(Review) LWRCi’s M6A2 5.56mm NATO rifle with Trijicon ACOG 4 x 32 scope
LWRC International M6A2 5.56 NATO Rifle
Located in Cambridge, Md., LWRCI’s stated mission is to provide their customers with the most durable, reliable, and consistently accurate weapons possible. In order to accomplish this, they use innovative design and meticulous manufacturing techniques as well as state-of-the-art materials and manufacturing processes to create tools that are built to exceed the expectations of their users. Consequently, operating from three facilities encompassing over 250,000 square feet, LWRC International utilizes over fifty state-of-the-art CNC milling centers, laser cutting machines, screw machines, and welding robots, as well as military specification painting to produce their superior quality assault rifles.
Consequently, the LWRCI M6A2 rifle is a superior quality AR-15 style assault rifle chambered for the 5.56 NATO cartridge available with your choice of four different barrel lengths ranging from 10.5” to 16.1” with a 1:7” RH twist. In addition, this rifle features a B5 Systems SOPMOD collapsible carbine stock with an A2 “flat-top” receiver and LWRCI Folding BUIS Front and Rear sights. Thus, this rifle is perfect for those who prefer to mount optical devices on top of the receiver because there is no A-frame front site to obscure the shooter’s view. In addition, the M6A2 rifle also features a longer, free float, rail system with a removable, return-to-zero, top so that any M4 MIL Std 1913 accessory can be mounted to the rail. Also, because the rail has a monolithic profile, the shooter can seamlessly bridge those devices from the receiver to the rail. Plus, this rifle features a NiCorr finish (much tougher than Parkerizing) that is available in four different colors: Black, Flat Dark Earth, Olive Drab Green, and Patriot Brown.
Upon handling the rifle however, the first thing we noticed was the weight which is listed as 7.3 lbs. unloaded. Thus, by the time the shooter adds optical accessories and/or a tactical flashlight and then inserts a full magazine, the rifle can feel a little heavy. However, this weight is in part due to the heavy, match grade, barrel and LWRC’s patented, self-regulating, short-stroke, gas-bled, piston-driven action. However, this system has the added advantage of eliminating the venting of excess gases from the ejection port after each shot because any excess gasses are vented through the piston system instead. In addition, although some enthusiasts of the AR platform disparage the use of a piston driven action instead of the original Stoner, gas operated, action, stating that they are dirty, unreliable, and difficult to clean, LWRCI seems to have eliminated these problems by creating a piston driven system that is not only residue free, it is utterly reliable and, it’s easy to clean by simply removing two bolts that hold the upper forearm in place. Furthermore, the heavy, match-grade, barrel, aided by a crisp, two-stage, trigger makes this rifle capable of MOA groups with the Trijicon ACOG 3 x 30mm scope installed.
Trijicon ACOG 4 x 32mm Nickel-Boron Dual Illuminated Red Chevron .223 Ballistic Reticle
Since the company’s founding in 1981, Trijicon has been an industry leader in the development of superior, any-light, aiming systems. Well known for their innovative applications of tritium and advanced fiber-optics, Trijicon manufactures some of the most advanced riflescopes and sights for both tactical and sporting firearms.
Consequently, the Trijicon ACOG 4 x 32mm rifle scope features a super tough, nickel-boron finish that not only gives the scope a distinctive look and the ultimate in abrasion resistance. In addition, this scope also features a dual illumination system and a ranging reticle that uses fiber optics to provide daylight illumination of the reticle and tritium to provide nighttime illumination of the reticle which is calibrated for 5.56mm (.223 cal) flattop rifles out to 800 meters. In addition, the Trijicon ACOG 4 x 32mm scope incorporates a Red Chevron .223 Ballistic Reticle. This reticle enables the shooter to zero the tip of the chevron at 100 meters where width of the chevron at the base is 5.53 MOA (equals 19 in. at 300 meters) which enables range estimation for silhouette targets. Last, this scope features 1.5 inches of Eye Relief, an Exit Pupil of 8mm, and a field of view of 36.8 ft. a 100 yds.
While the Trijicon ACOG 4 x 32 mm rifle scope with the Nickel-Boron, Dual Illuminated, Red Chevron, .223 Ballistic Reticle is certainly a very nice scope, with a retail price $1,450 most shooters will find it beyond their price range. Therefore, we suspect that the market for this scope will be limited to law enforcement, and private security contractors who truly have a need for it and a few individuals who absolutely must have the most expensive toys available. Also, with a weight of 9.9 oz. without the mount, adding this scope and its adapter to your rifle can add nearly a full pound to the overall weight. In addition, with an eye relief of only 1.5 inches, some shooters may be required to place their eye uncomfortably close to the Eyepiece. Plus, we found that the supplied flat top receiver adapter mounted the scope a bit too low on the receiver and thus, purchasing a Larue quick-detach ACOG mount and the 5/8 inch riser should raise the scope up to the proper shooting level. But, on the other hand, once the tip of the chevron is zeroed at 100 yds. this scope will remain zeroed even when removed from the rifle and then remounted. Also, having two sources of illumination for the reticle (neither of which requires a battery) makes this scope ultra reliable for operation in any light.
Therefore, the LWRC International M6A2 5.56mm NATO Assault Rifle with Trijicon ACOG 4 x 32 Scope would be an excellent combination for anyone who is in need of a superior quality assault rifle and matching combat scope.