Thanks for the review Mark. So many different options, so many little and not so little problems with this rifle. I am glad that you were able to sort it all out but it does not make me the slightest convinced to stick my toe into buying one of those. I also expect they will be a hard sell on the second hand market. Cheers.
Yeah, I agree 100% that the nearly endless options available on the Lockhart website can be somewhat confusing and certainly overwhelming - especially for those new to the sport. As for the problems encountered they have been as follows:
1. Defective Barrel with undersized Gas Port and incorrect Chamber Reaming. These barrels cannot be salvaged due to the defective chamber and are replaced at no cost on a 1 for 1 exchange basis with LTAC Customer Service. I was back up and running with a brand new, Mid-Length Gas System Barrel within 5 business days of identifying the problem to LTAC.
2. Shallow threads for the Receiver Extension (Buffer Tube) cut into the Rear of the Lower Receiver. The threads had to be re-cut with a specially-purchased Tap ($63 on Amazon.ca) in order to accept the LAW Tactical Folding Buttstock Adapter.
3. The Bolt Carrier Extension from the LAW Tactical Gen 3
AR10 Folding Adapter had to be reduced in diameter in order to fit inside the rear of the LTAC Bolt Carrier.
4. The sharp, irritating point under the Trigger Guard had to be filed down and refinished where it was bothering my middle finger. Birchwood Casey "Aluminum Black" did the refinishing trick nicely! Note that this point has been eliminated on current-production Lower Receivers.
5. The Screws retaining the Bolt Catches and those holding together the Charging Handle were Blue Loctited in order to avoid loosening and potential loss.
Most of the serious "issues" boil down to the defective Barrel which was quickly resolved by LTAC Customer Service, and the Receiver Extension Threads which had to be re-cut in the Lower Receiver using an expensive Amazon tool. I would expect that most if not all of the defective Barrels have now been caught and exchanged for new Barrels with a mid-length Gas System. I do not know if anyone has spoken to Samuel Lockhart about the shallow Buffer Tube Threads on the lower Receiver, but I will make a note to do so the next time we speak about the Raven.
With the Barrel and the Buffer Tube Threads sorted out, there is actually very little on the Raven which requires end-user attention before Break-In, especially if no LAW Tactical Folder Adapter is to be installed. I'd say that at that point, the Raven is every bit as good to go as your average AR15 out of the box. No particular end-user attention ought to be required from unboxing onwards, other than adjustment of the Gas System in order to balance the rifle. The Raven is not as daunting as my posts might suggest, and the minor challenges to date ought not scare any prospective buyers away from the rifle. The Raven is a very well-made firearm in and of itself. Although adjustment of the Gas System may seem complex and challenging to the new shooter, it is an excellent way to become intimately familiar with the operation and adjustment of the shooter's new rifle.
There is really nothing whatsoever to fear about the LTAC Raven. It is a high-quality, Canadian-manufactured, NR firearm that will make a suitable substitute for the AR15 as well as the larger caliber AR10 for most users. Priced at around $3400 with all the 5.56mm "Platinum" Bells and Whistles, the Raven is certainly not cheap. Then again, compared to other current Canadian offerings the Raven is better finished for the same or less money. Converting the 5.56m rifle to .308 cal will cost approximately $2700 further for the Caliber-Change Kit. which will net you a .308 Magazine Well and complete .308 Upper Receiver when they are ready for production.
Although I have only 160 rounds down-range through my Raven, it is functioning 100% based on the directions contained in the User's Manual. Those who have run an AR15 with an Adjustable Gas System will feel right at home with the Raven 5.56mm. It is an extremely well-crafted riffle, bordering on a work of the machinist's art. Fortunately for us, we are the beneficiaries of Samuel Lockhart's hard work and design and production vision. The more the merrier when it comes to new designs on the Canadian market, just so long as they are decent. The LTAC Raven certainly appears to be a decent design thus far, backed up by truly outstanding Customer Service...
