MANUFACTURER · UPDATED MAY 16, 2026
Used LMT Values 2026:
Used LMT Values 2026:
Every Model, Every Caliber.
Lewis Machine & Tool (LMT) was founded in 1980 in Milan, Illinois by Karl Lewis. LMT manufactures the U.K. Royal Marines' L129A1 sharpshooter rifle and supplies the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) under various contracts. The civilian MARS series (Modular Ambidextrous Rifle System) and MWS (Modular Weapon System) .308 are premium-tier AR platforms with a strong following in precision shooting and law enforcement.
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MARS-LS / MARS-AR (5.56)
LMT's flagship MARS (Modular Ambidextrous Rifle System) AR-15.
MARS-H / MWS (.308 / 6.5 Creedmoor)
LMT's heavy MARS-H .308 platform.
Defender / Standard Legacy
LMT's classic Defender series — predecessor to MARS.
L129A1 / LM7 / Special / Military Contract
LMT's military contract rifles and special-issue platforms.
Limited Editions
LMT commemorative production.
LMT Value FAQ
Are LMT rifles premium-tier?
Yes — LMT sits with Daniel Defense and Knight's Armament at the top of the U.S. civilian AR market in materials quality and final fit-and-finish. Many LMT rifles use the same components supplied to the SOCOM contract. Resale value runs 80-90% of MSRP for clean originals.
What's the difference between MARS and Defender?
Defender is LMT's older naming convention. MARS (Modular Ambidextrous Rifle System) is the current platform — completely ambidextrous controls (bolt catch/release, mag release, safety) make it equally usable for left- and right-handed shooters. MARS replaces the older Defender as the flagship configuration.
Is the LMT L129A1 collected?
The civilian version of the L129A1 (also called the LMT MWS Sharpshooter) is highly collected, particularly by U.K. and Commonwealth military enthusiasts. Original-condition examples with matching numbers can run $4,500-7,000+.
