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Posted: 10/21/2009 7:52:28 AM EDT
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Here is my report of the new Lakeside Razorback Beltfed 22 Upper. This was originally posted at www.uzitalk.com and I have reposted it here for those who might be interested.
I received my upper on Monday. Sorry, I don't have the obligatory pictures of the box but I will say it was packed well in a homemade box and shipped via UPS. I mounted my upper on an new Bushmaster lower with an A2 stock. As you can see I also popped on a cheap VFG, a cheaper bipod, and a Bushnell Holosight. 
To mount this upper, you first change the buffer. The replacement buffer is included and it is an odd plastic spring loaded buffer with a solid tube taking up the rest of the space in the buffer tube where the original spring would go. 
When installed, the buffer protrudes from the stock so that when installing the upper you have to push it back and down simultaneously. 
The buffer is then in constant contact with the bolt. As you can see below, the bolt is anodized aluminum with a steel face. The only thing holding the bolt in the upper is the cocking handle. As with most guns of this style, you pull the bolt fully rearward and then pull out the cocking handle to remove the bult. The cocking handle is my only gripe about the construction of this upper. It is made of the same plastic as the buffer but given its size and the fact that it is hollow, it feels flimsy. I went to the Lakeside forums and it appears both steel and aluminum handles are available. Apparently the same handle was used in the LM7 and in full auto the weight of the handle affected the rate. Still in a dedicated semi upper they probably should have included a more substantial handle. 
The only other change necessary is the installation of a 4 o'clock hammer spring. The spring is included. My lower already had a 4 o'clock spring but I opted to change anyway because I wanted to ensure good operation. Other than installing the upper the only other preparation for testing was application of a generous amount of Rem Oil. I shoot significant amounts of 22, however my preference is standard velocity ammunition. The only HV I had on hand was a few thousand rounds of Winchester Dynapoint GT that I purchased form a Dicks several years ago. I have shot a little and found it comparable to the Walmart Winchester bulk packs, in a word shitty. If I hadn't had a Black Friday bogo coupon I probably wouldn't have bought it in the first place. So my trusty range assistant and I headed out to the range. 
We shot at a white steel diamond at approximately fifty yards. Although not a sanctioned range it is handy as it is a mere fifty feet from my back door and another twenty feet and you can get a beer. Y'all also need to appreciate the fine bushhog work. 
To load the gun, you cock it twice. The first cock locks a round in the upper part of the bolt. The second cock lowers the first round into the chamber. In other words, the bolt continually holds two rounds at any given time. Thanks to the nifty topcover, you can see this operation. Below is a picture of the top cover open after ten rounds have been fired. 
In all 150 rounds were expended. I cannot attest to accuracy as I did no adjusting to the Holosight. I can say that with a little trial and error, the steel diamond suffered. The upper dumps the expended brass neatly down the mag hole. I am certain a mag could be gutted to make a nifty brass catcher. 
I suffered no, repeat no malfunctions. I am actually amazed given the crappy ammo. I cannot say this will always be the case. I have no doubts about the quality of this upper but I am certain there will be some naysayers who don't have the brains to use quality ammo and to keep the upper clean. All in all I am extremely happy. Sure people will dismiss this as a "Range Toy". Lets get real folks how many guns do you own that actually serve some legitimate purpose i..e. hunting or self preservation. I tallied it up for me, it was four: my carry gun, a rifle for deer/coyote, a 22 rifle for squirrel/rabbits and a shotgun for birds/protection. Sure this gun probably isn't a necessity but it would hold down an attacking wave of feral rabbits like a sumbitch. Another big plus is that my range buddy says "Its cool daddy". Maybe its not for you but I'm keeping it. I'm going to put on my helmet, sling me some belts and put on my war face. 
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Quoted:
This is an updated and much cheaper version of the LM7. Unlike the LM7, it cannot be used with an m16 lower for full auto, a trip and an anti bounce weight would have the be installed. The upper was 695 and included a hammer spring, buffer and 50rnd belt. .....Oh really! 
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