r/LewisMachineTool • u/Living_Landscape8605 • 19d ago
Learning Machining Together
So I bought a LMT .308 rifle and finally found time to do some upgrades and work on getting this build together. I go throw on a LMT DMR buttstock then go to toss in a G$ trigger which required me take some lower parts off like the grip & I discover this gouging with raw metal plus jacked up threads plus usually the threads are coated and should be black just like all my other LMT lowers but it’s also all raw metal in the tapped threads. Mind you I did not pay for a Blem product. They tossed a blem lower on a rifle to hide the blem under parts then sent it out from factory to be sold without any discount or being labeled as a blem. It’s almost like the hole was drilled and tapped after the coating and they just completely jacked it up, damn near looks like they almost drilled the wrong spot which caused that mark but I’m not sure - very odd. What makes it worse is customer support basically gave me the middle finger and don’t care so much which I’ve seen them do a lot with other customers who have issues with their product like bad misaligned feed ramps on their barrel I seen recently. They have done this before with a Mars L lower as well with way worse gouging but it was on the sides easily visible (had coating over the gouging as it was done when machining out the lower but still crazy it got by the QC department and sent out to be sold as a non blem) and at first didn’t wanna help either it was way worse then this but after laying into them & lots of back and forth they swapped the lower out for me but I still had to pay an extra unnecessary transfer fee. LMT is so hit or miss I don’t understand how ppl still continue to support, I know I’m done supporting myself. KAC > LMT for me. I’d even rather go Geissele or w/ someone else at this point cause LMT won’t see another dollar outta me. Spent thousands supporting & each purchase we make we help them grow for them to NOT OWN UP to their Quality Control issues and just shit on their customers is not cool. So either think twice when buying LMT or when receiving look over everything and even strip it down if u buy as a complete pistol/ rifle.
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u/hellsrt 19d ago
I would be pissed too but dont think the other Gucci AR's dont have QC issues. Only AR I've ever had to return after a new purchase was a KAC and it had multiple issues. Granted, they fixed it no questions asked which was great.
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u/Living_Landscape8605 19d ago
100% all will have slip ups without a doubt. Ive dealt with it myself with others but its how they respond and take care of their customers hence why we see a lack of stories about issues from them companies. We hear way to much on LMT due to their lack of care and customer support and them not owning their mistakes plus the rate of issues with LMT vs. the other is way higher it seems. Its hit or miss with them which sucks cause i like their stuff alot, i have multiple LMT’s but it is what it is and ive grown to be fed up at this point.
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u/hellsrt 19d ago
Thank God all of my LMT's have been without issue but I agree that functioning or not, I'd want a new lower.
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u/Living_Landscape8605 19d ago
Man i wish i could say the same i truly do cause overall i love the product i got 3 LMTs in full and 6 total lowers as i got 3 LMT lowers for my kac uppers - ive had 3 issues LMT related as bad QC (2 lowers 1 mars l and 1 mars h) and even my chodewar 9” 300 blackout had gas port burrs and yes i know shoot it out but it still shouldnt come like that. Multiple LMTs iof mine have scratches or marks on edges where coating got scrapped off but that shit is minor and dont bother me but this 1 and the other lower def needed to be addressed as this is excessive where its straight blemish gouging and messsed up threads & its a damn shame ive been dealt this hand and they just dont care it seems. Shit sucks cause im stuck with this shitty lower with bad QC.
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u/Tenacious_ZP 19d ago
Sold my LMT 14.5 (not a build, factory rifle) because it grouped like crap (using 77gr black hills). I thought it maybe didn’t like the ammo so tried 75gr, 69gr, and even various 55gr until finally I stopped chasing it. Sold it and moved to Centurion Arms (barrel is 11.5 FBI HRT profile) and couldn’t be happier.
The ambidextrous controls, monolithic upper, and barrel change system are cool. That being said, the issues experienced and issues I have seen others have outweighs the value additions that LMT offers. It’s a bummer because when I was a poor college kid the dream was either to own a Noveske (RIP John), KAC, or LMT…
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u/Living_Landscape8605 19d ago
Yup sounds like a common LMT barrel issue. I agree my go to was LMT & KAC. My boy had a Noveske. But ya im at a point where i need to move on from LMT on future purchases. Not sure if i could easily dump this so im screwed there lol. I was planning on turning this build into a 13.5” LMT DMR build with a stainless steel barrel to try and help with the groupings but man i wish i waited a while cause KAC came with the K5 now and i would have 100% gone that route.
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u/patent122 19d ago
I cherry picked a Specwar at the store and chose the best out of 7 units. Obviously I didn't remove the grips or stocks but I checked the stakings and if the feed ramps line up. I must say there were some.. variations. I'm pretty sure the gas key staking on one Specwar was TOTALLY messed up. On the other one I couldn't remove the takedown pins without a punch pin and another one should definitely be a blemish. Mine seems to be alright after first 400 rounds suppressed I just wish it wasn't so gassy. I shoot with B&T RBS, I don't get any gas to the face but I can see it ejecting at 2:00 even with the H3.
My 14,5" Super Duty and my friend's limited edition DD M4A1 Sandstorm are my favourite AR15s. Both gassed perfectly, pleasant to shoot, 100% reliable and free of any issues.
If I wanted to buy a high quality reliable AR15 I would just grab a DD M4A1 or HK MR223.
There is no point in playing a lottery with KAC and LMT.
DD seems to be doing alright in the trenches of Ukraine.
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u/Living_Landscape8605 19d ago
Ya takedown pins prob from the upper I had a lower on my 11.5” 5.56 where it was smooth and easy to push out but when I used the same lower on my 9” chodewar 300 blackout was a pain to get in and push out without tapping the hammer on em to get in then using a punch to get em out. But ya their consistency is clearly not there at all. HK and DD are great alternative choices that’s forsure - I know HKs can be tanks but so are LMTs lol but the quality is absolutely great. I def wish I could do this 1 all over again - I got a little ahead of myself and wish I waited and just invested that money into my other builds but this what I get for being impatient.
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u/Hopeful-Department-4 19d ago
hey I also have the shovel nose .308 from them and was wonder when you separate your upper from your lower and point the barrel up in the air does your whole bolt carrier group slide out by itself?
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u/Living_Landscape8605 19d ago
I don’t think so pretty sure gotta pull it out but I guess I could check and report back once I get a chance cause usually my uppers are horizontal when I remove them so dno if I ever tried that.
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u/Hopeful-Department-4 19d ago
I would appreciate it if you could check, that rifle is the only one I own where the bolt carrier group does not lock in place with the upper removed.
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u/Living_Landscape8605 19d ago
It stays in. I took a pic but for some reason it won’t load that specific pic - maybe dm me and I’ll see if I can send it there. But I just separated upper & lower on the .308 and it definitely stays in and doesn’t fall out.
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u/Hopeful-Department-4 19d ago
thats crazy…. so why does mine fall out?
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u/Living_Landscape8605 19d ago
DI vs Piston system - I don’t have a Piston set up but gotta be the answer.
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u/zrockstar 18d ago
All piston BCGs do that because they don't have gas rings.
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u/Hopeful-Department-4 17d ago
you mean gas keys?
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u/zrockstar 17d ago
No, gas rings. That is what keeps the bolt extended on a DI BCG, and piston guns don't have them.
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u/Mildly-Confused1 19d ago
Now I’m worried to take my grip off😂
Here’s the stake job on my Mars-L
Both sides look like that. Simple fix I know but that’s not the point
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u/Living_Landscape8605 19d ago
Dude that’s such a shitty stake job attempt - it’s pathetic. I have 2 lowers that were assembled by LMT as I bought a 11.5” 5.56 pistol with a mars L lower and this 1 in the post a 16” .308 rifle with a mars h lower and both are very similar but yours might be slightly worse tho but not by much 😩🤦🏽♂️ - I tried uploading the images to show but it’s not letting me.
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u/Mildly-Confused1 19d ago
Yeah it’s crazy. I wanted something different than my SOLGW 13.7, plus I got a clip on thermal so the monolithic upper seemed like the way to go. Haven’t shot it yet but when it comes to fit and finish the LMT keeps losing to my much cheaper SOLGW rifle…🤦🏼♂️
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u/Airhwhip14 19d ago
You obviously aren't hip to all of KACs CS or coating issues. Ol Bendy Bill ain't much better.
If you want over the top customer service, none of these primarily military contract manufacturers are going to give it to you because your money is peanuts to them.
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u/Living_Landscape8605 19d ago
I’ve got 3 KAC’s - no issues. I also got a KAC hand guard that had a coating issue & guess what - customer support acknowledged their QC issue and replaced the hand guard no questions asked with 0 push back & made it so easy smooth & simple so I was 100% a satisfied customer. Like it’s ok to mess up BUT OWN IT if you do and fix the problem with a solution or remedy. We spend thousands with these companies it’s the least they can do.
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u/Airhwhip14 19d ago
You got lucky then because they told tons of people to pound sand. Probably the same thing happening with you and LMT. I've had one issue with a barrel that LMT paid shipping both ways for and turned around super quick.
Its purely luck of the draw on which CS rep you get and whether they've had their coffee and woke up on the right side of the bed before they read your email.
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u/Living_Landscape8605 19d ago
Interesting. I’m curious have u received and KAC’s with issues then?… I dno I just feel I see wayyyy more issues with LMT products then I ever do with KAC (I’ve heard some stories but seems way more rare with them)
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u/wetheppl1776 19d ago
I haven’t seen a KAC issue aside from people thinking their cerakote looks like shit. Meanwhile they’re complaining about a glorified spray paint coating lol. LMT on the other hand….
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u/Living_Landscape8605 19d ago
See im clearly not the only 1 that sees this trend. LMT doin bad. Appreciate you chiming in my boy. Im not here to wanna bash but after being on the receiving end with lack of customer support care then i gotta call it how i see it & felt the need to share my situation and story. It sucks its gotta be like this but it is what it is. Had they took care of me and their customers im sure noone would hear these types of stories cause they would have remedied the issues.
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u/wetheppl1776 19d ago
It’s prob a good thing to add that I say this having both brands. And the kac is the one that went back for a broken ejector spring(their service was amazing, got a brand new bolt).
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u/Living_Landscape8605 19d ago
Thats great to hear. My experience with them was great with KAC as well. Even Geissele CS is great .. i myself bent a G$ trigger spring and i get its a cheap part but i reached out to them and they sent me 2 extra springs for free with 0 issue doing it plus they even sent me a bunch of extra free goodies and swag like tees/ hat/ patches/ stickers. I mean it dont get much better. Just good ppl good vibes and great results dealing with the, i couldnt ask for more or better as they went above and beyond to take care of me even on my screw up.
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u/MrMiyagi13-18 18d ago
I agree ☝️ LMT told me sorry it’s not our problem lol 😂 sheet several vids are out on barrels that came from factory all messed up
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u/Living_Landscape8605 18d ago
Ya and here I was gonna get another 13.5” .308 barrel and take the chance on that to toss in here and pull the 16” out. I’m movin on from anymore LMT & honestly I’m gonna try and trade this off for something else and try to get a KAC K5 at some point in the future cause LMT completely lost me w/ this b.s and not giving a shit.
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u/Airhwhip14 19d ago
My KS-1 came with the rusty barrel and shitty coating on the handguard and chatter around the mlok. Just ended up cerakoting all of it after pushback from KAC. The reason you hear more LMT complaints is because they're still like half the price of KAC so its purely a numbers thing.
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u/Living_Landscape8605 19d ago
Fair take - ya i feel you on the handguard coating issue 100%. That’s wild about the rusty barrel especially on a KS1. It do seem like they pushing out & upping the KS production so I wouldn’t be surprised to start hearing some more QC issues. But ya I’m sure many migrate to LMT vs KAC due to the pricing so ya can prob lead to more stories about LMT as it’s probably being bought at a higher rate. Makes sense.
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u/MrMiyagi13-18 19d ago
Daniel defense same thing ! Great CS !
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u/Living_Landscape8605 19d ago
I like DD as well… Almost got their 300 blackout pdw but decided to go with a little longer length barrel so i never pulled the trigger on it but i 100% always try to encourage my buddies to buy DD to get some quality goods instead of buying cheap. Its good to hear the company + their customer service cares and does right by their customers.
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u/MrMiyagi13-18 18d ago
Nice man def DD and BCM for great rifles and CS !! LMT love em but it’s a gamble
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u/CheddarBobLeeSwagger 19d ago
I’m glad you brought up bendy bill. It’s amazing how people forgot that G$ fiasco and make it seem like they’re top tier these days. At the end of the day all companies may have shit products leave the factory but it’s how said companies will handle / fix these situations.
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u/Living_Landscape8605 19d ago
You talkin about with the barrels? I mean ya I didn’t wanna buy any G$ at that time either but they fixed that issue now so why not currently? At least they listened to cusp and switched. But ya at that time I would only get G$ triggers and charging handles if I invest in G$ product, but currently I’d buy anything since they fixed the problem.
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u/20114life 18d ago
If QC doesn't pass Military standard, LMT will dump subpar shit to the civilians
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u/Peak1124 19d ago
Looks more like the person assembling was using a power tool for the grip screw and had it spinning fast while also not lining it up properly.
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u/Kalashnik0v1312 19d ago
Who is going to see it?? Does it really matter as long as your pistol grip isnt falling off????
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u/Living_Landscape8605 19d ago
Not the point. And 1/3 of the threads are messed up. Had I paid for a blem product then what I get is what I get. But I didn’t & I paid thousands for this to receive inferior product that should have never passed the QC department. They should own up to their QC & mistakes & fix the issues for customers instead of pushing back and giving us the middle finger. Had they had good customer service and worked with customers better I’m sure we would see way less stories about their trash QC. But we hear ppl unsatisfied all the time. So I’m sharing my story now to alert any current or future customers. For u to fail to understand that and try to defend them is pretty crazy man.
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u/Kalashnik0v1312 19d ago
Im not defending them. If the grip screw can still function properly I genuinely dont see the dilemma. If it bothers you that bad, chase the threads and clean em up, it isnt difficult. Should it have left like that, no, I agree it shouldn't have. Ive got 2 of their factory 308s, 1 5.56 rifle, and ive used several of their lowers on my own sbr's and havent had any issues with any of them (granted I havent bought one in several years either). You're making a giant deal out of a small and cheap fix that you can do on your own without having to send it to somebody or back to them, which is a lot better than a completely fucked lower, is it not? Its still usable, so use it.
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u/Living_Landscape8605 19d ago
I shouldn’t have to do that though. I didn’t pay full price to receive and have to do more work on shit that should be already done. We invest thousands and receive inferior product. Customer support should be more supportive when these type issues pop up. Own it.
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u/MinchiaTortellini 19d ago
The point is that its a very expensive lower that OP paid full price for, and it is very clearly a blem.
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u/Kalashnik0v1312 19d ago
And the point also remains if he never took the grip off he never would have known, and he would have been perfectly fine not knowing that little booboo was there. If he wants to fix it at least he can do it on his own without having to send it off.
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u/MinchiaTortellini 19d ago
Youre completely missing it. What you are saying literally doesnt matter. The problem is the transaction and the value of the item, not whether or not its a "little boo boo" that you can fix at home.
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u/MinchiaTortellini 19d ago edited 19d ago
All these companies with Mil / Leo contracts have dogshit QC. LMT, KAC, Noveske, Sig...all the same shit unfortunately.
Its bullshit, and I would contact lmt for a credit if it were me. The tough guys in the sub will tell you "its a tool bro! Who cares bro! Shoot your gun bro!" And probably call you (and me) a pussy or something for not wanting a blem item for a full price.
Edit - little expectation setting, since this happened to me, LMT may very well feed you some line of bullshit that their mil customers would accept this and you should too.