LMT vs Radian: AR-15 brands compared
Radian leads in 3 of 6 categories.
LMT for lower receivers, bolt carrier groups and furniture. Radian for charging handles.
From tens of thousands of real builds and live prices at 30+ retailers.
Our take
LMT, now LMT Defense, makes rifles for militaries around the world. On the parts side it's known for the MRP monolithic upper and the Enhanced Bolt.
Monolithic uppers · Military contractor · Berry compliant
- Close to average prices
- Lower receivers, picked 1.7x as often
- Bolt carrier groups, picked 4x as often
- Furniture (Radian furniture are rarely picked)
Radian makes ambidextrous AR controls in Redmond, Oregon, and the Raptor charging handle is the one everybody knows. They used to go by AXTS Weapons Systems.
Ambi controls · Limited lifetime warranty · Billet charging handles
- Paying more: about 33% above average
- The more popular pick: in 26% of builds
- Charging handles, picked 42x as often
Many builders mix them: 36% of LMT builds add Radian, most often the charging handle.
Biggest differences
"Picked" is the share of builds with that part that chose each brand.
| LMT | Radian | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price vs average | 12% pricier | 33% pricier | |
| Share of builds | 4% | 26% | Radian 7x |
| Charging handles picked | 1.0% | 41% | Radian 41x |
| Parts listed | 154 | 398 | Radian 2.6x |
| Lowers picked | 8.0% | 4.6% | LMT 1.7x |
| Retailers carrying | 10 | 15 | Radian 1.5x |
Price: Tie
For the same part, LMT parts run 12% pricier than average and Radian parts run 33% pricier than average.
Builder favorite: Radian wins
LMT is in 4% of builds and Radian is in 26% of builds.
Why Radian: Radian covers everything it sells with a limited lifetime warranty against manufacturer defects.
Receivers: Tie
Builders pick LMT lower receivers (1.7x) more often than Radian. Upper receivers are about even.
Why LMT: The MRP upper is machined from a single 7075-T6 forging with the rail built in, and it's set up for quick barrel swaps.
Internals: Radian wins
Builders pick LMT bolt carrier groups (4x) more often than Radian. Builders pick Radian charging handles (42x) more often than LMT. LMT barrels and buffer tubes are picked often, Radian's rarely. Radian triggers are picked often, LMT's rarely.
Why Radian: The Raptor is an all billet ambidextrous charging handle you can run from either side.
Furniture: LMT wins
LMT stocks picked often, Radian rarely.
Most picked LMT furniture
LMT Defense SOPMOD Buttstock Tan$188.10, in stock at 1 store
LMT Defense SOPMOD Buttstock$188.10, in stock at 1 store
LMT DMR .308 Adjustable AR-10 Rifle Stock$403.65, in stock at 1 storeMost picked Radian furniture
Rarely picked
Shopper clicks: Radian wins
Of recent clicks through to a store for these brands, 80% went to Radian and 20% went to LMT.
The full record
Everything we track for LMT vs Radian, from builds, store listings and daily prices.
| LMT | Radian | |
|---|---|---|
| Share of builds | 4% | 26% |
| Price tier | Mid priced | Premium |
| Parts listed | 154 | 398 |
| Part types | 21 | 23 |
| Retailers carrying | 10 | 15 |
| In stock now | 70% | 63% |
| Price change, 90 dayson the most picked parts | Flat | Flat |
| On sale now | None | None |
