LMT MLKMWS vs SR-25 uppers? Now LMT build.

AR/M4 Beyond 5.56/.223
1

Due to inane state firearm laws, I’m planning to purchase an LMT MWS lower and pairing it with an LMT or KAC upper. Are there benefits/differences between going with an SR-25 CC vs an MLKMWS light profile 16” uppers in .308?

The only differences I can discern without experience with either is the LMT is monolithic with a proprietary barrel/attachment so I have the option of the 6.5 Creedmoor barrel in the future. The KAC might be lighter weight and better gassed for 308.

Are there any retailers that offer discounts on the above uppers? I couldn’t find any that sold MLKMWS using the usual searches.

Thanks for any input.

2

First, i do love Knights stuff, especially if somebody else is paying. With that being said, even while contracting overseas their pricing is crazytown. even with mil discount, and this is coming from a guy that dropped about 5k on his SCAR and still dont see it as anything special.

I would say yes you are correct that KAC’s are more refined in 308 but by no means is a MWS unmanageable. Its far easier for me to smooth out my MWS in 308 with a heavier buffer/spring combo and a different muzzle device than it is optimize the KAC how I want it. Both Uppers share DNA so you not really getting a lessor weapon based on say choosing LMT.

lets say i want a 13.5 308 to run primary suppressed, well that means i either shit another 3500 for a spare upper, or pull the barrel, have it cut back, **** around with the buffer weights. Same thing with shooting long range. The Kac, forces me live with a 16 inch 308 or shit another 3700 dollars for a 6.5CM complete upper. Because everybody I Know, definitely has a need for another BCG, Charging handle and Back up sights on a long range upper.

Good times.

Retail to retail you are looking at around 2000 for the MWS, and about 3500 for the 308 SR25 upper. for about the same price as KAC, you can have a MWS with a 13.5 308 barrel and a 20 inch 6.5 barrel and 1000 a dollar optic. Now, if were to use your credit card sure, send over a 14.5, and a 6.CM and while you at it, add a NF 1-8 on the 14.5, and an ATACR 3-15 on the CM, hell dont foget to add a can to that order while you are at it.

both companies offer mil discounts, make great products, just decide what works out the best

3

Both will do the same thing, the KAC just makes it easier to look and feel better while doing it.

I personally went for LMT, because at the time I could get two 16 Stainless MWS platforms for less than the cost of a single SR25. Factor in 30+ PMags and several accessories and the LMT was still cheaper. So, no brainer, right?

Fast forward and after a decent amount of time with the LMT, I can honestly I wish I’d have went with KAC. Nothing wrong at all with the LMT, it’s just not nearly as refined as the KAC… and when you’re using it a lot, that’s the difference between loving something and slowly starting to dislike it.

But both will serve your purposes well, I’m sure.

Check out RatWorx in IL for MWS pricing. They had the best prices on LMT gear last time I checked.

4

To add upon skyyr’s comment on wishing he would of gone with a KAC,

After years of shooting M110’s and messing around with the K1’s, they really dont do any for me especially at the premium they go for.

I might pay a few hundred extra dollars for an upper since that extra refinement can be 99 percent addressed with a few hundred bucks.

If they were priced the same, maybe…If it was say an ECC, but even then, it’s a tough sell.

But at 5k for their ecc replacement , nope…

I will take a 13.5 LW SS in the Mloc chassis, a new buffer and spring combo 10 out of 10 times

5

At the end of the days, you need both. ��

Plenty of people think LMT is just about as much gun, for much less cash, and many KAC owners that feel like they are worth every penny. It depends on taste preference and income.

I have a MWS and want a KAC in addition to my MWS.

PB

6

What length gas system is LMT still using on their 16" 308 barrels? I’m assuming that’s where the main reason people report KAC shoots smoother than LMT?

7

The MWS sub 16 inch barrels use MID length tubes, SR25’s use rifle length gas system. from what i recall part of the design philosophy was to be able to run on Linked MG ammo if needed whereas the SR25 was always designed around the 175gr Match round

There is a pretty good chance the MWS will run off Paki or Malaysian Surplus, something that i am not quite confident the SR25 could excel at. its all up to the use what they want, maximum refinement or increased reliability, there is no wrong answer.

8

This is not current data.
The M110 type use(d) “rifle” length ports, but the E2 systems do not.
The port locations, sizes, and type tie into the whole system for suppressed and unsuppressed functionality.
Extensive in-house and outside testing has proven that what we do and the way we do it is on the money, with all kinds of ammunition types. About the only thing they don’t like are insufficiently staked primers.

9

Thanks for the info, good to know

10

The 16 uses middy or maybe carbine, not sure the length. But the 18 or longer use rifle gas systems. I think based on ruff comparison to AR15’s. I shot my buddies 18 rifle gas and his gun didn’t shoot any softer. Im pissed I didn’t buy my 6.5 barrel at 24 inches and cut it down to 20. vs buying a 20 inch barrel. Sometimes I am VERY DUMB.

PB

11

I placed an order for the MLKMWS upper receiver from Brownells and the lower is backordered so I have time to decide on what barrel(s) to order. I’m still looking for availability of the BCG and assume I can use the same BCG for 308 and 6.5 barrels. My local ranges have steel out to 300 yards and I’d have to drive across state lines to shoot steel up to 750 yards. Maybe I’ll eventually do paper punching to 1000.

Option A, 2 configs $$$:
Now: 16” chrome-lined lightweight 308 barrel + Nightforce NX8
Later: 24” stainless 5R 6.5Cr barrel + Vortex 4.5-27

Option B, “do-all” config $$:
18” stainless 5R 308 barrel + Nightforce 4-16x + RMR

Option C??

12

I like the MWS base upper for some custom barrel precision roles that are heavier, but do what I want them to do.
For lighter weight options, they don’t compare to the KAC ACC offering.
I’m not a fan of the NX8, if you need a 1-8x I tend to fall back on the CQBSS or the ATACR.

13

Ive settled on a option A type setup. I tried the 18 inch inch route and while it was a nice shooter, it was too have to be used as a carbine, and 308 limited its range.

In regards to the ACC, This MWS set up gives up nothing to the ACC. It all depends on final configuration.

14

If you are looking at the lighter weight offerings, I would tend to disagree overall to the the MWS giving up nothing to the ACC for multiple reasons, weight, balance, tolerance for other factors like cans, ammunition selections, etc… for a given barrel length (i.e. 16"), shoot ability…
I don’t have enough time on the pair of 14.5" ACC uppers to give something more comprehensive, but I can on the LMT LWT 13.5".
Don’t get me wrong, LMT makes great stuff. In fact, I’m tending to prefer them as a base for heavier precision platforms with custom barrels and a few other changes.

15

Well, it didn’t take long! Brownells sent the shipping notification on the backordered lower and I’ve got an upper, 16” LW barrel and Geissele 762 charging handle on the way. I can’t have a flashhider or sound suppressor in this state, so what’s a fitting muzzle brake? I’ll be sure to provide the weight and my initial impressions assuming I can find a BCG.

16

I understand what you are saying, I am just saying that it depends on how you set the rifle up. The ACC is an awesome rifle.

I am sitting over here in Kuwait right now and as much as I love Kac, i cant justify a 14.5/16 inch 308 that’s 4900 before optics.

its longer than my 13.5 With sandman K, Its not any more accurate, its not any more reliable, practically there is no difference in weight, They have practically the same lowers, same Bolt, different carrier, and a 2000 dollar difference in price. IF I felt there was something there, I would be all about it,

Both are great rifles, these are two very reliable weapons that have often competed against each other in Defense testing with each having success, but we have to be honest, they are very similar, we are not talking a difference such as say a V6 Camaro and Camaro ZL1, We are talking more Land cruiser/LX570. You have one basic platform that two firms essentially finish a different way. I am utterly confident in each weapon

if I only had 5k
given the choice of having a ever so slightly more shootable ACC or Lightwieght MWS with Khales 1-6 or NX8, thats a no brainier.

If i want to extend my range I am looking at 3500, before optics. 3500… Thats almost An Accuracy international Rifle, That’s an LMT 6.5 barrel, and NF 5-25 in mout

So yeah, I like the ACC, and no, i don’t own one, but Just like my Scar 17 after it was modded with new, stock,trigger, and handguard, its ok, I like that it folds, but its not a 4000 dollar rifle, its the definition of alright.

Dont think that i am completely sold MWS being the best thing out there, Its dead reliable, Its accurate, it can be short and light, it can have range, it allows me to set it up how ever i want and just works. I dont have to force a short 308 to go long, i dont have to squeeze accuracy from a pencil barrel. If i want something short I have that option on the fly.

17

Hey OP, don’t mean to steer the convo in a different direction but are you living in Jersey by any chance? Cause I choose to go with AR 10 given the new laws limiting capacity even further. Purchased a used LMT at a good price and I’m happy with the fit and finish. Hoping to get out with it soon.

18

No, I’m in CA on the Left Coast.

Back on topic, I’ve started my search for the BCG and it appears that all the MWS rifles come with the semi-auto bolt carrier. Since I’m piecing this together, I have the option of going with the full-auto carrier. The benefits from the added mass of a full-auto carrier is well know for the AR15, is it also the case here? They’re priced the same, so would I be a fool not to opt for the full-auto carrier? Does the SR-25 use a semi or full auto carrier?

19

Same thing as with AR15 more mass is more mass.

20

I wanted a rifle length gas system with a 16’ barrel in my MWS, so I just went the custom route and had Marvin chop and dimple my 20" MWS CL barrel. The re-work required a lot of experimentation and tweaking to ensure reliability (buffer, spring, adjustable gas mitigation solutions), but ultimately we got it tuned just right. The bottom line is I love my MWS and won’t consider parting with it at this point. However, I do feel the SR25 is a superior system when it comes to weight savings and out of the box performance. You can get an MWS down in weight if you run a LW profile barrel and you have some nice options with regards to caliber selection. If it’s going to be your “one and done” solution, and if you have the means, the SR25 would yield a better return on your investment, but the MWS offers a bit more in terms of added capability if you’re willing to invest in the whole system and take full advantage of it’s modularity. I wouldn’t trade either one.