Alan "Aldo" P. Zitta is the owner of Z-M Weapons Systems of Bernardston, Massachusetts. It was back in 1994, at that year's SHOT Show, that Allan had the first hand-made prototype of the LR300 rifle. His work pre-dated almost all of the current crop of piston-driven AR operating systems out there today. His initial design was ground-breaking and attracted the attention of the U.S. Navy's SEAL Team Six. He has never admitted just how many of his systems have been carried into most of the world's hotter LZ's. It is assumed by most that his products are still being carried today across the mountain passes between Iraq and Afghanistan.
The very last issue of Marvel Comic's "The Punisher Armory" featured the LR300 as the all-time preferred weapon system of the main character, Frank Castle.
Here are a few pictures taken that day back in 1994 of the then new LR300:
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Z-M is the designer and manufacturer of the LR-300 rifle. The LR-300 is a light, compact and accurate weapon system to give the operator the surgical accuracy and power needed for high security situations. The LR-300 Sport Rifle is a fast competition and hunting carbine with very accurate groups.
Z-M Weapons also manufactures accessories for LR 300's, M-16's and AR/15 Rifles.
Punisher Armory #10 |
Don |
| Occasionally, something comes along from one of my far-flung connections that makes me drool. I've got a bad rap as a heavy-weapons type, though I like to think thet I've gotten out of tight spots with my wits, superior firepower dosn't hurt. So when my spotters "found" this specialty weapon in the weapons lockers of SEAL Team 2 (Naval Special Warfare Group Two, at Little Creek, Virginia; I don't think my boys could make it into SEAL Team 6's ultra secret holy of holies, located at the Fleet Combat Training Center, Atlantic, in Dam Neck, Virginia), they immediately thought of me. And no wonder, this ultimate variant of the M16 A4 is named after me. | |
| The SEALs (SEa Air Land), the Navy's top special problem solvers, are always looking for new ways to keep their edge sharp. The way I heard it, Allan Zitta of Z-M Weapons, of Barnardston, Massachusetts, was solicited to develop this tough, new, "do everything" weapon. So, this weapon had to be built strong, strong enough to use as a club, hammer or crowbar. It had to be able to use all sorts of specialty ammunition -- these SEALS are asked to do all sorts of unpleasantries. It's got to be short, and thanks to the custom gas regulator assembly, there's no need for a rear buffer tube (with short flash suppressor, about 18" long -- stock folded). It must work all day and night, hense the waterproof Red Dot scope, with the unique front sight visible through it when your batteries die. And, oh yes, it has to work first time, eveytime after being underwater. | |
| Well, it is pretty and all that, and I couldn't have written up a finer wish list of form and function, and it is called the Punisher Carbine (I have made a few headlines, after all), but does it work? If it passes each stage of my planned series of tests, I may even write the Z-Man a letter. This is my two-day, freezing saltwater bath; I'm using a "barrel condom" [rubber] which keeps water out of the barrel and can be shot through. Then, if it gets through a whole mag, I'll bring this to a boil and see what it does. | |
