Kris tests out the Lockhart Raven 556 rifle. It's a pretty neat idea, and a very familiar experience to shoot. But, did it hold up to testing? find out!
Got 4500 rounds through mine, no issues, with gen2 carrier. This video shows a gen1 carrier. All issues went away with gen2 carrier. Which was released a while ago. My raven is rock solid. Holding up to the bren2 at my work. And to be noted, they reinvented the AR to make a AR legal again. Let them have one screw up. Generally, most newly manufactured items in life have issues with their first runs. The gen2 fix has completely solved everything and made the rifle rock solid. And no im not payed by or affiliated with Lockhart. I just hate when the internet spins stuff into being worst than they are, this rifle is solid. Had a couple small hiccups on release which have been resolved. The pistons on Wk180s and R18s STILL break after all the "improvements". People love to cry/point fingers on the internet with whatever they get their hands on. Im thankful a company has finally found a way to make a legal AR. Yes there was a hiccup, but it was quickly solved. No one is perfect. Especially when reinventing something. I have service members who wish they had my Raven over their service carbines. The new carrier is rock solid. I have had zero issues in all the 4500 rounds ive shot with mine. PMC bronze ammo, pmags, crossmags, and LR mags. Eats up everything and cycles flawlessly. 3 coworkers got Ravens and have no issues. Plus a bunch of customers got them and have no issues once i taught them how to set the gas block.
@@VA6OIL I work at the biggest indoor shooting range in Canada and everyone I encounter with a Raven with a gen2 carrier has had zero issues. I know they had a bad start with the first carrier, but thats a thing of the past now.
@@theguncouple i bought bren 2 instead and still im very tempted to spend again and buy the raven. Its like an eye candy. Closest thing to an AR-15 in canada. Im looking forward to see more positive reviews before i buy one🤙🏼
My raven has been amazing. I bought mine with the 2nd gen bolt carrier, have 1200 rounds through already. Seldom cleaned and just runs and maintains good accuracy. Much more accurate than every ar-180 ive owned, i imagine with it being direct impingement. And so nice to have a smaller profile barrel, so tired of the heavy barrel 180s.
@@mrpowerskate I've since been told that the barrels Lockhart are shipping have adjustable blocks, that's good. I knew buffer weights were adjustable, same as an ar15., including silent capture etc.
Ive got an earlier Raven 556 with the mid length gas system and gen 2 BCG. I’ve got about 200 rounds through the gen 2 BCG and have had no issues whatsoever, aside from 3 light primer strikes which went away after a thorough cleaning. I encourage you to take another swing at it when the new BCG comes in 😊
Be super interested to see you review it now with all the upgrades and all the bells and whistles the platinum model comes with, ive been watching reviews for a year now on all the different canadian semi autos, Im leaning towards the raven as of now
The prebuilt rifle comes with a lot of the stuff your sample didn't have as it looks like the individual who owns that rifle got the builder kit version... The rifle has optional side covers/brass deflectors to cover the holes you complained about however at the premium of $100! the rifle comes stock with enhanced bolt catches or paddles as you called them and ambi mag release and safety. The side charging was an odd decision that I don't agree with either they seemingly did it to open up the options for people who prefer side charging, as they charge a premium for the top charging handle option. however, they also announced a new upper today that has a forward assist and dust cover also with a gen 3 BCG. I think they fixed the open sides with that new receiver. You are one of the first reviews ive seen to also complain about the sharp edge near the pistol grip and I gotta say idk what they were thinking there to me its almost more machine / design work to leave it as they did. I agree as the sample I have access to might be getting filed/ dremeled as it is annoying! I have sampled the rifle for myself and I am extremely impressed with the accuracy out of the stock Lockhart barrel. Able with factory 55 FMJ to get a 1-1.5 inch group with bulk FMJ at 100 yards Only complaint I have with the pre-built rifle is the absolute shit stock it came with out of the box, like seriously I have airsoft stocks that are 10x the quality. The sharp edge near the grip, and the ugly front of the rail the gun came with however I have never been a "wire cutter" rail fan. I can't say I have been as fortunate with my other semi-556 rifles also with a 1-6 scope I may attempt throwing a higher power scope to do some accuracy testing for myself as I believe that the rifle is sufficient for some lite precision style shooting. As I picked one up It just felt like the rifle I have been trying to replace for 4 YEARS!
It seems to me that the ar180 rifles have far more issues, like screws coming loose, gas block coming loose, piston breakage, over gassed, non adjustable gas block, charging handles breaking etc. The 180 tends to beat itself to death. From what I'm reading, the raven is good to go with the gen 2 bcg and the adjustable gas block is a much needed part. The last 180 I had and will ever have was so over gassed that it would tear off the case rim while extracting and the case would remain in chamber. A cleaning rod was needed to bump the case out for continued low quality enjoyment. Plus, the over inserting mag issue is annoying.
In regards to arbitrary decisions from the government. How is this rifle any more or less likely to get banned due to an OIC in the future than ANY other rifle. Wk180, Siberian, ska, raven makes no difference. Those fuckers in Ottawa can decide tomorrow to ban anything they want, ar15 style mechanics or not
Absolutely true. Its impossible to predict the nonsensical nature of how guns are regulated in our country. However, there is a track record of banning guns based on looks, as recently as rifles like the Mossberg 715T .22 rifle being banned from the OIC due to its aesthetic similarities to the AR15. The Raven is the most AR15 looking of all the Canadian rifles currently.
No. They had to make the bolt a different size than the AR-15 bolt to ensure that it was legally distinct. AR-15s are banned but a gun is only defined as the upper, lower, and bolt. So that's why the Raven accepts AR-15 parts aside from the bolt, upper and lower.
I have 4500 rounds through mine with the gen2 carrier and its been flawless and shooting dead straight. Saying its a bad rifle is simply inaccurate imo. Some people have had issues, easy to fix issues i will say. Mine has been flawless. Ive only cleaned mine about 10 times in 4500 rounds and its been flawless.
I own one of these rifles as well and it came with the gen2 carrier , got it a month and a half ago and haven't had a single problem as well . I didn't even need to adjust the gas system it worked flawlessly from the start. But 300 rounds and 5 sessions at least.
Got 4500 rounds through mine, no issues, with gen2 carrier. This video shows a gen1 carrier. All issues went away with gen2 carrier. Which was released a while ago. My raven is rock solid. Holding up to the bren2 at my work.
And to be noted, they reinvented the AR to make a AR legal again. Let them have one screw up. Generally, most newly manufactured items in life have issues with their first runs. The gen2 fix has completely solved everything and made the rifle rock solid. And no im not payed by or affiliated with Lockhart. I just hate when the internet spins stuff into being worst than they are, this rifle is solid. Had a couple small hiccups on release which have been resolved. The pistons on Wk180s and R18s STILL break after all the "improvements". People love to cry/point fingers on the internet with whatever they get their hands on. Im thankful a company has finally found a way to make a legal AR. Yes there was a hiccup, but it was quickly solved. No one is perfect. Especially when reinventing something.
I have service members who wish they had my Raven over their service carbines. The new carrier is rock solid. I have had zero issues in all the 4500 rounds ive shot with mine. PMC bronze ammo, pmags, crossmags, and LR mags. Eats up everything and cycles flawlessly. 3 coworkers got Ravens and have no issues. Plus a bunch of customers got them and have no issues once i taught them how to set the gas block.
You're the first raven owner that I've seen over 1000 rounds. Glad to hear yours is running well.
@@VA6OIL I work at the biggest indoor shooting range in Canada and everyone I encounter with a Raven with a gen2 carrier has had zero issues. I know they had a bad start with the first carrier, but thats a thing of the past now.
@@theguncouple i bought bren 2 instead and still im very tempted to spend again and buy the raven. Its like an eye candy. Closest thing to an AR-15 in canada. Im looking forward to see more positive reviews before i buy one🤙🏼
@@theguncouple have you done any accuracy tests from bench rested?
I’d be curious to know how to set the gas block properly
we've had the gen 2 bcg for a month or so now. works like a charm. also, the sharp thing on the trigger has been rounded on new receivers.
Oh, thank God for that, lol! If I had kept that one I would have dremel'd it for sure. 🤣
@@MrFox1111 This rifle was a loaner. It had approximately 350 rounds over 2 sessions. I cannot, by any stretch, claim that I pressure tested it.
My raven has been amazing. I bought mine with the 2nd gen bolt carrier, have 1200 rounds through already. Seldom cleaned and just runs and maintains good accuracy. Much more accurate than every ar-180 ive owned, i imagine with it being direct impingement. And so nice to have a smaller profile barrel, so tired of the heavy barrel 180s.
Thanks for commenting. I'm glad to hear a success story with a gen 2 bcg.
@@bs_podcast also worth noting, the gas blocks on all these guns are adjustable. You can also change your buffer weights the same as Ar-15s.
@@mrpowerskate I've since been told that the barrels Lockhart are shipping have adjustable blocks, that's good. I knew buffer weights were adjustable, same as an ar15., including silent capture etc.
Ive got an earlier Raven 556 with the mid length gas system and gen 2 BCG. I’ve got about 200 rounds through the gen 2 BCG and have had no issues whatsoever, aside from 3 light primer strikes which went away after a thorough cleaning.
I encourage you to take another swing at it when the new BCG comes in 😊
1200 rounds and no issues whatsoever? Not even mag issues?
Be super interested to see you review it now with all the upgrades and all the bells and whistles the platinum model comes with, ive been watching reviews for a year now on all the different canadian semi autos, Im leaning towards the raven as of now
I would like to get a second chance with it with the redesigned BCG as well. If it can be arranged, you can guarantee it will be done.
The prebuilt rifle comes with a lot of the stuff your sample didn't have as it looks like the individual who owns that rifle got the builder kit version...
The rifle has optional side covers/brass deflectors to cover the holes you complained about however at the premium of $100!
the rifle comes stock with enhanced bolt catches or paddles as you called them and ambi mag release and safety.
The side charging was an odd decision that I don't agree with either they seemingly did it to open up the options for people who prefer side charging, as they charge a premium for the top charging handle option.
however, they also announced a new upper today that has a forward assist and dust cover also with a gen 3 BCG. I think they fixed the open sides with that new receiver.
You are one of the first reviews ive seen to also complain about the sharp edge near the pistol grip and I gotta say idk what they were thinking there to me its almost more machine / design work to leave it as they did. I agree as the sample I have access to might be getting filed/ dremeled as it is annoying!
I have sampled the rifle for myself and I am extremely impressed with the accuracy out of the stock Lockhart barrel. Able with factory 55 FMJ to get a 1-1.5 inch group with bulk FMJ at 100 yards
Only complaint I have with the pre-built rifle is the absolute shit stock it came with out of the box, like seriously I have airsoft stocks that are 10x the quality. The sharp edge near the grip, and the ugly front of the rail the gun came with however I have never been a "wire cutter" rail fan.
I can't say I have been as fortunate with my other semi-556 rifles also with a 1-6 scope I may attempt throwing a higher power scope to do some accuracy testing for myself as I believe that the rifle is sufficient for some lite precision style shooting.
As I picked one up It just felt like the rifle I have been trying to replace for 4 YEARS!
It seems to me that the ar180 rifles have far more issues, like screws coming loose, gas block coming loose, piston breakage, over gassed, non adjustable gas block, charging handles breaking etc. The 180 tends to beat itself to death. From what I'm reading, the raven is good to go with the gen 2 bcg and the adjustable gas block is a much needed part.
The last 180 I had and will ever have was so over gassed that it would tear off the case rim while extracting and the case would remain in chamber. A cleaning rod was needed to bump the case out for continued low quality enjoyment. Plus, the over inserting mag issue is annoying.
and, the stock LH barrel comes with adjustable gas block
That's good to know! Thanks for the comment.
I film my channel's content in the BC interior and that happens every summer, my damn cameras overheating and shutting off. Drives me nuts.
I had a plague of it this summer for some reason, lol!
In regards to arbitrary decisions from the government. How is this rifle any more or less likely to get banned due to an OIC in the future than ANY other rifle. Wk180, Siberian, ska, raven makes no difference. Those fuckers in Ottawa can decide tomorrow to ban anything they want, ar15 style mechanics or not
Absolutely true. Its impossible to predict the nonsensical nature of how guns are regulated in our country. However, there is a track record of banning guns based on looks, as recently as rifles like the Mossberg 715T .22 rifle being banned from the OIC due to its aesthetic similarities to the AR15. The Raven is the most AR15 looking of all the Canadian rifles currently.
How many rounds fit in the 458 socom and 6.5 grendel mags?
In Canada, by law, 5.
@@bs_podcast Sorry I should have been more clear, how many .223/5.56 rounds fit in the 2 mags I mentioned haha!
@@frankyg2384 15 into the 458
@@frankyg2384 i think its 8
Will any other bolt work in this platform?
No. They had to make the bolt a different size than the AR-15 bolt to ensure that it was legally distinct. AR-15s are banned but a gun is only defined as the upper, lower, and bolt. So that's why the Raven accepts AR-15 parts aside from the bolt, upper and lower.
I believe that the bolt is a standard ar15 with a standard bolt face. The bolt carrier is what is proprietary to the Raven.
Lots of people like a left-side charging handle.
@@matthewdeancole That is true.
ONE HELL OF A GUN
I have a Raven I wouldn’t mind sending your way
Happy to talk about it. Send an email to info@bspodcast.ca
Canada made is a lot worse than china made 😂
Starting to look like it..
@@ramcat9831 literally garbage
Unfortunately the raven is just another bad rifle 😥
I have 4500 rounds through mine with the gen2 carrier and its been flawless and shooting dead straight. Saying its a bad rifle is simply inaccurate imo. Some people have had issues, easy to fix issues i will say. Mine has been flawless. Ive only cleaned mine about 10 times in 4500 rounds and its been flawless.
I own one of these rifles as well and it came with the gen2 carrier , got it a month and a half ago and haven't had a single problem as well . I didn't even need to adjust the gas system it worked flawlessly from the start. But 300 rounds and 5 sessions at least.
@@chriswalsh2079 yeah, ever since the gen2 carrier there has not been a single issue.
@georgebaker6087 what kind of accuracy are you getting at 50 and 100?
@benoswald9431 I was able to squeeze an inch at 50 and 1.5 at 100 but I wanst trying to to hard
Umc ammo is dangerous and baddd
@@brandonboyd2500 uh huh...
@bs_podcast I had a umc 9mm almost blow up in my face. Case cracked and spit the primer out.