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ULTRA light weight picture thread....the under 6 crowd. (Page 39 of 39)
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Originally Posted By L119188: Nope. The game is still on. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with. Well it started with a really cheap polymer lower. Then picked up a buttstock I've got a few stripped uppers lounging in the safe, but I'm not sure if I have any that are sans fwd assist. The remaining pieces will have to wait till the money shows up. |
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| For one of my first light weight builds I just used a standard upper and didn’t put the forward assist parts in. I filled the hole with an ear plug, relatively light and easy to do. I’m not familiar with rattlesnake tactical, but I’ve had good luck with new frontier poly lowers. Sounds like you’re off to a decent start. |
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Wow you’re not kidding. $50 for a complete lower. Wonder how it will hold up |
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Originally Posted By BrotherJackToo: Here's my latest. Wasn't specifically built as an ultra-light, but it certainly qualifies. 14.7 Ballistic Advantage pencil with FSB (pretty thick for a 'pencil, IMHO), pinned and welded nitride A2 flash-hider, Aero M4E1 receiver set, Aero enhanced buffer tube kit, Larue MBT-2S trigger, CMMG LPK, Magpul grip, UnbrandedAR mil-spec+QD stock, SI port door (because I like them, not for weight). With sights, it comes in at 5.78lbs (though in reality, once I stick a red dot, a flashlight, sling, etc on it - it'll be over 6 the way I'll run it). I am really happy with how this one turned out. Not only is it lightweight, but with the 14.7+mid-length gas and my natural hand position right behind the front sight base, leaves very little weight extending past my support hand - makes the gun feel very nimble and quick pointing. http://jacklambert.com/pics/PXL_20230322_155914503_2.jpg http://jacklambert.com/pics/PXL_20230322_155823371_2.jpg Very nice setup. |
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Attached File Attached File 5 pounds ready to hunt with mag, optic, can. I just couldn't do a plastic lower or parts, and don't really want to go lower weight after shooting it. |
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Originally Posted By L119188: Very cool. Looks like a Little Badger TDX, only louder…and not much heavier. Can you give us a parts breakdown? Solo 300 upper Portless Shaw 223 Wylde barrel PCC carbon handguard Farrow Tech stock Rifle buffer tube I used also regular lower parts, a CMC 3.5# single stage trigger, and a Primary Arms 3x micro prism. |
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Originally Posted By PortaJohnPicasso: Solo 300 upper Portless Shaw 223 Wylde barrel PCC carbon handguard Farrow Tech stock Rifle buffer tube I used also regular lower parts, a CMC 3.5# single stage trigger, and a Primary Arms 3x micro prism. Ah man, you are kinda cheating- no gas block or gas tube. |
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Here's my first foray into building a lightweight AR: 5.98lb with magnifier and can. Just barely making the sub 6lb target. In fact, just putting on the optic covers is enough to tip it over the threshold.  4.64lb without the magnifier and can  I'm excited to shoot it next weekend |
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Originally Posted By L119188:Nice. Can you give us a parts breakdown? Parts include: V Seven 7075 enlightened receiver set V Seven 11.1" hyper-light handguard V Seven carbine buffer tube B5 systems car15 stock assembly Faxon match 14.5" .223 wylde pencil barrel with pin and welded Huxwrk muzzlebrake Superlative arms titanium adjustable gas block huxwrx flow 556ti suppressor Breek Arms Micro warhammer charging handle Faxon gunner lightweight bcg Tubbs flatwire spring Taccom ultralight buffer Optic set is holosun SCRS GR MRS and holosun 3x flip magnifier Geiselle maritime bolt catch JP ambi mag catch triggertech competitive trigger hogue 15 degree grip and the rest of the lower parts were vseven |
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What’s going on with that bolt? |
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Attached File Not bad |
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Originally Posted By djkest: Ah man, you are kinda cheating- no gas block or gas tube. Oh, the cheating factor goes so much further. It's not just the missing parts (not only gas block or gas tube, but buffer and buffer spring, too). There's no need for a brass deflector, forward assist, or traditional charging handle, so those are gone. Then you also reduce the OD of the handguard as it doesn't need to cover a gas system or accommodate accessories screwing into it, and even with carbon-fiber you're dropping some more weight. Look at the barrel -- it's not just port-less, there's no gas block journal at all, which, depending, drops a multiple ounces off of a pencil profile barrel like that. Also, with a barrel contour designed without need to compensate for thermal build up at the gas take-off by thickening the barrel in that area (leading up to and following the gas block journal, not just the journal itself), a much lighter barrel contour can be used than for a semi-auto. |
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| I'd like to thank everyone on this thread for the inspiration. I decided to build a lightweight before I found this thread but at that time six years ago I figured 5 lbs or less would be my goal. Well we all know how that goes and after working on and off on this project since then I finally finished my build. The result after reading this thread and many other sources is a 14.5" 5.56 that weighs 3.79 lbs with a red dot. The only plastic parts are the grip, stock, and buffer. All functions other than forward assist are retained and the bolt carrier is titanium not aluminum. I haven't shot it yet to get the gas dialed in so there will be pictures and a complete run down on the build once it runs. This hasn't been a bolt on build but rather represents years of custom work by a machinist (Me) after hours in a machine shop with access to exotic materials and an obsession with reducing the weight of every part nomater how small. Pictures to follow when I get it running and the gas dialed in. |
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Originally Posted By PreacherOfGadget: Oh, the cheating factor goes so much further. It's not just the missing parts (not only gas block or gas tube, but buffer and buffer spring, too). There's no need for a brass deflector, forward assist, or traditional charging handle, so those are gone. Then you also reduce the OD of the handguard as it doesn't need to cover a gas system or accommodate accessories screwing into it, and even with carbon-fiber you're dropping some more weight. Look at the barrel -- it's not just port-less, there's no gas block journal at all, which, depending, drops a multiple ounces off of a pencil profile barrel like that. Also, with a barrel contour designed without need to compensate for thermal build up at the gas take-off by thickening the barrel in that area (leading up to and following the gas block journal, not just the journal itself), a much lighter barrel contour can be used than for a semi-auto. This is all true.  I hit that weight with a "real" lower and "real" lower parts/trigger. I'm glad I did, because it's already light enough that shooting it takes more concentration and better technique. I wouldn't want any lighter. There's a reason why my highpower AR was heavy. |
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Originally Posted By PortaJohnPicasso: This is all true. I hit that weight with a "real" lower and "real" lower parts/trigger. I'm glad I did, because it's already light enough that shooting it takes more concentration and better technique. I wouldn't want any lighter. There's a reason why my highpower AR was heavy. I focused on making my entry as light as I could while still being a serious “fighting” rifle. I cut weight where I could-dust cover, barrel, gas block, rail, optic and mount. When I get my scalarworks irons I’ll retest and see where I get. I’ll put a carbine buffer in since it’s technically still  good to shoot
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Originally Posted By Boostbird: I'd like to thank everyone on this thread for the inspiration. I decided to build a lightweight before I found this thread but at that time six years ago I figured 5 lbs or less would be my goal. Well we all know how that goes and after working on and off on this project since then I finally finished my build. The result after reading this thread and many other sources is a 14.5" 5.56 that weighs 3.79 lbs with a red dot. The only plastic parts are the grip, stock, and buffer. All functions other than forward assist are retained and the bolt carrier is titanium not aluminum. I haven't shot it yet to get the gas dialed in so there will be pictures and a complete run down on the build once it runs. This hasn't been a bolt on build but rather represents years of custom work by a machinist (Me) after hours in a machine shop with access to exotic materials and an obsession with reducing the weight of every part nomater how small. Pictures to follow when I get it running and the gas dialed in. @Boostbird Ok you have my curiosity piqued, please don't turn this into a safe thread! |
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Originally Posted By L119188: It’s entirely possible to build a sub 6 pound AR with standard a weight bolt and buffer. And an optic, H2 buffer, and rail  Side note: I was shooting m855 at the range today zeroing between my M4a1, Mk18 mod 0, and my super LW clone and the recoil impulse is noticeable. Do ya'lls LW rifles tend to recoil more or is it just me being a little girl and I should smack it with my purse harder? |
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What handguard is that? |
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| Well I got it out and and it is running great. Minimal recoil with the break and lightweight reciprocating mass. My custom gas block uses a set screw with a metered hole drilled through it that not only holds the gas block on but can be changed out with different port sizes. I'll get better pictures with more details and the whole gun on the scale with the weight. It's my first time posting a link here so I hope it works. |
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Lower modified forged 7075. Upper DPMS lefty modified. Handguard kevlar composit bonded to 7075 barrel nut. Buffer tube braided kevlar rifle length 1" extended lop, lithium aluminum ends no backing plate Farrow Tech printed stock 7068 screw. Custom polyethylene rifle buffer empty 7068 retainer. V7 Ti bolt carrier ti firing pin Ti cam pin. -10% rifle spring. 14.5" ss custom dimple fluted mid gas barrel. Custom Ti muzzle break pin weld. Custom jet adjustable .625 Ti gas block. Takedown pins custom 7075, Ti detents. Safety lefty 7068 core 7075 lever, Ti detent. KE slt-2 trigger Ti pins Hogue g10 fiberglass guard. Bolt catch lightweight steel Ti plunger. Mag catch custom 7068 7075 button. Grip tactical link pdw 7068 screw. Sig Romeo3XL ti mounting screws, modified sig mount 7068 mounting bolt and nut. |
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I had a goal to get an AR-15 to sub 3lbs without going the SBR or pistol route while still keeping a functional gas system. I just got back from shooting it today and I'm happy with how it turned out.   The parts list: Upper: Barrel is Faxon 16" pencil with integrated brake that I had turned down. BCG is a DSA aluminum sandcut, with IronCity Ti cam pin, V7 Ti firing pin, and RCA adjustable gas key upper is Roam R-15 that I milled off the FA and the center of the picatinny rail charging handle is luth-ar 601 style gas tube is aero precision mid length gasblock is B.A.D. Ti Handguard is JAG composites ultralight 10.5" w/ aluminum screws The optic is a Sig Romeo Zero on a custom 3d-printed riser made of ASA-CF Lower: Tegra Arms CF lower LPK is polymer parts from a RT15 complete lower stock is Smoke Composits short pull, open Smoke composites end plate and castle nut ultralight taccom buffer pistol grip is 3d printed grip from ASA-CF with a layer of epoxy to prevent CF slivers |
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Originally Posted By prinkeps: I had a goal to get an AR-15 to sub 3lbs without going the SBR or pistol route while still keeping a functional gas system. I just got back from shooting it today and I'm happy with how it turned out. https://i.postimg.cc/V0S08ht9/ar-weight.jpg https://i.postimg.cc/xNkN2Zmz/ar-profile.jpg The parts list: Upper: Barrel is Faxon 16" pencil with integrated brake that I had turned down. BCG is a DSA aluminum sandcut, with IronCity Ti cam pin, V7 Ti firing pin, and RCA adjustable gas key upper is Roam R-15 that I milled off the FA and the center of the picatinny rail charging handle is luth-ar 601 style gas tube is aero precision mid length gasblock is B.A.D. Ti Handguard is JAG composites ultralight 10.5" w/ aluminum screws The optic is a Sig Romeo Zero on a custom 3d-printed riser made of ASA-CF Lower: Tegra Arms CF lower LPK is polymer parts from a RT15 complete lower stock is Smoke Composits short pull, open Smoke composites end plate and castle nut ultralight taccom buffer pistol grip is 3d printed grip from ASA-CF with a layer of epoxy to prevent CF slivers Wow! Impressive work. |
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Originally Posted By prinkeps: I had a goal to get an AR-15 to sub 3lbs without going the SBR or pistol route while still keeping a functional gas system. I just got back from shooting it today and I'm happy with how it turned out. https://i.postimg.cc/V0S08ht9/ar-weight.jpg https://i.postimg.cc/xNkN2Zmz/ar-profile.jpg The parts list: Upper: Barrel is Faxon 16" pencil with integrated brake that I had turned down. BCG is a DSA aluminum sandcut, with IronCity Ti cam pin, V7 Ti firing pin, and RCA adjustable gas key upper is Roam R-15 that I milled off the FA and the center of the picatinny rail charging handle is luth-ar 601 style gas tube is aero precision mid length gasblock is B.A.D. Ti Handguard is JAG composites ultralight 10.5" w/ aluminum screws The optic is a Sig Romeo Zero on a custom 3d-printed riser made of ASA-CF Lower: Tegra Arms CF lower LPK is polymer parts from a RT15 complete lower stock is Smoke Composits short pull, open Smoke composites end plate and castle nut ultralight taccom buffer pistol grip is 3d printed grip from ASA-CF with a layer of epoxy to prevent CF slivers incredible. I have owned carry pistols that weigh more than this... Really curious how it shoots |
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It's a pretty snappy impulse and the muzzle likes to climb compared to more sensibly weighted ARs so rapid followup shots take more effort. The balance is pretty front heavy since the barrel makes almost half the weight. The polymer trigger group is better than I thought it would be with a pretty clean break. |
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Originally Posted By prinkeps: It's a pretty snappy impulse and the muzzle likes to climb compared to more sensibly weighted ARs so rapid followup shots take more effort. The balance is pretty front heavy since the barrel makes almost half the weight. The polymer trigger group is better than I thought it would be with a pretty clean break. @prinkeps thanks, I was curious what the recoil was like on the lightest (I think I've ever seen) a rifle set up in this caliber. My 3 gun rifle was like 12 pounds and rifle gas/big comp so no recoil but pretty loud. |
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Originally Posted By larrys: Wow you’re not kidding. $50 for a complete lower. Wonder how it will hold up Originally Posted By larrys: Wow you’re not kidding. $50 for a complete lower. Wonder how it will hold up Wow. You know what those are good for…..the next panic buy when dems are trying to ban ar’s and it looks possible. Forever ago I bought a couple plum crazy (or something like that) complete lowers. I was new to the game and once I figured out I needed to get rid of them I did. Work out as there was a panic going on and my home based ffl I used for almost everything sold them for me. We both made a killing. |
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I need to re weigh with the Scalarworks irons on. AI gave me this for the difference in weight: Scalarworks PEAK/02 (1.93")Front Sight Weight: ~27 grams (0.95 oz)Rear Sight Weight: ~42 grams (1.48 oz)Total Weight Set: ~69 grams (2.43 oz) Magpul MBUS ProFront Sight Weight: 1.5 oz (42.5 grams)Rear Sight Weight: 1.8 oz (51.0 grams)Total Weight Set: 3.3 oz (93.5 grams) So -.9 oz weight different. |
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Found this on another site, rokslide, some impressive hunting builds. https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/ultralight-ultralight-rifles.329402/ |
ULTRA light weight picture thread....the under 6 crowd. (Page 39 of 39)
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