LMT Defender 2000 - yes/no?

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meef

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Awright, looking for informed input here. And please don't suggest I use the search function. Been there, done that, gleaned some useful and some not so useful info from it. This is my question and I hope to get some input from those who know.

Scenario: My local boy's toys store has said they could get me the LMT Defender 2000 for $1100.

Well heck, I want it - but I'm the type that does his research before spending that kind of money. $1100 ain't chump change for me, but I can manage it. I know that AR15 type goodies go in that range, some more, some less.

What I've read of the Defender 2000, and LMT in general has my interest. I had a new Colt CAR-15 back in the late '80s and sold it. Stupid me. They were common and priced right so I figured what the heck. Things have changed. It was a great rifle and I wish I had kept it. Spilt milk, as it were.

So those of you who have personal knowledge, help me out please.

Should I? Shouldn't I? Why? Why not?

I'm not looking for the "Ultimate SHTF" piece, nor do I expect to get into protracted firefights with the evil forces of government tyranny and drag my butt through miles of mud in the process of surviving same. I just want the best, most reliable bang for the buck.

I already have my Saiga and other AK-47 type items. Got those bases covered. I want an AR15 gizmo. I want the best I can afford without going overboard.

Right up front, I'm quite capable of making my own decisions so please don't bother suggesting "buy what you like". Until I get some worthwhile feedback, I'm not sure just what I should "like". I also am quite capable and willing to listen to those with more experience than I have and weighing that advice. All sincere input is appreciated.

Also - what's this "MRP Gas Piston upper" business and should it factor into my decision, now or perhaps later?

Thanks in advance. Let 'er rip.
 
MRP- Monolithic Rail Platform

It is a rail that goes all the way from the top of the reciever to the end of the handguard.

The gas piston uppers are AR's that use a gas piston. They are supposed to be more reliable, and they run cooler.

Neither are that important, and the piston is not prefered on my AR's.
 
Consider it the BMW of AR-15s. You can spend more on a Bentley Continental or less on a Toyota Tundra. But for those who want an exceptional vehicle that rewards the driver, the BMW is an excellent choice.

The LMT will not disappoint. It is a professional tool and one of the best fighting rifles around.
 
LMT is excellent choice for an AR. It's right up there with Colt in my opinion. If anything, people would say you are going overboard with quality but, $1100 is a killer price.

The owners manual and carry strap you get with it are pretty poor quality. But, don't let that mislead you. The gun is excellent.

Joe Mamma
 
the mrp is a great idea, and a piece where you can hang a ton of stuff, and it is not going to come lose , either. I happen to be a big fan of the gas piston; In the Universe, starting from the economic laws of the universe, right down to trying to build a fire , with two sticks, heat/friction build up is the biggest problem we have, and ar's have it in spades. the gas piston keeps the heat, and the heated crap, from getting back to the action/receiver area. Now then, what happens next is good in some people's minds, and bad in others, that is why i offered no opinion at all, in the above statements.
 
Well, you guys certainly aren't steering me away from getting the LMT (not that that's a bad thing :D)

I was going to wait until the weekend to go place the order, but a bad case of the "I wants" is starting to make me itchy.

I don't think I'll make it to the weekend (or even to the end of the day).

Any opinions on the SOPMOD stock? Looks like a comfortable, but not necessarily must-have, option.
 
The SOPMOD stock seems pricey for what you get. It's within a few bucks of the Magpul UBR which offers a consistent cheekweld and weighs a 1/4 pound more. Both offer storage.

If you want it for storage, consider the MIAD grip with storage (and adjustable backstraps and frontstraps) and get a different stock.

My AR runs with a Magpul CTR that I'm happy with.
 
Awright, looking for informed input here. And please don't suggest I use the search function. Been there, done that, gleaned some useful and some not so useful info from it. This is my question and I hope to get some input from those who know.
Click to expand...

You are not asking anything new that hasnt been covered in 50 other threads. Buy it and be done with it.
 
MRP- Monolithic Rail Platform

It is a rail that goes all the way from the top of the reciever to the end of the handguard.
Click to expand...

There's more to the LMT Monolithic Rail Platform than the rail being a single piece on receiver and front end. Specifically, the MRP is designed to allow the operator to change out barrel (and by extension, caliber as well) by removing two screws (technically, removing one, loosening another) with a torque wrench (included with the MRP). Slap the new barrel in (and bolt if you're changing caliber) and torque the screws back down and you're back in business. You retain zero (and different barrel lengths seem to retain the windage portion of zero as well), don't have to worry about swapping optics and other accessories over, etc.

Real cool system -- last I checked you could get .204 and 6.8mm barrels/bolts for the MRP, as well as 5.56mm barrels in 10.5", 14.5", 16" and 18" (obviously some of those require paperwork for civilians). I'm not sure it is really a capability every shooter needs -- I bought mine 50% for the cool factor, and 50% because it let me sell off several uppers and free up room in the gun safe (and convince my significant other I was downgrading the size of my gun collection . . . ;) ).
 
"Any opinions on the SOPMOD stock? Looks like a comfortable, but not necessarily must-have, option."

I agree with this. But the last time I checked, it wasn't an option.

It's also very expensive if purchased separately, which helps to make the gun an even better deal.

Joe Mamma
 
You are not asking anything new that hasnt been covered in 50 other threads.
Click to expand...
:scrutiny:

Thought I made that clear enough from the start. There are plenty of AR threads, no doubt. I just wanted something specific to the exact rifle I'm interested in.

And I've already gotten some very useful suggestions/info/feedback from members whose opinions I respect, and have been pointed to some options I wasn't aware of. For those, I'm grateful.

For your input....

Not the most useful I've received, but thanks anyway.
 
Another thing about LMT is that there customer service was great.

I thought that my rear sight wiggled in the back too much. Turns out it did. They sent me a new carry handle and paid for all shipping.
 
LMT and Colt do have the best reputations. If you can find a Colt 6920 it will have "For Government and LE use only". English translation: "Assault rifle ban is repealed!". -)
 
Well, I pulled the trigger (metaphorically speaking) and went for it.

Order has been placed and now I have to settle in for the long wait until it gets here.

Patience is not my strong suit.

Thanks for the input.... :D
 
For $1,100, correct me if I'm wrong, is the standard version without the SOPMOD stock and without the MRP upper. In other words, an M4 style AR.

I have the same one, but with the SOPMOD stock. It's an excellent carbine.
 
Joseph,

It's the standard version. When it finally arrives I can see about what tweaks, if any, seem necessary.

The days are gonna drag by until then........ :)
 
I agree with this. But the last time I checked, it wasn't an option.
Click to expand...

The SOPMOD stock is very much an option...LMT makes the standard 6 pos stock, too.

I just went this route, meef. Trust me, you will not be disappointed. LMT is top flight in quality, and I love mine...just got it a few weeks ago.

You may replace the stock later, or add rails, or whatever...but the base carbine is an excellent piece in it's own right...and everything is servicable.

Add mags and ammo.

I wouldn't worry about the MRP or the gas piston. I'm not that impressed by the MRP, and it costs more than I think it is worth.
 
Three friggin' months....

Three!

That's how long it took LMT to get my rifle to my dealer from the day it was ordered.

Having said that, I went to the range with it this weekend.

Those of you who spoke well of the rifle and said I would like it - you nailed it absolutely dead center - much like my new rifle was doing to the targets at the range.

Love it! This one's a keeper without a second thought. Long wait, well worth it.

Now if I can just get the wife to share a little more when we take it out. Honestly, I think she liked it more than I did. Kept bugging me about it being "her turn again" all the time.

Sheesh.

:D :D :D
 
RockyMtnTactical:
Pics?
Click to expand...

Pics'll be forthcoming pretty soon. It's basically a plain vanilla Defender (for the moment) that needs a couple of things to spruce it up a touch.

That reminds me - anybody know where I can get a Summit Tactical Sling for it?



:D
 
Pics forthcame. It's just my start at dressing it up as I haven't decided all or exactly what I'm going to do to it yet. Just playing with it at the moment. Not planning on pimping it out too much.

The sling's a keeper. Summit Tactical from Rocky Mountain Tactical. Very high quality item and great outfit to deal with. It'll have the proper (better) side mounts on it as soon as they arrive.

I'm likin' this puppy mucho..... :D

lmt-2.jpg
 
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