LWRC SIX8
LWRC International · Assault Rifle · In Production · 2012
Also known as: SIX8-A5, Six8, 6.8 LWRC
Overview
The LWRC SIX8 is a short-stroke gas piston AR-platform rifle chambered in 6.8x43mm Remington SPC II. Originally developed at the request of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, who sought an AR-pattern rifle in a more lethal cartridge than 5.56 NATO, the SIX8 was engineered specifically around the 6.8 SPC round rather than being a simple rebarrel. It uses a proprietary larger bolt face, dedicated magazines, and reinforced upper and lower receivers to handle the heavier cartridge.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3289 g (116.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 813 mm (32.01") |
| Barrel Length | 406 mm (15.98") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Short Stroke |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 30 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 808 m/s (2651 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 2385 J (1759 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 500 m (547 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 750 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 254 mm (10.00") |
| Frame Material | Aluminum |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| Finish | Anodized |
Calibers
- 6.8x43mm Remington SPC II · primary — also known as 6.8 SPC, 6.8 SPC II, 6.8mm Remington SPC
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Ambidextrous Safety Selector, Manual Safety
- Features: Short Stroke Gas Piston, Ambidextrous Controls, Spiral Fluted Barrel, Nicorr Barrel Treatment, Monoforge Upper, M Lok Handguard, Cold Hammer Forged Barrel
Variants
- LWRC SIX8-A5 — Standard Carbine
- LWRC SIX8 UCIW — Ultra Compact
- LWRC SIX8 SPR — Special Purpose Rifle
- LWRC SIX8 PDW — Personal Defense Weapon
Service history
Operators
- Royal Saudi Land Forces · adopted 2012
- Jordanian Armed Forces · adopted 2012
Conflicts
- Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen (2015-present)
Production
Estimated total produced: 50,000 · Production years: 2012-present
Includes large foreign military contracts (Saudi Arabia ~40,000 select-fire UCIW units) plus ongoing civilian semi-auto production
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: LWRC International engineering team
Notes
Civilian-market variants are semi-automatic only; the select-fire SIX8-UCIW (Ultra-Compact Individual Weapon) is supplied to military customers including Saudi Arabia and Jordan. Reportedly part of a contract for approximately 40,000 weapons.
Background
The SIX8 exists because Saudi Arabia did not want another 5.56 carbine. Royal Guard units wanted the familiar AR ergonomics paired with a cartridge that could put men down at distance, so LWRC built the platform from the magazine well outward to feed the Remington 6.8 SPC.