The Z-M Weapons LR-300

[masakari]

https://i.ibb.co/JsN1bQg/20220307-105537.jpg (https://ibb.co/2kw9LNH)
https://i.ibb.co/sqQ9Yky/20220307-105551.jpg (https://ibb.co/w4Chm3M)
https://i.ibb.co/zXJ6r6s/20220307-105506.jpg (https://ibb.co/Cb2PzPB)
https://i.ibb.co/Y2kS409/20220307-105330.jpg (https://ibb.co/CB7ypPd)
https://i.ibb.co/QYcHP4d/20220307-105427.jpg (https://ibb.co/F8WY5FV)
https://i.ibb.co/12WzNR4/20220305-123459.jpg (https://ibb.co/q1QJ8m2)
https://i.ibb.co/Qk0S2Ct/20211223-110811.jpg (https://ibb.co/ZS94nY7)
https://i.ibb.co/Mph4K0Z/20220307-114542.jpg (https://ibb.co/WF3w7JG)


I figured that I would share a few pictures of my Z-M Weapons LR-300. This is one of the original, older versions, which has a very distinctive style. During this time, Z-M made several minor changes throughout production, and this is one of the very earliest versions. After these, they made later versions with rails and modern features, and eventually sold the rights to Para USA, which was briefly marketed as the Para TTR.

I bought this a while ago in a 16" configuration, and was able to source the rail, grip, stock, and 11.5" barrel, mostly from the designer, Allan Zitta himself.

I've added some features to make it a little more modern feeling and to reduce wear on the irreplaceable receivers... not "correct", but whatever. Strike Industries charging latch (still considering other latch options), Geissele G2S, KNS pins, Lantac can pin, LWRC safety, POF bolt catch, and of course, the Surefire Scout and ACOG.

As you can see here, the Tritium iron sights are usable through the ACOG carry handle channel, which I think is really cool. The Tritium in the sights is pretty much depleted, which is a shame.
The sights being placed forward on the receiver is a very distinctive Z-M style, and actually works well for quick shooting. The rear sight adjustment is, however, absolutely terrible.

https://i.ibb.co/KVwrfF5/20220307-111507.jpg (https://ibb.co/MP6CtMg)

The bolt carrier group is a cut down AR15 BCG with extended gas key. The action spring is retained with a small clip at the front of the gas tube, and the charging handle inserts straight into the receiver. It is, unfortunately, unique to the LR300 and therefore not swappable.

https://i.ibb.co/RCTBctr/20220307-113932.jpg (https://ibb.co/br52XYw)
https://i.ibb.co/JcGGVsH/20220307-113947.jpg (https://ibb.co/YN11mLh)
https://i.ibb.co/fCGwhNM/20220307-114104.jpg (https://ibb.co/dQJYdpB)
https://i.ibb.co/6vH6MQm/20220307-114121.jpg (https://ibb.co/n37hGpb)

At the end of its travel, the rear of the BCG impacts a synthetic rubberized buffer pressed into the rear of the receiver. When I first got this, the original buffer was dry rotted and crumbled apart. I replaced it with one made of a much more modern material that should last longer than humanity.
There was also some slop between the receivers that I fixed with an AccuWedge bought from Brownells. Very interestingly, it is branded Z-M Weapons, just like the rifle. A match made in heaven.

https://i.ibb.co/xgHbcPw/20220307-114145.jpg (https://ibb.co/WztXdq7)
https://i.ibb.co/NZZS7NS/20220307-114409.jpg (https://ibb.co/5BBF2jF)

This rifle is very fun to shoot, has a unique "bark" sound when fired (mostly due to the brake that I'm using), has low recoil, and can be shot with the stock folded. The stock has 5 positions, I like it on position 2.
The rifle is fairly heavy, despite its short length. This seems to be due to the beefy construction, although the barrel is pencil profile. It balances nicely.
The ergonomics are actually excellent, and the grip is extremely comfortable, despite the strange look.

Here are a few older evolutionary pictures.

https://i.ibb.co/TmQKn3S/20181212-174814.jpg (https://ibb.co/RzXhMwm)
https://i.ibb.co/Drk9Qsc/20190209-131921.jpg (https://ibb.co/WVFkfq8)
https://i.ibb.co/64pxFgn/20190209-131931.jpg (https://ibb.co/MRj47M2)
https://i.ibb.co/b28BK9j/20190902-111354.jpg (https://ibb.co/CMT7HGp)
https://i.ibb.co/NZfBZ4h/20190902-111521.jpg (https://ibb.co/pJNFJmD)

Hopefully you enjoyed these pictures and details.
This gun was a childhood favorite of mine, and served as the base for many fictional sci-fi guns, such as the Killzone M82. It was also featured in many video games, such as STALKER, and movies, such as Knight and Day.

If you'd like to know or see anything else, feel free to ask.

[markm]

Wow. That's a trip back in time. I remember seeing those on the covers of many gun magazines. Pretty cool.

[masakari]

Wow. That's a trip back in time. I remember seeing those on the covers of many gun magazines. Pretty cool.

Yeah it's such a cool rifle that I really wish was still being manufactured. I think that it would be relatively popular now, if they would make it in a configuration similar to the original; the later, more "tactical" styled versions never really looked all that great.

[PJ2RESQU2]

I have great memories of Jerry Barnhart running one with an early HOLOsight when attending classes with him in the late 90s.

[glocktogo]

I have great memories of Jerry Barnhart running one with an early HOLOsight when attending classes with him in the late 90s.

Mention of “The Burner” does bring back memories! Did Todd Jarrett ever run one for Para after they bought the rights? I remember shooting Todd’s LDA and that trigger was crazy! LOL

[Send it...]

Al Zitta is a great guy. Have had mine for years.....thanks for posting!

[SteyrAUG]

I remember those, I remember wanting one real bad. But I always thought they were a Bushmaster product, not sure why. Might be confusing them with that original Bushmaster.

https://sites.google.com/site/lionellinismyhero/folder.JPG

[OldGrayGuy]

Wow, thanks for the pictures and bit of history regarding the LR-300. The only time I saw one in the wild was when visiting a pretty well known federal agency back in the late 90's who had one for T & E purposes. Unless I'm mistaken the one I handled was full auto and it had a shorter barrel. Between the way it handled and the folding stock I was convinced it was a step forward from the M-4 of the day. Never fired it but had the heft and compactness that said it was a serious weapon. Appreciate your sharing.

[Rickdangerk]

Just got mine yesterday. Shes a beauty. Although i noticed the depth of my "buffer tube" seems to be about twice as deep as yours. It feels like theres a piece of hard rubber inside and it fired beautifully. Am i missing a buffer in my stock? I have the other style of stock than you so i dont know if its set up different.

[masakari]

Just got mine yesterday. Shes a beauty. Although i noticed the depth of my "buffer tube" seems to be about twice as deep as yours. It feels like theres a piece of hard rubber inside and it fired beautifully. Am i missing a buffer in my stock? I have the other style of stock than you so i dont know if its set up different.
Sorry for missing this!
Yes there is supposed to be a rubber buffer in that space, and the size is critical; it must be exactly right, to prevent the gas key from impacting the receiver during rearward stroke.
Post pics of your rifle and the buffer area in the stock, I can help you get a buffer if needed.

[gaijin]

VERY cool.

[Rickdangerk]

Im new to this forum and cant figure out how to add a picture. I can tell you the depth of my buffer tube is about 7/8" deep with a yellowish polymer at the impact area.

[masakari]

Yeah the yellowish material is old and brittle, it may crack and fall apart.
I have a newer material that will outlast a nuclear holocaust, so if yours ever goes bad, let me know and I'll get you some. I would need to know the thickness of yours though. Allan Zitta changed the rear profile of the BCG several times, so there isn't a standard per se with these early guns.

[Rickdangerk]

That would be awesome. How much difference is there between to 2 types? Can i measure with a tape measure or do i need something more accurate? Also am i ok to shoot until that yellow piece gos bad?

[masakari]

That would be awesome. How much difference is there between to 2 types? Can i measure with a tape measure or do i need something more accurate? Also am i ok to shoot until that yellow piece gos bad?

Yes you should be safe to shoot it, just keep note if it starts to crumble.
As for the proper measurement, right now no need to measure, I can always help with that at a later time if needed. Or if you want, you can PM me with your email and we can send pictures and go from there.

[Trunks]

Out of curiosity, where would be the best place to look for one of these? I'd put up a WTB post on the forums but I haven't used this site much except to view discussions and look up clone parts...

[Rickdangerk]

Out of curiosity, where would be the best place to look for one of these? I'd put up a WTB post on the forums but I haven't used this site much except to view discussions and look up clone parts...

If youre referring to the gun itself my advice would be to do what i did. Check gunbroker.com every day. 1 usually pops up once a year

[Trunks]

Yikes, looks like I got some waiting to do, can I ask how much you bought yours for? also was it a ZM or a Para Ordnance?

[Rickdangerk]

Yikes, looks like I got some waiting to do, can I ask how much you bought yours for? also was it a ZM or a Para Ordnance?

Zm. It was about 2,000. Plus taxes and shipping

[Trunks]

Woah not bad, I heard some poor fella spent like $8500 on one. Seems like the prices are kinda spontaneous, one more question. Did your model have the nylatron handguard? I think you already mentioned the stock you got was the non-telescopic. Mb for all the questions I’m trying to get an price estimate, really trying to get my hands on one eventually…

[titsonritz]

I remember drooling over these as a kid.

[masakari]

Yeah they seem to go for a few thousand. I check GunBroker daily, just for curiosity. Watched a couple cool ones sell that way. But they are not cheap at all.

[markm]

I remember drooling over these as a kid.

I should look thru my old gun rag pile and see if I have a cover pic of one of these.

[ABNAK]

Okay, synopsis on the gas system? It's not a piston per se but not really a DI either, correct?

[masakari]

Okay, synopsis on the gas system? It's not a piston per se but not really a DI either, correct?

It's completely DI, or "internal piston" as it's called now. It works exactly like a regular AR, but the gas tube is short and the gas key is long.

[titsonritz]

Okay, synopsis on the gas system? It's not a piston per se but not really a DI either, correct?

The LR-300 rifle is gas operated, and utilizes modified Stoner-type direct gas impingement system. In this modified system, the gas key is extended forward to form the tube, that protrudes forward from the receiver and into the handguard. The protruding part of the gas key tube is used to host the bolt return spring, which is placed between the front receiver wall and the collar at the front of the gas key tube. The gas tube, which runs rearward from the gas block / front sight base, is strengthened as its rear end floats freely to enter the extended gas key tube when bolt group is in the battery. That way, at least some of the hot gases from inside the gas carrier are expelled outside the receiver and into the inner handguard area, through the extended gas key tube, once it has left the gas tube during the bolt group recoil movement. Additional benefit of this system is that it allows the bolt carrier to be made twice as short compared to the standard AR-15– type bolt carrier. In turn, this results in the fact that there's no need for the recoil buffer tube, which is normally protruding backward from the AR-15-type lower receiver. Because of this feature, most LR-300 rifles are fitted with side-folding shoulder stocks, either skeletonized non-adjustable ones made from metal or polymer ones, adjustable for length of pull. Otherwise the LR-300 is similar to the AR-15-type weapons and has similar trigger / safety arrangements, magazine housing and bolt stop device.

Cool video of exploded assembly...

Z-M Weapons LR-300 (https://modernfirearms.net/en/assault-rifles/u-s-a-assault-rifles/z-m-weapons-lr-300-eng/)

[leoAR]

I think I’m going to stop opening this tread. I keep hoping against all logic that someone will report that ZM is considering starting production again. Disappointed each time.

[masakari]

I think I’m going to stop opening this tread. I keep hoping against all logic that someone will report that ZM is considering starting production again. Disappointed each time.

Maybe if we make enough noise, someone will get the rights back from Allan Zitta (I think that he has them now?)
YHM would be the likely ones to do it.

[ABNAK]

The LR-300 rifle is gas operated, and utilizes modified Stoner-type direct gas impingement system. In this modified system, the gas key is extended forward to form the tube, that protrudes forward from the receiver and into the handguard. The protruding part of the gas key tube is used to host the bolt return spring, which is placed between the front receiver wall and the collar at the front of the gas key tube. The gas tube, which runs rearward from the gas block / front sight base, is strengthened as its rear end floats freely to enter the extended gas key tube when bolt group is in the battery. That way, at least some of the hot gases from inside the gas carrier are expelled outside the receiver and into the inner handguard area, through the extended gas key tube, once it has left the gas tube during the bolt group recoil movement. Additional benefit of this system is that it allows the bolt carrier to be made twice as short compared to the standard AR-15– type bolt carrier. In turn, this results in the fact that there's no need for the recoil buffer tube, which is normally protruding backward from the AR-15-type lower receiver. Because of this feature, most LR-300 rifles are fitted with side-folding shoulder stocks, either skeletonized non-adjustable ones made from metal or polymer ones, adjustable for length of pull. Otherwise the LR-300 is similar to the AR-15-type weapons and has similar trigger / safety arrangements, magazine housing and bolt stop device.

Cool video of exploded assembly...

Z-M Weapons LR-300 (https://modernfirearms.net/en/assault-rifles/u-s-a-assault-rifles/z-m-weapons-lr-300-eng/)

Pretty cool, thanks!

I wonder if you had a blocked-off gas tube that ran back to the carrier if it would function? i.e. you'd essentially create a long-stroke piston system, right? All gas would be expelled underneath the handguards.

[JediGuy]

Maybe if we make enough noise, someone will get the rights back from Allan Zitta (I think that he has them now?)
YHM would be the likely ones to do it.

Is there a connection with YHM?

[masakari]

Is there a connection with YHM?

Yes, YHM made most of the parts for Z-M. I spoke with them on the phone, and it sounds like they still have most of the old files, just can't produce anything because of legal rights and all.
Para USA bought the rights from YHM/Z-M, then I think Allan Zitta got them back when Para went under.

[Trunks]

Seems kinda wasteful to build this platform then not do anything with it, there is an interest on the market for this rifle so why not at least give it a go?

[masakari]

Seems kinda wasteful to build this platform then not do anything with it, there is an interest on the market for this rifle so why not at least give it a go?

Well, that's not entirely accurate. When he first made the rifle, he marked it in heavily to the military. When that was not successful, he did sell it on the civilian market, but that was before the days of modern tactical stuff, rails, etc. It was difficult to catch on.
Eventually, he sold the rights to Para USA and the version that they sold just wasn't the same, not in quality, not in design.
The version that ZM eventually marketed, which was similar to the para, just didn't have the same pizza as the original.
I would like to see someone (YHM?) bring the original back.

[Trunks]

Totally agree! Just hope they continue with all the generations if they did, maybe not the para stuff.