Lancer is known for making reliable magazines and AR parts, and more recently, next-gen ARs that redefine 5.56mm weapons. In the upcoming December/January 2015 issue of GUNS & WEAPONS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT, author Rich Grassi test-fires the new Lancer L15 Professional Patrol, an AR built for patrol officers.
Grassi writes, “The L15 Professional Patrol features a mid-length gas system—a smoother operating system than the carbine-length systems. The 14.5-inch, mid-weight-profile barrel features a chrome-lined bore and the NATO-spec 1-in-7-inch twist rate. This is good for rounds weighing between 55 and 75 grains. The carbine has a 5.56mm NATO chamber—not a .223 chamber—meaning it can fire both types of rounds. A Smith Enterprise Vortex flash suppressor is pinned to the barrel, taking it to the non-NFA length of 16 inches.
“Surrounding the barrel is Lancer’s 12-inch, carbon-fiber LCH5 handguard, which is smooth on all sides and comes with a 2-inch Picatinny rail at the front, in the 12 o’clock position, for mounting a front sight. The upper receiver itself has a top Picatinny rail for mounting optics. The handguard is slim and lightweight. I get tired of typical quad-rail handguards for stateside police/defense carbines. We don’t need to load them up with gizmos. Just attach a light, a sling, an optic and backup sights and you’re ready to go to work. The point of having a short AR weighing between 12 to 16 pounds escapes me. At that point you might as well get an M14.
“The Professional Patrol features Lancer’s modular lower receiver, which allows shooters to install three magazine wells of different sizes—Standard, Tactical and Competition. My test rifle came equipped with the enlarged Tactical magazine well, which is wide enough to ensure faster, fumble-free reloads.”
To learn more, check out the December/January 2015 issue of GUNS & WEAPONS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT, available on newsstands and digitally Nov. 11, 2014. To subscribe, go to Tactical-Life.com/subscribe.
