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LongSwords flying out tonight.

Terry Cross

Dingleberry
Supporter
Commercial Supporter
Full Member
Minuteman
Mar 15, 2003
2,592
8,932
Alexandria, LA 71303
www.kmwlrs.com
I don't usually make time to take pictures of most the work around here before it ships out. These were nice looking batch and also shot some of the best control groups of any I have fired so I snapped some images before packing them up to ship.

By the time I post this, these will be on a plane headed to the northwest part of the country to be put to work.

All are LongSwords in .338 LM.
All of these have the latest updates including the new KMW long action DBM hardware.

The agency taking possession will be running all of them suppressed.

The color renditions in the last 3 photos are off due to me being clueless about photography but this first pic is the most accurate color portrayal without glare, etc. This image on the table is after inspection and getting ready to take them to the range.

20191018_210926.jpg



Side profile shots that I take for my customer file

20191018_210227.jpg


20191018_210042.jpg



One last image before packing.

2019-10-18 17.47.19 cropped.JPG



As usual, an ass load of work went into these but it was satisfying to see them hammer with RUAG ammunition and then get little good by kisses before turning loose into the wild.


./
 
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They look different with those stocks, but they look very cool. Is the pattern cerakoted? Definitely a great break up design.
 
I, on the other hand, have always been a fan of the long sword stocks. Those look gorgeous!!

I’ve never had the cabbage to own one of those, but if I did, I would replace my Savage .338 with one in a heartbeat.
 
Nice rifles and what kind of accuracy can we expect of such?

Each rifle built has to go through a short range session before it can ship. This makes sure all feeding, extraction, ejection and basic functions are double checked in addition to the need to pass a minimum accuracy threshold.

After mounting a scope and getting it on paper (usually 2 to 3 shots) every rifle has to fire 3 consecutive groups under 1/2 MOA on one target. I use factory ammo since most of my customers will not be using reloads.

I have a target that is printed on 100# index that is used for this. The fired target is then scanned and measured with OnTarget software then saved to the documentation file for that rifle. This insures that I have a healthy rifle and am not cherry picking groups.

This is an example of the targets used.

Mk1-065 Measured with OnTarget software.jpg


You will never see me post a single group from a rifle.
In my opinion, I could take an open sighted Winchester 94 and eventually shoot a sub 1/2 moa group.

On the flip side, I suck at shooting groups. I you gave me your personal BR gun that shoots in the 0.1"s , I would average in the 0.2"s.

My testing is done from a bench or prone while using a bipod with rear pinch bag. If my dumb white ass can get on the gun and shoot 3 back to back groups under 1/2 moa in this manner, I certainly know that the rifle is capable of even better.

A total of 18 groups were fired from the rifles shown. The agg. for all 18 groups was. 0.395" which is below my average agg for .338LMs .


./
 

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They look different with those stocks, but they look very cool. Is the pattern cerakoted? Definitely a great break up design.

The stock pattern is molded in Desert Ambush camo. The pattern is the actual top gel coat of epoxy so these stocks will look just like this 20 yrs from now except for maybe some chunks missing.

The bolt body, firing pin, extractor and cocking piece are DLC from IonBond. ALl other exterior metal is FDE CeraKote. Most of the time, I do a 2 or 3 color breakup on the CeraKote as well but this customer wanted the solid base coat only. They will probably have a Krylon party or something next week.



./
 
I’ve never been a fan of those butt stocks but I can appreciate a good lookin rifle anyway. Nice work Terry.

Thank you sir.

I get it and I'm the first one to say that stocks are like girlfriends, puppy dogs and pickup trucks in that everybody is going to have preferences!

These rifles (and stocks) will be issued to different individuals and then set up for each specific user. Then eventually down the road each will be re-issued to another person that will then have to reconfigure it to their own needs, etc. In that role and when used across a broad spectrum of positions and conditions this stock excels.

Fortunately for me, there are a lot of users out there that are fans! :)

./
 
Also never really cared for thumbhole type stocks but have always liked the look of your Sentinels and need to get my hands on one someday. Been looking real hard at your discounted 1581 stocks.
 
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Hi,

@Terry Cross
That is a pretty nice documentation system you have going on.
I bet it sure makes things easier to diagnose once the hatch-lings leave the nest ?.
Documentation is as important as torque wrench when it comes to your typical end users!

Sincerely.
Theis

Thank you Theis !

Yes sir. I'm not very smart so everything has to stay pretty caveman basic. My confidence in the rifles is high before they leave. It helps me build a better and more consistent rifle in the future.

BTW, certain things are on the way here from molding. As soon as those things arrive here and are processed, I will be getting back to you very soon with a shipping notification.

Thank you and have a safe weekend.

./
 
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Thank you sir.

I get it and I'm the first one to say that stocks are like girlfriends, puppy dogs and pickup trucks in that everybody is going to have preferences!

These rifles (and stocks) will be issued to different individuals and then set up for each specific user. Then eventually down the road each will be re-issued to another person that will then have to reconfigure it to their own needs, etc. In that role and when used across a broad spectrum of positions and conditions this stock excels.

Fortunately for me, there are a lot of users out there that are fans! :)

./
Yeah PLEASE don’t take my comment as criticism as you are exactly right. I don’t like the AI thumbhole stock either. In the end all that matters is they shoot and will be GTG when the officers need them.
King Arthur would be proud of those Long swords.
 
KMW stocks for me have been like the ARC lamp shade. I said wtf.....until I used it and then it made all the sense in the world.
 
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Not being a smith this question might sound elementary...so bear with me

then long swords (like the other rifles that KMW sells) are made of components that Mr. Cross specifically chose.

It’s not a “choose your component” in so many words

@Terry Cross would you mind explaining what could need adjusting.

Unless the parts show up out of spec wouldn’t they properly fit/function off the bat

If it’s proprietary info I understand.

thanks
Brian

(yes the same Brianf that pissed you off about a month ago, then mike r slapped me down as well)?
 
I’ll try and make it simple, even though I realize, I’m not Terry....Everybody’s “body” and Ergo’s are different. When he said “adjusting” above ^^^, he’s talking about the end user, adjusting it to himself/herself. For final fit. Just because you spend X dollars on a system, doesn’t mean you won’t still have to tweak it even more, to get ultimately comfortable.
 
Not being a smith this question might sound elementary...so bear with me

then long swords (like the other rifles that KMW sells) are made of components that Mr. Cross specifically chose.

It’s not a “choose your component” in so many words

@Terry Cross would you mind explaining what could need adjusting.

Unless the parts show up out of spec wouldn’t they properly fit/function off the bat

If it’s proprietary info I understand.

thanks
Brian

(yes the same Brianf that pissed you off about a month ago, then mike r slapped me down as well)?

Lol... no worries brianf. I don't think I was pissed is was just throwing an opinion back into the pile. Forums, texts and social media suck due to lack of context.

Hardly anything is proprietary here so I will try to answer your questions.

Yes. I do choose most of the components. Some aspects such as final barrel length, choice of muzzle device and color scheme are variable and customer can specify. I keep over 100 Krieger blanks in inventory for my usual jobs so I choose the twist rate and contour for the job. I also have fixed chamber reamer specs that I use for best results across the board with various ammo. I do not give choices on lead/throat, etc. dimensions. So No. Most of the component specifications are pre-set.

This is not because there are no other quality components or choices out there but rather reflects that my shop is small and I am fortunate to stay backed up. That and my low I.Q. means that I have to keep everything flowing smoothly and do work in batches.

For the first 20 + years I battled with various parts coming in from my own vendors to then match up with parts the customer supplied only to find that things were not inletted, cut, ordered, etc. with the other mating parts properly considered. I was and am grateful for those years but I refuse to put myself and my clients in that situation again if I can avoid it.

The parts and components I get in are not "plug and play" .
The Krieger blanks have to be chambered and machined for each hosting action. They then have to be cut to length and all muzzle work done. Any muzzle devices like the ASR brake adapters on the above rifles are matched to each barrel and indexed for proper clocking while in the machine to avoid the need for shim/spacers and/or excessive torque to get the device timed.

Each stock arrives here from McMillan as a raw stock body. All colors are already molded in and some of the inletting is done. Every stock has to be completed by KMW. Limited rotation flush cups installed and properly clocked. adjustable LOP system installed, adjustable cheekpiece hardware installed, MUNSter NV mount inletted and installed, convertibel bipod station hardware installed and all stocks slated for KMW complete rifle builds received the Integrated Mounting Block internal chassis.

The actions are built to my spec by Defiance Machine. When rec'd here, the dimensional information of each is recorded no a spec sheet I use for each rifle built. Then the bolt, extractor, cocking piece and firing pin are engraved with the last 4 digits of the SN and sent in batches to IonBond for DLC. While they are being processed in NC, the receiver usually gets barreled since I don't need the bolt to headspace it correctly. A few other items are cut, modified on each receiver before finishing. The bolts arrive here ready to accept the KMW handles so after prepping, the new knobs are installed and cleaned up.

A good bit of information is also permanently marked into the surface of the barrel and receiver prior to coating. Internal asset numbers, agency specific identifications, caliber, twist rate, thread pitch on muzzle and the KMW wolf head plus anything else needed before the CeraKote is done here at KMW. A lot of detail work is put into each.

Before final assembly the triggers are installed and adjusted to the desired pull weight.
Each rifle is function tested and fired for accuracy before shipping.

I looked back at my earlier posts in this thread and did not see any reference to "adjusting" anything so I hope the above answers your question. If I totally missed the meaning of your question, advise and I will try to answer.


./
 
I’ll try and make it simple, even though I realize, I’m not Terry....Everybody’s “body” and Ergo’s are different. When he said “adjusting” above ^^^, he’s talking about the end user, adjusting it to himself/herself. For final fit. Just because you spend X dollars on a system, doesn’t mean you won’t still have to tweak it even more, to get ultimately comfortable.

brianf, if the stock adjustments/fit is what you were referring to, IW21 addressed it perfectly.

./
 
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Lol... no worries brianf. I don't think I was pissed is was just throwing an opinion back into the pile. Forums, texts and social media suck due to lack of context.

Hardly anything is proprietary here so I will try to answer your questions.

Yes. I do choose most of the components. Some aspects such as final barrel length, choice of muzzle device and color scheme are variable and customer can specify. I keep over 100 Krieger blanks in inventory for my usual jobs so I choose the twist rate and contour for the job. I also have fixed chamber reamer specs that I use for best results across the board with various ammo. I do not give choices on lead/throat, etc. dimensions. So No. Most of the component specifications are pre-set.

This is not because there are no other quality components or choices out there but rather reflects that my shop is small and I am fortunate to stay backed up. That and my low I.Q. means that I have to keep everything flowing smoothly and do work in batches.

For the first 20 + years I battled with various parts coming in from my own vendors to then match up with parts the customer supplied only to find that things were not inletted, cut, ordered, etc. with the other mating parts properly considered. I was and am grateful for those years but I refuse to put myself and my clients in that situation again if I can avoid it.

The parts and components I get in are not "plug and play" .
The Krieger blanks have to be chambered and machined for each hosting action. They then have to be cut to length and all muzzle work done. Any muzzle devices like the ASR brake adapters on the above rifles are matched to each barrel and indexed for proper clocking while in the machine to avoid the need for shim/spacers and/or excessive torque to get the device timed.

Each stock arrives here from McMillan as a raw stock body. All colors are already molded in and some of the inletting is done. Every stock has to be completed by KMW. Limited rotation flush cups installed and properly clocked. adjustable LOP system installed, adjustable cheekpiece hardware installed, MUNSter NV mount inletted and installed, convertibel bipod station hardware installed and all stocks slated for KMW complete rifle builds received the Integrated Mounting Block internal chassis.

The actions are built to my spec by Defiance Machine. When rec'd here, the dimensional information of each is recorded no a spec sheet I use for each rifle built. Then the bolt, extractor, cocking piece and firing pin are engraved with the last 4 digits of the SN and sent in batches to IonBond for DLC. While they are being processed in NC, the receiver usually gets barreled since I don't need the bolt to headspace it correctly. A few other items are cut, modified on each receiver before finishing. The bolts arrive here ready to accept the KMW handles so after prepping, the new knobs are installed and cleaned up.

A good bit of information is also permanently marked into the surface of the barrel and receiver prior to coating. Internal asset numbers, agency specific identifications, caliber, twist rate, thread pitch on muzzle and the KMW wolf head plus anything else needed before the CeraKote is done here at KMW. A lot of detail work is put into each.

Before final assembly the triggers are installed and adjusted to the desired pull weight.
Each rifle is function tested and fired for accuracy before shipping.

I looked back at my earlier posts in this thread and did not see any reference to "adjusting" anything so I hope the above answers your question. If I totally missed the meaning of your question, advise and I will try to answer.


./
Exactly what I was looking for
Thanks for the lengthy reply...learned a bunch
 
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If you can shoot 18 groups with .338LM, from 6 different rifles, using factory ammo, and average .395" across all the groups... I think you're a better shot than you're giving yourself credit for.

Amazing looking rifles, and awesome to read some of the specifics on how you track your builds and ensure consistent quality.
 
If you can shoot 18 groups with .338LM, from 6 different rifles, using factory ammo, and average .395" across all the groups... I think you're a better shot than you're giving yourself credit for.

Amazing looking rifles, and awesome to read some of the specifics on how you track your builds and ensure consistent quality.

Terry is both far smarter and a far better shooter than he gives himself credit for - and he's one hell of a human being in general, to boot.
 
...A total of 18 groups were fired from the rifles shown. The agg. for all 18 groups was. 0.395" which is below my average agg for .338LMs ...
I am living proof that any jackass can stack a few rounds on paper and am a big believer in LL’s 5 shot group rule. To fire 54 rounds from different rifles and have an aggregate group size of .395” is exceptional. That is the consistency and repeatability that individuals and agencies pay Terry for, the fact that he is a hell of a good guy is icing on the cake.
 
Terry: A big THANK YOU for your processes. It shows that your rifles are highly likely to be shooters! And that is one one can ask of a gun smith doing your rifle. I like to stacks the odd of success when someone can keep doing consistently in all of his works!
 
A good bit of information is also permanently marked into the surface of the barrel and receiver prior to coating. Internal asset numbers, agency specific identifications, caliber, twist rate, thread pitch on muzzle and the KMW wolf head plus anything else needed before the CeraKote is done here at KMW. A lot of detail work is put into each.

This! I have builds from several builders over the years. Terry's (KMW) was the first custom build I had done circa 2007. It is still the ruler in which I judge my other builds I've received. I gave Terry a hard time on my first build b/c I was green. However, his products deliver albeit it takes time. The little things like engraving barrel twist and vendor I've not seen on other custom builds I've received. That goes a long way in my book to show it's an original build as all parts are marked/unchanged. I'd buy again in a heartbeat without a doubt. They're hammers....Guys look at you funny when you're hammering a IPSC at 1,250 yards with a .308 and they realize it's not a 6.5.

Now Terry, if you can find that BDL latch for that Badger M4 bottom metal. ;-) ...Inside joke.