The LWRC International IC-SPR Rifle is a premium AR-15 powerhouse. It’s ultra reliable. The handling is awesome. And it's lightweight.

But is it worth the hefty price tag? Read on to find out…

Accuracy

Unfortunately, accuracy seems to be the major problem with this rifle. Its 1:7 fluted barrel twist is meant to handle a fairly wide range of bullets, but I haven’t seen any evidence. In fact, a 1-2 MOA should be pretty standard for a gun of this quality, but after firing 100 shots down the range, I haven’t found that to be true. It tends to have better groupings with 77-grain shots, but that varies, and honestly, the blame mostly rests on the trigger (we’ll come back around to that later). It’s got some pretty sweet flip-up sights mounted on the top rail, but they don’t amount to much if you can’t keep a decent grouping.

Reliability

If there’s one great thing I can say about this rifle, it’s that it can shoot...and shoot, and shoot, and shoot. Long-term use is what it’s made for, and the product follows through. The SPR’s short-stroke carbon-piston firing system is self-regulating and self-cleaning, and helps to eliminate gas and carbon build-up in the receiver. It also reduces the risk of a misfire or “squib” rounds. The magazines load cleanly and efficiently. The controls have precise, clean activation, and don’t stick. From what I can tell, this gun is fire-fit right out of the box, and it won’t let you down, similar to the AR-15. So if you are in the market for a gun to use on the reg, this is definitely a contender.

Handling

With a Magpul MOE grip, adjustable compact stock, ambi-friendly design, and accessory-compatible Picatinny rail sections, this gun is about as user-friendly as it gets. There isn’t a lot of bulk to heft around, and it comes equipped with upper and lower sling mounts. The floating handguard also allows for continuous shots without having to worry about the grip heating up.

Trigger

The trigger is where I start to have issues with this rifle. For the price, you’d expect a low-pressure trigger with an easy reset. This gun comes with a nickel boron coated trigger with a 6 pound pull. While the re-set seems pretty standard, the trigger creeps and causes inaccurate groupings and aim, especially in long-range shots. I recommend switching out the trigger for your preferred pressure weight, possibly a two-stage trigger with a lighter pull.

Magazine & Reloading

There isn’t anything complicated about loading and reloading the IC-SPR. To load, insert the magazine into the well and chamber the round. To release the mag and reload, just press the mag-release located on either side of the lower receiver. The IC-SPR is designed to use AR-15/M-16 pattern magazines, specifically the 30-round Magpul PMag that LWRCI supplies.

Length & Weight

The overall length of the IC-SPR is 34 inches (35.4 inches for the 16.1 inch barrel) and the weight comes in at 7.0 pounds (7.3 pounds for the 16.1 inch). Like I said, it’s a light gun. It’s easy to carry and maneuver for quick shooting.

Recoil Management

There’s always going to be a little recoil, especially when using a heavier round in a light-weight rifle like the IC-SPR. For the most part, however, this rifle handles pretty well. The recoil is manageable, and the contour rubber-faced butt fits great on the shoulder. If you’re looking for even more recoil control, consider using a suppressor.

Price

I’m not one to scoff at a high-priced firearm, but that gun had better deliver. At around $2,400 MSRP, I think it’s a bit overpriced. If it weren’t for the trigger discrepancy, which results in poor accuracy, then I might be more inclined to support the higher price.

My Verdict?

This carbine SPR is pretty awesome for the most part. If you are in the market for a gun that’s going to see a lot of use, then I would keep an eye out for the IC-SPR. It will definitely outlast a lot of the competition. It’s lightweight design allows for easy handling, and it really does come with some sweet specs—like the Kriss Vector Gen II. A gun that can accommodate as many accessories as this one is definitely worth giving a chance. Just keep in mind you’ll probably have to replace the trigger.

Richard Douglas is a firearms expert and educator. His work has appeared in large publications like The Armory Life, Daily Caller, American Shooting Journal, and more. In his free time, he reviews optics on his Scopes Field blog.

Image: Reddit.