Lage Manufacturing has been developing the MAX-11/15 upper receiver for several years. Earlier we talked about the progress of this project. Recently, they announced that this 5.56/223 upper receiver designed for M-11/9 submachine guns lower receivers is now available for purchase.

M-11/9 and other SMGs of this family are some of the most affordable and widespread transferrable machine guns you can find on the market. Being SMGs, these firearms are chambered in pistol calibers. By swapping the upper receivers of these SMGs with Lage Manufacturing MAX-11/15 upper receivers, you’ll convert them into full-auto weapons chambered in .223 Remington (5.56x45mm NATO) that also take AR-15 magazines.

The MAX-11/15 upper receivers are available in two versions – Internal Recoil Mechanism (IRM) and AR Recoil Mechanism (ARRM). IMR has a proprietary recoil spring mechanism which makes it a true drop-in upper for the M-11/9 lower receivers. The ARRM is compatible with AR-15 receiver extensions and recoils springs, however, in order to make it fit the M-11/9 lower receiver, you’ll need to drill a 5/16″ hole through the rear sight plate of M-11/9 lower receiver. Its advantage is that you will have more flexibility in terms of using different AR recoil springs and buffers. The ARRM comes with an AR-15 buffer tube assembly, stock adapter and Magpul MOE stock. The IMR will work with any M-11/9 stock, however, you can buy the mentioned stock adapter kit for the IMR too if you want to make it AR-15 stock compatible.

MAX-11/15 Upper Receiver with AR Recoil Mechanism (ARRM)

MAX-11/15 Upper Receiver with Internal Recoil Mechanism (IRM)

The MAX-11/15 upper receivers are made of 7075 aluminum and feature a PTFE Impregnated Type III black anodized finish. The top Picatinny rail is 12-3/4″ long and has the same height over the bore/stock axis as the AR-15 flat-top upper receiver rail which makes it perfect for attaching AR-15 height scopes and iron sights. The handguard features M-LOK slots. The manufacturer suggests using polymer rail covers because when shooting the gun extensively in full auto mode, the aluminum handguard will get uncomfortably hot. These receivers also have non-reciprocating left-side charging handles and polymer shell deflectors added to prevent denting the brass and make the gun comfortable to shoot for the left-handed shooters. The Troy Industries ambidextrous magazine release also makes it lefty-friendly.

Barrels and barrel attachment mechanisms of MAX-11/15 upper receivers are identical to that of the AR-15 which will allow the end users to replace the barrels with any standard AR-15 barrel and use AR-15 barrel attachment hardware such as the original delta ring and barrel nut. The 10-1/2″ chrome-lined barrels have 1:7 twist rate and 1/2-28 muzzle threads. They come with a birdcage style flash hider installed.  MAX-11/15 utilizes standard AR-15 bolt carriers that have been modified to work with the M-11/9 trigger mechanism. The rate of fire for both versions is 650 to 900 rpm depending on the ammunition type and the position of the ODIN Works adjustable gas block that these upper receivers are equipped with. According to the company, these upper receivers will work with Adams Arms Piston kits. There is also a rubber gas seal in the rear of the receiver to prevent gasses leaking towards the shooter when firing the gun with a suppressor.

Below you can find the tech specs of both versions of MAX-11/15 upper receiver as seen on Lage Manufacturing’s website:

MAX-11/15 Upper Receiver with AR Recoil Mechanism

• Overall dimensions of MAX-11/15 upper receiver:
  • • Length: 25-1/4″
    • Width: 3″ to cocking knob.
    • Height: 4-1/2″
    • Weight: 4 lbs, 14.2 oz.

Overal dimensions of the MAX-11/15 when assembled to an M-11/9 lower receiver with an AR collapsible stock:

• • Overall length (stock collapsed)- 33-1/8″
  • Width: 3″ to cocking knob.
  • Height: 4-1/2″
  • Weight unloaded is 7 lbs, 12.1 oz.
  • Weight with a loaded 30 round magazine is 8 lbs, 13.8 oz.

MAX-11/15 Upper Receiver with Internal Recoil Mechanism

• Overall dimensions of MAX-11/15 upper receiver:
  • • Length: 25-1/4″
    • Width: 3″ to cocking knob.
    • Height: 4-1/2″
    • Weight: 5 lbs, 2.8 oz.

Overal dimensions of the MAX-11/15 when assembled to an M-11/9 lower receiver with an 8-1/2″ Folding Stock:

• • Overall length (stock extended)- 33-3/4″
  • Overall length (stock folded)- 26″
  • Width: 3″ to cocking knob.
  • Height: 4-1/2″
  • Weight unloaded is 7 lbs, 8.4 oz.
  • Weight with a loaded 30 round magazine is 8 lbs, 5.3 oz.

Images from www.max-11.com