Issue link: http://lawandordermag.epubxp.com/i/238697
LMT MRP features revolutionary Monolithic Rail Platform (MRP). The MRP upper features "T", "R" "L" and "B" marked rails. eliciting considerable interest in the tactical community. According to Robert Silver of Advanced Armament Company (AAC), the round was developed when "a military customer wanted a way to be able to shoot .30-caliber bullets from an M4 platform while using normal bolts and magazines, and without losing the full 30-round capacity of standard magazines." Full-power 115- to 125-grain 300 BLK ammunition matches the ballistics of the 7.62x39mm. Subsonic projectiles provide optimal performance with a suppressor. The 300 BLK ammunition with 220-grain Sierra OTM (open-tip match) bullet vastly outperforms the 9mm MP5-SD. LMT also makes 7.62 NATO version of the MRP, the LM308MWS® Modular Weapon System®. Available in direct impingement (DI) only, a variant of the commercial LM308MWS has been adopted by the U.K. MoD as the L219A1 7.62x51 Sharpshooter rife. The LM308MWS is the frst new infantry combat rife to be issued in the U.K. in over 20 years. LM8 Platform In 2012, LMT added its LM8 platform to the lineup. LMT considers the LM8 platform as an evolutionary update on the monolithic rail platform. The LM8 is available in two rife systems—the 5.56 mm LM8MRP and 7.62mm LM8MWS. The LM8 platform utilizes removable rail segments for a smaller, lighter system. The rail segments are available in four sizes to meet any mission. As with the MRP and LM308, you can change barrels and calibers and, in the case of the SWAT team equipped with LMT CQB16s. Photo: Lewis Machine & Tool Co. LM8MRP, switch from DI to piston. LMT also makes two standard models. The LMT Defender Standard Model 16 and Defender Standard Patrol Model feature a standard fattop upper receiver 16-inch chrome-lined 1:7-inch twist 5.56 barrel DI operation and standard M4 handguards. The Standard Model comes with Enhanced Gen 2 SOPMOD stock. The Standard Patrol Model comes with a standard M4 stock. If you don't have a need to change barrels, calibers or want a piston system, the standard LMT models are an excellent option. You get the superb quality of an LMT carbine and save some money, as well. We tested the LMT CQB MRP Defender Model 16 5.56. This CQB16 ships with a sling, operators manual, tactical adjustable rear sight, tactical front sight, 30-round magazine (10-round where required by law), two heavy-duty push-button sling swivels, torque wrench and driver, and three rail panels. All LMT frearms are manufactured to Mil-Spec standards. All barrels and bolts are high-pressure tested and magnetic particle inspected. The carrier gas key and castle nut are properly staked. All LMT uppers and lowers are machined from 7075-T6 hardened aircraft-grade aluminum forgings and anodized in a Mil-Spec Type III Class 2 hardcoat fnish. All steel parts are manganese phosphate fnished (Parkerized). Available in either select-fre or semiauto, the MRP Defender 2000 lower features a NSWC Crane Mil-Spec LMT Second-Generation Enhanced SOPMOD buttstock on a six-position Mil-Spec exten- sion tube, standard trigger group, ERGO grip and ERGO Gapper. The trigger pull is electronically tested and recorded. An LMT Enhanced Bolt Carrier Group and a two-stage trigger are available as options, as is an ambidextrous safety selector. A semi-auto bolt carrier group is employed on the semi-auto models. The LMT SOPMOD stock was developed out of the needs of the US Special Operations community. The LMT Enhanced Generation 2 SOPMOD has a number of improvements over the original SOPMOD stock. It is constructed of a stronger fberglass-reinforced polymer. The stock features two watertight compartments for storing batteries or spare parts, four sling attachment points including two colormatched stainless-steel QD swivel mounts, a sure-grip stock latch, and a padded buttplate. The MRP has a one-piece free-foating M1913 (Picatinny) quadrant rail system that eliminates 13 parts from traditional designs. Precision machined from a solid aluminum forging, the MRP completely replaces the upper receiver with a monolithic platform. The MRP upper features "T" marked rails to mark accessory locations so you know exactly where to re-install accessories after removal, which is especially important with optics and lasers. The CQB MRP comes with three LMT rail covers. The LMT Tactical Rear Sight and Tactical Front Sight are standard with the MRP. The front sight is adjustable for windage, elevation and peep adjustments. The rear sight is post adjustable for elevation. Front and rear sights are detachable without tools. www.lawandordermag.com 25