Working on a new build and am trying for something as short and light as possible without having to go the pistol or SBR route.

I'd been looking for one of the Faxon pencil 14.5" barrels with permanently attached flash suppressor for a while now, and finally found one on RTB last Friday.  Ordered it, along with a melonited Toolcraft BCG, and received them late this week.

BCG:  Going just from an appearance perspective, the BCG is pretty awesome.  Beautiful finish and great machining.  At $69 it was a great deal, IMHO.

Barrel:  It is a thing of beauty, and is noticeably thinner and lighter than the 16" BA Hanson barrel I used in the last build.

I'm using a BCM upper, and they aren't kidding about the undersized barrel ring.  As they advised, I had to heat the barrel ring with a blow dryer to expand it in order to seat the barrel extension.  Nice.

All I need to finish the build at this point is the charging handle, a hand guard, and a gas block.  I think I'll be going with another 12" Aero Precision Atlas S-ONE hand guard (same as the carbine in the 3rd pic), but I am open to suggestions if anyone has any.

The barrel and BCG:


The weld mark on the flash suppressor:


Relative lengths between a 14.5" and a 16" barrel:

Plenty of excellent, lightweight handguards out there. BCM's MCMR is a sturdy, light MLOK rail for a decent price.V Seven Weapon Systems makes a handguard that is unbelievably light, but I can't imagine it is as durable as reported.

SLR Rifleworks has many options. Here is one.

SLR Rifleworks

Okay, the build is complete.

LR:  PSA
UR:  BCM
LPK:  CMMG.  Not really pleased with this LPK, but it's working.  Plain Jane basic stuff.
Trigger and Hammer:  No idea, bought from a local vendor.  It's whatever stock they use for their builds.
Barrel: Faxon 14.5" pencil w/pinned fluted flash suppressor from RTB
HG:  AP 12" Atlas S-One
BCG:  Toolcraft with nitride coating from RTB
Gas system:  low profile .625 block and nitrided tube from RTB
Charging Handle:  Raptor Radian LT from RTB
Sight:  Holosun green dot



Haven't shot it yet, but am very pleased with the look and feel of the rifle.  I really like the low weight and slim profile of the barrel, and I can't say enough good things about the TC BCG - beautiful machining and finish.  I did check the extractor and it is not MIM.  Really looking forward to taking it to the range.

A pic of the two builds I've assembled so far:

Turned out nice, some fancy stereo gear ya got there too.

Nice job!

also, what is that round thing in the back ground? looks like a pizza warmer :D j/k

Thanks!  Yeah, I don't use the "pizza warmer" very often but it does remind me of other days.