Hi all,
I have an M&P 15 OR that I had been shooting, but it had that large gas block and carbine rail. I was going to go to a low profile block and add a mid length rail but started looking at all of the usual suspects (DD, Noveske, etc). My motivation to upgrade was because of a tactical carbine class I was going to take (last week actually) and wanted reliability and accuracy. Well, one thing led to another and I stumbled on LWRC upon an exhaustive search on the internet, calling around and talking to friends of mine.
I remember seeing an SPR at my NRA instructor certification course where one of the students in my class had one with a Vortex Viper PST 1-4 on it. I held it and sighted through it, it was great. That was 2 years ago. I had forgotten that, until I saw the SPR with the fluted barrel while browsing the net.
So after calling every local shop in my area, there were none to be had. And the course was less than 2 weeks away. So, ugghhhhh. I looked on Gunbroker. Low and behold there was a used unit there, all black with a 16.1" barrel (fluted) with a UBR stock (that is FDE) and a geisselle SSA trigger. The guy had gotten it in trade and was selling it. There was no box, manual, nothing except for the gun. So I took the risk. Emailed and then called (found out it was a police officer’s rifle) and sent the money.
Within 5 days, I had it in my hands. It was disassembled with the upper, lower, stock, grip and VFG seperated and the box was beat up. The UBR also had a chip new the forward sling QD, but this wouldn’t affect FFF (fit, form function). That bothered me at the time.
So after a little anxiety, I assembled the weapon (thought the detent spring was missing, but found it loose in the bubble wrap). I inspected what I could while doing this. I noticed on the one piece nickel coated bolt some slight scuffing, but the barrel and chamber were very clean with no fouling, lead/ copper build up, etc. So that was good! I attached a Hogue grip, a magpul AFG and the UBR to it. I also put the aimpoint pro onto it that I had sighted in to 50 yards on the M&P a month earlier. I was unable to sight it in (verify) or shoot it as it was Thursday, I had to work Friday and the class was Saturday.
So, on Saturday I put the rifle into the case, the S&W M&P 15 into it’s original case as a backup in case the LWRC failed and grabbed 500 rounds (bought another thousand rounds from the instructor) with my bag, some tools, etc. and drove 120 miles to the class.
When I arrived, there were 14 of us, all with different rifles. Also, it was a Larry Vickers course. So, we go to validate our sighting and was I happy! at 50 yards, I was 2 inches high, but right on left/ right.so a few clicks to bring it down and I was good to go. We then proceeded through 8 hours of drills that were scored. I blew through 500 rounds and had absolutely zero malfunctions. The LWRC fired reliably and was more accurate than I. I wish I could say that I passed all the drills. But I didn’t. This was my first class in carbines (all of my training had been in hand guns).
So, after that day, I am in love with this rifle. It’s an item I have that I feel is a keeper. I am going to sell the S&W, paint the UBR stock black, mount a Vortex Viper PST 1-4 (already have it) and start training to become a marksman with this rifle. I am already signed up for the “civilian marksmanship program” in July as I noticed my problem at the carbine course was my basics with the rifle, not the rifle or sight itself.
This was the best birthday present I ever received.
A great carbine course!! Thanks Grant for your patience with me, I appreciate it.
Thanks for listening!
Here’s a pic of it and my favorite pistol.
