that’s not such a big deal for me. Same goes for all the integrated swivel mounts which I don’t use. But the upper is really nice and sweet shooting, plus it’s accurate and very reliable. And durable. So you could get the upper now and then decide if you want to get the lower later. Have your cake and eat it too!

15

I have a Noveske lower that would work. I like the KAC lower but don’t have a need for it. Plus I don’t know how easy it is to alter a MIAD and a ASAP.

Now I just need to find a place that’ll take the MRP on trade. If anyone knows where PLEASE let me know. I think that’s what I’m going to do, just trade uppers for now. Once I have the 11.5" upper finished maybe I’ll add a KAC lower just because.

I’m sold on the SR 15, someone help me figure out where to trade!

16

I just ordered from Big Sky Guns online and I see they buy and sell used guns. They carry KAC stuff as well, maybe give them a try?

17

Was that a 5 shot? I could have sworn I had a 10 saved…

Anyways with TAP I’ve been getting .9 or a little less, and I’m not amazing.

I’d love to see Molon compare the two.

18

Thanks again guys. I called Big Sky Guns, hopefully they’ll get back to me soon. I see they take guns and sell KAC but couldn’t tell if it’s the whole gun only or they offer uppers nose had the option for uppers while their KAC link did not.

On a side note, at 3am I had someone try to break in and i had to draw. The guy took off and his buddy burnt his tires getting out of there. Ended up going after the car and got the plate. He was literally a half second away from being shot but he turned his back and took off so fast he outran himself and bit the curb.

Cops were involved but nothing will come of it I’m sure, even with the plate number. I posted the whole thing over at DCF, not sure if there’s a section here for that stuff or not.

Thanks again and I hope to post an answer soon as to what I did on the SR15.

19

Good luck with the trade. I’m hoping to end up with an SR15 sometime in the relatively near future. I hope you’re able to get good value for your LMT… that’s a fantastic upper in its own right.

zk

20

Had both. Still have the SR15. They really are two different animals. The SR15 pretty much has a lightweight profile barrel. All LMT barrels are heavy profile. Haven’t benched my SR15 other than to sight it in, so I cant really comment on the accuracy. For their weight, I haven’t been too impressed with LMTs chrome lined 16" heavy barrels. Note the groups shown above appear to be from an 18" SS barel.

I wouldn’t split hairs over which one is more accurate, they are both accurate enough. Keep in mind accuracy will degrade with time, especially if you use/abuse the snot out it. Just depends on how much weight you want to carry around. For me the weight penalty associated with the MRP just wasn’t worth what ever precieved advantages it offered. They both shoot sweet, and they’re both well made, but the KAC is just lighter. Truely amazing the performance that KAC stuffs into a rifle that feels as feathery as a box stock 6520. I’m personally very happy to see more light weight profiles being offered. Especially the CHF ones.