Most of the rifles I review on this site were either built by me, or, in the case of factory guns, purchased with my own money. Occasionally I’ll get a T&E sample gun to review, but 9 times out of 10, I either purchased or built the gun you are reading about. If I’m happy with a rifle, you’ll know, same as if I feel let down.
Three years ago I decided I wanted to expand rifleshooter.com to include Savage rifles, so I bought a Savage Model 10 FCP-SR to review. My results were underwhelming to say the least. The rifle failed to adequately eject and the average accuracy was just under 2 MOA. While my results didn’t match those of many end users, in-turn causing a minor social media uproar, they were honest. That post paid off in the long run, if you Google “Savage Model 10 FCP-SR review” it is the number one result, and for “Savage Model 10 review” it is number three, right behind some legacy print media “reviews” that are far less genuine. You can read the review here.
At a loss for how poorly the rifle performed, I reached out to Modular Driven Technologies, MDT, and requested a chassis to see if I could get my Model 10 to shoot. They sent me one of their newer models, the LSS, and WOW, did that ever help things (see groups below). The instant change in accuracy was a big seller for the chassis for me.
The MDT LSS is an entry level chassis that offers rifle shooters the ability to add an aluminum chassis with a detachable magazine system to their factory sporting rifle. What made the LSS so unique was it’s relatively low price point, coupled with the fact that it allowed the use of AR-15/M16 M4 style stocks and pistol grips. This allowed a high degree of customization, something you typically don’t find on chassis systems.
That very same rifle was eventually turned into a custom 6.5 Creedmoor (above) and hammered with a wide range of bullets. After my initial success with the LSS and Model 10, I expanded the use of the LSS on other guns, including Remington 700s and a Savage Axis, all of which, shot exceptionally well with it. In addition to the LSS, MDT also began to offer the LSS-XL, a slightly longer version that moved the bipod our farther from the shooter for increased stability in the prone position.
Chassis offer an ease of installation not normally found in traditional fiberglass stocks (I actually installed this one at the range). For your average gun owner, if he is looking to upgrade his rifle to a fiberglass stock, that’ll often mean the expense of a bedding job and bottom metal. The chassis systems have the advantage of providing an improved detachable magazine system and a V-block bedding system.
Some guns can be even more complex. Like the Savage 10 (sorry Savage, didn’t mean to pick on you), the actions screws are close to the magazine well and bedding can be an issue (In the image above the Savage Model 10 action is on the right, notice the action screw hole located immediately behind the magazine well). With a switch to a chassis system, the proximity of the action screws no longer matter.
MDT recently upgraded the LSS-XL with the MDT LSS GEN2. The GEN2’s upgrades include a wider M-LOK compatible fore end, integral barricade stop, thumb shelf, choice of either a fixed or carbine style stock interface and an improved magazine release.
I ended up equipping my Ruger American rifle with one. This particular model is unique since the base rifle uses a AR-15 style magazine, the MDT LSS-XL GEN2 would typically come with an AICS style magazine interface.
The wider M-LOK compatible fore end is a nice feature. Reminiscent of far more expensive systems, it offers better placement of the bipod with a sturdier interface for positional shooting.
The newly designed thumb shelf is a big plus. If you aren’t used to chassis systems, one of the downside of most conventional AR-15 style pistol grips is the tendency for your hand to slip down and move out of position. The thumb shelf helps keep your hand in the right position for extended periods of time.
Of course, all the ergonomics in the world don’t mean a thing if the rifle doesn’t shoot well. Like its predecessor, the LSS, the LSS GEN2 shoots extremely well.
So far I’m impressed with the upgrades the MDT LSS-XL GEN2Â (many of which they have incorporated into the LSS GEN2 as well) has to offer over the original. I’ll be shooting this chassis with the Ruger American more and reporting back soon!
For more information about the MDT LSS-XL GEN2, visit MDT here.
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