Lewis Machine and Tool Company

Lewis Machine and Tool Company (LMT) is an American armaments company founded by Karl Lewis, in 1980. LMT manufactures weapon systems including a variant of the M4 carbine and the M203 grenade launcher.[1] LMT products are used by the military forces of the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Estonia, and the United States. LMT formerly produced forged FAL receivers for Illinois-based DS Arms.

Lewis Machine and Tool Company
TypePrivate
IndustryDefense
Founded1980
HeadquartersEldridge, Iowa, United States
ProductsFirearms, weapons
Websitewww.LMTDefense.com

Products

Bolt and bolt carrier groups

Lewis Machine and Tool Company produces a patented AR-15-pattern bolt design featuring a redesigned extractor intended to improve the extraction of cartridges under adverse conditions. The company also produces a redesigned bolt carrier intended to improve the performance of the rifle's “internal piston” system gas operation.

LM308MWS and CQB MRP Defender

Lewis Machine and Tool Company created the Monolithic Rail Platform (MRP),[2] a one-piece, Picatinny-topped AR-15-pattern upper receiver made from a forged aluminum block.[3] The MRP upper receiver has a quick-change barrel system.[4] Its top rail position matches M4 and E3-type weapons for optical and sight compatibility.[5]

In late 2009, LMT introduced the .308 Modular Weapon System LM308MWS, which uses the 7.62×51mm NATO round.[6]

In February 2012, the British Transport Police began to use AR-pattern short-barreled rifles produced by LMT.[7][8][9]

L129A1

L129A1
TypeDesignated marksman rifle, Sniper rifle
Place of originUnited States
Service history
In service2010–present
Used byBritish Armed Forces
New Zealand Army
WarsWar in Afghanistan (2001-2021)
Production history
ManufacturerLewis Machine & Tool
Specifications
Mass4.4 kg (9.7 lb)
Length927 mm (36 in) (stock collapsed)
990 mm (39 in) (stock extended)
Barrel length16 in (406 mm)
L129A2: 18 in (457 mm)

Cartridge7.62×51mm NATO
L129A2: 6.5mm Creedmoor
ActionGas impingement, rotating bolt
Effective firing range800 m
Maximum firing range1,000 m
Feed system20-round magazine
SightsTA648-308 6×48 ACOG

In 2009, Lewis Machine & Tool Co was contracted to supply the British Ministry of Defence (MOD) with 440 LM308MWS 7.62×51mm rifles[10] under the official service designation as the L129A1.[11] Its NATO Stock Number (NSN) is 1005-99-226-6708. As of December 2014, over 3,000 units have been supplied to UK forces.[12]

The LM308MWS was submitted for the British Ministry of Defence's Urgent Operational Requirement (UOR) for immediate deployment of a semiautomatic 7.62 NATO caliber sharpshooter rifle in Afghanistan. Other rifles submitted included the FN Herstal SCAR-H, Heckler & Koch HK417 and Sabre Defence XR-10. LMT's rifle was chosen, earning it the L129A1 designation and entered service April 2010 in Afghanistan. The standard optic for the L129A1 is the TA648-308 6×48 Trijicon ACOG. It can fire standard 7.62 mm ball ammunition, but the official issue rounds are 155-grain L42A1-A3 sniper and L59A1 "High Performance" ball ammunition.[13][14][15] The ACOG is mounted to a Picatinny rail to which is fitted a Trijicon RM01 1 x Ruggedized Miniature Reflex (RMR) for Close Quarters Battle use.

A Sniper Support Weapon (SSW) version, also designated L129A1, was adopted for use by the second man in each sniper team and is fitted with a 12x Schmidt & Bender scope and a suppressor.[16][17]

The LM308MWS standard US commercial model differs slightly from the UK issued L129A1 in barrel length and twist rate. Its muzzle device is a standard M16A2 flash suppressor. It uses detachable fixed sights instead of folding sights. Its furniture is black instead of brown. Finally, the designation on the receiver is "LM308MWS" instead of "L129A1."

There are also UK commercial variants of the L129A1 and the CQB MRP Defender. Designated the LMT308SP and CQB 5.56SP, the models are a straight pull action rifle, and not semi-automatic due to UK laws.[18]

The New Zealand Army adopted the rifle in October 2011. It differs from its UK counterpart in the use of a Leupold adjustable 4.5-14× scope, canted iron sights and a foldable foregrip.

Within the Royal Marines at least, an improved Modular Ambidextrous Rifle System (MARS-H) based L129A2 version chambered in 6.5 mm Creedmoor with an 18 in (457 mm) barrel, a new Leupold scope, a HuxWrx suppressor, an Envision Technology ballistic calculator, and a Pixels-on-Target thermal sight was adopted in 2023.[19][20]

MARS-L and MARS-H

The LMT Modular Ambidextrous Rifle System (MARS)
Estonian R20 Rahe 5.56×45mm NATO 368 mm barrelled variant
TypeAssault rifle
Battle rifle
Place of originUnited States
Service history
In service2015-Present
Used by
Production history
ManufacturerLewis Machine & Tool
Specifications
Mass3.3kg (empty)
Length
  • 914 mm (36.0 in)
("Maximum")

Cartridge5.56×45mm NATO
7.62×51mm NATO
6.5 mm Creedmoor
ActionGas-operated, rotating bolt (internal piston, not direct impingement)
or Short-stroke piston
Feed system5.56×45mm NATO: 30-round detachable box magazine
7.62×51mm NATO 20-round detachable box magazine

Lewis Machine and Tool Company developed their Modular Weapons System (MWS) into the Modular Ambidextrous Rifle System (MARS), which is available in light and heavy variants. The light assault rifle variants are chambered for the 5.56×45mm NATO intermediate cartridge and the heavy battle rifle/designated marksman rifle variants for the 7.62×51mm NATO or 6.5 mm Creedmoor fully powered cartridge. MARS weapons feature lower receivers updated to fully ambidextrous mirrored controls and can be set up to use gas-operated, rotating bolt (internal piston, not direct impingement) or short-stroke piston operating systems and various barrel lengths with the help of basic tools. LMT sold MARS series weapons to several military users.

New Zealand

On 12 August 2015, the New Zealand Ministry of Defence announced that it would be replacing the current Steyr AUG rifle for the three branches of the New Zealand Defence Force with a rifle from LMT, one of eight companies that had submitted rifles for trials between March and June 2015.[21] Like the Steyr AUG, the submitted LMT design was also chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO. A contract of NZD $59 million was awarded to LMT for 9,040 rifles, designated the MARS-L (Modular Ambidextrous Rifle System-Light).[22][23]

The gas-operated, rotating bolt (internal piston) rifles were delivered in May 2017, and soldiers began training with them at Waiouru Military Camp on 15 June 2017.[24]

In September 2018, it was reported that some of the rifles had experienced breakages, including 130 with cracks around the bolt, and that all 9,040 rifles had had their firing pins replaced under warranty.[25] LMT later claimed that the number of worn or broken firing pins was actually much smaller, in the range of "less than one tenth of one percent".[26] The issue reportedly stemmed from improper tempering. While replacing the firing pins, a similar quantity of selector switches and bolt carriers had also been found to display premature wear and were replaced.[26]

Estonia

Estonian R-20 L 7.62×51mm NATO designated marksman rifle

In May 2019, the Estonian Defence Forces selected the MARS-L after two years of testing to replace their IMI Galil and Ak 4 rifles. 19,000 short-stroke piston MARS-L rifles were ordered under the designation R-20 Rahe ("Hail" in Estonian).[27] The upper receiver has a Picatinny rail on the top and M-LOK compatible attachment points on its sides and uses a short-stroke gas piston system. The standard barrel length of the R-20 is 14.3 in (363 mm), but a 12 in (305 mm) variant designated the R-20 S is also produced.[28][29] A modified trigger design allows the trigger safety to be engaged without the hammer being cocked, which is not possible on a standard AR-15 pattern rifle.[30] The rifles were ordered with a Shot Counter Grip Module housed within the pistol grip to track parts wear and ammunition consumption with objective digital data. The accompanying reader unit can provide armorers diagnostic maintenance warnings.[31]

In June 2020, the first batch of 1,500 R-20 Rahe rifles was delivered.[32] The R-20 is planned to fully replace the Galil and Ak 4 by 2022.[33]

Estonia also selected the MARS-H with a 16 in (406 mm) barrel as their designated marksman rifle chambered in 7.62×51mm NATO. The official Estonian designation for the MARS-H marksman rifle is the R-20 L.[34]

Switzerland

Under the 7.62mm Zf Stgw 20 designation the chambered in 7.62×51mm NATO was introduced in 2023 by the Swiss Army Reconnaissance Detachment 10 and MP Spez Det[35] as designated marksman rifle. These Swiss (professional) special forces units selected the Schmidt & Bender 3-20×50 PM II Ultra Short telescopic sight with the TREMOR3 reticle that enables quick targeting up to 800 m (875 yd) as their standard aiming optic.[36][37]

United Kingdom

Within the Royal Marines at least, a MARS-H based L129A2 designated marksman rifle chambered in 6.5 mm Creedmoor with an 18 in (457 mm) barrel, s fully adjustable DMR stock, a new Leupold scope, a HuxWrx suppressor, an Envision Technology ballistic calculator, and a Pixels-on-Target thermal sight was adopted in 2023.[38] The upper receiver still uses a gas-operated, rotating bolt (internal piston) system like the L129A1, but the hand guard attachment points on its sides were changed to be M-LOK compatible.[39]

References

  1. The National-Military Muscle on Display
  2. "Lewis Machine & Tool Monolithic Rail Platform". Retrieved 25 December 2014.
  3. Grassi, Rich (9 May 2009). "LMT CQB MRP Defender 5.56mm". Tactical Life. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
  4. "LMT's MRP 6.8 Battle Rifle". Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews. 18 January 2009. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  5. US8234808B2, Lewis, Karl R.; Bargren, James Arend Seabold & Schafer, Jacob A. et al., "Monolithic rail platform and bolt assemblies for a firearm", issued 2012-08-07
  6. "Multi-Mission LMT .308 MWS". Tactical Life. 3 November 2009. Retrieved 25 December 2014.
  7. "CQB 10.5 SBR". Lewis Machine & Tool Company. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
  8. "Firearms used by British Transport Police - Freedom of Information Request 794-14" (PDF). British Transport Police. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 July 2020. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
  9. Austin, Jon (17 October 2015). "Guns on the Underground: Armed police to routinely patrol Tube amid threat from ISIS". Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
  10. "Global Defence News and Defence Headlines - IHS Jane's 360". Retrieved 25 December 2014.
  11. "L129A1 sharpshooter rifle". Retrieved 25 December 2014.
  12. "LMT .308 AR Review". Guns & Ammo. Retrieved 25 December 2014.
  13. Sharpshooter: The UK's New L129A1 7.62x51mm Rifle. Small Arms Defense Journal. 11 January 2012.
  14. "New Ammo for British Troops: UK Develops More Effective 5.56mm and 7.62mm Ammunition -". The Firearm Blog. 23 August 2016. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  15. Anthony G. Williams. "Cartridges for Long-Range Sniping Rifles". quarryhs.co.uk. Archived from the original on 27 May 2016. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  16. "L129A1 sharpshooter rifle". Ministry of Defence. Archived from the original on 20 June 2014. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
  17. "L129A1 (SSW) Rifle". RAF. Ministry of Defence. Archived from the original on 15 August 2017. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  18. "Lewis Machine & Tool Company, Inc. LM308SP-SS20 .308 Rifles". Retrieved 29 December 2015.
  19. "Britain's Commandos to get new assault rifles". Royal Navy. 7 September 2023. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
  20. U.K. Royal Marines adopt a 6.5CM LMT as the L129A2, ft. HUXWRX and Leupold. The Firearm Blog. 21 September 2023.
  21. "Individual Weapon Replacement". defence.govt.nz. 12 August 2015. Archived from the original on 18 August 2015.
  22. New Zealand Army Selects LMT To Replace Steyr AUG - Thefirearmblog.com, 18 August 2015
  23. Confirmed, LMT to supply NZDF with CQB16 - Thefirearmblog.com, 28 August 2015
  24. New $59 million weapons package begins Defence Force rollout -Stuff.co.nz, 16 June 2017
  25. David.Fisher@Nzherald.Co.Nz, David Fisher Senior Writer (19 September 2018). "NZDF's new rifles - all 9040 of them - get firing pin replacements after breakages". NZ Herald.
  26. "LMT Warranties Components with New Zealand Defense Forces MARS-L". The Firearm Blog. 25 September 2018.
  27. Turovski, Markus (12 September 2022). "Most Defense League members to get Rahe assault rifles by year's end". news.err.ee. ERR.
  28. "LMT Defense Announces Award with Estonian Defence Forces -". 17 May 2019.
  29. New Estonian LMT R20 RAHE Assault Rifle, 21 May 2021
  30. "[TFB GUNFEST] New LMT Rifles, Uppers, and Triggers for 2021 -". 31 January 2021.
  31. "LMT's Shot Counter Grip Module For Military And LE". 18 January 2021.
  32. Wright, Helen (22 July 2020). "Gallery: Defense Forces introduced new R-20 Rahe automatic firearms". news.err.ee. ERR.
  33. Kallaste, Kristjan (18 December 2020). "Defense Forces' new Rahe automatic rifle to make debut in Mali". news.err.ee. ERR.
  34. "7,62 MM TÄPSUSPÜSS R-20 L". mil.ee (in Estonian). Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  35. Military police special detachment (MP spec det)
  36. Präzisionsgewehr LMT Defense 7.62mm Zf Stgw 20 Reference Rifle mit Schmidt & Bender 3-20×50 PM II
  37. Technical Data SheetTremor ™3 Reticle (schmidtundbender.de)
  38. "Britain's Commandos to get new assault rifles". Royal Navy. 7 September 2023. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
  39. U.K. Royal Marines adopt a 6.5CM LMT as the L129A2, ft. HUXWRX and Leupold. The Firearm Blog. 21 September 2023.

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