Canada's Newest Non-Restricted Rifle: The Lockhart Tactical Raven

Vancouver Island-based Lockhart Tactical has received a non-restricted classification for their Lockhart Tactical Raven semi-automatic carbine.

A modular, modern pistol calibre carbine, the Lockhart Tactical Raven offers ambidextrous operation, a 5R-rifled 416R stainless steel barrel that's the required 18.6" long, and a DLC-coated S7 tool steel bolt carrier assembly. Interestingly, and pursuant to the gun's stated purpose of being as modular as possible, the bolt carrier is divided into a front and rear half, with the connection being made by a transverse pin. This allows the bolt head to be easily replaced without tools.

Another interesting note of the Lockhart Tactical Raven design is the use of three available charging handle locations; one available side-charger on each side (ambidexterity obviously being a key feature), or a top-mounted charging handle for those looking for a more AR-15-style manual of arms. Also, since someone is no doubt wondering, yes; all three could be used simultaneously - if you're into overkill?

In terms of features, the Raven has all the familiar ones you'd expect; last-round bolt hold-open, tool-less disassembly of the upper, lower and handguard, and is made from 7075-T6 aluminium. However, less expected is the tool-less barrel removal, which in concert with the use of Glock mags (although magazine adapter kits are reportedly coming in the future) and pinned-on bolt head should make calibre changes a user-friendly affair. Lockhart Tactical has prioritized .40 S&W, .45 ACP, and 10mm (the best millimetre) for future pistol calibres conversion kits, with 5.56mm and 7.62x39 coming as well - all under the same non-restricted parent FRT.

In terms of compatibility, which is of course a common question, the Lockhart Tactical Raven accepts the now-ubiquitous AR-15 buffer tube assembly so an entire world of stocks is available. It also accepts AR-15 trigger groups, so you can recycle any Geissele or Triggertech that might be languishing in something particularly unused these days.

The price for the Canadian-designed, Canadian-made Lockhart Tactical Raven starts at a pretty respectable $1,350, with options such as muzzle brakes and better triggers adding to that number. A limited pre-order of 500 units will precede regular production, with the first guns for those pre-order customers coming less than 6 months after the pre-order closes. All Ravens will come with a 2-year warranty on the firearm, and a lifetime warranty on the barrel, both of which are particularly relevant given the gun is designed and built in BC; meaning any warranty work or service parts required are going to be domestically sourced. That should significantly improve support levels for end-users. Look for a review as soon as we can get our hands on one!