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Posted: 6/25/2012 7:51:36 AM EDT
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I`m looking to build the lightest 16" AR15 that I can without buying exotic parts... this gun will be a plinker and range gun and 2 to3 inch groups at 100 is fine....Since this will be my first build...the upper represents the most weight...So what are your recommendations for barrel and the rest of the parts that can make a difference...I want to keep it below $700....
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UPPER:
14.5" lightweight barrel w/pinned muzzle device. Long A1 Flash Suppressor (Saber and others used to make them. IM me if you decide to go this route, as I have an extra one) RIA 9mm Upper (no forward assist or brass deflector) drilled for a gas tube (ADCO can drill your receiver for your tube and pin the muzzle device) Clark Custom Guns carbon fiber handguard (6 oz. rifle length or 4 oz. cut to carbine length, including the aluminum barrel nut) I'd use a low-profile gas block. You can drill and tap the handguard at 12 o'clock for a section of PRI rail. Screw and glue the rail section in place and use it to mount a lightweight front BUIS. I used Daniel Defense fixed sights. YMMV. The bolt and carrier are up to you. You could use a lightweight carrier to minimize weight, but I would only do so if you also use an adjustable gas block. LOWER: There are more options now than when I built mine. I used a Cav Arms Mk. II lower and shortened the pull a little bit. I'm currently building a lightweight lower on a Nodak Spud NDS-601 lower, which should be the lightest Aluminum lower out there (no fence). I'm using an old Colt 2-position stock, which are among the lightest. Let us know how it works out. A guy named Forest used to have an AR weight table over at the Maryland AR15 Shooters Board. It's a bit out of date now, but think I may have a copy at home. IM me your email address if you want me to try to find it and email it to you. |
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Quoted:
UPPER: 14.5" lightweight barrel w/pinned muzzle device. Long A1 Flash Suppressor (Saber and others used to make them. IM me if you decide to go this route, as I have an extra one) RIA 9mm Upper (no forward assist or brass deflector) drilled for a gas tube (ADCO can drill your receiver for your tube and pin the muzzle device) Clark Custom Guns carbon fiber handguard (6 oz. rifle length or 4 oz. cut to carbine length, including the aluminum barrel nut) I'd use a low-profile gas block. You can drill and tap the handguard at 12 o'clock for a section of PRI rail. Screw and glue the rail section in place and use it to mount a lightweight front BUIS. I used Daniel Defense fixed sights. YMMV. The bolt and carrier are up to you. You could use a lightweight carrier to minimize weight, but I would only do so if you also use an adjustable gas block. LOWER: There are more options now than when I built mine. I used a Cav Arms Mk. II lower and shortened the pull a little bit. I'm currently building a lightweight lower on a Nodak Spud NDS-601 lower, which should be the lightest Aluminum lower out there (no fence). I'm using an old Colt 2-position stock, which are among the lightest. Let us know how it works out. A guy named Forest used to have an AR weight table over at the Maryland AR15 Shooters Board. It's a bit out of date now, but think I may have a copy at home. IM me your email address if you want me to try to find it and email it to you. Thanks for all the info it`s just what I`m looking for...I see that your going with a 601 lower are you building a "retro" or just trying to get the lightest lower? I now need to get busy and look into your recommendations....Jim |
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Quoted:
I used a DD 16" lightweight midlength barrel from Brownells. Profile is really thin and uses an A1 diameter gas block. Just the barrel + extension came in at 22.2oz on my scale. DD makes good guns....I`ve looked at some DDef. but most are more expensive for the average low cost gun I`m looking to build....That barrel and extension look to be light... |
| if you want to go cheap get a polymer lower new frontier or plum crazy for a $100 then get a S&W sport upper and your done ! if you don't like a polymer lower build your own with all standard parts A2 grip and M4 stock its can be had for for about $300 and the S&W upper would be about $400 to $500 |
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Quoted:
I`m looking to build the lightest 16" AR15 that I can without buying exotic parts... this gun will be a plinker and range gun and 2 to3 inch groups at 100 is fine....Since this will be my first build...the upper represents the most weight...So what are your recommendations for barrel and the rest of the parts that can make a difference...I want to keep it below $700.... I built this for about $600: 
R Guns receiver set -$149 R Guns NiB BCG - $149 Del-Ton 14.5" barrel - $145 Unfortunately, all the above parts seem to be sold out... |
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Quoted:
Thanks for all the info it`s just what I`m looking for...I see that your going with a 601 lower are you building a "retro" or just trying to get the lightest lower? I now need to get busy and look into your recommendations....Jim I just want to build the lightest collapsible stock lower I can build using an aluminum receiver. Omitting the raised fences around the mag release has to shave off a little weight. I could use a New Frontier lower, but I prefer aluminum. Nodak Spud also makes a top quality product. I have a couple of other retro lowers, a retro upper and a 10/22 receiver. By the way, I second the DD recommendation. I used a DD 14.5" chrome lined CHF barrel on my lightest AR. |
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