I'm an poor, old farmer who can barely lift his own arms and has to scrounge for every loose penny...
As such, WEIGHT is my enemy and I want to build the "Ultimate" featherweight AR that does *not* require ATF stamps.
However, this poor farmer is not willing to save $$$ at all cost either, so it needs to be very robust with the highest-quality components. I need to have confidence that when I pick the rifle up, even if it's dirty and is loaded with crap ammo, it will shoot... Every. Single. Time.
Specifically, what component -- piece-by-piece -- would you recommend, giving both weight AND reliability / durability equal priority?
I'd like a full rail, probably at least 12-13 inches and a flat top. I prefer billet lowers and uppers. I don't know if low-mass carriers are effective, but I'm willing to entertain them. I'm thinking 14.5 with a top-notch hider / comp combo pinned. Geiselle or other trigger, etc. I'm thinking BattleLink MFT or Ace stock for weight and a T1 for an optic, but I use NV and Thermal heavily as well.
LIGHT! LIGHT! LIGHT! but it needs to WORK! WORK! WORK! in the toughest environments.
BUDGET: $2,000 (rifle-only, not including optic(s))