User Panel
User Panel
User Panel
|
Posted: 8/28/2014 4:43:15 PM EDT
So, I finished my first build, an SPR inspired rifle, about 2 years ago. I love how it looks and shoot, but she's a heavy beast. 12.5 pounds empty. Being new to building my own rifle, I didn't pay enough attention to things like weight of individual components, and it added up quickly. I'd like to trim some weight from the rifle, get it down to about 9.5-10.5 pounds.
This is the current parts list: Tactical Machining stripped lower PSA LPK Timney trigger MAGPUL PRS stock MAGPUL MOE Grip YHM upper DMPS MK 12 Barrel BCM Gunfighter Mod 4 Charging handle BCM bolt and carrier Troy 13" Alpha rail Harris bipod w/ YHM adapter I'm probably gonna replace the hand guard( the Troy alpha rail is 21oz.!) and probably gonna replace the scope with a Vortex Viper PST 2.5-10x32 in a lighter mount. I want to keep the barrel and stock. Anyone have any suggestions for replacement items to bring the weight down? Specifically looking for recommendations for rails and scope mounts, but any input is welcome and appreciated. EDIT: I'm quite aware of what is making it heavy. What I am asking for is specific recommendations on replacement components, not a generic "swap the stock" or "change the barrel". 
|
|
|
|
Posted: 8/28/2014 4:52:58 PM EDT
[#1]
Apex handguards are light, as long as you don't care about having a top rail. You can buy a short rail section for your bipod. I managed to get a leftover Troy rail to fit on mine.
For the scope mount, I think Aero's are the lightest out there. |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/28/2014 4:58:39 PM EDT
[#2]
BCM KMR rail is really light weight. If I replace my PRI handguard, I'll probably go with the 15" KMR. The biggest difference could be found in barrels, though. My 18" MK 12 barrel is a beast, but very accurate.
Bigger returns in weight reduction will be the barrel, handguard, and optics. You'll have to balance cost, weight and performance to fit your needs. |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/28/2014 5:21:38 PM EDT
[#3]
Barrel, handguard, stock, and optics are the 4 biggest things that will fatten a rifle...the bipod adds a chunk as well. Choose carefully there, and assess if everything you have on it is needed for the rifle to do it's intended purpose.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 8/28/2014 5:35:16 PM EDT
[#4]
Get an A2 stock, get a smaller scope, loose the bipod and get a cuff or loop sling. Other than that, lift some weights? 12.5 lbs doesn't seem bad for everything you have on there. The M240G weighs about 26 pounds, imagine humping that around.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 8/28/2014 5:41:54 PM EDT
[#5]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Get an A2 stock, get a smaller scope, loose the bipod and get a cuff or loop sling. Other than that, lift some weights? 12.5 lbs doesn't seem bad for everything you have on there. The M240G weighs about 26 pounds, imagine humping that around. I have no problem with a heavy rifle, I just think that an AR in .223 should be lighter. If this was a .308 AR, I'd have no issue with 12.5 pounds. I've had to hump around a Mk 43 before, while not as heavy as a M240, I'm aware of how heavy a belt fed can be. Just because I can handle the weight doesn't mean I have to when the weight is unnecessary. I'm not in the military anymore, I have more options. |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/28/2014 6:00:10 PM EDT
[#6]
The 556 Tactical KEY MOD Evolution Series in 15" weighs 10.2 ounces, the the 12.37" weighs just 9.2 ounces.
https://556tactical.com/product/556-tactical-keymod-evolution-rail-series-15/ https://556tactical.com/product/556-tactical-keymod-evolution-rail-series-12-37/ |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/28/2014 6:13:42 PM EDT
[#7]
Thanks for the input so far. Some of these rail systems look fairly promising.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 8/28/2014 6:23:50 PM EDT
[#8]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I have no problem with a heavy rifle, I just think that an AR in .223 should be lighter. If this was a .308 AR, I'd have no issue with 12.5 pounds. I've had to hump around a Mk 43 before, while not as heavy as a M240, I'm aware of how heavy a belt fed can be. Just because I can handle the weight doesn't mean I have to when the weight is unnecessary. I'm not in the military anymore, I have more options. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Get an A2 stock, get a smaller scope, loose the bipod and get a cuff or loop sling. Other than that, lift some weights? 12.5 lbs doesn't seem bad for everything you have on there. The M240G weighs about 26 pounds, imagine humping that around. I have no problem with a heavy rifle, I just think that an AR in .223 should be lighter. If this was a .308 AR, I'd have no issue with 12.5 pounds. I've had to hump around a Mk 43 before, while not as heavy as a M240, I'm aware of how heavy a belt fed can be. Just because I can handle the weight doesn't mean I have to when the weight is unnecessary. I'm not in the military anymore, I have more options. Features come with a price and that is weight. That bipod is probably a pound with the adapter, the PRS stock weighs a couple more ounces than an A2 stock, and the illuminated scope has to weigh over a pound. You wont notice a difference by shaving an ounce or two with a rail. |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/28/2014 6:23:50 PM EDT
[#9]
Ditch the PEPR in favor of Nikon P-223 rings.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 8/28/2014 6:24:09 PM EDT
[#10]
Where are you getting 21oz for the Troy Alpha? It's more like 13oz I believe. Your barrel, optic, bipod, and stock are what are making it so heavy.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 8/28/2014 6:29:24 PM EDT
[#11]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Where are you getting 21oz for the Troy Alpha? It's more like 13oz I believe. Your barrel, optic, bipod, and stock are what are making it so heavy. That was the weight listed on Primary Arms website. I guess I should have looked around a little more, or gone directly to Troy's website. I was already looking on PA for something else when I looked at that. |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/28/2014 6:43:21 PM EDT
[#12]
Yup, I see it on their site. Definitely not correct
Quote HistoryQuoted:
That was the weight listed on Primary Arms website. I guess I should have looked around a little more, or gone directly to Troy's website. I was already looking on PA for something else when I looked at that. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Where are you getting 21oz for the Troy Alpha? It's more like 13oz I believe. Your barrel, optic, bipod, and stock are what are making it so heavy. That was the weight listed on Primary Arms website. I guess I should have looked around a little more, or gone directly to Troy's website. I was already looking on PA for something else when I looked at that. |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/28/2014 7:01:25 PM EDT
[#13]
This is what I'm going with on my next build. 15" is 9.3oz
|
|
|
|
Posted: 8/29/2014 8:39:07 AM EDT
[#14]
Leave it just the way it is. Build another rifle. You have that one built that way for a reason.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 8/29/2014 9:56:24 AM EDT
[#15]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Leave it just the way it is. Build another rifle. You have that one built that way for a reason. yes leave it as is and build another rifle or at least another upper you want to remove 2-3 lbs and you know most of its the barrel already. |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/29/2014 10:04:14 AM EDT
[#16]
Troy hand guards are damn heavy and that stock is one of the heaviest.
Get a Midwest industries or AP custom tube and one of many lighter stocks. |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/29/2014 10:21:32 AM EDT
[#17]
I agree. No way you're going to shave 2-3lbs by just going with a slightly smaller scope and changing the handguard. You might get it down a pound or so, but you'll spend a few hundred bucks to do it. It looks like a pretty nice precision rig as-is. Spend the money on a new LW build. Prices are pretty low on rifles and uppers right now. Just my .02.
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Leave it just the way it is. Build another rifle. You have that one built that way for a reason. |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/29/2014 10:33:46 AM EDT
[#18]
If you want a full quad rail try the Seekins SAR rail. The 13" rail is 12.5oz including barrel nut.
I would swap to a SOPMOD or VLTOR stock. It's going to be hard to drop much more weight without moving to a different barrel profile. You could start a ground up build using all the lightweight parts (magnesium upper and lower, titanium carrier, V7 small parts etc) and that would leave room for the heavier barrel. |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/29/2014 11:09:23 AM EDT
[#19]
Save some weight by removing all the extra rails on the forearm, and mounting the bipod directly to the forearm.
Here is how to do it: Buy this forearm, save ounces. http://slrrifleworks.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=66_100&product_id=371 Buy this and mount bipod directly to the forearm http://www.shopnoveske.com/collections/parts/products/trx-sling-stud-bi-pod-mount Then, change to this scope mount. http://aeroprecisionusa.com/scope-mounts/ultralight-30mm-scope-mount-extended.html Lastly, go on a shopping spree here and get all the light weight titanium and aluminum bits. http://www.v7weaponsystems.com/ After all that, you will have a lighter rifle. To go even lighter requires a stock change, that PRS is 19ounces all by itself. |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/29/2014 11:32:42 AM EDT
[#20]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I agree. No way you're going to shave 2-3lbs by just going with a slightly smaller scope and changing the handguard. You might get it down a pound or so, but you'll spend a few hundred bucks to do it. It looks like a pretty nice precision rig as-is. Spend the money on a new LW build. Prices are pretty low on rifles and uppers right now. Just my .02. Quote HistoryQuoted:
I agree. No way you're going to shave 2-3lbs by just going with a slightly smaller scope and changing the handguard. You might get it down a pound or so, but you'll spend a few hundred bucks to do it. It looks like a pretty nice precision rig as-is. Spend the money on a new LW build. Prices are pretty low on rifles and uppers right now. Just my .02. Quoted:
Leave it just the way it is. Build another rifle. You have that one built that way for a reason. I may do this in the end. If this was my only rifle I'd really want to cut down the weight, but as I have several, this was more an idea I was toying with than something I was dead set had to be done. As I said in the OP, the rifle shoots really well, so leaving it as is would probably be the best answer anyhow. |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/29/2014 11:57:38 AM EDT
[#21]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Leave it just the way it is. Build another rifle. You have that one built that way for a reason. Agreed. 1 AR is never enough. Keep your precision rig as is and build a lightweight rifle. Check out the 2A Balios Lite receivers. I believe there are some nice RDS equipped rifles under 6 lbs using these receivers. They look good too. |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/29/2014 8:04:52 PM EDT
[#22]
Look into a lighter weight efficiant rail system, bipod, and try a using an ARFX skeletin stock on it, that will reduce weight, enough to where at least you notice it without compramising accuracy.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 8/29/2014 8:20:41 PM EDT
[#23]
I held a 4lb AR today so I know where you’re coming from … but your rifle is beautiful
How about building a new one? I wouldn’t change a thing because to me that’s not the style gun you pack around anyways. In fact im building one very much like it … just got the same (heavy as hell) PRS stock today |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/29/2014 8:39:04 PM EDT
[#24]
Strike Industries Keymod.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 8/29/2014 8:43:03 PM EDT
[#25]
I really like the lightweight scope mounts from Aero Precision
I like the regular GI buttstock For a front heavy SPR, I like carbon fiber tubes: Clark carbon fiber, Lancer, PRI, ... Duke st has put together a good list of lightweight parts here: http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_118/638524_Lightweight_Parts_List_with_WEIGHTS__AR_15_.html I agree with others here, keep the SPR, and build a lightweight. Still, it's easy to lose some weight on the SPR without sacrificing capability by ditching the heavy stock, scope mount, and rail. |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/30/2014 12:27:40 PM EDT
[#26]
Cav arms lower
Lightweight scope mount or rings Carbon free float tube, MI or BCM rail Barrel reprofiling |
|
|
Win a FREE Membership!
Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. One new winner* is announced every week!
You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers.
AR15.COM is the world's largest firearm community and is a gathering place for firearm enthusiasts of all types.
From hunters and military members, to competition shooters and general firearm enthusiasts, we welcome anyone who values and respects the way of the firearm.
Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter to receive firearm news, product discounts from your favorite Industry Partners, and more.
Copyright © 1996-2024 AR15.COM LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Any use of this content without express written consent is prohibited.
AR15.Com reserves the right to overwrite or replace any affiliate, commercial, or monetizable links, posted by users, with our own.
