I have shot a couple of different piston ARs but not the LWRC guns. The one I have shot exhaust the gas out the front but I understand the LWRC exhausts under the rail. Can anyone who owns a LWRC please post to let me know what the effect of this is on devices attached to the top rail (like the objective lens of an optic, etc.) and if the removeable top rail is as stable as they claim?
Also, any comments on how reliable your rifle has been and when it was purchased would be of assistance as well. I have heard (and read) good and bad about these rifles including things like “early” prodcution was bad but they are “fine” now, etc. Unfortunately, almost all of this has been second hand about “someone else’s” rifle. I really want to hear from some of you who actually own and have used one of LWRC’s rifles themselves.
I have 10.5" and 16" uppers. The 10.5 gets a lot of use in Fullauto. The 16" has done a few multi-day carbine classes. I assume these are second gen, improved BCG. Had them from 2-3 years now, I think.
I have not noticed much in the way of gas via the rail - I also do use a suppressor and that just pushes everything back into your face, even with a gas-buster charging handle.
Only issue was on the 10.5" upper - sent it back to them about 9 mos ago - bent solid gas tube replacement(i know its not a gas tube on the piston, but its looks just like the key) I believe it was not staked(properly) and it came loose and eventually tilted down and the piston pushing back bent it. Thought about straightening it or just asking for a new key, but upon calling LWRC they insisted I send the whole upper in to make sure all was good. The replaced, all is well, had to have put a few K of round through it since - 10.5" barrels cry for full auto fire
No problems at all on the 16".
I am not one of those guys who tries to shoot his rifle until malfuntion makes him have to clean it, so they are maintained and lubed. I fire all sorts through these, from wolf on up. No problems with lite or hot loads with either upper - they eat everything. If I do not use the suppressor, almost a pleasure to clean.(I know I am sick)
I’ve mounted an X300, PEQ2, and had the front end of a TR21 right where the gas was venting. Aside from some fouling, no serious damage. A rag with some CLP takes it right off; Interestingly enough the mounting plate of my X300 was getting very dirty after firing, this actually made it a little difficult to remove the light from the rail. Also worth noting that the PEQ2 (Using LaRue mount, not the stock garbage) seemed to retain zero when attached/removed.
I had an early LWRC upper (Before they merged with MaTech); Did not have any reliability issues with the upper although noticed a broken spring on the piston assembly around the 5,000 round mark. Upper continued to fire fine but I was advised that it should be looked at, several E-Mails later I had an RMA set up and had the upper sent back to LWRC; They had a new upper back in my hands within two weeks; This new upper runs like a raped ape.
Pat Rogers has a very informative article about the LWRCI piston AR-15s in the latest issue of SWAT magazine (March '09 issue) which should be available on news-stands now. Pat conducted a long term endurance test of three LWRCI piston guns over a period of 10 months. He ended up with an average round count of approximately 20,000 rounds a piece through each weapon. The results were pretty good, considering all three guns were earlier production models before LWRCI got some of the kinks worked out of the system. I highly suggest you pick up a copy of this latest issue of SWAT Magazine from your local news-stand/book store and give the article a read. It’s very illuminating!
Thanks for all the observations guys. I think I may have to cut a deal with the local dealer who has had an M6A2 in stock for a while now. I’ll just have to find someone to buy the Vltor E-Mod stock since I am a confirmed MagPul junkie.
The funny thing is that I am a SWAT subscriber but the March issue has not shown up at my house yet. Who knows, maybe it will be there when I get home today.
