Z-M Weapons LR 300
Encyclopedia
The LR 300 is an assault rifle
and conversion kit designed and manufactured by Z-M Weapons
. It is based on the AR-15
platform and is broadly similar to the United States service rifle, the M16
.
The weapon is touted as an 'excellent entry weapon system' indicating a suitability for military use in close quarters battle
which often involves aggressive and rapid building entries requiring a compact yet powerful selective fire
weapon.
Also notable is the rifle's capability to use a fully folding and adjustable skeletal stock. Most AR-15
/M16 rifle variants have a thick, cylindrical recoil buffer tube, more properly called the receiver extension, that protrudes approximately 20 cm straight back from the rear of the receiver, and the firearm cannot operate without it. This normally precludes the use of anything but fixed or telescoping stocks. The LR 300 however uses an adapted version of the AR-15
's standard direct impingement
gas operating system which removes the need for a receiver extension.
The gas key is extended beyond its normal length to form an operation rod, such as an M14
or AK47, extending into the top of the forward handguard. The gas key contains the return spring which is fixed between the front of the receiver and the collar at the front of the gas key. The gas tube runs backwards from the gas block in the front sight base and enters the gas key. In this way when the firearm fires at least some of the combustion gases from inside the gas tube are vented into the handguard area rather than the receiver. This means the standard buffer assembly is not required at the rear of the weapon, allowing a folding stock to be fitted to reduce the overall length of the weapon, and reduces gas fouling in the receiver.
LR-300MLs have flat top receivers with Picatinny rail
s, allowing them to be used with multiple types of sighting systems. The trigger, along with the charging handle, forward assist, magazine release and bolt hold release are identical to those of the AR-15
. The barrel has a 1:9 twist ratio, is chrome lined and the muzzle is fitted with a Phantom flash suppressor.
Assault rifle
An assault rifle is a selective fire rifle that uses an intermediate cartridge and a detachable magazine. Assault rifles are the standard infantry weapons in most modern armies...
and conversion kit designed and manufactured by Z-M Weapons
Z-M Weapons
Z-M Weapons is a firearm design and manufacturing firm based in Bernardston, Massachusetts.The company specializes in the AR-15, M16, and its own LR-300 rifle...
. It is based on the AR-15
AR-15
The AR-15 is a lightweight, 5.56 mm, air-cooled, gas-operated, magazine-fed semi-automatic rifle, with a rotating-lock bolt, actuated by direct impingement gas operation. It is manufactured with the extensive use of aluminum alloys and synthetic materials....
platform and is broadly similar to the United States service rifle, the M16
M16 rifle
The M16 is the United States military designation for the AR-15 rifle adapted for both semi-automatic and full-automatic fire. Colt purchased the rights to the AR-15 from ArmaLite, and currently uses that designation only for semi-automatic versions of the rifle. The M16 fires the 5.56×45mm NATO...
.
The weapon is touted as an 'excellent entry weapon system' indicating a suitability for military use in close quarters battle
Close quarters battle
Close quarters combat or close quarters battle is a type of fighting in which small units engage the enemy with personal weapons at very short range, potentially to the point of hand-to-hand combat or fighting with hand weapons such as swords or knives...
which often involves aggressive and rapid building entries requiring a compact yet powerful selective fire
Selective fire
A selective fire firearm has at least one semi–automatic and one automatic mode, which is activated by means of a selector which varies depending on the weapon's design. Some selective fire weapons utilize burst fire mechanisms to limit the maximum or total number of shots fired automatically in...
weapon.
Also notable is the rifle's capability to use a fully folding and adjustable skeletal stock. Most AR-15
AR-15
The AR-15 is a lightweight, 5.56 mm, air-cooled, gas-operated, magazine-fed semi-automatic rifle, with a rotating-lock bolt, actuated by direct impingement gas operation. It is manufactured with the extensive use of aluminum alloys and synthetic materials....
/M16 rifle variants have a thick, cylindrical recoil buffer tube, more properly called the receiver extension, that protrudes approximately 20 cm straight back from the rear of the receiver, and the firearm cannot operate without it. This normally precludes the use of anything but fixed or telescoping stocks. The LR 300 however uses an adapted version of the AR-15
AR-15
The AR-15 is a lightweight, 5.56 mm, air-cooled, gas-operated, magazine-fed semi-automatic rifle, with a rotating-lock bolt, actuated by direct impingement gas operation. It is manufactured with the extensive use of aluminum alloys and synthetic materials....
's standard direct impingement
Direct impingement
Direct impingement is a type of gas operation for a firearm that directs gas from a fired cartridge directly to the bolt carrier or slide assembly to cycle the action.- Evaluation :...
gas operating system which removes the need for a receiver extension.
The gas key is extended beyond its normal length to form an operation rod, such as an M14
M14 rifle
The M14 rifle, formally the United States Rifle, 7.62 mm, M14, is an American selective fire automatic rifle firing 7.62x51mm NATO ammunition. It was the standard issue U.S. rifle from 1959 to 1970. The M14 was used for U.S...
or AK47, extending into the top of the forward handguard. The gas key contains the return spring which is fixed between the front of the receiver and the collar at the front of the gas key. The gas tube runs backwards from the gas block in the front sight base and enters the gas key. In this way when the firearm fires at least some of the combustion gases from inside the gas tube are vented into the handguard area rather than the receiver. This means the standard buffer assembly is not required at the rear of the weapon, allowing a folding stock to be fitted to reduce the overall length of the weapon, and reduces gas fouling in the receiver.
LR-300MLs have flat top receivers with Picatinny rail
Picatinny rail
The Picatinny rail or MIL-STD-1913 rail or STANAG 2324 rail or a "Tactical Rail" is a bracket used on some firearms in order to provide a standardized mounting platform. A similar system is the Weaver rail mount.-Description:...
s, allowing them to be used with multiple types of sighting systems. The trigger, along with the charging handle, forward assist, magazine release and bolt hold release are identical to those of the AR-15
AR-15
The AR-15 is a lightweight, 5.56 mm, air-cooled, gas-operated, magazine-fed semi-automatic rifle, with a rotating-lock bolt, actuated by direct impingement gas operation. It is manufactured with the extensive use of aluminum alloys and synthetic materials....
. The barrel has a 1:9 twist ratio, is chrome lined and the muzzle is fitted with a Phantom flash suppressor.