User:Info-Deathmatch/sandbox

Welcome to my sandbox. Current draft, The Improvement of the LR-300 article. Still WIP, haven't gotten to any citation or anything, but I reworded the article some, and inserted some more specific wording. Some parts still sound poor and perhaps a bit plagiarized, any help appreciated in making this edit as superb as possible. Thanks. Info-Deathmatch (talk) 00:27, 29 September 2022 (UTC)

The Z-M LR-300 designed by Allan Zitta, and manufactured by Z-M Weapons. The designation, LR-300, stands for Lightweight Rifle 300 meters, the manufacturer's estimate of the effective range of the 55gr (3.6g) 5.56x45mm FMJ cartridge intended to be fired from the weapon. The gun is based off of the AR-15 and M16 rifle systems, utilizing a unique semi-direct gas impingement system in it's operation, allowing the rifle to use a side-folding stock.

History
The design was originally created as a stockless AR-15 pistol for Allan Zitta to use in target shooting competitions. In 1996, the firearm became a commercial product, under the name Master Blaster. The gun would develop into the LR-300 ML-A, the ML standing for medium length and the 'A' for aluminum, the material of the rounded front handguard. The gun would see minimal commercial success, and in 2008, would be licensed to Para USA under the name 'Para Tactical Target Rifle'. Under Para, the firearm would see more commercial success, but would be discontinued in 2011 due to a number of reasons.

Description
The direct gas impingement system unique to the LR-300 is designed to reduce fouling problems of traditional AR-15 systems. This improved system, as well as the forward mounted return spring allowed for a folding stock, though fixed stocks were available. Another small side-effect of this change is reduced perceived 'thwangs' from firing the weapon. Since the original design of the LR-300, the weapon has had many exterior upgrades, which includes changes to the pistol grip, the addition of Picatinny rails for flashlights, lasers, and grips, as well as variants with rounded Nylatron handguards instead of tactical railing. The rifle's upper receiver and handguard are also taller than typical AR-15 pattern rifles, fitted with Picatinny railing for the inclusion of iron sights or the user's choice of optic.

Gas System
The LR-300's main selling point to consumers was the improved gas system, using the aptly named Delayed Impingement Gas System, or DIGS. In the standard Direct Impingement System, gas is bled off into a hole under the front sight post, also known as a Gas Block, and travels down the gas tube. The hot combustion gases expand, pushing the carrier key and the bolt carrier group backwards, forcing the BCG into the receiver extension under spring tension. The recoil spring in the receiver extension then forces the bolt forward into its locked position. However, in the LR-300 family of rifles, the gas is instead piped through venting ports on the side of the gas block, leading to fewer contaminants from the combustion gases entering the bolt of the gun. However, this also heats up the handguard as the heat from the gaseous jet transfers into the metal handguard seen on most models of the LR-300.