Thread: Service Rifle Match Code Update?

Please note: As the NZSRA are yet to fully understand every aspect of the
“yet to be issued” LMT MARS rifle these specifications are published based
on repeated requests from NZSRA members. As at August 2016 there are some
specifications that are not fully resolved to the NZSRA committees’
satisfaction and are noted. Should the specification change the NZSRA holds
no responsibility for any costs or troubles incurred in complying with any
revised specifications. Please also note the NZSRA have inspected a MARS
rifle and the specifications listed here are based on a physical inspection
of said rifle. We are also reliably informed that NZDF personal are unlikely
to have the rifle for use at the 2017 NZSRA National Matches at Easter.

Upper Receiver: To be of a monolithic design where a significant part of the
hand guard assembly is homogenous with the upper receiver. The Upper
Receiver shall have the standard A4 features including a dust cover and
forward assist. The hand guard section shall be no longer than 9.5 inches
and shall sit behind the gas block on a Mid Length gas system barrel. Note:
Uppers made by manufacturers other than LMT are acceptable as long as they
meet these specifications. The upper should have at a minimum a Picatinny
rail on the top section of the hand guard. The Bolt assembly can be an LMT
enhanced bolt or a standard AR15 bolt assembly.

Lower Receiver: Lower receiver to be based on standard AR15 Lower receiver
with the following exceptions. The Magazine well entrance may have an
enlarged bevel. The trigger guard may be of the larger “winter style”. The
trigger should be of the standard AR15 type with a minimum break of 5.5
pounds. (Please see notes on triggers). The controls may be of an
ambidextrous type but this is not compulsory. (Please see notes on
ambidextrous controls).

Barrel: The Barrel must be no longer than 16 inches and will use a mid
length gas system. The barrel will have a diameter under the handguards of
no more than .730 inch and the gas block diameter must be .75 of an inch.
The barrel forward of the gas block area may be no larger than .740 inch.
The barrel must be made from Chrome-Moly steel and may be chrome lined. It
may have a Parkerized, black oxide or QPQ (Salt Bath Nitro carburised,
Melonite, Tenifer etc) finish. The barrel must safely chamber 5.56 NATO
ammunition. The gas block may be attached with a single pin, clamped on or
held on with set screws. The Muzzle may be fitted with a Surefire WAR Comp
or an A2 flash suppressor.

Ambidextrous controls: If the competitor chooses to they can fit
ambidextrous controls to the rifle. This includes; the charging handle, the
bolt release, the magazine release and the safety selector. Note: as there
are a number of variations here the fall back position will be what a
genuine LMT MARS rifle uses, anything that is larger, longer or offers an
advantage over the parts fitted to the MARS rifle will not be accepted. The
Ambidextrous controls should be no larger, longer or prouder than the
controls on the other side of the rifle. Until such time as the NZSRA are
able to fully evaluate the “Issued MARS rifle” we would offer the following
advice: If you do not need ambidextrous controls because you are a right
hand shooter it may be best to wait until the “as issued” rifle is fully
examined and the specific parts or variants thereof are approved. If you fit
a set of ambidextrous controls and these are latterly rejected by the NZSRA
we will refer you to this document.

Trigger: As of August 2016 the NZSRA are unable to determine the exact type
of trigger to be fitted to the MARS rifle, we have a request into the NZDF
and as soon as this is established the NZSRA will amend the specification.
As such the fall back position will be the standard AR15 trigger, with a
pull weight of no less than 5.5lbs.

Butt-stock: The Rifle must be fitted with a collapsible stock assembly. The
butt stock itself should be either a B5 Systems Enhanced SOPMOD Stock or a
Mil-Spec M4 type butt-stock.

Grip: The Grip may be an Ergo Grip #4009 made by Ergo Grip/Falcon
Industries. An A2 grip may also be used.

Notes: The specifications noted here apply only to the LMT MARS rifle and
clones thereof only. No specification here is transferrable to standard AR15
rifles as used for Service Rifle Competition. The specification for the
Standard AR15 rifle is listed separately and may be updated from time to
time to reflect the evolution of service match code. Under no circumstances
should a competitor mix and match specifications from the LMT spec to the
standard AR15 spec as this may lead to a rifle being declared out of spec
and designated an open class rifle. As always if you are unsure then ask (At
least 2 weeks before the event). If you choose not to ask and assume it will
be ok then at scrutineering you will be referred to this document.