LMT CQBPS12: The CQBPS12 is a short-barreled rifle (SBR). Chambered in 5.56mm NATO, the gun has a 12-inch barrel with a heavy profile and a 1-in-7-inch twist rate. It is chrome lined for additional resilience. The rifle also uses the company’s MRP upper receiver for exact alignment from front to rear. This piston-operated rifle has adjustable sights, a SOPMOD stock and an Ergo grip. LMT uses one of its standard trigger groups in this gun. Additionally, it comes with a sling and a 30-round magazine. Three rail panels are also included to cover unused portions of the Picatinny rails on the handguard.
LMT CQBPS16: This piston-operated rifle is chambered in 5.56mm NATO and is equipped with everything a patrol officer or home defender might need right out of the box. It has a 16-inch, chrome-lined barrel with a heavy contour. It has a 1-in-7-inch twist rate, which will help to stabilize longer bullets in this caliber. Adjustable sights are included with this package, and the long Picatinny rail allows for the addition of glass or other sighting options. LMT uses one of its SOPMOD stocks for an excellent cheekweld when shooting. The stock has a padded buttplate that helps prevent the rifle from slipping off of body armor or other gear when shooting.
LMT LM8MRP 10.5-300 BLK SBR: The 300 Blackout has become a popular cartridge with many AR shooters, especially those who want a compact, suppressed weapon. If that is you, the LM8MRP 10.5-300 BLK SBR might be the perfect choice. This gun has a 10.5-inch threaded barrel that allows you to directly screw a sound suppressor into place. It is chrome lined and has a heavy profile. Additional features include the “Slick” upper receiver, Defender lower, adjustable sights and SOPMOD stock.
LMT LM8MRP SC20 (SLK8): Developed for 3-Gun competitions, this rifle is designed to be tough yet lightweight and maneuverable. It features a slick upper receiver that is chambered in 5.56mm NATO. To provide the best accuracy at all distances, the gun is fitted with a 20-inch Ultra Match barrel made of stainless steel. It has 5R cut rifling with a 1-in-7.5-inch twist rate. LMT also installs a two-stage match trigger and a tactical charging handle in this gun. As with many of its other rifles, the gun is fitted with the popular SOPMOD stock and an Ergo grip. Up front, a lightweight handguard provides ample airflow around the barrel and offers QD sockets for the attachment of a sling.
LMT LM8MWS LTFDE: AR-style rifles chambered in 7.62mm NATO have become more and more popular with tactical teams and hunters alike. The LM8MWS LTFDE is a rifle that can appeal to shooters in both groups. The gun sports a handy 16-inch barrel. Cryogenically treated for improved longevity and accuracy characteristics, the barrel has a lightweight profile and chrome lining. The rifle also has a two-stage trigger for a predictable and clean break. Adjustable sights are included with the gun, and the Picatinny rail allows for the addition of an optic. This model is finished in Flat Dark Earth, which allows it to blend into a variety of environments.
LMT LM8PDW556: Also known as the Compressor, the LM8PDW556 is a personal-defense weapon (PDW) that is designed to provide a significant amount of firepower in as compact a package as possible. A very good rifle selection for a SWAT team or military vehicle crew, the Compressor has a short 10.5-inch barrel that is chrome lined with a 1-in-7-inch twist rate. This combines with the modified SOPMOD stock to give the weapon an overall length of only 24.5 inches. The Compressor does fall under the regulations of the National Firearms Act. The rifle uses the same monolithic upper for which the company is well known. It comes with a sling and a 30-round magazine.
LMT LM308MWS 13.5 SBR: There are certain times when a shorter barrel can be advantageous on a .308/7.62mm gun. If you find yourself in those kinds of conditions, LMT has a rifle for your consideration: the LM308MWS 13.5 SBR. This gun eschews the longer barrel for a 13.5-inch, chrome-lined one. As you might expect, this shrinks the overall length of the gun substantially. The gun also has a two-stage trigger and ships with adjustable sights. Additionally, a sling with push-button swivels is included. These match the QD sockets on the SOPMOD stock and handguard.
LMT LM308MWS E: For .30-caliber firepower, LMT offers several options. One of these is the LM308MWS E. This AR-style rifle is chambered in the ubiquitous .308 Winchester/7.62mm NATO for an authoritative thump on target. It has a 16-inch barrel but can be had with an optional 20-inch barrel at the same price. Both barrels are chrome lined and have a 1-in-10-inch twist rate. The barrels sport 5/8×24 threading and have been cryogenically treated for improved accuracy and longevity. This is a direct-impingement gun. It is equipped with an ambidextrous safety selector and magazine release.
LMT LMT18: If you want an affordable SBR but prefer the 5.56mm NATO over the 300 Blackout, you should take a close look at the LMT18. The rifle uses the company’s standard flattop upper and Defender lower for a solid foundation. The 10.5-inch barrel has a government profile with a chrome lining and 1-in-7-inch twist rate. On the end is an A2-style muzzle device. The rear sight is fully adjustable while the front sight is in the familiar M4 style. Like its other rifles, LMT uses its SOPMOD stock here.
Catering largely to the law enforcement and military markets, Lewis Machine & Tool (LMT) has been building high-quality weapon systems since 1980. But the company does not restrict its sales to just government agencies. Over the years, a growing number of private citizens have become raving fans of LMT’s guns. Having shot some LMT rifles myself, I completely understand why so many people swear by LMT products.
LMT rifles use high-quality parts and specially engineered systems like the Monolithic Rail Platform (MRP) to ensure top reliability in harsh conditions. If the LMT brand is new to you, you owe it to yourself to learn more about the company. Please allow me introduce you to a small sampling of the LMT gun catalog.
For more information about the LMT rifles featured in the photo gallery above, visit lmtdefense.com .
For more from author Richard Johnson, visit gunsholstersandgear.com .
This article was originally published in “Black Guns” 2018. To order a copy, visit outdoorgroupstore.com .