Z-M Weapons LR-300

   The LR-300 assault rifle was developed by Z-M Weapons, a small US-based company. This rifle was designed by Allan Zitta and is aimed at law enforcement personnel and special operations forces. It is a version of the M4 carbine. The designation LR-300 translates as Light Rifle with a range of effective fire in 300 meters. It was manufactured between 2000 and 2007. Later all rights for the design were sold to Para USA.

   The LR-300 is a gas operated, selective fire rifle. It is a state-of-the art compact modular weapon, based on the M16 design. The LR-300 has an improved patented gas operating system. The main reason for this modification was to provide this rifle with capability to mount side-folding stock, rather than fixed M16-type stock, or partially collapsible M4 carbine-type stock. None of these stocks could be removed due the spring piston, mounted inside. A patented gas system of the LR-300 allowed to make the stock collapsible. It is fitted with the FN FAL-type non-adjustable or adjustable telescopic side-folding stocks. As a result the LR-300 is significantly shorter, but reduced size do not comes at a price of reduced accuracy.

   The LR-300 has a counter-recoil mechanism, which improves firing accuracy. The recoil is lower than on the M16 and it is felt differently. Virtually there is no muzzle rise. Also the trigger is pushed softer and more even. The LR-300 is far more controllable than the M4 carbine. All these improvements result in a higher number of accurate shots comparing with the M16-based rifles.

   This rifle has a different pistol grip, which makes it more comfortable to hold. The foregrip is completed from composite materials. It is fitted with openings, that prevent barrel from overheating.

   A fire mode selector of the LR-300 has "single", "full-auto" and "three-shot burst" modes. This rifle has a different pistol grip, which makes it more comfortable to hold.

   This automatic rifle can be easily field-stripped without any tools. A rifle's toolkit is located inside the pistol grip and is accessed from the bottom. Some sources claim that this weapon is more reliable than it's predecessor. This rifle is compatible with all M16 magazines, holding 20 or 30 rounds.

   The LR-300 is completed with a Williams adjustable open sight. It is also fitted with unique Phantom flash-hider. Weapon has a rail system with a large mountable surface area for various add-on accessories, such as flashlights, laser pointers, multiple types of sights, additional handles. This automatic rifle is compatible with a modified M203 underbarrel grenade launcher, however it cannot be fitted with knife-bayonet.

Variants

   LR-300 ML automatic rifle, intended for military use and law enforcement personnel. It is available with a short barrel;

   LR-300 SR (Sports) semi-automatic rifle intended for civilian use. It comes with long barrel and smaller capacity magazine. However price of this rifle is well above the average price of the AR-15 type rifle;

   Para Tactical Target Rifle (TTR), a reworked LR-300 rifle. It is suggested that this rifle will be offered initially only as a semi-automatic weapon.