I get that. A lot of people think its to heavy. For me its not that bad, but Im in decent shape. I guess if you don't have much upper body strength it would be a problem (perhaps go to the gym). For me a standard piston AR is a bit silly using the buffer and buffer spring. Why have a piston if it still needs a buffer running in the tube? The .6 inch higher rail is not so bad, I just sit a tiny bit higher on the buttstock (also not a big deal for me). Another option is get slightly lower optics\sights, there are plenty out there. I run Troy Back-up Irons (folding standard height) and an EOTECH 512 on mine (that scope is on a different rifle now). It is not free-floated, you got me there. But on the flip side, I can go from 300AAC to 5.56 in a minute without needing a second upper. For me it came down to the ARAK or the Rock River piston uppers. Both can have folding stock and fire while folded. I just wanted to have more options with my piston upper and the Rock River was a "one caliber for one upper" set-up. My ARAK upper works for 2 rifles and a pistol. My lefty friends like the left-hand eject also. I guess it just comes down to what you want out of your piston. One last thing, this was the best 300 Blackout piston I could find on the market. Not that the other are bad, just didn't seem to want to work for what I wanted. I guess just go over the pros vs cons and decide what is best for you. I have no regrets as far as my ARAK 21 upper goes other then the fact that I do not have 2 of them.