LWRC SMG-45 Review & Body Armor Torture Test | Demolition Ranch

Demolition Ranch Unboxes the SMG-45 and Unleashes It on AR500 Armor Plates

In classic Demolition Ranch fashion, Matt Starks dives into a spontaneous and action-packed review of the LWRC SMG-45, a compact .45 ACP pistol caliber carbine. While playing with the new firearm, he also puts Armored Republic’s newest steel and composite armor plates to the test—under the punishing power of multiple calibers, including 5.7x28mm, 5.56 green tip, .308, and 50 BMG.

First Impressions of the LWRC SMG-45

Matt didn’t plan to buy the LWRC SMG-45, but the opportunity struck—and he pounced. Sporting delayed blowback operation, a folding SB Tactical brace, and compatibility with UMP magazines, this gun screams subgun sophistication.

Key Features of the SMG-45:

• Chambered in .45 ACP
• Semi-automatic pistol with folding brace
• Delayed blowback for reduced recoil
• Accepts UMP magazines
• Outfitted with a Vortex AMG UH-1 optic

Despite a pesky charging handle that kept falling out, Matt was impressed by the gun’s smooth cycling and low recoil—even joking that the clunky charging system might be LWRC’s only flaw.

Range Time: SMG-45 Accuracy & Performance

The SMG-45 proved to be accurate enough to consistently hit man-size targets at 100 yards, even with subsonic .45 ACP. The delayed blowback design smoothed out recoil and made it one of the most enjoyable .45s Matt has fired.

“This gun is freaking fun… low recoil, hits steel at 100 yards—I’m a fan.” – Demolition Ranch

Armor Test Begins: Armored Republic Steel vs Poly vs Hybrid

Demolition Ranch turns his attention to four different Armored Republic armor plates:

• Heritage Plate (Level III, all steel)
• A1 Plate (Level III+, steel with coating)
• A2 Plate (Level III+, upgraded fragmentation coating)
• A3 Plate (Hybrid alloy/polyethylene design)

Each plate was tested against:

• .45 ACP
• 5.7x28mm
• 5.56 Green Tip (M855)
• .308 Winchester
• Armor-piercing 7.62×51 “Silver Tip”
• .338 Lapua
• 50 BMG

Performance Results: What Stopped What?

.45 ACP & 5.7x28mm

All four plates stopped both rounds with minimal to no backface deformation.

5.56 Green Tip (M855)

• A slight bulge appeared on some plates, but none penetrated.
• Fragmentation coating effectively redirected spall away from the shooter.

.308 Winchester

• The plates performed as rated, stopping the .308 round with moderate denting and bulging.
• Hybrid A3 Plate showcased strong performance with no penetration.

7.62 Silver Tip (Armor-Piercing .308)

• Some Level III+ plates stopped it, defying expectations.
• Others were punched through cleanly, proving not all coatings or layering are created equal.

.338 Lapua Magnum

• The A1 Plate surprisingly survived with only rear delamination.
• No clear penetration detected, making this a standout result.

50 BMG Ball Ammo

• As expected, one plate was destroyed, but others slowed it significantly.
• Multiple layers helped fragment and dissipate energy, minimizing rear impact.

“If you wear two plates, you’re good—even against 50 BMG!” – Demolition Ranch

Verdict: Which Plate Wins?

The A1 and A3 plates stood out, especially when absorbing higher-powered rounds that would typically require Level IV ceramics.

Final Thoughts

This video showcases not just the fun and firepower of the LWRC SMG-45, but also the battle-proven resilience of Armored Republic body armor. Whether you’re prepping for worst-case scenarios or simply curious about ballistic performance, this torture test shows why steel and hybrid armor still dominate in 2024.