NEW LMT MWS QC ISSUES

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10-18-23, 19:43
dirkmagurk

NEW LMT MWS QC ISSUES

I just ordered a new LMT MWS defender online transferred to my FFL. Upon initial inspection I noticed that the aft locking bolt was partially stripped. That didn’t concern me too much so I accepted the transfer and called LMT to receive a replacement bolt. The rep said there was no one there to address the issue over the phone and instructed me to send pictures to their service email, which I did. When I got a chance to start setting the rifle up the way I want I ran into another more significant issue. When attempting to install any MLOK accessory into the 0100 and 1100 slots they are too narrow to fit. All of the other MLOK slot positions around the rail will accept accessories as designed except for the slots at those positions. So I again called LMT customer service and spoke with another rep, Aaron I believe and was told to send more pics and I would receive a prepaid shipping label to return the upper. Again I sent the pics and did not receive a response. I called again and this time the rep said they were taken off the computers to do something else and he was unable to check for my email at that time. I just wanted to post this for any of you guys thinking about getting an LMT to look out for issues. I have had MLOK rails from all different types of manufacturers and never experienced an out of spec slot. So now I’ll wait to see how this goes, I will update this post once the issue is resolved.
10-19-23, 05:09
georgeib

I know you shouldn't have to do anything remotely resembling this, but I thought I'd make a suggestion. In the interest of expediency, it may be worth considering narrowing a handful of m-lok nuts on some sandpaper. Doesn't sound like LMT is going to get to you as soon as you'd like, and it sucks to have to wait to use your new rifle.
10-19-23, 06:06
dirkmagurk

Quote:

Originally Posted by georgeib

I know you shouldn't have to do anything remotely resembling this, but I thought I'd make a suggestion. In the interest of expediency, it may be worth considering narrowing a handful of m-lok nuts on some sandpaper. Doesn't sound like LMT is going to get to you as soon as you'd like, and it sucks to have to wait to use your new rifle.

Appreciate the suggestion, the only accessories I install in those slots are a QD mount and a light. I just don’t want to zero the optic to this upper and then when they swap the upper have to use the time/ammo to zero again.
10-20-23, 08:23
DancingInAshes

Sadly, LMT has been doing this for at least 2-3 years now. Their QC for their guns shipping to the civilian market has become really shoddy. It’s like they’re just tossing out blems or something and they clearly don’t care if bolts are messed up, screws aren’t tight, etc.
10-20-23, 09:46
ryanm

I think they are still having issues after their exodus from Illinois. I love supporting an Iowa company, hopefully they will resolve the situation! It's still so rare to even see their products in stock, I have a kiwi rifle from a few years ago and it's flawless.
10-20-23, 14:44
dirkmagurk

I received the prepaid shipping label and just dropped it off today. We’ll see what the turn around time is. As for the QC, it is a rough looking rifle for something in this price range. Multiple handling marks and the left side mag release roll pin wasn’t anywhere close to being fully seated.
10-22-23, 18:06
Pappabear

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirkmagurk

I received the prepaid shipping label and just dropped it off today. We’ll see what the turn around time is. As for the QC, it is a rough looking rifle for something in this price range. Multiple handling marks and the left side mag release roll pin wasn’t anywhere close to being fully seated.

Dude, that sucks. For a guy that has invested in LMT quite a bit. I hope the is short lived. Good luck.

PB
10-24-23, 15:18
Bret

dirkmagurk, sorry you're going through this. Please keep us informed. My only experience with LMT is a Defender SBR that I purchased. It runs fine but came with a semiautomatic carrier and a carbine buffer. The carbine buffer is no big deal, but the semiautomatic carrier is a bow to the gun grabbers that I just didn't anticipate. Hopefully, yours will be fine once they tune it up.
10-27-23, 19:04
dirkmagurk

Aaron at LMT called me today and acknowledged that the MLOK slots were out of spec. He said I can expect a replacement upper late next month. It is frustrating to pay for the LMT reputation and have immediate issues. I’ll let you guys know once I receive the replacement.
11-14-23, 20:21
dirkmagurk

Update: I received the MWS upper receiver back today via UPS. The MLOK slots work as advertised. However, when I attempt to mate the upper to the lower the rear takedown pin would not go in. I know LMT has “speed bumps” on their uppers requiring adjustment to fit. I then followed their instructions slowly removing material from the speed bumps with a file. Well I completely removed the bumps and the rear takedown pin still will not align with the hole in the upper. If I remove anymore material I will just be digging into the actual receiver. I am emailing Aaron and will call again tomorrow. At this point I want them to take in the rifle and send me one that is functional and in spec.
11-14-23, 23:22
Bret

Goodness. This all seems pretty basic. Please continue to keep us informed.
11-15-23, 19:23
dirkmagurk

Called Aaron again, he sent another prepaid shipping label to send the whole rifle in. I don’t know what is going on at LMT currently but I have lost confidence in their product. Now I will spend more of my time and money to ship this rifle out and purchase a box big enough to do so. I have lost confidence in LMT, I don’t appreciate having to do so much work for a product to perform as advertised.
11-23-23, 20:23
MadAngler1

I hate to chime in and be negative, but this is why I did not buy a LMT the past 4 years. They have developed the aura of another certain famous AR-10 maker and could care less about the civilian market.

I recommend you get a refund. Buy a DD5V3 from Daniel Defense. I love mine thus far, and I’m very happy with my purchase.
11-24-23, 08:19
dirkmagurk

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadAngler1

I hate to chime in and be negative, but this is why I did not buy a LMT the past 4 years. They have developed the aura of another certain famous AR-10 maker and could care less about the civilian market.

I recommend you get a refund. Buy a DD5V3 from Daniel Defense. I love mine thus far, and I’m very happy with my purchase.

I wasn’t aware of LMT’s decline in quality prior to purchasing. The reason I went with the MWS was for the quick change barrels. I will be asking for either a completely new rifle or a refund.
11-24-23, 08:46
hotrodder636

Sad to hear this has become of LMT. My LMT MRP is one of the top 3 ARs with nicest fit and finish (KAC and Geissele are the other two). Hopefully it is due to the move out of Illinois and they get things settled, sooner than later as it has already been what I would consider the amount of time to resolve these issues.
Sorry to hear this is the path you went through as they really are great rifles (or should be).
11-24-23, 08:49
Pappabear

I gotta say I have not heard a word about their decline in QC. Its honestly shocking to me. I really hope they continue to do the right thing despite being a military focused company even though its hard to hate then for that.

I would still buy their gear, but I want would want hands on product before purchasing for a minute. I had forgotten about that little nub story, it never effected me in several lowers.

And the quick change barrel option is kinda cool. I have a 10.5 on one SBR that I wouldn’t mind buying a 14.5.
PB
11-24-23, 08:57
HKGuns

I'll go out on a limb and say they probably hit the Quad-fecta. Their move to IA, the plague, supply chain and an increase in .MIL contract wins. Probably wasn't easy to find good help in IA during this time either.

Its been hard for me at least to find anything they make in stock which is likely the supply chain.
11-24-23, 09:39
Vgex2

Their move was only about 25 miles south as the crow-flies.
11-24-23, 09:48
hotrodder636

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vgex2

Their move was only about 25 miles south as the crow-flies.

Still have to disassemble the machinery and reassemble and setup for the move. Machining tolerances can change, and when talking mils that can make a difference.
12-07-23, 15:41
dirkmagurk

Update: LMT received my rifle on November 21. I’m not expecting to receive it back anytime soon. It’s been two months since I purchased it and haven’t been able to shoot it once. I’ll let you guys know once I hear what their resolution is.
12-07-23, 17:32
rushca01

If you are not aware, there is a very active LMT owners group on the book face. Joe Hagny, senior LMT employee, is in the group and handles everything that comes up personally. Might be worth your while to join that group, it’s “Lmt Owner Group”.
12-07-23, 19:10
Bret

I don't have a Faceplace account, but used my wife's to search for the "Lmt Owner Group". Nothing close came up.
12-07-23, 19:56
rushca01

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...0b7b1a5d1b.jpg

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
12-07-23, 21:09
Bret

It says "Private group". I have no idea how a private group works, but perhaps that's why I couldn't see it.
12-08-23, 21:19
andy t

Try his email: HajnyJ@lmtdefense.com .

There is quite a bit of talk about LMT quality issues both on facepalm and reddit. While quick change barrel is a cool idea, I think it has limited applicability while adding weight. Given the LMT cost, it may be cheaper to just buy another upper.
For the record, I have a 2013 MWS, 2022 Estonia rifle, another MWS with SLK8 upper that I assembled separately and an MRP-L.
Lewis is of the opinion that "semi auto rifles" only get semi auto carriers. They also "gas" their MRP-L rifles for carbine buffers.
All rifles function fine and have good fit and finish.
12-09-23, 08:28
Bret

Quote:

Originally Posted by andy t

Try his email: HajnyJ@lmtdefense.com .
Lewis is of the opinion that "semi auto rifles" only get semi auto carriers. They also "gas" their MRP-L rifles for carbine buffers.

That's a Bill Ruger move. I wasn't really in the market, but bought a Defender SBR simply because it was offered at such a great price. After getting it, I found out that I had to buy a FA bolt carrier in order to be able to run it on my M16.
12-09-23, 10:37
rushca01

They sell “full auto” carriers to anyone, they just don’t include them in their complete rifles, IIRC, colt used to do this too and some other silly things like different fcg pin sizes and not milling the lower receiver pocket.
12-09-23, 11:43
Bret

I understand that you can buy regular LMT carriers, but I shouldn't have to because one should have been included with the gun. Colt used to do that crap in an attempt to curry favor with gun control advocates. It didn't work, so they gave up on it. LMT is having to stock two different types of carriers, so if anything, it's costing them money. I can think of no reason other than being sympathetic to gun control advocates for LMT to do such a thing.
12-10-23, 11:33
dirkmagurk

Quote:

Originally Posted by andy t

Try his email: HajnyJ@lmtdefense.com .

There is quite a bit of talk about LMT quality issues both on facepalm and reddit. While quick change barrel is a cool idea, I think it has limited applicability while adding weight. Given the LMT cost, it may be cheaper to just buy another upper.
For the record, I have a 2013 MWS, 2022 Estonia rifle, another MWS with SLK8 upper that I assembled separately and an MRP-L.
Lewis is of the opinion that "semi auto rifles" only get semi auto carriers. They also "gas" their MRP-L rifles for carbine buffers.
All rifles function fine and have good fit and finish.

Thanks for the contact information, I messaged Joe about the situation.
12-27-23, 17:24
dirkmagurk

Update: Received my MWS back from LMT today. They replaced just the upper receiver which now has a nice fit to the lower. There are still minor cosmetic issues with this new upper receiver. There is a gray patch of I assume dry film on a T slot of the pic rail. Also, there are two nicks through the anodizing under the dust cover, probably induced during a sloppy install. I haven’t fired this rifle to function test it and probably won’t. I have lost interest in their product and don’t plan on purchasing/recommending LMT in the future.
12-27-23, 17:48
Pappabear

Can you post pics.
PB
12-27-23, 18:15
dirkmagurk

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pappabear

Can you post pics.
PB

How do you post pictures on this site? I have tried in the past but it always says that the file is oversized.
12-28-23, 15:39
rushca01

That’s too bad, I’m a self confessed LMT fanboi…most of my guns are LMT. I hate to hear about cosmetic issues especially considering how much we pay, I don’t blame you at all for your opinion based on your experience.
12-28-23, 15:43
Pappabear

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirkmagurk

How do you post pictures on this site? I have tried in the past but it always says that the file is oversized.

I use Imgur and find it easy and free
PB
03-20-24, 20:02
duece71

Sad to hear about this. My MWS has been great, a few issues shooting suppressed but once the gas amount was corrected, more lube, it runs great. You might be able to sell it and claim “unfired”, someone will pick it up.
04-03-24, 18:46
Strikefirst

Wow. Every LMT I've ever seen has been excellent ave Abaya wanted one. Sorry to hear that this happened.