User Panel
Originally Posted By bobbyjallday: the CF tube with poly rail on the front puts the front sight a little to high, and with the sight straight to tube is a lot too low. instead of modifying the rail section i might just suck it up and buy a real HG and add an oz or 2.. oh well the cf tube was cheap lol View Quote Link |
|
|
Originally Posted By BlackOpScottie:
https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/423504/20181112_112637_noexif-736432.jpg Here it is at 5lb6oz I think I may try to shave a few more oz from it but I'm happy with it anyway. View Quote Bought a couple adjustable gas keys one for this and a 11.5 with a fixed front that I basically gave up on. Well that upper just found new life with the adjustable key. Love these they function just like the adjustablee gas block but will be so much easier to swap imo if I have future problems. May just keep a couple of them handy just to have around. Hope SLR gets into the gas key game because I love their company. The ultra light weight works perfect now too of course |
|
|
I should have seen this thread before I had the wild hair to build a lightweight AR. My buddy linked me here after I was maybe 75% through ordering parts. Had a Mag Tactical magnesium lower sitting around from when they were $40 clearance a couple years ago, which, as happens, snowballed into this mad project. I set out to build a no-compromise 16" AR, as light as I could get it, considering almost every single component, with as little dollars as I could but still using quality components (part of the no-compromise). There are a couple places I could have spent less $ and got the same or even less weight, like muzzle device, handguard, stock. I tried to buy everything on sale or discounted. Some of the parts I whittled down... I milled slots in the mil-spec charging handle and got a fair amount of weight out. I milled and ground the Strike Industries bolt catch, basically hollowed out the back side of the button.
4lb 2oz without sights/optics around $1150 or, since this silly forum won't post my pictures, here's the album: https://imgur.com/a/XxLDpuc |
|
|
Ugh, this forum is pretty lame sometimes. I didn't get an account for so long because I didn't feel like going through the PITA of logging into my Comcast email. 2000 character limit, eh? /endrant
$80 Fostech magnesium upper $100 Brownells lightweight BCG Ti coated $40 V7 Titanium micro brake $124 Faxon Gunner 16" 5.56 barrel, mid-length $265 V7 Hyper Light 15" handguard $158 SLR 6 Titanium adj. gas block $14 V7 Titanium Firing Pin -$10 credit for new pin taken from BCG, my post my rules ;) $8 Brownells gas tube $12 Strike Industries capsule dust cover -still need to plug the fwd assist $39 Mag Tactical lower I bought a couple years ago $165 Master of Arms rifle length stock $20 Strike Industries enhanced lpk -$20 because I didn't use the pins or mag catch $25 BCM fire control group out of a BCM parts kit, est. Pins came with lower and aren't specifically light. $25 V7 AR15 Ultra-Light Easy Pull TD/Pivot Pins (Aluminum) $27 V7 Ultra-Light Mag Catch/Release (Aluminum) $15 Magpul K2 grip $3 carbine buffer I had lying around with weight removed $17 Strike Industries flat carbine buffer spring $12 Smoke composites rifle->carbine spacer $5 V7 Titanium Grip Screw |
|
|
|
Originally Posted By cutlass1972:
10.5" faxon pencil barrel, dsa Ti short flash hider, v7 gas block, MI handguard, Sig Romeo 3 sight, fostec magnesium upper, v7 ultralight forward assist, brownells lightweight bcg, v7 ti magazine catch, v7 buffer retainer, v7 ti endplate and castle nut, 2a ti takedown pins, tubs flat wire recoil spring, standard 4oz buffer, sb3 pistol brace, ergo grip, nickled standard charging handle, milspec trigger group, and a new frontier lower. I have a ti v7 ambi safetey and ti trigger / hammer pins on the way. Currently 4.37lb. Any advice where I can shave more weight? View Quote Is your lightweight BCG the Brownells skeletonized one? If so, you'll have to go Ti or Al to get much lighter there. |
|
|
LOOKS LIKE YOUR FLASH SUPPRESSOR IS UPSIDE DOWN! IV'E DONE THAT SEVERAL TIMES WHILE USING MY GEISSELE ROD AND NOT PAYING ATTENTION. THE RECEIVER UPSIDE DOWN.
|
|
|
All that anodizing is weighing you down. Brillo that stuff off. 😁
Just kidding. Nice build. |
|
|
|
|
Originally Posted By cutlass1972:
Any advice where I can shave more weight? View Quote Adjustable SLR titanium gas block (you'll need it for the next line) Get rid of the weights in the buffer Swap the handguard for an original BCM KMR (the all magnesium version) with a v7 aluminum barrel nut Delrin FA plug There's no reason a 10.5" AR should be that heavy. You should be able to get it into the 3-pound range pretty easily. I have a full 16" (non pinned, no titanium parts) that's only a few ounces heavier and getting a makeover this fall. early calculations show it losing about 6 ounces to be in the *REALLY* low 4's. |
|
|
Nice looking build!
Which CF hand guard will you be going with? |
|
|
Originally Posted By larrys:
Nice looking build! Which CF hand guard will you be going with? View Quote The Brigand braid is probably the route I’ll take even though I don’t prefer the looks of it. 3.7(iirc) ounces is hard to beat! Whats crazy is how much weight placement has on how the gun feels. Before I got the Guntec stock and buffer setup which is 9.1 ounces I had a MFT stock which was 7 ounces heavier. I took it off and shouldered the gun with just the buffer tube and it didn’t feel any different at all really. But the second I put the MFT minimalist stock back on and slid the Guntec rail off (not screwed on yet), the 8 ounces it took off made it feel like a 3 pound gun. It was incredible. I suppose it makes sense given the fact that when I moved my DBAL D2 from the muzzle almost all the way back to the upper recurved (on my other AR) it felt like a whole new gun. |
|
|
Originally Posted By AIWB: Well I like the Faxon CF, but that would only save me like 1.9 ounces. The Brigand braid is probably the route I’ll take even though I don’t prefer the looks of it. 3.7(iirc) ounces is hard to beat! Whats crazy is how much weight placement has on how the gun feels. Before I got the Guntec stock and buffer setup which is 9.1 ounces I had a MFT stock which was 7 ounces heavier. I took it off and shouldered the gun with just the buffer tube and it didn’t feel any different at all really. But the second I put the MFT minimalist stock back on and slid the Guntec rail off (not screwed on yet), the 8 ounces it took off made it feel like a 3 pound gun. It was incredible. I suppose it makes sense given the fact that when I moved my DBAL D2 from the muzzle almost all the way back to the upper recurved (on my other AR) it felt like a whole new gun. View Quote |
|
"I'm a master mechanic, I can take anything apart, usually get it back together too without too many extra parts.."
|
Originally Posted By rpoL98: just wondering about your muzzle device, should the vents be pointing sideways? if it's a brake...instead of up-and-down? just curious. Impressive weight reduction for sure. https://i.imgur.com/WEUDoKG.jpg View Quote |
|
|
|
Originally Posted By larrys:
I finally finished this build. It took me a year and a half of tinkering around and ordering parts. I did cheat a little, it’s a 10.5” barrel with an aluminum extension pinned and welded to make it legal. My end goal is to SBR it down the road. I had certain goals with this build. I wanted no polymer at all, with exception of whatever is in the CF parts. Also wanted a good single stage trigger, my favorite red dot the RMR and the total weight at 3 lbs or less. The Smoke Composites parts were also something I had been thinking about. They have a very “high end” look to them and I am very glad I went that direction. I got everything but the weight, it came in at 3 lbs and .29 oz. Missed it by a hair. W/O the red dot it weighs 2 lbs and 14.15 oz I have no idea how the extension will hold up, but I have one with much thicker walls if this one fails. After the holidays I’ll order a V7 lithium lower that I will stamp, and then swap the barrel extension for a LW flash hider or thread protector. That will give me a net weight just under 3 lbs with the red dot. 3 lbs, .29 oz https://www.dropbox.com/s/eebx3skdy9rdagd/Photo%20Nov%2016%2C%204%2024%2004%20PM.jpg?raw=1 https://www.dropbox.com/s/7iz8lhgfo7ikuo1/Photo%20Nov%2018%2C%204%2010%2032%20PM.jpg?raw=1 View Quote |
|
|
Thanks, and good luck on your build. Looking forward to pics.
|
|
|
Originally Posted By larrys:
I finally finished this build. It took me a year and a half of tinkering around and ordering parts. I did cheat a little, it’s a 10.5” barrel with an aluminum extension pinned and welded to make it legal. My end goal is to SBR it down the road. I had certain goals with this build. I wanted no polymer at all, with exception of whatever is in the CF parts. Also wanted a good single stage trigger, my favorite red dot the RMR and the total weight at 3 lbs or less. The Smoke Composites parts were also something I had been thinking about. They have a very “high end” look to them and I am very glad I went that direction. I got everything but the weight, it came in at 3 lbs and .29 oz. Missed it by a hair. W/O the red dot it weighs 2 lbs and 14.15 oz I have no idea how the extension will hold up, but I have one with much thicker walls if this one fails. After the holidays I’ll order a V7 lithium lower that I will stamp, and then swap the barrel extension for a LW flash hider or thread protector. That will give me a net weight just under 3 lbs with the red dot. 3 lbs, .29 oz https://www.dropbox.com/s/eebx3skdy9rdagd/Photo%20Nov%2016%2C%204%2024%2004%20PM.jpg?raw=1 https://www.dropbox.com/s/7iz8lhgfo7ikuo1/Photo%20Nov%2018%2C%204%2010%2032%20PM.jpg?raw=1 View Quote |
|
|
Just a heads-up, the Fostech magnesium/aluminum alloy uppers (stripped) are not only in stock (6 were listed as in stock when i placed my order) but also on sale at optics planet.
I can't bring myself to get the lower too, but it should help bring my sub-five-pound rifle down even further (also getting aluminum KMR nut, swapping my 10" KMR--not alpha, original all-Mg-version, and ti SLR block and V7 thread protector). |
|
|
Aaaand we're finished.
20200208_154720 by Professor Horseyhead, on Flickr 20200208_154631 by Professor Horseyhead, on Flickr Fostech mg upper, BCM OG KMR-13 (not the alpha, the original magnesium verison), Faxon 16" pencil barrel, Syrac adjustable gas, AP Custom Rhino LW BCG, weights removed from standard CAR buffer, forged lower, standard A2 grip, vortex venom 3moa, amazon riser, v7 titanium micro brake. Most expensive part was the BCG which was just over 2 bills. You *CAN* build a really super lightweight rig for under $1k, kids....it just takes a while waiting for sales n shit. |
|
|
Very nice build professor.
|
|
|
Originally Posted By larrys:
Very nice build professor. View Quote 20200210_155403 by Professor Horseyhead, on Flickr 20200210_155523 by Professor Horseyhead, on Flickr Aero lower, MFT minimalist, standard CAR buffer, non-adjustable gas, old version .625" Daniel Defense 16" pencil barrel, Anderson no-FA upper, ALG 10" HG and SCB, MOE-K, AIM BCG, DD front sight/Troy rear. |
|
|
I set out for a sub 6lb rifle. It's nothing super aggressive, but I had a few constraints in mind. I used a 16" LaRue Predatar barrel. I could have definitely gone lighter, but I wanted something that would be extremely accurate, not pinned and welded, so that became my basis. I also wanted to use the Spikes Crusader lower, because I like the logo and reasons. Additionally, I wanted a handguard that would allow some flexibility and still be an actual usable handguard.
I came in at 5lb 10.4oz, which I'm actually proud of considering what I started with and how well it turned out. Spike's Crusader Lower Triggertech trigger Hogue 15 degree grip V seven buffer tube Taccom ultralight buffer and enhanced spring BCM gunfighter stock v seven takedown pin, pivot pin, grip screw Bootleg upper AIM lightweight nib bcg BCM small ch LaRue Predatar 16" barrel superlative arms .625 gas block Midwest Industries lightweight 15" handguard dsa titanium a2 flash hider holosun red dot Attached File Attached File |
|
|
Originally Posted By at4rxj:
I set out for a sub 6lb rifle. It's nothing super aggressive, but I had a few constraints in mind. I used a 16" LaRue Predatar barrel. I could have definitely gone lighter, but I wanted something that would be extremely accurate, not pinned and welded, so that became my basis. I also wanted to use the Spikes Crusader lower, because I like the logo and reasons. Additionally, I wanted a handguard that would allow some flexibility and still be an actual usable handguard. I came in at 5lb 10.4oz, which I'm actually proud of considering what I started with and how well it turned out. Spike's Crusader Lower Triggertech trigger Hogue 15 degree grip V seven buffer tube Taccom ultralight buffer and enhanced spring BCM gunfighter stock v seven takedown pin, pivot pin, grip screw Bootleg upper AIM lightweight nib bcg BCM small ch LaRue Predatar 16" barrel superlative arms .625 gas block Midwest Industries lightweight 15" handguard dsa titanium a2 flash hider holosun red dot https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/97856/20200210_214511_jpg-1271940.JPG https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/97856/20200210_214415_jpg-1271939.JPG View Quote |
|
|
|
Going back to page 2:
OP here...so the rules are... SBR is ok Plastic/magnesium/balsa wood lowers ok....as long as you have a rifle that will function correctly and fire a few thousand rounds without any issues. The pic doesn't need to be on the scale...I trust you, but the weight should be included in the post. No optics? The rifle needs some type of sighting system, and that should be included in the weight. ...and yeah, the weight is for the whole gun, BCG included...that was a joke, by the way...all the guns so far have had their innards. ...and the 7 and a half pound 308 is neat and all, but this thread is for rifles six pounds and under....don't know if I mentioned. Good stuff. Keep 'em coming. |
|
|
Originally Posted By dogtired:
Going back to page 2: OP here...so the rules are... SBR is ok Plastic/magnesium/balsa wood lowers ok....as long as you have a rifle that will function correctly and fire a few thousand rounds without any issues. The pic doesn't need to be on the scale...I trust you, but the weight should be included in the post. No optics? The rifle needs some type of sighting system, and that should be included in the weight. ...and yeah, the weight is for the whole gun, BCG included...that was a joke, by the way...all the guns so far have had their innards. ...and the 7 and a half pound 308 is neat and all, but this thread is for rifles six pounds and under....don't know if I mentioned. Good stuff. Keep 'em coming. View Quote |
|
|
Not directed at you but I am seeing a lot that don’t meet that criteria...
|
|
|
Originally Posted By dogtired:
Not directed at you but I am seeing a lot that don’t meet that criteria... View Quote I started this post because I was tired of seeing AR's that weigh more than a loaded Garand in "lightweight" threads. Thanks for keeping the dream alive. |
|
|
Originally Posted By L119188:
...ummmm...I AM the OP, and I'm following the rules. Not sure what your point is here? View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Originally Posted By L119188:
Originally Posted By dogtired:
Going back to page 2: OP here...so the rules are... SBR is ok Plastic/magnesium/balsa wood lowers ok....as long as you have a rifle that will function correctly and fire a few thousand rounds without any issues. The pic doesn't need to be on the scale...I trust you, but the weight should be included in the post. No optics? The rifle needs some type of sighting system, and that should be included in the weight. ...and yeah, the weight is for the whole gun, BCG included...that was a joke, by the way...all the guns so far have had their innards. ...and the 7 and a half pound 308 is neat and all, but this thread is for rifles six pounds and under....don't know if I mentioned. Good stuff. Keep 'em coming. |
|
|
|
"Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you're entitled to!"
|
Originally Posted By Loonytik:
4lbs 3/4oz(no magazine). 10.5 inch barrel with a mix of 2A & V7 parts. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49626012033_c888dcb246_c.jpg View Quote |
|
|
Originally Posted By L119188: Nice. What grip is that? View Quote https://www.hogueinc.com/tactical-rifles/ar15/grips/polymer/ar15-m16-15-degree-vertical-no-finger-groove-polymer-black |
|
"Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you're entitled to!"
|
Originally Posted By Loonytik: Hogue 15 degree https://www.hogueinc.com/tactical-rifles/ar15/grips/polymer/ar15-m16-15-degree-vertical-no-finger-groove-polymer-black View Quote 1.6 oz. good find. Thanks. |
|
|
Originally Posted By cutlass1972:
10.5" faxon pencil barrel, dsa Ti short flash hider, v7 gas block, MI handguard, Sig Romeo 3 sight, fostec magnesium upper, v7 ultralight forward assist, brownells lightweight bcg, v7 ti magazine catch, v7 buffer retainer, v7 ti endplate and castle nut, 2a ti takedown pins, tubs flat wire recoil spring, standard 4oz buffer, sb3 pistol brace, ergo grip, nickled standard charging handle, milspec trigger group, and a new frontier lower. I have a ti v7 ambi safetey and ti trigger / hammer pins on the way. Currently 4.37lb. Any advice where I can shave more weight? https://dadbert.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/20190330_1021486659971167771208638.jpg View Quote |
|
Looking for No forge code, square forge, forward assist upper, GX-5857 spec. IM me if you have one for sale.
|
Originally Posted By BrotherJackToo:
And second up, something a little fancier: Lower essentially identical to above except for an ATI Tactlite stock instead of the CAR (and I think this one had a CMMG LPK if I recall). Upper is an Aero mil-spec, V7 lightweight FA, a Spikes infidel port door, a Brownells lightweight BCG, Faxon 18 inch gunner barrel, 2A Armament keymod 15" handguard, Superlative Arms adjustable gas-block, Sig Romeo 5 XDR, some ebay special thread-protector, and a Radian LT charging handle. All in, including the optic , 5lbs 12oz, which leaves me enough room that if I wanted to, I could drop any one of several light-weight flip-up sights on there for BUIS and still come in under 6lbs, optics and all. Gas is turned down to about half open in the SA gas block to keep it running smooth (I am use the 'restrict gas', not the 'vent gas' feature of said GB). http://www.jacklambert.com/pics/20200227_174705.jpg View Quote |
|
|
Originally Posted By L119188: Very impressive build. Thanks for sharing. View Quote The 18 is definitely my favorite AR to date (though that A1 carbine comes in as a real close second, but mostly just cuz I think the A1 looks pretty cool, from a practical standpoint the 18 wins hands down). On the 18 inch - with the thread protector instead of a flash-hider or other extended muzzle device, and that super-light barrel and handguard, it handles every bit as easy (in most cases easier) - both length wise and balance wise - as any lightweight 16 inch carbine I've ever owned. With the 2A handguard (9oz counting the alum barrel nut) and gunner barrel at 25.5 oz all-in, including the thread protector, adding gas tube, gas block, it comes out at 36 ounces and change extended past the mag-well. A Faxon pencil build with a slightly heavier handguard and a typical muzzle device won't be much (if any) lighter out front, and I kind of find that the overall balance of the weapon affects how well I can shoot it (and how much I enjoy shooting it) far more than overall weight. Sure, a 10lb gun sucks balls and I wouldn't have it, but 4.75lbs unbalanced vs 5.75lbs nicely balanced? give me the 5.75lb gun all day every day, and twice on Sundays. Of course, all that said, I've got plans drawn up (and a few parts already bought) to build a 4.75lbs (including RDS and BUIS) 16" carbine that will only have about 29 oz and change hanging past the magwell, that I expect/hope will have the same kind of overall balance as the 18, but at a full pound lighter. I won't know for sure until I finish it, but they're both about the same relative weight distribution front-to-back, so I'm hopeful it'll be awesome. :) All IMHO, YMMV, etc. |
|
|
Originally Posted By larrys:
Or go to the lightweight parts thread and data base. Hold on to your wallet! View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Originally Posted By larrys:
Originally Posted By eodinert: That Ergo grip isn't doing you any favors. Hold on to your wallet! |
|
|
|
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.