LWRC or How I learned to stop worrying and shoot DI guns
Since the purpose of message boards is to share information, I decided to write this post after a couple of discussions about LWRCs as duty rifles.
When I started where I work, the 416 was the issue SBR. As the rifles were used and parts wore out we started having problems sourcing components. The combination of proprietary everything and HKs disdain for their customer base made getting new bolt and trigger group parts a giant PITA. When the HKs neared the end of their service life we replaced the 416s with LWRCs.
The LWRCs showed up in country a little over two years ago. We received a mix of eight and ten inch uppers on LWRC select fire lowers. Prior to turning in our old rifles I took my team out to the range with 10 of the new guns. Our intention was to run at least 300 rounds through each gun to ensure they functioned reliably. This was going to be the first of 3 trips that we planned before turning in our HKs and issuing the LWRCs. We were using a mix of Emags, Pmags, HK steel mags and USGI aluminum mags. The ammo was a mixture of M855, M855a1, Mk262 mod 1, and X135.
Over the course of the day we identified 4 of the 10 rifles with out of spec chambers which caused repeated failures to extract. In some cases it could be cleared by “mortaring” the rifle on the deck. One rifle required the casings to be knocked out with cleaning rods. In addition 5 of the 10 rifles had lower receivers with improperly cut disconnectors. This problem cause inadvertent 2-3 round bursts while the rifle was on semi-auto and the occasional discharged round when the trigger was reset. When we approached LWRC we were told it was most likely an operator issue.
After some yoga and meditation (so I didn’t feel the need to light someone on fire) I sent the rifles back to my boss. He confirmed the issues and sent the rifles from my team and two others (all experiencing the same problems) back to the states where he hand carried them to LWRC to demonstrate the problem. Upon demonstration and examination, LWRC agreed that the rifles were faulty and fixed the problems. We got the rifles back and they now seem to be working.
In addition to the problems with the 5.56 guns, we recently sent back several REPRs that wouldn’t feed reliably. After a little research I discovered that this is a known issue at LWRC. Instead of contacting people who purchased rifles in the identified serial number range and making them aware of the problem, LWRC chose to handle the complaints as they came in. As someone who was supposed to use this rifle overseas, I’m annoyed by that decision.
Finally, I personally own two 10.5in uppers from LWRC. I purchased them and set them up as stand-ins for my work rifle. I use them when I train in the US. One of these uppers has run like a top for just over 25k documented rounds. I’m re-barreling it when I get home. The other upper cracked the gas block after less than 2k rounds. LWRC replaced it after some back and forth.
Conclusion –
If you’re using the rifle for range trips and you have money to burn, give LWRC a try. If it doesn’t work, they’ll make it right eventually. If you are looking for a gun to use for duty/HD, stick to a proven platform like BCM, LMT or Colt. Cool guy factor just isn’t worth rolling the dice on an LWRC product. Their QC has been too hit or miss for me to give them a go.
