User Panel
[Last Edit: pscot468]
[#1]
Originally Posted By breastroker:
My enhanced V7 tool steel bolt catch @ 7.970 grams or 0.2805 ounces by drilling a hole through the paddle. So almost 3 grams savings with the aluminum bolt catch. View Quote The overpriced badger ti bolt catch weighs 7 grams. |
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[#2]
Working on my lightest Tegra lower, looks like I already did almost everything that can be done to it. Started at 172 grams today and ended up at 171 grams.
But the aluminum bolt catch should cut another 2.98 grams, bringing the lower close to 5.93 ounces. Should be here tomorrow. Hoping that new CF buttstock is less than 2.40 ounces, so lower would be 5.93 + 2.4 + 1.1 spring + 0.59 oz. Taccom buffers for a total of 10.02 ounces for the lower. I don't use a castle nut or end plate with polymer lowers as they are held by stiction. With the Luth-AR CH, my scale @ 0.76 ounces. New weight of upper is 31.80 ounces, complete rifle would be 31.80 + 10.02 ounces or 42.05 ounces or 2.625 pounds. My 10.5 inch CF hand guard tube weighs 1.60 ounces or 0.152 ounces per inch. So if I cut it back to 9.0 inches it should be 1.371 ounces, savings 0.228 ounces! So the upper would weigh 31.572 ounces, rifle would be 41.592 ounces or 2.599 pounds. |
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[Last Edit: pscot468]
[#3]
Originally Posted By breastroker:
Working on my lightest Tegra lower, looks like I already did almost everything that can be done to it. Started at 172 grams today and ended up at 171 grams. But the aluminum bolt catch should cut another 2.98 grams, bringing the lower close to 5.93 ounces. Should be here tomorrow. Hoping that new CF buttstock is less than 2.40 ounces, so lower would be 5.93 + 2.4 + 1.1 spring + 0.59 oz. Taccom buffers for a total of 10.02 ounces for the lower. I don't use a castle nut or end plate with polymer lowers as they are held by stiction. With the Luth-AR CH, my scale @ 0.76 ounces. New weight of upper is 31.80 ounces, complete rifle would be 31.80 + 10.02 ounces or 42.05 ounces or 2.625 pounds. My 10.5 inch CF hand guard tube weighs 1.60 ounces or 0.152 ounces per inch. So if I cut it back to 9.0 inches it should be 1.371 ounces, savings 0.228 ounces! So the upper would weigh 31.572 ounces, rifle would be 41.592 ounces or 2.599 pounds. View Quote |
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[#4]
Not sure 2.5 pounds can happen knowing how hard getting to 42 ounces have been.
Cutting another 2 ounces seems impossible, unless we could get a titanium barrel extension and that Hesse upper receiver, and a titanium cam pin, plus a ultra lite profile aluminum carrier. |
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[#5]
Originally Posted By breastroker:
Not sure 2.5 pounds can happen knowing how hard getting to 42 ounces have been. Cutting another 2 ounces seems impossible, unless we could get a titanium barrel extension and that Hesse upper receiver, and a titanium cam pin, plus a ultra lite profile aluminum carrier. View Quote |
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...believe in me, I'm with the High Command.
MO, USA
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[#6]
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"When trading bullets it is better to give than to receive" ___________________
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." - George Orwell |
[Last Edit: pscot468]
[#7]
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[#8]
Huge math errors:
Working on my lightest Tegra lower, looks like I already did almost everything that can be done to it. Started at 172 grams today and ended up at 171 grams. But the PAMAX Tactical aluminum bolt catch (5 grams) should cut another 2.98 grams, bringing the lower close to 5.93 ounces. Should be here tomorrow. Hoping that new CF buttstock is less than 2.40 ounces, so lower would be 5.93 + 2.4 + 1.138 oz. spring + 0.578 oz. Taccom buffers for a total of 10.046 ounces for the lower. I don't use a castle nut or end plate with polymer lowers as they are held by stiction. With the Luth-AR CH, my scale @ 0.76 ounces. New weight of upper is 31.80 ounces, complete rifle would be 31.80 + 10.046 ounces or 41.846 ounces or 2.615 pounds. My 10.5 inch CF hand guard tube weighs 1.60 ounces or 0.152 ounces per inch. So if I cut it back to 9.0 inches it should be 1.371 ounces, savings 0.228 ounces! So the upper would weigh 31.572 ounces, rifle would be 41.618 ounces or 2.601 pounds. |
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...believe in me, I'm with the High Command.
MO, USA
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[#9]
Who would have EVER THOUGHT that ANYTHING produced by Hesse Arms would be desirable?
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"When trading bullets it is better to give than to receive" ___________________
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." - George Orwell |
[#10]
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...believe in me, I'm with the High Command.
MO, USA
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[#11]
Adjustable gas didn’t exist when I started using aluminum bolt carriers. That came years later.
Speaking of aluminum carriers, I’m thinking about trying to put one of my aluminum carriers on a diet, considering that I’ve yet to find an aluminum carrier that isn’t a direct copy dimensionally of an M-16 carrier I’m pretty sure I can get one down to <3 ounces. |
"When trading bullets it is better to give than to receive" ___________________
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." - George Orwell |
[#12]
Originally Posted By PursuitSS:
Adjustable gas didn’t exist when I started using aluminum bolt carriers. That came years later. Speaking of aluminum carriers, I’m thinking about trying to put one of my aluminum carriers on a diet, considering that I’ve yet to find an aluminum carrier that isn’t a direct copy dimensionally of an M-16 carrier I’m pretty sure I can get one down to <3 ounces. View Quote |
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...believe in me, I'm with the High Command.
MO, USA
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[#13]
I don’t think I’d want to quite that thin on the sides towards the rear half.
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"When trading bullets it is better to give than to receive" ___________________
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." - George Orwell |
...believe in me, I'm with the High Command.
MO, USA
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[#14]
Has anyone looked into the Kaiser US Plastic uppers & Lowers?
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"When trading bullets it is better to give than to receive" ___________________
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." - George Orwell |
[Last Edit: pscot468]
[#15]
Originally Posted By PursuitSS:
Has anyone looked into the Kaiser US Plastic uppers & Lowers? View Quote |
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...believe in me, I'm with the High Command.
MO, USA
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[#16]
Any chance you weighed it?
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"When trading bullets it is better to give than to receive" ___________________
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." - George Orwell |
[#17]
Got the two aluminum bolt catches, I really like them. Weighed on my powder scale, 5 gram weight @ 5.000 grams, 20 gram @ 20.000 grams
One weighed 5.125 grams and the other 5.145 grams. So these are good U weights. The enhanced V7 tool steel bolt catch I remover weighed 7.365 grams, so I was able to cut 2.140 grams. Weighed the lower @ 5.95 ounces. |
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[#19]
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[Last Edit: asorel]
[#20]
Jek, I think the "grips" section of the spreadsheet would benefit from having columns for grip angle, and whether or not the grip has a beavertail. I'm aware that doing this work is pretty tedious so I made a copy of the spreadsheet and went through the trouble for you. I had to eyeball a couple times on grip angle as it wasn't listed by the manufacturer, but I think I did all right. I also added a few comments regarding items that may be discontinued, so be sure to look out for those.
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[#21]
Now that is a) a good suggestion and b) some of the best user support I've got yet. I'll check it out...
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The future of your lightweight AR build begins with the PWD. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1I6Qb6kAJjChEJ56qhznv2291c5UHRDyNXuSXGObumqM/edit?usp=sharing
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[#22]
hey breastroker can we see a picture of your rifle? I wanna see what a 2.6 lb rifle looks like
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[#23]
Not finished yet, cutting the CF handguard today and won't get the new CF buttstock until after 4th of July.
Started July 2016 and slowly getting lighter and lighter. https://68forums.com/forums/showthread.php?62169-Going-to-try-for-a-3-0-pound-556-with-16-inch-Faxon-barrel |
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[Last Edit: JerDerv]
[#24]
Gentlemen, in case this hasn't been posted yet v7's sister company dark hour defense has an aluminum A2 style "Comp", i do not think this has any flash suppression so it may just be a fancy thread protector, but its lightweight none the less.
https://www.darkhourdefense.com/collections/muzzle-devices/products/5-56-aluminum-a2-style-compensator |
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[Last Edit: pscot468]
[#25]
Come to papa aluminum a2!!! That's lighter than the a-hole micro, significantly!!! It's 17 grams. Plus it's made of better aluminum.
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[#26]
Originally Posted By JerDerv:
Gentlemen, in case this hasn't been posted yet v7's sister company dark hour defense has an aluminum A2 style "Comp", i do not think this has any flash suppression so it may just be a fancy thread protector, but its lightweight none the less. https://www.darkhourdefense.com/collections/muzzle-devices/products/5-56-aluminum-a2-style-compensator View Quote |
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[#27]
Originally Posted By asorel:
That's...really damn light. At 1500 rounds usable life however, I'm afraid I'll have to pass. Finally got everything for my next build ordered, now I just have to wait for that Faxon barrel to come out of backorder and ship. Will post pics here when it's together, hoping for below four pounds without optics. View Quote |
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[#28]
Faxon needs to make me a prototype slim 3 prong slim FH from 7075 with adamantium coating. That would own all n
The A2 is cool, but I'd want to lathe off the unnecessary metal. Who's going to use a BFA with it? Probably no one. |
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The future of your lightweight AR build begins with the PWD. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1I6Qb6kAJjChEJ56qhznv2291c5UHRDyNXuSXGObumqM/edit?usp=sharing
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[#29]
Originally Posted By jekbrown:
Faxon needs to make me a prototype slim 3 prong slim FH from 7075 with adamantium coating. That would own all n The A2 is cool, but I'd want to lathe off the unnecessary metal. Who's going to use a BFA with it? Probably no one. View Quote |
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[#30]
So i'm a little disappointed. I was hoping to get my "duty" 308 down to under 8lbs by replacing all the small parts with lightweight options. Well no joy. It's now 9.8 lbs. The only way to reach my target would be to buy another v7 magnesium handguard, and magnesium handguards get a little too hot for my liking. Plus $$$$$$. I got a 15 in aero handguard on it now... I'm sure i'll get around to replacing the handguard with a v7 one but unfortunately it's not in the cards right now. That might get me under 9lbs though...
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[Last Edit: asorel]
[#31]
Originally Posted By pscot468:
So i'm a little disappointed. I was hoping to get my "duty" 308 down to under 8lbs by replacing all the small parts with lightweight options. Well no joy. It's now 9.8 lbs. The only way to reach my target would be to buy another v7 magnesium handguard, and magnesium handguards get a little too hot for my liking. Plus $$$$$$. I got a 15 in aero handguard on it now... I'm sure i'll get around to replacing the handguard with a v7 one but unfortunately it's not in the cards right now. That might get me under 9lbs though... View Quote |
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[Last Edit: pscot468]
[#32]
Originally Posted By asorel:
No love for the Brigand Arms handguards? I know you said heat was a concern, but mine have never gotten more than "warm"--definitely noticeable but not what I'd call uncomfortable. $$$ is still a concern with those of course, but they are lighter and you may or may not have better luck with heat. View Quote |
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[#33]
Originally Posted By pscot468:
Come to papa aluminum a2!!! That's lighter than the a-hole micro, significantly!!! It's 17 grams. Plus it's made of better aluminum. View Quote I like it, and I would think it should last way more than 1500rds! Have not shot it yet but we'll see soon! Attached File |
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[Last Edit: pscot468]
[#34]
Originally Posted By Micron: I have it 19.2grams - 0.67oz! I like it, and I would think it should last way more than 1500rds! Have not shot it yet but we'll see soon!https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/474614/20180701_123215_HDR-1310x2328-593507.JPG View Quote |
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[#35]
Building a lightweight left handed gun.
I currently am running a Stag left handed upper (8.6 oz w/o bolt and CH). Was wondering how much metal weight could be removed (w/o removing dust cover and forward assist) and maintaining strength? I have seen where people hog out the back of the brass deflector (and how much would that save)? Any other areas? I want to do all this before ceracoating it... Thanks ARFCOM |
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[Last Edit: pscot468]
[#36]
Originally Posted By TexasTony:
Building a lightweight left handed gun. I currently am running a Stag left handed upper (8.6 oz w/o bolt and CH). Was wondering how much metal weight could be removed (w/o removing dust cover and forward assist) and maintaining strength? I have seen where people hog out the back of the brass deflector (and how much would that save)? Any other areas? I want to do all this before ceracoating it... Thanks ARFCOM View Quote https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1I6Qb6kAJjChEJ56qhznv2291c5UHRDyNXuSXGObumqM/htmlview# First things first, I'd replace that bolt carrier, forward assist, charging handle, and port door/rod. That'll save you close to a lb with the right parts. What kind of barrel and handguard are you using? |
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[#37]
Originally Posted By pscot468: Well i really want to stay fully modular, the semi modular design of the brigand handguards aren't for me. The magnesium handguards seem to be the best choice. I'll be staying semi auto on this one, couldn't get the echo trigger to work in the large frame ar's. I might buy another echo trigger for the 50 beowulf though! :D probably not, i'd need another iron city bolt carrier. $$$$$$$$ 10 lbs sounds like alot when people (cough, breastroker) are close to building 2.5 lb rifles, but i can deal with 9.8 lbs. That's with a heavy contour, double chrome, cold hammer forged FN barrel made from a m240 blank. It's definitely lighter than that old ptr-91 it replaced, lol. That's with an eotech, iron sights, DD bipod mount, and a 7075 commercial length buffer tube. It's very well balanced and had zero recoil. The only plastic on that bad boy is the mako GL shock buttstock. Take that FN Scar 17s!!! :D View Quote |
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[#38]
Originally Posted By j_cobbers: https://brigandarms.com/product/handguard-carbon-black-series/ They now have MLOK DPMS compatible CF hand-guards. the 12 inch model clocks in at 7.7 oz according to their website. View Quote |
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[#39]
Originally Posted By j_cobbers:
https://brigandarms.com/product/handguard-carbon-black-series/ They now have MLOK DPMS compatible CF hand-guards. the 12 inch model clocks in at 7.7 oz according to their website. View Quote |
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The future of your lightweight AR build begins with the PWD. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1I6Qb6kAJjChEJ56qhznv2291c5UHRDyNXuSXGObumqM/edit?usp=sharing
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[Last Edit: jekbrown]
[#40]
Originally Posted By asorel:
Jek, I think the "grips" section of the spreadsheet would benefit from having columns for grip angle, and whether or not the grip has a beavertail. I'm aware that doing this work is pretty tedious so I made a copy of the spreadsheet and went through the trouble for you. I had to eyeball a couple times on grip angle as it wasn't listed by the manufacturer, but I think I did all right. I also added a few comments regarding items that may be discontinued, so be sure to look out for those. View Quote Also added the Al A2 clone, and some jerk contributed one Riton optic to the user data page, which meant that my OCD compelled me to add ALL of their other optics also. and, oh yeah, SLR added clamp on Ti GBs to their line...not sure when but I added them too. OK, I'm going to watch Homeland now. |
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The future of your lightweight AR build begins with the PWD. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1I6Qb6kAJjChEJ56qhznv2291c5UHRDyNXuSXGObumqM/edit?usp=sharing
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[Last Edit: asorel]
[#41]
Originally Posted By jekbrown: officially integrated. I did switch the columns around just because I am soooo used to M/U being columns being C/D that there's no way I can switch that no and maintain by sanity. Thanks again for your contribution! Also added the Al A2 clone, and some jerk contributed one Riton optic to the user data page, which meant that my OCD compelled me to add ALL of their other optics also. and, oh yeah, SLR added clamp on Ti GBs to their line...not sure when but I added them too. OK, I'm going to watch Homeland now. View Quote I've also got some ETS mags in the mail--translucent mags that are purportedly more durable than PMAGS, with an integral coupler to lock two magazines together. I doubt they'll be lighter than my MFT magazines, but it'll be interesting to see how they compare in weight to PMAGS. |
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[#42]
Got my Shooting Innovations BCG down to 5.09oz from 5.89oz stock! Just a bit of drilling and grinding, Not the prettiest thing now but if it holds up I'll clean it up a bit with some fine stones! Attached File
Attached File Attached File |
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[#43]
Nice, almost 0.4 ounces less than my Whiskey BCG.
I might try that on my BRDC (Oops said a bad word) |
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[#44]
Originally Posted By asorel: Both of those last two were me . The magnifier was the only one I was particularly interested in, so I didn't look at the other Riton optics. Nice to know there's a 3x mag below 11 oz out there though., makes the weight difference between red dot+magnifier and Accupoint+mount even greater. I've also got some ETS mags in the mail--translucent mags that are purportedly more durable than PMAGS, with an integral coupler to lock two magazines together. I doubt they'll be lighter than my MFT magazines, but it'll be interesting to see how they compare in weight to PMAGS. View Quote |
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The future of your lightweight AR build begins with the PWD. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1I6Qb6kAJjChEJ56qhznv2291c5UHRDyNXuSXGObumqM/edit?usp=sharing
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[Last Edit: TexasTony]
[#45]
Faxon: 18 inch GUNNER, CF 17 inch handguard, slim flash hider, and LW gasblock.
It is less "super light weight" and more "What Would Stoner Do?" gun (InRange TV with Ian and Carl). As it stands now with upper, bolt, CH (with dust cover and FA), 18 inch barrel, handguard, gas block, rifle length gas tube = 3lbs 10.5 ounces. For reference, a standard upper with 16 inch M4 profile (flattop) with a Magpul flip up and standard front sight base weighs 4 lbs 2 ounces. With plastic pop up irons and (1 MLOK rail for front sight), MLOK quick detach sling accessory I am guessing 3lbs 14 oz even. I wanted a desert gun I could bet my ass on with the extra velocity of the 18 inch tube, so no lightweight bolts, etc. With shortened LOP GWAC lower my hope is a 6 lb gun with a cheap shoulder sling, plastic irons and light (no mag). My last LW project was a full sized 18 inch barreled (with FH) .308 (slick side but standard AR10 JP lightweight bolt) and including a 3x9 scope and mount weighs in at 7lb 4 ounces (no sling or mag). Be a great hunter for someone who did. I might consider parting with it. |
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[#46]
Nothing wrong with applying lightweight AR ideas / parts to non-ultralights. My DMR build is 8.6lbs but it actually has quite a few ultralight things going on...Ti GB, Ti screws, sorta light steel carrier, lighter sights/light, light rail system etc. I wanted a heavier bbl profile, so I tried to do everything I could to keep the front end light (other than bbl choice).
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The future of your lightweight AR build begins with the PWD. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1I6Qb6kAJjChEJ56qhznv2291c5UHRDyNXuSXGObumqM/edit?usp=sharing
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[#47]
Easy now to mix and match longer or heavier barrels with light or ultra lightweight parts.
I built my 224 Valkyrie with 20 inch barrel using the Faxon barrel that weighs 31.40 ounces (1.96 pounds). Used a light weight steel BCG and a ultra light BAD gas block and a thread protector. Used a no FA upper not super light weight, I could have used a Fostech upper and cut several more ounces. Also used a 15 inch light weight blue anodized hand guard. Upper comes in at 3.80 pounds (60.9 ounces) but could have easily built it at 55 to 58 ounces with spare ultra light weight parts. I could shoot it with lowers that weight as light as 11 ounces, but shooting with a walnut stocked lower that weighs 32 ounces. |
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[#48]
I'm going to be swapping around optics on some guns and probably moving the MRO off my lightweight gun.
Anyone have experiences with the TA44? Looks like a good option to keep that gun light and also pick up some help for holdovers. |
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[#49]
Well my 6.5 in barrel 300 blackout is spewing hot powder in my face and back into the action. I'm gonna try a KAK short flash can, see if that helps burn up some of the powder. It's fine in semi auto, but when you fire in echo mode, simulating full auto, lol lets just say it stings a little. I'm using a suppressor compatible charging handle so i doubt a "gas busting" charging handle would help much. If the flash can doesn't work i have a 8" ballistic advantage barrel with 5r rifling i can use, or i could order a PSA 10.5 in double chrome CHF barrel, or a spikes 10 in chf. I don't want to go that long though... Hopefully the flash can does the trick!!!
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[#50]
Yet another reason why the "rear charging" design of the modern AR sucks. Have you done the high temp silicone thing on the CH? Worth a try, it's dirt cheap.
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The future of your lightweight AR build begins with the PWD. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1I6Qb6kAJjChEJ56qhznv2291c5UHRDyNXuSXGObumqM/edit?usp=sharing
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