Thread: At least it's a nice colour green - NZDF choose AR to replace Steyrs

New Zealand Army Selects LMT To Replace Steyr AUG - The Firearm Blog

NZDF

Following the trials programme phase of the evaluation of tenders, the Ministry has selected Lewis Machine & Tool Co Inc of the USA as preferred Tenderer. Subject to the Ministry undertaking a Due Dilligence activity and negotiation of a contract package, New Zealand Government approval will be sought to proceed to award of a contract.

Just need Govt to sign the cheque.

Originally Posted by Kscott

New Zealand Army Selects LMT To Replace Steyr AUG - The Firearm Blog

NZDF

Attachment 39785



Just need Govt to sign the cheque.

Yay bout time we moved to something decent, now how do I get back in??? Better call up the Sargent.

Oh that right I'm now far too old/fat/lazy and cynical.

I like to set trends in firearm fashion rather than follow them. Nzdf must have heard that I just brought an ar so have decided to follow suite.

I am sure that the final product will look some what different to that picture in both colour and accessories/optics etc... As for the Steyr, it has served this country well, and if it wasn't so bloody expensive then we would most likely have seen it carry on.

Same company they selected for there designated marksmen rifles in 7.62. interesting to se what configuration they end up getting from then there was a lot of complaints about the effective range of the Steyr

I wonder if their trial included the AK-12 or A-545.

Originally Posted by Yukon

I wonder if their trial included the AK-12 or A-545.

The following companies were selected for the Individual Weapon trials phase:

Beretta New Zealand Limited
Česká zbrojovka a.s.
Colt Canada Corporation
FN HERSTAL
STEYR MANNLICHER GmbH
XTEK Limited (Sig Sauer)
Heckler & Kock GmbH
Lewis Machine & Tools Co Inc

No mention of Kalashnikov Concern.

Originally Posted by Yukon

I wonder if their trial included the AK-12 or A-545.

Nope, they did/would not fit the user requirement.

The m16 A2 won the last IW trial hands down but it only took 30 yrs to get an AR platform in service.
Now they are back to square one retraining weapons techs and TOETS/drills among other things.
Good decision and about time.
As for the AK platform it would never get a look in with us or any Western block force for obvious reasons to the tactically minded.


Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

Originally Posted by Shooter

I am sure that the final product will look some what different to that picture in both colour and accessories/optics etc... As for the Steyr, it has served this country well, and if it wasn't so bloody expensive then we would most likely have seen it carry on.

Well from what I know the Army did want the AR-15 to start with (remember they had M16 A1s) but Colt was not prepared to allow local licensed manufacture and yes they were expensive. There was also the question of the Government of the day and the fact that they were an American product. The Steyer is technically advanced and has some nice features but it has fiddly small parts (seen the piston and gas adjuster!) and oddities like the sling swivel mount which holds the but pad and trigger mechanism in-place. It is one thing to shoot something on the range and another to look after it in the field. Apparently it is not that popular with many of the troops (probably those who have used ARs).

Originally Posted by Yukon

I wonder if their trial included the AK-12 or A-545.

Should've just done a deal with Tipple and GC, would've saved the taxpayer a fortune

Originally Posted by Kscott

New Zealand Army Selects LMT To Replace Steyr AUG - The Firearm Blog

NZDF

Attachment 39785



Just need Govt to sign the cheque.

And for it to be chambered in 300 wsm

That could be our new flag


Sent from the swamp

Originally Posted by 300CALMAN

Well from what I know the Army did want the AR-15 to start with (remember they had M16 A1s) but Colt was not prepared to allow local licensed manufacture and yes they were expensive. There was also the question of the Government of the day and the fact that they were an American product. The Steyer is technically advanced and has some nice features but it has fiddly small parts (seen the piston and gas adjuster!) and oddities like the sling swivel mount which holds the but pad and trigger mechanism in-place. It is one thing to shoot something on the range and another to look after it in the field. Apparently it is not that popular with many of the troops (probably those who have used ARs).

I'm happy enough with the move to the LMT don't get me wrong but the media has painted a picture of how the steyr is "not liked by troops" or "Cant hit the side of a barn" or whatever but the bottom line is that it has serverd us more than well over the past 29 years! As for small parts, it breaks down in to 4 main groups for field cleaning... there is no need to be messing with it any more than that when on patrol. Sure going to miss the bullup too.

Only thing that let it down was the optics was not easy to identify targets greater than 100m even on the range all you would see is the stupid black donut