Lockhart Tactical Raven 9 thoughts, impressions and reviews

mojoman said:
beltfed, I am using pmag 10/17 mags in my gun. I had to sand the front and back at the top of the mags to get them to drop free. The funny part is they would drop free on a closed bolt, but not an open bolt. If you look you can see where the mags are dragging. It doesn't take much sanding and they will drop free.
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Thanks for the feedback - I'll definitely look at that.
 
Beltfed after another 115 rds yesterday using and testing 147.x gr RNFP from Can-Pro and my gas checked 356402 125 gr. TC lead bullets I have concluded issues with feeding are all mag specific. By that I mean my SHK 10/32 mags ate both bullet styles 100% as they do with RN bullets from BDX - the 124.x grainers for those who care. MY supplied KCI 10 rd mag choked on both bullet designs as did my 10/32 RBS mag. The latter two run RN just fine. Your comment about spring tension maybe spot on although I did note the offending mags all had a tendency to drive the last round nose up more so than when the mags were fully loaded.

I spoke to my gunsmith in Kitimat and I may have him throat my barrel on the Raven. I am not sure yet whether to go this route. It might be cheaper just to buy some more SHK mags and call it good. I do reloads faster with the shorter 10 rd mags and for IDPA competitions in Canada that would be nice. Going South all you really need is one 32 rounder and you are golden.

BTW 2.7 gr of 700X under the Can Pro 147 gr bullet is extremely soft shooting using a 10 or 11 oz buffer system for chasing steel.

Take Care

Bob
 
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Bad news. Yesterday after just under 500 rds total the firing pin broke. I contacted Lockhart and they are sending me a new one. The new pin should be here on Tuesday. Parts break so not overly concerned. I have to say the FP seems to be very thin. For what it is worth I will suggest to Lockhart that if another Generaltion evolves the design of the firing pin ought to be reconsidered. I might also suggest the barrel throating might be more aggressive to allow RNFP and HP bullets to function in the gun. Other than those two items this gun is well made with very tight tolerances.

Maple Leaf Up

Bob
 
Canuck44 said:
Bad news. Yesterday after just under 500 rds total the firing pin broke. I contacted Lockhart and they are sending me a new one. The new pin should be here on Tuesday. Parts break so not overly concerned. I have to say the FP seems to be very thin....
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Yes, parts do break, but the rate of breakage is what matters. Let's hope yours is an isolated event, and not pointing to a weakness in the design.

(issues with the 223 version reported on the black rifles subforum)
 
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Received two pins in the mail today and got one installed. Thanks Sam at Lockhart. Both under warranty of course. Installation was relatively easy after you read the instructions...dah. It helps to use needle nose pliers when reinstalling the firing pin retaining pin I found. I'll be out tomorrow doing some testing. Just waiting on some 124 gr BDX RN bullets to do some serious shooting with the carbine. John T will be back from Alaska tomorrow so I'll be burning threw a few rounds with company.

Take Care

Bob
 
I took my Raven out yesterday. I reduced my Buffer weight to 8.6 oz from just over 10oz. The reduced weight was more to see if there were any significant differences in performance. It didn't. I am not sure the adjustable Buffer was necessary, probably not.
The SHK 10/32 mags from Korea seem to work best in my gun. Not sure why but these are the only mags I have that feed 147gr CanPro bullets reliably. Round nose bullets feed fine. After just over 600 rds the gun is running flawlessly. I likely will settle on Titrgroup for mat h loads and "whatever I have the most of powder: for practice. Testing won't take place until the spring.
Once the mags are sorted out this carbine is well made, fit is much better than the FX9 I have. A sample of one I know but for competition and plinking and for a base for a build this gun is worth the money.

Take Care
Bob
 
Please don't blame me in not going through pages of this thread... but would anyone who already have a Raven9 platinum able to fully convert it into Raven 556 platinum?
Is it just a matter of getting this upper from Lockart?

SKU: LTAC-RAV-CALIBER-556-PLATINUM-COMPLETE
 
to convert a 9mm to .223 you'd need the following:

- Complete upper with complete bolt carrier group and charging handle (side charger on a gas gun is no bueno).
- 'Mid' sized magazine well
- The lower from the 9mm with a new buffer spring and buffer suitable for a rifle.
 
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From reading the site I think you only really need is a 3oz buffer to replace the 8oz buffer that comes with the Raven9. Given you have the Raven9 already and simply want to swap from a 9 to a 223 I would simply remove the handguard from my 9MM and use it on the .223.I prefer the side charging handle even though I did buy the top charging handle for my Raven9.

Assuming we get the use of AR's back when Pierre gets elected I think the conversion kit is a pricey option. There is only about $600 difference between the cost of the Conversion kit and a whole new rifle. That said for me I am not sure I want another money pit to fill but then again ya can't take it with you I am told.

Take Care

Bob
 
Canuck44 said:
From reading the site I think you only really need is a 3oz buffer to replace the 8oz buffer that comes with the Raven9. Given you have the Raven9 already and simply want to swap from a 9 to a 223 I would simply remove the handguard from my 9MM and use it on the .223.I prefer the side charging handle even though I did buy the top charging handle for my Raven9.
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The buffer spring is different on the PCC, so for the lower you need the spring and buffer.
You absolutely need to run a top charging handle on a gas gun as you physically cannot install the delrin stop at the back of the upper and the bolt carrier for the .223. The charging handle for an intermediate rifle cartridge is longer than on a PCC.
Without the top charging handle in place, you are eating a considerable amount of gas that blows back and past the carrier. If you've ever fired an AR suppressed it is like 20 times the amount of blow-by.

Hand guard re-use is going to depend on the barrel nut used. Not sure if the Lockhart built guns all use the same barrel nut from 9mm to .223, but if choosing a builder's kit, one is most likely choosing to cannibalize from an AR that is already in their possession.




Smokinyotes said:
Why not just buy another complete rifle.
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yep, after purchasing a 9mm and piecing together a .223 builder's kit, I'd say that is very sound advice.
 
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Belted they have a plug if you don't use the top charging handle. You can run with the 9mm spring & buttstock and get by using a 3 oz Buffer. The spring has little affect on reci9l reduction and serves mainly to close the beach with the bolt. Check out their video dealing with the conversion. The price difference between buying a new Platinum 223nand just getting a conversion kit is about $600 before tax. Roughly $1,500 vs $2,100. I said roughly. As near as 9 can figure by reading the Lockhart charging handle Is proprietary with some aftermarket AR handles can be used but not ideally. personall6, if I wanted a 223 carbine i would buy the complete rifle.


Take Care
Bob
 
Bob,

I just completed a .223 build a couple of weeks ago.

You can't run a .223 carrier with the plug.
If the plug is in place, you cannot install the bolt carrier group into the upper. You have to remove the plug to install the carrier group.
You cannot install the plug once your .223 carrier is in the upper, as the carrier is in the way.

You could certainly try to shoot a rifle with the side charger in place on the carrier and not run the 'plug' at the back, but you get a face full of gas - as I have already tried and something I strongly suggest against.

The 9mm spring on mine is about an inch to 1 1/2" shorter than a regular carbine buffer spring.
It is not a viable option for a .223 rifle.

As I've posted elsewhere, the PCC run a regular length AR-15 charging handle, the intermediate cartridge rifles run a proprietary length charging handle between AR15 and AR10 length and presumably the full power cartridge rifles will run an AR10 compatible length charging handle (but that remains to be seen).
 
Belted the Lochart 223 is not an AR. I assume you were building an AR not working on a Lockhart rifle. I asked John T a friend of mind to explain to you the difference and why the Lockhsrt uses a,plug that replaces the top charging handle if the shooter doesn't want to use the top charging handle. Lockhart has a video on their website showing how to swap a conversion kit going from the 9mm to the 223. They use the same buttstock. Spring and buffer from the 9MM in the 223. Personally I would replace the 8oz buffer from the 9MM with a 3oz buffer. I would use the 9mm spring but some might want to go with a lighter spring. Frankly the springs main function is to return the bolt to battery but there you are. FYI the Raven9 uses a proprietary charging handle not the AR charging handle.

Take Care

Bob
 
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