LWRC M6 Individual Carbine

[Vapor Trail]

The Individual Carbine Competition, for those of you who've been living under a rock for the past few years, is the military's latest attempt to replace the current AR platforms currently in service, specifically the M4. Many companies have accepted the challenge to enter a carbine for inspection and possible selection, including Remington, HK, Robinson Arms, FNH, Beretta, KAC, Colt, and LWRC. I was browsing today and came across the M6 IC. It's a cool design that ways less than 7 pounds empty, has an ambidextrous lower receiver, has non-IR reflective Cerakote, and a 2-position gas block for normal and suppressed fire. If selected, I believe the M6 IC would prove to be a very effective carbine for the 21st Century.

http://www.lwrci.com/p-290-m6-individual-carbine.aspx#inf-tabs

Your thoughts? I've gotten the impression that some people on M4C aren't huge fans of LWRC, and I'd love to know why. Personally I haven't had any experience with them, but I know a lot of people who swear by them and have only great things to say about them. So what's the verdict on the new IC?

[duece71]

No experience what so ever with LWRC. This sounds like a sales pitch and you are correct, there are many here whom do NOT like LWRC. In all fairness, every company with an entry should have a chance. We shall see, won't we??

[TACAV]

hmm interesting, I was under the impression that LWRC and KAC had dropped out of the competition and were now only submitting "improved parts" instead of complete rifles.
Or perhaps they will not be submitting it for the competition.
http://www.militarytimes.com/news/2011/11/army-carbine-bidding-colt-smith-wesson-out-112511w/

8th paragraph down. Right above "HK Returns"

[Vapor Trail]

Seriously? This is like the 4th time I've been accused of a "sales pitch." Just because I'm not a cynical pessimist like 95% of the people on here doesn't mean I'm endorsing a product. I get excited when new stuff comes out, and the first thing I do ISN'T find a flaw. It's appreciate the engineering and creativity behind the design! You guys need to not get so touchy every time someone likes an untested product. So no, this isn't a damn pitch, I'm just not a dick.

[ffusaf23]

What's the reasoning behind the twist fluting?

Does it remove more material than traditional fluting? Does it allow a more rigid barrel than traditional fluting? :confused:

[duece71]

Seriously? This is like the 4th time I've been accused of a "sales pitch." Just because I'm not a cynical pessimist like 95% of the people on here doesn't mean I'm endorsing a product. I get excited when new stuff comes out, and the first thing I do ISN'T find a flaw. It's appreciate the engineering and creativity behind the design! You guys need to not get so touchy every time someone likes an untested product. So no, this isn't a damn pitch, I'm just not a dick.

LOL, sorry, it sounded like one. You should try sales sometime.....no..really.:dirol:

[loganp0916]

What's the reasoning behind the twist fluting?

Does it remove more material than traditional fluting? Does it allow a more rigid barrel than traditional fluting? :confused:

I don't know if it has any functional purpose/use but I think it's kinda purty.

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

I'm a member over at the LWRC fourm and I might be mistaken but I think Daren said they were droping out. The rifle is bueatyfull to say the least.
http://forum.lwrci.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=10884&sid=bd615e8c9afdba335e34a013183c1e77

[a0cake]

What's the reasoning behind the twist fluting?

Does it remove more material than traditional fluting? Does it allow a more rigid barrel than traditional fluting? :confused:

Here's the deal on fluting man. Fluting a barrel does not make it more rigid. It makes it significantly less rigid simply because material is removed and the barrel is now lighter.

Now, take two different barrels (of the same construction and material) that are the exact same weight. Barrel A is fluted and barrel B is not. Barrel A will be significantly more rigid because it started out as a heavier barrel to begin with. Although it started out in a heavier profile; due to the fluting it now weighs the same. Advantage: Fluted barrel.

Now, as for spiral / helical fluting, here is what the original patent holder E.R Shaw has to say about it (don't believe everything you read):

"The concept of Helical fluting is to provide more flutes per inch of barrel than conventional fluting.

This gives the shooter up to 30% more ridged barrel than a conventional fluted barrel. More cooling than a conventional barrel, and the most important part of helical fluting it counteracts rotational torque."

I am not an engineer, but I don't buy into the rotational torque part. Logically, helical fluting will allow more "flutes per inch," so I will buy that for a dollar.

Now, here's what you need to consider when contemplating the purchase of a new, already fluted barrel. Did that barrel start out at a heavier profile than the non fluted option? What are their weights now? If it did start out heavier but now weighs the same after fluting, definitely go for the fluted version, either spiral or straight. If the barrel profiles started out the same, just know that you will be sacrificing rigidity for weight. If that is an acceptable trade off, then by all means go for it.

While many people consider fluting to be a means of removing weight, it can also be thought of as a way to increase performance in the same weight class. Both are true.


PS. There's no denying it's a beautiful rifle. It makes you want to like it. But with how that company has treated some real heroes in the past, and the fact that there are known reliability and parts supply issues, it doesn't take long for the rational frontal lobe of the brain to start lighting up synapses, resulting in the realization that despite its pretty looks, it's probably not a prudent purchase. If the company has changed hands or if the reliability issues have been completely fixed, I don't know. But I have not seen anything to indicate that they have; just the rantings of a jingoistic and often uninformed fan base.

[Iraqgunz]

1. Please tell the viewing audience how much experience you have had with the M16 family of weapons.

2. What do you base your opinion on since you admit you have ZERO experience with the LWRC?

3. Are you prepared to issue a brand new and as of yet unproven weapon to USMIL personnel?

4. How are we going to finance said transition to new weapon at this current time?

5. What is wrong with a properly built and maintained M4 type direct impingement weapon?



The Individual Carbine Competition, for those of you who've been living under a rock for the past few years, is the military's latest attempt to replace the current AR platforms currently in service, specifically the M4. Many companies have accepted the challenge to enter a carbine for inspection and possible selection, including Remington, HK, Robinson Arms, FNH, Beretta, KAC, Colt, and LWRC. I was browsing today and came across the M6 IC. It's a cool design that ways less than 7 pounds empty, has an ambidextrous lower receiver, has non-IR reflective Cerakote, and a 2-position gas block for normal and suppressed fire. If selected, I believe the M6 IC would prove to be a very effective carbine for the 21st Century.

http://www.lwrci.com/p-290-m6-individual-carbine.aspx#inf-tabs

Your thoughts? I've gotten the impression that some people on M4C aren't huge fans of LWRC, and I'd love to know why. Personally I haven't had any experience with them, but I know a lot of people who swear by them and have only great things to say about them. So what's the verdict on the new IC?

[Ed L.]

If you look into a mirror and repeat LWRC three times, markm will appear and deliver a three stooges style eye poke to you.

[DeltaSierra]

Seriously? This is like the 4th time I've been accused of a "sales pitch." Just because I'm not a cynical pessimist like 95% of the people on here doesn't mean I'm endorsing a product. I get excited when new stuff comes out, and the first thing I do ISN'T find a flaw. It's appreciate the engineering and creativity behind the design! You guys need to not get so touchy every time someone likes an untested product. So no, this isn't a damn pitch, I'm just not a dick.

Maybe you need to understand that not all of us are interested in the latest and greatest advertising campaign by some sleazebag company - but rather, we want a known item that actually works.

The first thing that you should do when you are looking at something, be it a new car or a new rifle, is to find all the flaws in the design that you can, so that you can make a fact-based decision on whether or not to purchase the item. Just because some "communications/marketing specialist" at some company came up with a cool looking advertisement, doesn't mean that you need to jump on board with both feet before you even have a chance to test the item in question.

[cjscore]

http://i1193.photobucket.com/albums/aa360/cjscore/68.jpg
Looks like my 6.8, they must be watching my house. Seriously though it has been posted here many times Piston systems are a change in design that is not needed.

[Littlelebowski]

Seriously? This is like the 4th time I've been accused of a "sales pitch." Just because I'm not a cynical pessimist like 95% of the people on here doesn't mean I'm endorsing a product. I get excited when new stuff comes out, and the first thing I do ISN'T find a flaw. It's appreciate the engineering and creativity behind the design! You guys need to not get so touchy every time someone likes an untested product. So no, this isn't a damn pitch, I'm just not a dick.

You don't shoot a lot nor take carbine classes, do you?

[Dave L.]

If selected, I believe the M6 IC would prove to be a very effective carbine for the 21st Century.
.......

Personally I haven't had any experience with them, but I know a lot of people who swear by them and have only great things to say about them.

Do you realize how stupid and contradictory your post is? Really, do you?

People like me, who could weigh in on this issue, probably wont because you have already made up your mind.

[markm]

It's always nice to see LWRCi's employees, friends, wives, inbred cousins, etc.... on the boards boasting about LWRCi's high quality SHIT GUNS!!! :rolleyes:

I never get tired of the same old script... but you forgot to mention the GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE.... :fie:

[Littlelebowski]

This is just some guy who doesn't know shit about shooting nor rifles and fancies himself as that one precious snowflake who doesn't need to use the Search button to ask his questions about shit he'll never own.

[Shiz]

Dude, one NEWB to another....

take a step back...

This is not your average gun forum. Most people here are in the industry, somehow. Some are every much in harm's way daily. Some are even visiting the forum from Iraq and Afghanistan. They know what works and what doesn't.

There is absolutely no fluff here. Most are very blunt with good reason. Simply, it stops lots of useless repetition. Your topic has been discussed SEVERAL TIMES. It is a good idea to use the orange search button. Respect the professionals by reading what they have already said on the subject, and don't make them repeat themselves.

Read lots at first, post little. Learn. Above all, learn how this forum works. Many get their feelings hurt, and do not understand why they are being picked on.

I would suggest that having under 40 posts, you don't go down this road. I would stop name calling immediately.

This forum is a goldmine. It has such useful information, and if you are spending time arguing, getting your feelings hurt, etc, then you are wasting your time here. Above all, you are misspending your energy NOT learning.

[Littlelebowski]

vaportrail appears to be a kid taking breaks between video games.

[Tzoid]

Outch!!

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t124/tzoid08/thdeadhorse.gif

[Kafir]

If you look into a mirror and repeat LWRC three times, markm will appear and deliver a three stooges style eye poke to you.

This is genius...and pretty damn funny too!

[SHIVAN]

Please take time to poke around and read every stickied thread on the board.

Please use the Google equipped search, the one in ORANGE up top to research stuff before you even consider posting.

Please stop posting so many inane questions.

Read more; post less. At some point, you'll acquire enough knowledge not to insert both feet in your mouth every time you type out a response/question.