Now I'm not too big a fan for CA guns, but this is some awesome news - Classic Army has now received the license for LWRC International!

Here's the entire scoop, courtesy of AirsoftNews EU:



They state that CA has already made the M6A2 and PSD replicas (the latter being hawt as holy hot dogs)...could this mean the intro of a LWRC IAR?!?!? IT BETTER!

Hopefully their internals will also increase in quality - will definitely bring happiness to LWRC fans like me.

It's still Classicarmy so quality will be poor. And again just some more Armalite-lookalikes.

This is awesome news, because if there is a real lack of anything in the airsoft marketplace, it's M16/M4 variants.

Actually, I think Orca scooped this news way before AirsoftNews did when he posted pics of the Spartan Import booth at this year's SHOT Show. Pics showed LWRC rifles trademarked ARs. While this is awesome news none the less, CA needs to make sure they do this right because the pics seen so far showed LWRC ARs with trademarks but incorrectly accessorized and the trademark and finish looking kinda so-so.

CA really needs to take a page out of Madbull and Magpul's playbook and get these done as accurately as possible. My hat goes off to them for getting the license, but they really need to work on the follow through.

CA, take the time to do it right! Doing that will help sales more than cutting corners and doing it cheap.

(My two cents of course.)

i do infact need to change my pants... especially because i just ordered all the parts needed to make the IAR
very exciting, especially if they make an IAR. but an M6A2 would be almost as cool.
need pics please (even the ones from orcas post, i lost those)
-Joe

I posted up some info about these in the shot show thread i think. I honestly dont remember where it is.

Here's the skinny.

1. The guns feature the same horrible CA finish.
2. The gas piston system is replicated in a less than realistic manner. The knobs that detach the upper rail system are the wrong size and the piston and piston cup just look plain weird.
3. Laser engraved trademarks are the lamest ###### ever. Lets get some realistic rollmarks going here PLEASE.

Those are the cons. Here are the Pro's.

1. The guns charging handle ROCKS. The bolt plate is HEAVY and when you rack that bitch it feels like you've actually got some friction to fight in order to "chamber" a round. Fantastic job CA, i really dig it.
2. The selector switches are AWESOME. The most realistic selector switch ive ever felt on an airsoft gun. For those of us that actually exercise weapon discipline and safety, safetying and unsafetying these weapons is going to be a joy for the end user.
3. The overall design of the guns, to LWRC's credit is very nice. The PSD is a really pointable little gun and should delight CQB users.

Some suggestions would be to have the guns come packaged with MOE accessories. That would greatly increase the value and attractiveness of the guns to consumers. Fix up the CA internals, i get rid of the suspect ball bearings and you've got a genuine winner on your hands so long as the hopup units are performing.

OMG, another M16/M4 variant!!!
I'm seriously (un)impressed!

Yeah, this is getting pretty old now. If you don't like them, don't post in the threads and don't buy the damn guns.

Pics are here from the earlier Spartan Imports, Shot Show post:

http://s182.photobucket.com/albums/x79/DIG...w2009/?start=20

Here's the future weapons segment about the IAR. I remember thinking at the time 'and the great thing about this is...'. I love Armalites, but I really don't see this as anything to get that excited about.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQR_9sye984

^That's why I fell in love with them.

They look pretty good in those pics (at least the RIS does), but I'm guessing the RS trades aren't like that, correct?

they looks great, thanks for the pics.
i really hope that they make an M6A4 IAR...
or maybe an M6A3 DMR
-Joe

Outwardly it doesn't look much different than a regular AR variant. What makes this very attractive in the real steel world is how it operates using an open bolt in full auto which keeps everything cool and minimizes weapon malfunctions. Plus you can bum ammo from other squad mates as it uses AR mags. Personally I'm kinda shocked the 249 isn't being replaced by the IAR and will most likely be replaced by a closed bolt AR style system by Colt or FN... but that's probably more politics than anything.

Yes it doesn't look particularly remarkable. That's really no different than any other AR variant out there. But there's a reason why people go ga-ga over having trademark X on their ARs... it's the illusion that you have something that performs on a whole other level and you like the look of it. In the end though, it's just a Version 2 GB wrapped in parts. But this is airsoft. It's what we do.

I'm honestly confused.....and while I take on board the suggestion that if you don't like something, then don't post.....I have to ask genuinely if people are really taken by yet another M4 variant.

Yes, I watched the YouTube clip, and yes its all very impressive, the killing potential of the real thing....but in airsoft, its just a case around a very "ordinary" gearbox, that you can find on any other AEG?!?!?......will CA take short cuts and use moulds and dies from their current M4 line up? you bet your butt they will.....so why all the excitment?

That's half of the point, actually. The 'automatic rifleman' in a squad now doesn't stick out as badly as a guy with a SAW, so he's less likely to be targeted specifically by the enemy.

There's a lot of ingenuity in the design of the mechanism I think (in terms of the open bolt functionality), but we moved away from the L86 as a support weapon because... well, you can't use it as a proper light support weapon, 30 round mags just didn't cut it, as many british troops discovered through multiple conflicts over the years. Hence why we bought up the Minimi, the whole idea of the IAR seems rather backwards and hints at narrow minded thinking to be honest.

It's airsoft. The same can be said about any gun that uses a Version 2 GB. They pretty much all perform the same. Some look more different than others. In airsoft it's all about the look. It's 99% illusion.


Yep. That too.


On the plus side, with an M4 layout you're not restricted to a 30 round mag. 100 round drum mags seem to be gaining popularity in the military community, and from the sounds of it, drum mags are the primary mag LWRC had in mind when building the IAR. It should also be noted that pretty much all the new rifles being considered for replacement of the current M249 have essentially AR 556 Layouts. The ergonomics of the L86A1 never seemed drum mag friendly to me.

i agree. i think the whole idea of a support weapon firing from magazines of that low of capacity is absurd. HOWEVER, a lighter, smaller, and less visable weapon IS needed for the role, and the IAR fits that bill. as far as the magazine capacity goes, im sure that if this weapon is adopted, we will arm gunners with a high capacity magazine when it is seen to be needed. in addition, the IAR is not REPLACING the SAW, merely supplementing it, for the occasions when a 200 round belt is not expected to be needed.
and finally, CA has not mentioned anywhere that they are making an IAR, just a LWRC trademarked M6A2 carbine, which in the real world is a fantastic carbine. and with CA quality (yes, i said CA quality because they are infact one fo the best and most successful airsoft companies PERIOD) to back it up, im sure it will be a nice piece to add to any collection, or use in any skirmish. any more news on this rifle, or more plans for CA and LWRC would be great. in addition, any more pictures would be fantastic. is there a signifigant difference (if any) between the M6A2 and PSD?
im glad that CA now have another brand to add to their list. no, this AEG is not "revolutionary" or new, but neither was any AR based AEG for the last few years. now they are just for the slightly different looks, and brands.
if you dont like it, then get out of this thread. im sick of seeing your ######.
you dont see me posting everytime they make another AIMS, AKS, AKMS, AK47, AK74, AKSEXTOOMUCH, etc.
-Joe

honestly i cant wait i love the M6a2, and a3( and hoping to get my own RS very soon) so to have an airsoft replica for it would be great.

How is the top rail constructed?
It looks a bit the same as a 416. The sides of the RAS (or RIS) are a bit different, but overall, it looks the same.
But then again I am no expert in Armalites by far. For Airsoft it is indeed the trades and the flash that does it, like 99% of all airsoftguns, regardless of it being an AR, G36, or AK.
But as RS, it makes a lot of sense.

Too bad it's not going to be a company like VFC who is going to produce these.
Oh well, we must think positive, CA should have the know how to pull it off.

Fully understand your points mate, but even with C-Mag type things it still doesn't seem the best idea to me. The L86 didn't only fail because of the magazines to be fair, there was an adapter knocking around to belt feed it, there's just various little things about trying to convert standard individual rifles in to machine gun type weapons that cause problems. The AR-15 gas system for example, does it still use that? I'm no expert but I'd think your working parts are gonna get real messy real fast with all the propulsion gases blasting back in to the receiver at support weapon rates of fire. Are the barrels going to be sturdy enough with a quick change facility? Is a smaller, lighter platform really going to give you the sheer mass you need behind that kind of RoF? Are they going to be rolling out bi-pods? Will potential enemies not learn to distinguish the new equipment that goes with the weapon and start looking for that relatively quickly anyway?

It's all just conjecture to be fair, I'm not looking for anyone to answer all those questions here, nor am I saying the US or any particular companies are doing stuff all wrong. There's probably been shed loads of man hours been put in to answer a lot of these questions, but I get the impression they could be re-making a mistake already made in the past. I can't help thinking this whole "every new gun we get must work just like the m4!" thing is a little out of hand. Soldiers/sailors/airmen aren't stupid, training on a slightly different new weapon really isn't all that difficult or complicated. Ah well, not like it matters all that much to airsoft.

no, the whole point of it is that it uses LWRC patented gas piston which is one of the best out there.
maybe they will learn to distinguish it, yes, but it will be alot harder... AND this weapon is far far lighter and maneuverable, therefore the Marine using it will be far more fleet of foot.
the rifle was designed from the ground up to be a LIGHT support weapon, but again, NOT replace the SAW in its place as the Squad Automatic Weapon; that will be used for all of the heavy work, this will be used for the light. well, not "this" as LWRC has now been dropped off of the table by the USMC, but the Colt/FNH/HK versions. i still like the LWRC one the most so far (with no first hand use though)

you forgot Marines. and no one else is planning on adopting the IAR, JUST the USMC. the army has already made it clear that they are not switching from the M249.
furthermore, CA has not announced that they are making an LWRC IAR...
-Joe

Ah! You may think that, but a lot of folks don't - which is why some folks get excited by news stories like this and others just say "Big whoop, another Armalite". It is the way of things. The two camps don't always polarize, but when it comes to the news of a new Armalite variant they do. Why anyone wouldn't have realised this already I do not know, but it sure explains a lot of arguments and debates among airsofters when you think about it.

Now perhaps those of us who don't care about this news can just leave it alone, eh? Let the folks who do care enjoy it in peace for a change.

Didn't forget anything mate, it's a deliberate omission. I don't know about the US but it's not the convention here to always specifically mention the marines when you talk about the whole military, i.e. 'the 3 services'. It's nothing offensive, I'm not belittling anyone, it's just that, a convention.

Either way, regardless of the fact all my CA stuff has done me well, if this will make them up their game a little bit all's the better. The general design of the M15 was probably quite impressive at one time, but compared to the G&P/KA M4s around at the moment, it really doesn't justify the higher price tag in any way.

I still think the LWRC IAR got dropped for political reasons. Everything I've read about the Colt/FN/HK versions just don't sound as promising as the IAR.

Edit:

While I say it's 99% illusion I must admit that I'm 100% in support of the illusion. I mean look at all the ridiculous aftermarket parts I have on my guns. Does it really make a difference I have a VLTOR MUR or VIS on my gun? No. But I like it and that's all that matters. That's the core of airsoft right there.

To be fair, maskarijoe, it is replacing a lot of the SAWs. Not all of them, no, but enough of them for a lot of the Marines who are currently carrying the SAW to be unhappy about it. I can definitely see the point of it, but it does have its disadvantages as well, and I can see squads who have for years had a weapon with the ability to put down 100rds at a time getting into trouble when they realise they can't any more (and I'd argue it's not just a matter of training, either).

Fit the IAR with a larger magazine (capacity of 70 rounds or so, maybe) and it'd made an excellent replacement for most of the SAWs, without gimping the weapon or making the automatic rifleman stick out again. As is, I'd argue they're not using the rifle's full potential.

kinnerly: whoa whoa... this is not the place, but in OUR military (i.e. the UNITED STATES', not the queen's) there are 4 branches, 5 in a time of war, and the United States Marine Corps is definately one freaking big one. there are no "major" branches. watch what you say.
USCMcorps: i agree. Colt always seems to get these contracts...
havoc: it is replacing 2000 of the older, outdated models of the M249 (MKIIs). we will still have 8000 M249 SAWs left, compared to 4100 IARs.
ANYWAY, pablo, i agree. some care, some dont. if you dont... please dont comment, again
thank you.
so, anyone know the difference between the M6A2 and PSD? a google search found nothing, though it was brief.
-Joe

PSD super shorty gun, like 8 inch barrel or something, meant for personal security detail and close in work where a lengthy standard assault rifle would be cumbersome, hence the name, Personal Security Detail (IIRC anyway). Also, I think it fires the 6.8spc round only... Cannot remember lol....

I believe you are correct.

The PSD was designed with the intent of firing the 6.8mm round but im pretty sure it can be rebarreled in 5.56 if the end user is so inclined.

Same general operating system only shortened down a bit.

Very nice guns, very pointable but the lack of an FSB scares me a bit. I grip my rifles very far forward on the handguards and i would be afraid of my hand slipping towards the muzzle in a dynamic stress situation.

The neat thing though is that there are quite a few companies developing handguard stops that do away with the broomstick but instead create a nub for your hand to butt up against in case of slipping or just as an object to apply pressure to.

Very cool stuff.

And fresh info from Spartan and CA. Confirmed he 2 inital LWRCs released will be...

Click to view attachment
LWRC M6A2

Click to view attachment
LWRC PSD

And these should be released sometime in Feb.



Yes the trades are close to RS.

I think the problem with the trademarks is that while they're accurate they're not stamped like on the real lower receivers.

As seen in this photo:
http://www.lwrifles.com/Portals/0/Products...SD2rifLarge.jpg

But I don't think CA has ever done stamping for their receivers have they?

Edit: I would like to add though that it's nice to see CA getting the accessories right compared to what they displayed at SHOT Show '09. Definitely a step in the right direction.
Edit #2: If possible please also remind them that the LWRC M6A2 and PSD both come with the Magpul Enhanced Trigger Guard.

USCM - they have, but it was EONS ago, back before they started producing complete guns. You can still turn up their old Colt-marked receivers if you are patient.

But not in a long time then. The LWRC trademarks on the CA Replicas appear to either be laser etched or from Pad printing (more likely the former). My preference is generally to replicate what was done on the RS which in thise case would be to use stamping. That way, if I bought a black LWRC replica and wanted to paint it FDE, I wouldn't loose all those nice trademarks (at least on the lower, the upper looks to be laser engraved). Also a non-glossy finish would be preferred too. Can't win em all I guess.

M6A2 & PSD info from LWRCI.com

I thought it was Army, Navy, Air Force? With USMC falling under the command of Navy? Any need for the 'watch what you say' comment?

As for the IAR, I personnally think it's a waste of time and space, and would much rather have a belt fed weapon putting down the suppression than a 30 round box fed. Cmags and suchlike have time and time again proven unreliable in use, and having a reliable 100+ feed for sustained fire is essential. Seems like harking back to the days of the BAR and Bren, when ammo was heavy and MG42's the better idea. Then again, I have every M240's out there doing the suppression job with a bit more conviction.

I think its a shame CA have picked this one up as VFC could have produced a far higher quality product. Hopefully it will encourage CA to step up things a little, and we'll see a rise in quality.

Edit: Yes masakarijoe, just done a little research and I can see how large and independant USMC are, which is interesting. Always good to learn new stuff, semper fi and all that. Well done, carry on.

M4 fan...

Airsoft wise all I see now is an M4 variant that you can, genuinely, add a box mag to now! (wanna-be support gunners will be happy).

M4 variants...very bored now. Why? With airsoft being "illusion" its all about look with another M4 based AEG it just looks like that...an M4, perhaps dressed differently but certainly nothing special enough for 70% of the skirmishers to notice or care about!

With a new model I want "wow" I want other skirmishers to come up and ask "what's that?"...sure as hell won't with this. The other 30% will know it, like it and approach me....unfortunately they're also likely to know far more about the real weapon than ME. lol

Real life - even the M249 is poor as a support weapon as its too accurate (similar issue to the L85-LSW), you want to put rounds down field and really keep someones heads down you need Belt-Fed (GPMG!) with a decent "beating ground". Still the way the USMC work they need something lighter and certainly with a better bolt system so perhaps this is why they've opted to replace about 10% of their M's with this?

This is airsoft. We should really start putting all this RS functionality talk behind us and move on. LWRC has decided to license their replicas. That's a good thing. If you don't like the LWRC that's your prerogative (aimed at no one in particular). But let's not bash the people who do like it, huh?

IMHO, more focus should be spent on getting CA to go that last extra mile in getting the 100% accuracy we'd all like to see in our replicas. After all... we're all shooting plastic in the end.

i am in complete agreement that we cannot replace the M249. a belt fed weapon is essential. the M6A4 IAR was originally designed just to supplement it, thats all. no matter, it has NOT been adopted.
and thanks for the info about the differences between the M6A2 and the PSD! i didnt know that.
Captain Darling: that comment wasnt meant to sound the way it did. sorry, i read it again, and thats not how i meant it to come out. but yes, we are a seperate entity.
-Joe
EDIT: USCM Corps: yeah, lets please discuss the airsoft LWRC carbine. CA isnt even making an IAR!

Fair enough.

The only issue I'm seeing right now (and it's not a major one to be honest), but could you not just buy any old G&P and make one of these M6s with the custom parts already available? It would only be trade marks you couldn't really replicate to be honest.

The rail system is not conventionally available.

The closest thing out there would be a Samson or Troy rail but its still not 100% accurate.

Also, there is no 8 inch barrel as far as i know. Im fairly sure Dytac makes 7.5 inch barrels but not 8 inchers.

well, as far as the IAR, that is exactly what i am doing, kinnerley. ive already ordered everything i need, and a G&P M4A1 is the host. so yes.
but MAGZ, you are right, there is no replica of that rail yet, i had to settle for a troy. and the barrel im using will be a 16" with a clamp on gas block front sight. again, that is for the M6A4 IAR, not the M6A2 or PSD.
-Joe

Unless I'm missing something, looking at those pics, it makes me wonder what Troy, VLTOR, and Magpul...especially Magpul, will think when they see clones of their products being sold with the CA. (Troy sights, VLTOR and Magpul stocks. Edit: Looks like there's a MIAD on the PSD, so that as well.)

Other than that speed-bump, they look good thus far, methinks.

-Vic

Those are probably PTS parts which Spartan Distributes. Im pretty sure that there is no conflict there.

Yeah, that's what I had figured. Thought I'd stick it out there anyway.

-Vic

Those are Official Magpul-PTS MOE parts on the PSD.

The Emod stock is a replica on the M6, but side battery compartments are larger to hold Sub-C Crane batteries and has a new quick Crane battery install design unlike the current difficult to install CA Crane Stock battery design.

New pics, as these CA LWRC replicas get closer to production. Logos are laser engraved.

Click to view attachment
Click to view attachment

I spot me some MRE(ish) finish .

i know most of you probably have noticed, but i didnt see nay one mention it yet, so ill say it.

But the CA's new hop up unit looks very similar to the ICS (m4) one. Does anyone think that they'll be compatible?

I think the white trademarks ruin it, imo

So..i have lied to myself, this is the only CA i will ever consider buying, as i have sworn off them since my M15.