Posted: 9/12/2012 7:51:28 AM EDT
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OK hive,
I want to build a Super Lightweight AR for the girlfriend in a 5.56 platform. I went a bought a New Frontier Polymer lower receiver. It is a complete lower with the whole trigger assembly being polymer and a commercial sized buffer tube and 6 position collapsible stock. I need some help with the upper parts though. I'm looking to make this as light as possible for her since she's a little thing. Any suggestions on parts for the upper receiver? I saw the Bushmaster polymer upper receiver, but I don't know if I trust he upper to be polymer too. I'm thinking that should be metal since that is where the heat is generally generated. I know I need a lightweight barrel, but what kind/brand is best? It's going to be a 16" barrel, that will be cut down to size and a birdcage flash suppressor/mussle brake pinned on to make the complete length 16". Above and beyond all that...what should I get? I'm working on a budget, but I don't want to sacrifice the quality for the price... HELP! 
Thanks Hive |
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I understand keeping it as light as possible, but a polymer trigger group? Yeah...I'm not sure I like that either...if I don't like it, or it fails when I test it out (which will be at least 100 rounds) I will switch it out to a normal trigger group...I wasn't really pleased with it either, but I'm willing to try new things from time to time |
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I just put together a lightweight upper, here's what I used:
Wilson Combat Light weight 16" barrel (mid-length gas) PRI carbon fiber target forearm (mid-length) used alum barrel nut (it comes with two, a steel and a alum) Aero Precision forged upper I'm sure there may be other lightweight barrels but I liked the WC, it only weights 26 oz. and so far it's given me sub-moa groups with factory ammo. I just assumed all upper receivers were all about the same. I could be wrong on that though. Good luck and happy building 
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I understand keeping it as light as possible, but a polymer trigger group? Yeah...I'm not sure I like that either...if I don't like it, or it fails when I test it out (which will be at least 100 rounds) I will switch it out to a normal trigger group...I wasn't really pleased with it either, but I'm willing to try new things from time to time I like the polymer trigger group. It works just fine and has a nice smooth feel to it. |
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I just completed a lightweight with a Daniel defense lw barrel and cav arms lower, and ranier upper without fa. It is very light,but could be lighter. There comes a time to say" I'm not building a featherweight that's not reliable"
Put decent fcg parts in it. Think long and hard about where you can save the weight. |
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I just put together a lightweight upper, here's what I used: Wilson Combat Light weight 16" barrel (mid-length gas) PRI carbon fiber target forearm (mid-length) Aero Precision forged upper I'm sure there may be other lightweight barrels but I liked the WC, it only weights 26 oz. and so far it's given me sub-moa groups with factory ammo. I just assumed all upper receivers were all about the same. I could be wrong on that though. Good luck and happy building Thank you. I'll keep these parts in mind |
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I understand keeping it as light as possible, but a polymer trigger group? Yeah...I'm not sure I like that either...if I don't like it, or it fails when I test it out (which will be at least 100 rounds) I will switch it out to a normal trigger group...I wasn't really pleased with it either, but I'm willing to try new things from time to time I like the polymer trigger group. It works just fine and has a nice smooth feel to it. You've used them without issue? Good...like I said, I'm going to give it a try. Hopefully I like it as much as you do |
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isnt there an ar15 tab for this? Well if he is like me, he is tired of waiting for hours for two replies. Lately, I have asked a couple questions over there and have been lucky to get two people respond. I always bring my questions to GD if I can't get any responses in the actual tech forums. Seems everyone hangs out over here. |
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I just put together a lightweight upper, here's what I used: Wilson Combat Light weight 16" barrel (mid-length gas) PRI carbon fiber target forearm (mid-length) used alum barrel nut (it comes with two, a steel and a alum) Aero Precision forged upper I'm sure there may be other lightweight barrels but I liked the WC, it only weights 26 oz. and so far it's given me sub-moa groups with factory ammo. I just assumed all upper receivers were all about the same. I could be wrong on that though. Good luck and happy building Mid length (and rifle length for that matter) and super light weight are mutually exclusive. Longer gas system and handguards is more unnecessary weight. |
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isnt there an ar15 tab for this? Well if he is like me, he is tired of waiting for hours for two replies. Lately, I have asked a couple questions over there and have been lucky to get two people respond. I always bring my questions to GD if I can't get any responses in the actual tech forums. Seems everyone hangs out over here. +1! (Although this is always my first stop because I know everyone hangs here) |
I am building a LW AR right now. Actually my tracking number suggests that UPS should be dropping my parts off by "by end of the day" today 
Had a free A2 upper, regular lower, nothing special to make it light. I ordered a Daniel Defense 16" mid length light weight barrel with FSB already put on. Then got the gas tube, and all other parts to go with it. Already have some MOE handguards for it but that's all that's going on it, no light, no gps, no lazer, no light, nothing but a loaded magazine. This is going to be the AR I beat on, and carry in the car everywhere with me and hike with. Stick with a pencil barrel and don't put anything else on it. If it's a flat top, you could put a Micro red dot on it and not affect the weight but, like I'm sure you know, the more crap you add, the heavier it gets but it all starts with the barrel, IMO. |
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Quoted: OK hive, I want to build a Super Lightweight AR for the girlfriend in a 5.56 platform. I went a bought a New Frontier Polymer lower receiver. It is a complete lower with the whole trigger assembly being polymer and a commercial sized buffer tube and 6 position collapsible stock. I need some help with the upper parts though. I'm looking to make this as light as possible for her since she's a little thing. Any suggestions on parts for the upper receiver? I saw the Bushmaster polymer upper receiver, but I don't know if I trust he upper to be polymer too. I'm thinking that should be metal since that is where the heat is generally generated. I know I need a lightweight barrel, but what kind/brand is best? It's going to be a 16" barrel, that will be cut down to size and a birdcage flash suppressor/mussle brake pinned on to make the complete length 16". Above and beyond all that...what should I get? I'm working on a budget, but I don't want to sacrifice the quality for the price... HELP! Thanks Hive Keep in mind that balance is more important than raw weight in terms of actually handling the gun. I would do a lightweight barrel (that's where the real weight savings are), MOE foregrip, Flattop with a mini red dot. You can always shave off a gram here or there, but I don't think it's generally worth the decrease in balance. That should get you to around 6 pounds. |
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I just put together a lightweight upper, here's what I used: Wilson Combat Light weight 16" barrel (mid-length gas) PRI carbon fiber target forearm (mid-length) used alum barrel nut (it comes with two, a steel and a alum) Aero Precision forged upper I'm sure there may be other lightweight barrels but I liked the WC, it only weights 26 oz. and so far it's given me sub-moa groups with factory ammo. I just assumed all upper receivers were all about the same. I could be wrong on that though. Good luck and happy building Mid length (and rifle length for that matter) and super light weight are mutually exclusive. Longer gas system and handguards is more unnecessary weight. True, ususally. The mid-length was what the barrel required and is what WC designed, I don't think they offer a carbine gas lengh LW barrel. For what it's worth, the PRI mid lenght forearm and carbine forearm doens't have that much weight difference between the two. Plus the 14.5 and 16" LW barrels with carbine gas were just as heavy than the Wilson barrel was. So I actually didn't add much if any weight and got the mid-length gas system. |
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Quoted: Keep in mind that balance is more important than raw weight in terms of actually handling the gun. I would do a lightweight barrel (that's where the real weight savings are), MOE foregrip, Flattop with a mini red dot. You can always shave off a gram here or there, but I don't think it's generally worth the decrease in balance. That should get you to around 6 pounds. this lightweight= more recoil, so its not just about weight. trying to save a couple ounces for plastic parts is also absurd if you want to retain any kind of reliability long term. a LW barrel w/ forged parts would be a better route imo. |
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I cant find the picture but the lightest I have seen was a member here who used a cav arms lower, chopped carbon fiber ff tube, lightweight (i think sbr) barrel, titanium or other lightweight bcg, etc. I think it was 4.6 or 4lbs 6oz. something like that. He was military I think from what i remember of his sn and avatar
ETA: found it 
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I cant find the picture but the lightest I have seen was a member here who used a cav arms lower, chopped carbon fiber ff tube, lightweight (i think sbr) barrel, titanium or other lightweight bcg, etc. I think it was 4.6 or 4lbs 6oz. something like that. He was military I think from what i remember of his sn and avatar ETA: found it http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l262/wesmerc/0F066BAA-FFFF-4DB4-B68B-CAF80A670536-2322-0000057E0AB33A46.jpg Josh aston or ashton. |
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I cant find the picture but the lightest I have seen was a member here who used a cav arms lower, chopped carbon fiber ff tube, lightweight (i think sbr) barrel, titanium or other lightweight bcg, etc. I think it was 4.6 or 4lbs 6oz. something like that. He was military I think from what i remember of his sn and avatar ETA: found it http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l262/wesmerc/0F066BAA-FFFF-4DB4-B68B-CAF80A670536-2322-0000057E0AB33A46.jpg Josh aston or ashton. Thanks. I was mistaken, he has probably gotten it below 4lbs by now http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_4/510472_My_ultra_lite_build.html |
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Sorry for the hijack, but what kind of weight savings am i looking at if i cut the barrel to 10.5" and pin a 5.5" flash hider? none a lw diameter barrel will weight less/in than a larger diameter FH, plus you lose velocity This....also you have the added expense of shortening & re-threading barrel and pinning the flash hider. |
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http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm15/jdubya87/IMG_2561.jpg My rig. Could probably lighten it by running a gas block and carbine length tube/handguard, but for me, this is about as good as it gets.  I have a Cav Arms lower in the safe. I may have to do something with it now. That rile looks very nice. |
| I just bought a New Frontier complete lower as well. I plan on buying this upper 14.7 PSA If/when they come back in stock. |
