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Calengor
26 October 2013, 19:36
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-uHSMl--UUz0/UmxzWwC4bSI/AAAAAAAAJtc/gnY-OJ3hwb4/s912/DSC_7452.jpg

Thanks to Modern Outfitters in Meridian, MS I was able to get my hands on an LWRCI ambidextrous lower receiver. This was a last minute purchase before October 1st to try to get under the latest MD law that severely limits the kinds of "assault" weapons MD residents can own. Turns out since most LWRCIs are heavy barreled they're still OK to own, but I'm still glad I got this now. It took almost a month before I was able to pick it up due to how busy I've been at work as well as how long the state police here are taking to return "not disapproved" responses to firearm applications.

The ambi lower is completely ambidextrous: bolt catch and release, safety, and magazine release.

Stock: LWRCI compact stock - this is my second one of these, and I'm really liking the shape and how small it is.
Grip: Magpul MOE+ - this is my first time trying this grip, digging the grippiness.
FCG: LWRCI enhanced fire control group, which is nickel (and teflon?) coated and has the weight of a standard GI trigger without any of the grittiness.

All the controls are easily reached with the firing hand - whether that is the right or left hand - without changing the grip too much. Those with smaller hands may have to reach a bit for the bolt catch/realease.

Closeup of right side showing the location of the controls, the bolt catch release is further back than on the left side in order to not interact with the dust cover:
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-3fvm-NI2rYc/UmxzWUbfEDI/AAAAAAAAJtU/BY6aQXij7dI/s912/DSC_7455.jpg

Closeup of left side showing the location of the controls - the magazine release is easy to engage with my left index finger, and I couldn't make it engage accidentally against my body as if the rifle was slung.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-jlorp5UsvWg/UmxzWXW_2lI/AAAAAAAAJtY/EKH4qoOKfH0/s912/DSC_7456.jpg

Closeup of how the right hand bolt catch/release works:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DckhskxDn4c/Umxzb4sHEKI/AAAAAAAAJts/6VlOUsaiCiA/s912/DSC_7462.jpg

Overall I think the ambidextrous controls were well thought out and executed, I can't wait to get out to the range (whenever I can find the time and place) and run it.

Last pic showing the ambi lower with my newest upper on it - I think eventually I'll put an LWRCI IC upper on it, but that'll have to wait a while for the piggybank to heal.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OLBZdH7h2Fg/Umxz2UfpWgI/AAAAAAAAJt8/cmtM_oCJnCI/s640/DSC_7467.jpg

UWone77
28 October 2013, 04:57
Nice first impression post.

Is the safety aluminum or polymer? Can you take a picture with the stock completely collapsed?

Calengor
28 October 2013, 07:28
The safety selector is a hard polymer. I will see if I can't get some more pictures tonight when I get home with the stock collapsed.

Calengor
29 October 2013, 09:40
I'm off from work today for a job interview this afternoon and took advantage of some natural light in the back yard to take some more pictures.

After further inspection, it appears that the safety selector is aluminum.

More pics as promised:

Left side with stock completely collapsed
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-o5GvRmCQkwg/Um_iQOoiKJI/AAAAAAAAJug/pu0jjoFp1gM/w1024-h683-no/DSC_7470.jpg

Right side with stock completely collapsed
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-fY4MwxylTCQ/Um_iRFERp_I/AAAAAAAAJuc/amyXYm9tFms/w1024-h683-no/DSC_7471.jpg

Closeup of left side magazine release showing the opening for a punch to go through if you want to remove the current FCG
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3rxtLV2-Gvg/Um_iTWuhjDI/AAAAAAAAJuo/tfGEJqC1s1U/w1024-h683-no/DSC_7477.jpg

Closeup showing actuation of left side magazine release
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-J02nYW5F9AU/Um_iZfuYVEI/AAAAAAAAJu4/nBUP9EhYSl4/w539-h808-no/DSC_7481.jpg

Closeup showing actuation of right side bolt catch
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-15XKQIUJWaw/Um_iazsSs8I/AAAAAAAAJvA/AuMYoMP1xhI/w539-h808-no/DSC_7485.jpg

Closeup of rear of the receiver, showing that there aren't threads all the way in but instead a ramped rear, probably to mitigate any possibility of carrier tilt in piston ARs
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-iHrXmIaAvQc/Um_iHy6G-oI/AAAAAAAAJuQ/Avfgo0OCjnQ/w1024-h683-no/DSC_7476.jpg

It appears they also added a tensioning screw to the lower for those who care about a tight upper to lower fit, also visible is the rear ramped area I mentioned previously
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-q4fd-4B8tjk/Um_iZdYvpjI/AAAAAAAAJu0/ifwb8rd1HxI/w1024-h683-no/DSC_7480.jpg

Random photo of the photographer's assistant screwing off instead of helping :P
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_kKARnFFAFc/Um_ifF6xSHI/AAAAAAAAJvI/hFeCYOzclvg/w1024-h576-no/DSC_7488.jpg

If anyone has any questions or wants more pictures of specific things, let me know and I'll try to get them taken and uploaded.

TripleBravo
29 October 2013, 14:54
Great photos!

It really is a shame that the residents of the state where these are made aren't allowed to buy them.

Calengor
30 October 2013, 05:33
Great photos!

It really is a shame that the residents of the state where these are made aren't allowed to buy them.

Not the lowers by themselves, but you can still pick up most of their product line since they're heavy barreled. At least, that's how some FFLs are selling them. I know Engage Armament had called MSP and got a determination (not sure if in writing) that even the spiral fluted barrels were considered heavy barrels. I think the only non-HBAR in their lineup is the M6-SL.

I think once LWRCI's new Six8 line comes out it will also be purchasable in MD since the dimensions are different than those of a standard AR15 lower and therefor not a copy.

TripleBravo
30 October 2013, 09:17
Not the lowers by themselves, but you can still pick up most of their product line since they're heavy barreled. At least, that's how some FFLs are selling them. I know Engage Armament had called MSP and got a determination (not sure if in writing) that even the spiral fluted barrels were considered heavy barrels. I think the only non-HBAR in their lineup is the M6-SL.

I think once LWRCI's new Six8 line comes out it will also be purchasable in MD since the dimensions are different than those of a standard AR15 lower and therefor not a copy.

And they call them "common sense" measures.:rolleyes:

I would definitely want that ruling in writing, not from MSP, but from the Attorney General's Office...since that's who would be prosecuting the case against the dealer.

Calengor
30 October 2013, 12:04
This is true. I know they're selling them, and I've heard of other shops in MD doing the same, but I haven't bought anything since before the 1st.

UWone77
30 October 2013, 20:46
So in MD if they have Heavy Barrels, you can still purchase an AR platform rifle?

niftyvt
31 October 2013, 03:13
So in MD if they have Heavy Barrels, you can still purchase an AR platform rifle?

Yep. [BD]

TripleBravo
31 October 2013, 20:25
Believe it or not, I don't own a single LWRCi rifle. Seems like I ought to since they are built in my home state, but their prices have always seemed just out of reach for me.

A good friend of mine picked up one just before October 1st too, and he's let me shoot a couple photos of it. He's right handed but left eye dominant so he shoots long guns on his left side. The ambi controls on this FDE M6 really appeal to him.

http://i718.photobucket.com/albums/ww189/wjt1169/LWRCi/LWRCi-M6-1811fde01-1500-B3_zps195a168f.jpg

Calengor
1 November 2013, 04:34
They are spendy. Hence just the lower at the moment for me. Digging that FDE. I hope your friend ejoys it!

I just remembered - next time I get a chance I'll try to take some pics of the LWRCI trigger guard.