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Posted: 3/4/2016 3:55:39 PM EDT
I have an Adams Arms 16" midlength upper, medium weight barrel, Daniel Defense quad rail, BUIS, Trijicon reflex, and other little bells and whistles.
In following the piston build threads and such, everyone is raging about ultralight builds, and it has me asking if my rifle is "too heavy"? (PS sorry, don't have an exact weight, but I am guessing my rifle is around 8.5-9 lbs loaded out) Adams Arms has even begun selling lighter gas blocks, barrels, etc, all for their piston systems. I understand it could all be marketing, in trying to tell people to buy stuff they don't really need, and I also understand the "do push-ups if your rifle seems heavy" mentality. In looking to do carbine courses this summer, I am asking myself if I should begin the en-"lightening" journey to make my rifle flick up a bit faster and such. Am I over thinking this? Is this merely a phase in the AR community where, in a few months/years we will look back on how silly it might seem? Or, are people understanding more about what these rifles can do and hold up to in these configurations? I don't really know how to word what exactly I am trying to ask. Help me out! Should I lighten my rifle? Put the money elsewhere? Would I enjoy or want to shoot my gun if it were lighter? 
Thanks in advance! |
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Posted: 3/4/2016 4:22:03 PM EDT
[#1]
Well. Right now I'm building a piston ultralight. After everything it should be anywhere between 4.3 lbs to 5 lbs. That's pretty light.
I can't complete my build until I get my barrel. My choice was 14.5 VDI Evo Ultra Lite. No one has themcin stock. It's the lightest .750 barrel I could find at that length that is also melonited. When you combine V7 titanium/super aluminum weapons parts with a light carrier, handguard, barrel, muzzle device, stock, upper, and lower then you can make a pretty light rifle. Currently the superlative kit is actually just a tad heavier than a mil spec setup. I have an Adam's arms xlp and it's freaking heavy in comparison. I recommend the small V7 Ultra light parts, Elfmann push button safety, geissele SD3G, pws ebt mod 2, 2A Balios Lite Lower, BCM KMR 13 with V7 Ti nut, VG6 Epsilon Titanium, MFT Battlelink, DSA Enhanced upper (FA). Pistol grip doesn't really matter because they are all roughly the same weight. You be surprised how much weight those parts would save you. Don't be surprised if all of this is super expensive. Lightening the rifle isn't cheap by any means. |
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Posted: 3/4/2016 4:50:49 PM EDT
[#2]
Fashion, it comes and goes.
Shoot guns for long enough and you'll see it. IPSC shooters are the worst fashionistas around, but it effects the entire industry. Wait until some people get bored of light guns, and the start writing articles, and post the benefit of heavy guns, and the new trend will be heavy guns. Shrug, that is how it goes. |
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Posted: 3/4/2016 5:08:49 PM EDT
[#3]
Quoted:
Fashion, it comes and goes. Shoot guns for long enough and you'll see it. IPSC shooters are the worst fashionistas around, but it effects the entire industry. Wait until some people get bored of light guns, and the start writing articles, and post the benefit of heavy guns, and the new trend will be heavy guns. Shrug, that is how it goes. This is what my gut is saying. I guess putting the money towards ammo and training (or even a gym membership before someone flags me as a weight weenie) is the solution, rather than keeping up with what is trending. |
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Posted: 3/4/2016 5:34:17 PM EDT
[#4]
Ultimately it's about what you're going to use the rifle for.
I think the trend to ultra light is a fad. I can see the need to go ultra light if you're going to carry it a lot just as with any pack rifle. Or for smaller shooters, children, petite women. I like my 3 gun rifle to be a bit on the heavy side since it helps reduce felt recoil and most matches will have you shoot short range then sprint 40 or so yards then shoot long range. The heavier rifle settles faster for the next shot. I like being able to use lighter or heavier parts to balance the weight and put it where I want it on the rifle. Of course it's all a trade off. |
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Posted: 3/4/2016 6:05:50 PM EDT
[#5]
I'm all about the light weight thing, I have a six pounder and I even OP'd one of the lightweight threads but...
A rifle is a tool, and the value of a light weight depends on what you're using the tool for. I built the light weight for situations where the rifle would need to carried a lot and shot a very little...and because it's an interesting technical challenge. My 3Gun rifle weighs about 8 1/2 points and I wouldn't want to try and shoot 3Gun with a 6 pounder. It'd e too jumpy and it'd be difficult to build one that light that is as ball bat reliable, with as good a set of optics as you need to do well in 3 gun. My high power rifle has....gasp...lead weights in it. It weighs about 11 pounds. I don't have to move it very far without a cart and it's a million times easier to hit stuff with a rifle that gently meanders rather than jumping around like Miley Cyrus on meth while you're trying to hit the dot at 200 yards while standing in a stiff breeze. Ultralights are awesome for some stuff...but if you don't need it...you don't need it. Marketing be damned. Are you happy with your rifle? Does it run without jamming or breaking for a thousand rounds or so? Does it hit what you aim it at? Then you're good to go. |
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Posted: 3/4/2016 6:24:19 PM EDT
[#6]
The super Ultra lightweight is an expensive fad imo, but their is no denying that a lighter rifle handles better/faster than a heavier one. My 20" pencil barrel upper handles better than the 16" dissipator with mid gas and heavier .750 barrel. So much so I want to send the Dissy to adco to get turned down and add a titanium gas block.
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Posted: 3/4/2016 6:29:40 PM EDT
[#7]
I like to hike with my AR and while I love my 18'' BCM its heavy and as I age I find myself grabbing my home built lightweight rifle with a 16'' fluted barrel and the yotes don't seem to notice but my back does.
I might build a super lightweight rifle next. |
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Posted: 3/4/2016 10:38:30 PM EDT
[#8]
Before the government started using a heavier profile barrel, they used pencil like barrels. The reason why they switched to heavier barrels was because of the M203 attachment that added stress to the barrel.
Heavier isn't always better. I can see a reliable AR (piston or DI) that can run a heavier buffer and low mass carrier with light parts and function just as good as mil spec. You're technically not sacrificing anything really. The only time you'd be in the shit is if your full auto dumping 1000+ rds mag after mag (no breaks in fire), which people do not do. Not even in the military. |
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Posted: 3/6/2016 2:50:41 PM EDT
[#9]
You will regret loosing any weight when a buttstock blow to the head is required.
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Posted: 3/6/2016 3:39:41 PM EDT
[#10]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Ultimately it's about what you're going to use the rifle for. I think the trend to ultra light is a fad. I can see the need to go ultra light if you're going to carry it a lot just as with any pack rifle. Or for smaller shooters, children, petite women. I like my 3 gun rifle to be a bit on the heavy side since it helps reduce felt recoil and most matches will have you shoot short range then sprint 40 or so yards then shoot long range. The heavier rifle settles faster for the next shot. I like being able to use lighter or heavier parts to balance the weight and put it where I want it on the rifle. Of course it's all a trade off. Bingo. I don't want a 12lb rifle to carry all day in the field. Been there, done that. It sucks. On the other hand making accurate offhand shots is very difficult with a very light rifle. BTDT too. Even biathalon rifles are pretty heavy and it's not because they can ski faster with a heavier rifle. Most of the ultralight stuff now is just chasing the latest fad. |
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Posted: 3/6/2016 5:59:16 PM EDT
[#11]
I have decided due to physical issues my next purchase will be under 6 pounds. I have a shoulder problem that does not get better and I want at least one AR that I can carry a lot and shoot a lot that does not cause my shoulder any more discomfort or pain than necessary. I have ask around about the Barrett REC7 Gen 2 Flyweight #13821 and 2A Armament BLR 16 both of which are right at the 5 pound mark. Have not gotten a lot of feedback on the 2A and have not even been able to find a review on the Barrett. I know they are pricey but I don't roll my own so I am pretty much left to buying a manufactures build. Those are the only two that I have found that seem to have high quality components which is why I am focusing on those two for now due to the very light weight.
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Posted: 3/6/2016 7:08:04 PM EDT
[#12]
The less it weighs, the more it kicks. Just sayin'
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Posted: 3/6/2016 8:46:55 PM EDT
[#13]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
The less it weighs, the more it kicks. Just sayin' That can be remedied by a muzzle brake of suppressor. |
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Posted: 3/16/2016 6:44:45 AM EDT
[#14]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I have decided due to physical issues my next purchase will be under 6 pounds. I have a shoulder problem that does not get better and I want at least one AR that I can carry a lot and shoot a lot that does not cause my shoulder any more discomfort or pain than necessary. I have ask around about the Barrett REC7 Gen 2 Flyweight #13821 and 2A Armament BLR 16 both of which are right at the 5 pound mark. Have not gotten a lot of feedback on the 2A and have not even been able to find a review on the Barrett. I know they are pricey but I don't roll my own so I am pretty much left to buying a manufactures build. Those are the only two that I have found that seem to have high quality components which is why I am focusing on those two for now due to the very light weight. It's not that hard to roll your own. I am currently helping a friend with arthritis and shoulder weakness. I am trying to help in choosing the parts. The goal is lightweight and soft shooting. You can buy a standard assembled lower from somewhere like PSA on the cheap. Then concentrate on the upper where most of the weight is. Start with an upper without the foward assist. The Faxon lightweight pencil 14.5" weighs about 17 ounces. Get a JP low mass BCG, and and adjustable gas block. Pin and weld a linear compensator.(You can send the barrel off for the pin and weld job) Add a KMR rail (or another very light rail). You can tune the rifle to the ammo you will use to get the softest shooting. You can end up with a super light, soft shooting , very high quality upper and save some $. |
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Posted: 3/16/2016 11:52:07 AM EDT
[#15]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
That can be remedied by a muzzle brake of suppressor. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
The less it weighs, the more it kicks. Just sayin' That can be remedied by a muzzle brake of suppressor. And different buffer springs / carriers / buffer Added up what my newest piston build will weigh before sights or optics. It will be roughly 5.3 lbs (13" rail) without putting any polymer or removing functionality (like the forward assist). Since I'm using the Superlative Arms retrofit kit, I'm using a standard mass carrier. However they are due to release a low mass carrier in the coming months which will shave ounces off. Gonna try the Ultra light taccom buffer and see if it blows my rifle up. |
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Posted: 3/16/2016 1:11:29 PM EDT
[#16]
OP I love my HBAR 6721, though not a PISTON it is heavier than most in its size profile. I don't mind it.
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Posted: 3/16/2016 1:26:17 PM EDT
[#17]
If you need a lighter rifle you need to lift weights
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Posted: 3/16/2016 1:44:37 PM EDT
[#18]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
If you need a lighter rifle you need to lift weights I lift weights five days a week and prefer a lighter rifle if it's a carbine. Now what? |
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Posted: 3/16/2016 10:04:54 PM EDT
[#19]
Remember when Quad Rails were the flavor of the month ... everyone had to have quad rails! Remember when pistons were the flavor of the month ... everyone had to have a piston AR! Remember when AR pistols were the flavor of the month ... everyone had to have an AR pistol! Remember when cerakoting FDE/Patroit Brown/Burnt Bronze was the flavor of the month ... everyone had to have a cerakote rifle! Remember when ultralights were the flavor of the month.... everyone had to have an ultralight! I think you see where I'm headed with this. There's very little wrong with lighweighting a rifle, but don't feel as if you're beholded to following the trend or have a dinosaur on your hands if you don't start looking for way to strip ounces out of your rifle. Clearly if you have a bunch of needless junk hanging off it like a mock operator, well, there's probably about 1 or more of weight savings right there. In the end if your gun works, and you're happy with the performance, unless you make a living with your rifle and carry it around a lot - an extra two / three pounds isn't going to make a hoots worth of difference. |
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Posted: 3/16/2016 10:14:51 PM EDT
[#20]
What you have is just fine for most tasks imo.
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Posted: 3/16/2016 10:25:32 PM EDT
[#21]
Light weight guns handle quicker. Taking a three day rifle course will cure you real quick of thinking heavy rifles are cool in any way.
And once you start adding cool shit like optics, light, suppressor and IR gear, you'll appreciate a light weight base on which to build. Once I started building and using light weight rifles, there was no reason to go back to heavier profile bbls. And, BTW Vietnam era ARs were very light weight, which was a big part if it's appeal to the troops humping them. Light weight isn't "new" or a "fad." That's utter bullshit. The AR started off as a light weight weapon to replace the heavy M14. |
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Posted: 3/17/2016 12:35:33 AM EDT
[#22]
I have nothing against people wanting to have, build, own light rifles. But when I think of our fathers, grandfathers, or whatever toting 10.5 pound M1 Garands and who knows how much 30.06 ammo and a bunch of other crap...then walking many times when trucks and other troop transport weren't readily available...I wonder what we're whining about...LOL! And please don't misunderstand me...light weapons, ammo, and gear is always better. Maybe performance from the given weapon is the priority, and if our wallet can handle lighter...great.
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Posted: 3/17/2016 9:27:22 AM EDT
[#23]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I have nothing against people wanting to have, build, own light rifles. But when I think of our fathers, grandfathers, or whatever toting 10.5 pound M1 Garands and who knows how much 30.06 ammo and a bunch of other crap...then walking many times when trucks and other troop transport weren't readily available...I wonder what we're whining about...LOL! And please don't misunderstand me...light weapons, ammo, and gear is always better. Maybe performance from the given weapon is the priority, and if our wallet can handle lighter...great. lol Building a light weight rifle doesn't break the bank. There are tons of deals out there on light weight bbl and rails, which are the two places to save the most weight. Times have changed. God invented polymer and Aluminum so that we could carry lots of more useful items at a time than our grandfathers did during WWII. Everything soldiers currently carry is lighter weight than what our grandfathers carried. The clothing, packs, radios, food, boots, helmets, etc, etc, etc is all lighter weight, more durable and easier to use. Like I said in the post above yours, the AR started off as a light-weight weapon for a damned good reason. Troops carrying lighter loads can patrol longer and add numerous additional tools to their rifles without them becoming excessively heavy. It wasn't until fudds wanted to use them as bench-rest paper-punchers that ARs started gaining unnecessary weight with bull bbls etc. and they started being called "sporting rifles" to make them politically palatable. I understand that adding weight to the inherently accurate platform helps wring a bit more accuracy out of them, but for the average guy that's not wearing a leather shooting jacket and shooting in competitions it's kinda pointless. 99% of the AR owners out there buy them as HD guns or with the intention of using them should shit go sideways in society. People that pick up my rifles during classes etc are usually mind-blown at how light weight they are (even with a T-1 and WML) and conversations usually end with them wanting advice on how to lighten up their own guns. I guess I could tell them to buy gym memberships, but that's kinda lame. |
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Posted: 3/17/2016 10:38:28 AM EDT
[#24]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
lol Building a light weight rifle doesn't break the bank. There are tons of deals out there on light weight bbl and rails, which are the two places to save the most weight. Times have changed. God invented polymer and Aluminum so that we could carry lots of more useful items at a time than our grandfathers did during WWII. Everything soldiers currently carry is lighter weight than what our grandfathers carried. The clothing, packs, radios, food, boots, helmets, etc, etc, etc is all lighter weight, more durable and easier to use. Like I said in the post above yours, the AR started off as a light-weight weapon for a damned good reason. Troops carrying lighter loads can patrol longer and add numerous additional tools to their rifles without them becoming excessively heavy. It wasn't until fudds wanted to use them as bench-rest paper-punchers that ARs started gaining unnecessary weight with bull bbls etc. and they started being called "sporting rifles" to make them politically palatable. I understand that adding weight to the inherently accurate platform helps wring a bit more accuracy out of them, but for the average guy that's not wearing a leather shooting jacket and shooting in competitions it's kinda pointless. 99% of the AR owners out there buy them as HD guns or with the intention of using them should shit go sideways in society. People that pick up my rifles during classes etc are usually mind-blown at how light weight they are (even with a T-1 and WML) and conversations usually end with them wanting advice on how to lighten up their own guns. I guess I could tell them to buy gym memberships, but that's kinda lame. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
I have nothing against people wanting to have, build, own light rifles. But when I think of our fathers, grandfathers, or whatever toting 10.5 pound M1 Garands and who knows how much 30.06 ammo and a bunch of other crap...then walking many times when trucks and other troop transport weren't readily available...I wonder what we're whining about...LOL! And please don't misunderstand me...light weapons, ammo, and gear is always better. Maybe performance from the given weapon is the priority, and if our wallet can handle lighter...great. lol Building a light weight rifle doesn't break the bank. There are tons of deals out there on light weight bbl and rails, which are the two places to save the most weight. Times have changed. God invented polymer and Aluminum so that we could carry lots of more useful items at a time than our grandfathers did during WWII. Everything soldiers currently carry is lighter weight than what our grandfathers carried. The clothing, packs, radios, food, boots, helmets, etc, etc, etc is all lighter weight, more durable and easier to use. Like I said in the post above yours, the AR started off as a light-weight weapon for a damned good reason. Troops carrying lighter loads can patrol longer and add numerous additional tools to their rifles without them becoming excessively heavy. It wasn't until fudds wanted to use them as bench-rest paper-punchers that ARs started gaining unnecessary weight with bull bbls etc. and they started being called "sporting rifles" to make them politically palatable. I understand that adding weight to the inherently accurate platform helps wring a bit more accuracy out of them, but for the average guy that's not wearing a leather shooting jacket and shooting in competitions it's kinda pointless. 99% of the AR owners out there buy them as HD guns or with the intention of using them should shit go sideways in society. People that pick up my rifles during classes etc are usually mind-blown at how light weight they are (even with a T-1 and WML) and conversations usually end with them wanting advice on how to lighten up their own guns. I guess I could tell them to buy gym memberships, but that's kinda lame. Well, most of my comment about our WWII forefathers was mainly for humor, and I mainly agree with your statement here. However, I might differ with you a little on price/cost of a truly lightweight AR. Then again, maybe we need to define "cost" or "expensive". One man's "expensive" is another man's routine cost...because he can afford it. I have a 6.2 pound AR...the lightest one I have. It has a light profile 14.5 pinned barrel...a light 12" handguard...a compact gas block...a standard upper and lower receiver...Magpul polymer BUIS...light carbine stock. There are no "heavy" parts on this gun, and even finding the best bargain parts for the quality obtained, the rifle is in at around $800-$900. The parts to get this rifle any appreciable amount lower in weight will start to jack up the price a good deal. Light BCG's, carbon fiber this-and-that will definitely start bring down the weight, but the price will rise accordingly. And don't get me wrong...I'm not whining about my 6.2 pound AR...LOL! |
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Posted: 3/18/2016 5:27:19 PM EDT
[#25]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Light weight guns handle quicker. Taking a three day rifle course will cure you real quick of thinking heavy rifles are cool in any way. And once you start adding cool shit like optics, light, suppressor and IR gear, you'll appreciate a light weight base on which to build. Once I started building and using light weight rifles, there was no reason to go back to heavier profile bbls. And, BTW Vietnam era ARs were very light weight, which was a big part if it's appeal to the troops humping them. Light weight isn't "new" or a "fad." That's utter bullshit. The AR started off as a light weight weapon to replace the heavy M14. I believe the overarching point is that ARs are already light weight. Things got a little crazy in the early 2000's with heavy quad rails and hanging all kinds of operator stuff off your rife. The pendulum is now moving back towards what the AR was invested in at the start. A soft shooting, light weight patrol rifle. The 'super cool' trend right now is to spend more more money to get your platform even lighter. I'm all for shaving ounces - but at some point for 95% of use, the cost of shaving those ounces doesn't merit the amount money spent. It would be nothing for me to build up a polymer lower, skeletonized butt, pencil profile barrel, Lancer CF handguard for the ultimate in lightness but to what end. I'd have a near $2,000 build that shaved 2/3 lbs over a comparable rifle that could have been built for 70% the cost yet would rarely be used long enough on a continuous basis where those 2/3lbs become a fatigue factor. |
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Posted: 3/18/2016 8:59:50 PM EDT
[#26]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I believe the overarching point is that ARs are already light weight. Things got a little crazy in the early 2000's with heavy quad rails and hanging all kinds of operator stuff off your rife. The pendulum is now moving back towards what the AR was invested in at the start. A soft shooting, light weight patrol rifle. The 'super cool' trend right now is to spend more more money to get your platform even lighter. I'm all for shaving ounces - but at some point for 95% of use, the cost of shaving those ounces doesn't merit the amount money spent. It would be nothing for me to build up a polymer lower, skeletonized butt, pencil profile barrel, Lancer CF handguard for the ultimate in lightness but to what end. I'd have a near $2,000 build that shaved 2/3 lbs over a comparable rifle that could have been built for 70% the cost yet would rarely be used long enough on a continuous basis where those 2/3lbs become a fatigue factor. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Light weight guns handle quicker. Taking a three day rifle course will cure you real quick of thinking heavy rifles are cool in any way. And once you start adding cool shit like optics, light, suppressor and IR gear, you'll appreciate a light weight base on which to build. Once I started building and using light weight rifles, there was no reason to go back to heavier profile bbls. And, BTW Vietnam era ARs were very light weight, which was a big part if it's appeal to the troops humping them. Light weight isn't "new" or a "fad." That's utter bullshit. The AR started off as a light weight weapon to replace the heavy M14. I believe the overarching point is that ARs are already light weight. Things got a little crazy in the early 2000's with heavy quad rails and hanging all kinds of operator stuff off your rife. The pendulum is now moving back towards what the AR was invested in at the start. A soft shooting, light weight patrol rifle. The 'super cool' trend right now is to spend more more money to get your platform even lighter. I'm all for shaving ounces - but at some point for 95% of use, the cost of shaving those ounces doesn't merit the amount money spent. It would be nothing for me to build up a polymer lower, skeletonized butt, pencil profile barrel, Lancer CF handguard for the ultimate in lightness but to what end. I'd have a near $2,000 build that shaved 2/3 lbs over a comparable rifle that could have been built for 70% the cost yet would rarely be used long enough on a continuous basis where those 2/3lbs become a fatigue factor. I think the 3 gun builds are finding the middle ground as far as optimum weight for max maneuverability and 500-600 yard accuracy. The lightest weight possible is not optimum for accuracy and the heavier the rifle the slower it is to maneuver for quick transitions. Can that be achieved on a budget? Sure it can. You just have to sink your money in the best trigger and optics you can afford with a decent barrel. Everything else is furniture. (Don't ask about my current build its not low budget at all  )
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Posted: 3/21/2016 8:21:23 PM EDT
[#27]
If you make it too light, your wife will end up wanting it as hers. (So ... yeah don't ask). Seriously, weight was a factor for me as I wanted my wife to be able to use it and I prefer lighter rifles.
PWS MK114 mod 1: 6 lbs 9 oz. Streamlight TLR-1 HL: 4.18 oz. Rail for Light: 0.68 Aimpoint Micro T-2: 3.4 oz Scalarworks LDM110 Mount: 1.38 oz. Magpul AFG-2 Angled Fore Grip: 2.53 oz. Rail for Grip: 1.36 oz Total: 7 lbs. 5.918 oz. |
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Posted: 3/23/2016 7:11:17 PM EDT
[#28]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Remember when Quad Rails were the flavor of the month ... everyone had to have quad rails! Remember when pistons were the flavor of the month ... everyone had to have a piston AR! Remember when AR pistols were the flavor of the month ... everyone had to have an AR pistol! Remember when cerakoting FDE/Patroit Brown/Burnt Bronze was the flavor of the month ... everyone had to have a cerakote rifle! Remember when ultralights were the flavor of the month.... everyone had to have an ultralight! I think you see where I'm headed with this. There's very little wrong with lighweighting a rifle, but don't feel as if you're beholded to following the trend or have a dinosaur on your hands if you don't start looking for way to strip ounces out of your rifle. Clearly if you have a bunch of needless junk hanging off it like a mock operator, well, there's probably about 1 or more of weight savings right there. In the end if your gun works, and you're happy with the performance, unless you make a living with your rifle and carry it around a lot - an extra two / three pounds isn't going to make a hoots worth of difference. I was fortunate to resist all these FADs (yes, got tempted a few times). My main go to rifle is just a standard M4 Carbine with a red dot, A2 front sight post, fixed rear sight and ofcourse, it's black. All my other ARs (5+) are all black with a couple of A2 configurations. All have standard mil-spec parts but only one part I hate so much and can't stand it is the standard A2 pistol grip (it tortured my knuckles/fingers everytime), therefore, I either replaced them out for A1 grip/grind down the bump of the A2/or replaced with other after market grips. Not because I HAVE to/WANT to get a light weight rifle, but I will NEED to get one pretty soon for the petite wife and young kids. Rather than jumping on the band wagon, just get whatever make you happy! Yg |
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Posted: 3/23/2016 7:21:08 PM EDT
[#29]
Quoted:
I have an Adams Arms 16" midlength upper, medium weight barrel, Daniel Defense quad rail, BUIS, Trijicon reflex, and other little bells and whistles. In following the piston build threads and such, everyone is raging about ultralight builds, and it has me asking if my rifle is "too heavy"? (PS sorry, don't have an exact weight, but I am guessing my rifle is around 8.5-9 lbs loaded out) Yeah, I bet you it's over 9 pounds with everything on it and an empty mag. Go throw it on a scale and get back to us. At that point you could be carrying a SCAR 17... |
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Posted: 4/8/2016 1:27:27 PM EDT
[#30]
Thank you guys for the discussion. It is obviously a strongly two sided argument.
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Posted: 4/8/2016 1:36:30 PM EDT
[#31]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I have nothing against people wanting to have, build, own light rifles. But when I think of our fathers, grandfathers, or whatever toting 10.5 pound M1 Garands and who knows how much 30.06 ammo and a bunch of other crap...then walking many times when trucks and other troop transport weren't readily available...I wonder what we're whining about...LOL! And please don't misunderstand me...light weapons, ammo, and gear is always better. Maybe performance from the given weapon is the priority, and if our wallet can handle lighter...great. I actually think of this ALOT! I sit back and think of my problems, then remember the stats of troop gear from all those years ago. A man with no shoes cries until he sees a man with no feet. A problem for me could be a benefit to another. Thanks again guys. |
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Posted: 4/8/2016 1:42:34 PM EDT
[#32]
Honestly. Building a lightweight build, piston or not has nearly zero downsides. Reliability is roughly the same and function is the same.
I have an 8 lbs Adams Arms XLP Piston AR15 that weighs 8 lbs with just BUIS and no mag. I just built a Superlative Arms piston kit where the entire full rifle minis BUIS (add 1-3 oz) is 4 lbs 13.8 oz. The AA rifle is very balanced so people think it's light and has nearly zero recoil and muzzle rise (Kynshit Hydraulic Buffer/Sprinco Extra Power Springs). The SA is and feels like a toy and is a tad bit front heavy, but not noticeable because of the overall lightweight feel. I haven't fired it yet, but when I do it will have a 1oz buffer and I've been waiting for a Wolff Reduced Power Spring to deliver. They both have quality parts, however one is nearly half the weight of the other. |
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Posted: 4/9/2016 5:28:40 PM EDT
[#33]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I lift weights five days a week and prefer a lighter rifle if it's a carbine. Now what? Quote HistoryQuoted:
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If you need a lighter rifle you need to lift weights I lift weights five days a week and prefer a lighter rifle if it's a carbine. Now what? Lift heavier weights 
Seriously though my 20"A1 Clone is pretty damn handy and maneuverable compared to my carbines. Just got one of the CDNN m6a2 specials and dang is it heavy. Works good with a UBR for counterbalance, but the little voice in back of my head is thinkin' light weight bbl swap, while I'm thinkin maybe heavier weights
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Posted: 4/9/2016 5:59:30 PM EDT
[#34]
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Lift heavier weights Quote HistoryQuoted:
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If you need a lighter rifle you need to lift weights I lift weights five days a week and prefer a lighter rifle if it's a carbine. Now what? Lift heavier weights For my size. . .I'm lifting heavier weights than people who have nearly a foot on me. Yeah I'm short. Haha. Was like that in the Army as well. Shortest guy in my platoon, but also could pull out the most pullups. |
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Posted: 4/9/2016 6:25:37 PM EDT
[#35]
Army
I remember it well, tail end of Cold War for me. Nowadays I might be able to manage a push up or two, but a pull up might kill me Light weight in fo the win
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Posted: 4/9/2016 7:50:02 PM EDT
[#36]
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Army I remember it well, tail end of Cold War for me. Nowadays I might be able to manage a push up or two, but a pull up might kill me Light weight in fo the win2010 for me. But I digress. My 5 lbs rifle is a win for me. $2,500 win that's for sure. |
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Posted: 4/9/2016 7:59:11 PM EDT
[#37]
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Thank you guys for the discussion. It is obviously a strongly two sided argument. Did you throw it on a scale yet? Did you look up the weight of a SCAR 17 yet? |
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Posted: 4/11/2016 4:08:10 PM EDT
[#38]
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Did you throw it on a scale yet? Did you look up the weight of a SCAR 17 yet? Quote HistoryQuoted:
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Thank you guys for the discussion. It is obviously a strongly two sided argument. Did you throw it on a scale yet? Did you look up the weight of a SCAR 17 yet? I haven't yet. I have a safe back at my parents house in my home town, and I live many hours away in a city. My AK is with me now, and the AR is back in the safe. (Keeping a cheaper rifle in my apartment in the city doesn't bother me as bad as my AR that's twice the cost)... Just spooked to have it swiped I guess. I plan to eventually weigh it, but the topic came up last time I was home. We were sitting around chatting about rifles, and they were looking at my AK and AR, and we wondered about the weights. |
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Posted: 4/12/2016 6:35:52 AM EDT
[#39]
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Before the government started using a heavier profile barrel, they used pencil like barrels. The reason why they switched to heavier barrels was because of the M203 attachment that added stress to the barrel.... No, they went with a heavier profile barrel to reduce barrel heating during extremely high rates of fire that were common in certain scenarios. Occasionally, during some of these exercises, they would over-heat the barrel to the point of bursting. The reason they kept the slim profile under the hand guards in the M16A2 was because they did not want to change the method of mounting the M203 on the M16A2.... |
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