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Posted: 10/11/2013 8:18:43 PM EDT
[Last Edit: L119188]
I've seen several other light weight picture threads that included 8 pounders. Lets look at some real challenging builds. Rules are...gotta have a pic, gotta have the weight of the empty rifle. The rifle must weigh six pounds or less. I'll go first.
Attached File Permanently attached phantom flash hider on a spikes 14 1/2" light weight mid length barrel DPMS carbon fiber free float hand guard...cut to mid length from a rifle length tube JP front sight rail Lo-pro .625 gas block Magpul MBUS sights Standard aluminum upper with an adco forward assist plug Standard bolt and buffer New Frontier Lower Magpul MOE grip CAR butt stock 500 rounds so far...no malfunctions. Empty weight: 5 pounds |
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3.414lb Lightest AR-15 in the world shooting video I may do a breakdown video this week. I've got 500 rounds through it now. 3lbs 6.625oz https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALLGbQZJuXI |
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...believe in me, I'm with the High Command.
MO, USA
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Made it "hot"
3.414lb Lightest AR-15 in the world shooting video |
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Thanks buddy. I was having a hard time figuring out the pictures and video links working
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Pretty awesome.
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Lightest AR in the world?
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Maybe it's click bait, and maybe it's the lightest! Haha. Lightest that falls under the given parameters of no polymer, no standard parts left off, no holes drilled on parts to lighten, must be rifle length.
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Pretty pleased with this build, only thing left to add is an inforce wml and it'll be finished at 5lb 6oz. If I were to remove the direct thread omega with titanium adaptor and front cap and go with a faxon fh, take 10.5oz off that figure
potato pic: Attached File |
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Tu Ne Cede Malis.
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Originally Posted By themagikbullet:
Pretty pleased with this build, only thing left to add is an inforce wml and it'll be finished at 5lb 6oz. If I were to remove the dt omega and go with a faxon fh, take 10.5oz off that figure https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/108746/IMG_2448__2_-323226.JPG View Quote |
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Put together a lw coyote rifle too. Optic/mount combo is right at a pound iirc, 18" faxon gunner, standard bcm bcg, h2 buffer. Might be fun with my ta33 too.
Attached File Attached File |
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Tu Ne Cede Malis.
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View Quote Safety? |
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Scott
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getting there. 4.921 lbs.
Probably going to send the Larue PredatAR to Adco to contour. Still need sights. Build thread HERE sorry for the potato pics. |
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Originally Posted By nottooslow:
getting there. 4.921 lbs. Probably going to send the Larue PredatAR to Adco to contour. Still need sights. Build thread HERE https://i.imgur.com/NPq3mqb.jpg https://i.imgur.com/PlOhGTm.jpg sorry for the potato pics. View Quote |
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Function tested and zero'd the 18" with wolf gold, shot really smooth and stacked the brass in a neat pile between 4 and 5 oclock. Hoping for an honest 2-3 moa from the wolf with the lpv and non-match trigger, and will do some group testing with some gold dots and match type ammo soon. I actually had an old spikes buffer in there instead of the h2 as mentioned earlier-I think st-t1? haven't used those in a long time but worked out perfect.
The 11.5" with omega, faxon lw carrier, and carbine buffer got set at 6 clicks open on the slr gb, ejecting 2-3 oclock using 62 gr fusion msr. What a fun rifle, feels like a toy but shoots great. |
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Tu Ne Cede Malis.
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Originally Posted By themagikbullet:
Pretty pleased with this build, only thing left to add is an inforce wml and it'll be finished at 5lb 6oz. If I were to remove the direct thread omega with titanium adaptor and front cap and go with a faxon fh, take 10.5oz off that figure potato pic: https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/108746/IMG_2448__2_-323226.JPG View Quote |
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Originally Posted By CarlosC:
4.98 pounds and it even looks like a regular rifle. I know I could have saved more weight with a skinnier barrel, different handguard, and possibly a minimalistic stock, but I wanted it to look as clodr to a 'norma' AR as possible. https://i.imgur.com/SImkWMU.jpg View Quote Rock on, Jim |
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I recently put together a lightweight build for someone. Looking through the thread I thought I'd hit close to the 5 lb mark as there (at a quick glance) appeared to be quite a few normal looking rifles that hit the mark. I was a little disappointed when it came in at 5lb 13oz with the red dot. Was I just expecting too much? This was a budget build so I used stuff I had sitting around with some new stuff. I wanted it lightweight and as soft shooting as possible.
Specs are: Anderson Lower Regular upper but with FA plugged. (could have saved an ounce here maybe with a slick side but already had the upper) Faxon pencil Barrel Superlative Adjustable Gas Block Empty Buffer w/ reduced power spring Lightweight AIM BCG Guntec Rail which was the lightest one I could find (7.7 oz IIRC) Everything else not listed is just regular Milspec stuff. I see areas where I could clearly shave some more weight but then stuff starts getting expensive because it's titanium or special parts like Battle Arms stuff which isn't cheap. Am I missing anything obvious? Lightweight Build |
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You’re right brother, getting it down to 5lbs is expensive.
You can save quite a bit of weight by losing the Magpul CTR and optic. Replace with an MFT BMS stock, and VV 3MOA RD on a UTG LW .75” riser. These won’t break the bank and work wonders. I use the MFT stocks on my carbines, and Vortex Venoms on all of my builds. Good job! As long as it shoots good and you like it that’s all that really matters! Rock on, Jim |
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Anyone here have one of those crazy V7 2055 lowers (specifically the EX model) and a VLTOR MUR? I’m trying to find a picture of them together to see if it’s an aesthetic match.
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Originally Posted By Nada-Nada:
5lbs 7oz. Including Suppressor. I don't think there are other under 6lb suppressed builds, could have missed some though. Barrel length is ~8 inches. Effective length including dedicated suppressor is about 12.5 inches. Lots of room to cut weight if it was that type of build. Has optics, irons and a light for one. Wouldn't have a suppressor if I was trying for uber light. This was a "Practical" build compared to my 3.5lb build, and there were some items I wasn't willing to drop, but I wanted as light as possible while meeting the design goals. This isn't intended to be a stealth shooter, just enough to be tolerable to shoot indoors in a pinch. Shot her today, she's a killer. https://i.imgur.com/CxKOVzo.jpg View Quote |
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Tu Ne Cede Malis.
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Originally Posted By Nada-Nada:
5lbs 7oz. Including Suppressor. I don't think there are other under 6lb suppressed builds, could have missed some though. Barrel length is ~8 inches. Effective length including dedicated suppressor is about 12.5 inches. Lots of room to cut weight if it was that type of build. Has optics, irons and a light for one. Wouldn't have a suppressor if I was trying for uber light. This was a "Practical" build compared to my 3.5lb build, and there were some items I wasn't willing to drop, but I wanted as light as possible while meeting the design goals. This isn't intended to be a stealth shooter, just enough to be tolerable to shoot indoors in a pinch. Shot her today, she's a killer. Think... Honey Badger or Spikes Compressor - but lighter ... and better IMO. Shorter than some configs as well. I was definitely inspired by them. Building a similar one on a BAD PDW, 2 is 1, 1 is none. https://i.imgur.com/CxKOVzo.jpg View Quote |
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Lightweight on a relatively decent budget.
On Scale Gun •Magtech Lower • 167 grams $82 •PSA Slick Side Upper • 170 grams $60 •PSA Enhanced Trigger Group • 68 grams $29 •Ergo Grip • 78 grams $12 •Mission First Tactical Minimalist Stock • 170 grams $50 •2A Arm. Stikeplate • 4 grams $27 •2A Arm. buffer tube • 98 grams $59 •Faxxon 16" PENCIL, 5.56 NATO, Mid-Length • 544 grams $135 •Base for optic • 43 grams $Free •Trijicon RMR • 30 grams $279 •V7 mag catch • 5 grams $30 •Faxxon Lightweight Bolt • 241 grams $250 Sale $187 •Midwest Industries MI-LWM12G3-BLK • 232 grams $152 •Buffer: Taccom Ultra Lightweight Carbine Buffer and Spring • 85 grams $38 •V7 castle nut • 6.7 grams $22 •V7 pistol grip screw • 3.2 grams $5 •V7 titanium buffer retainer • 1 gram $7 •Charging Handle • 21 grams $16 •Gas Block SLR Rifleworks Sentry Adjustable Gas Block - .625" Titanium Set Screw 22 grams $153 •2A Armament AR-15 Titanium Takedown Pins • 5 grams $44 •V7 ultra light S7 bolt catch • 9 grams $21 •V7 hybrid 57° selector w/ ti core • 8.3 grams $49 •V7 Ti Micro Brake • 23 grams $49 •Cerakote • ? grams $175 Totals $1684 and 4.5 pounds |
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Yeah, I think we need a thread name change. At this point a 5.9 lb right isn't an ultralight...it's just light. Sub-5lb would probably be a better cut off, and honestly, most people intentionally building a rifle where in weight savings is consideration #1 are prolly shooting for sub 4lbs.
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The future of your lightweight AR build begins with the PWD. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1I6Qb6kAJjChEJ56qhznv2291c5UHRDyNXuSXGObumqM/edit?usp=sharing
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6lbs is average, and hardly qualifies as ultralight.
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Not bad. My lw build with poly lower is 3.8lbs with Magpul BUIS, about $1300 invested. I have a Mag tac lower on another build, with generic CMMG or Andersons LPK, that would be closer to yours. The biggest $/oz savings for me was the Smoke Composites stock, probably next was v7 Hyperlite 11.1" rails.
Originally Posted By Stag_8_24:
Lightweight on a relatively decent budget. https://photos.app.goo.gl/UCy40JRN7gqAHHQq2 https://photos.app.goo.gl/ya7IIKPvdbiV0s7d2 •Magtech Lower • 167 grams $82 •PSA Slick Side Upper • 170 grams $60 •PSA Enhanced Trigger Group • 68 grams $29 •Ergo Grip • 78 grams $12 •Mission First Tactical Minimalist Stock • 170 grams $50 •2A Arm. Stikeplate • 4 grams $27 •2A Arm. buffer tube • 98 grams $59 •Faxxon 16" PENCIL, 5.56 NATO, Mid-Length • 544 grams $135 •Base for optic • 43 grams $Free •Trijicon RMR • 30 grams $279 •V7 mag catch • 5 grams $30 •Faxxon Lightweight Bolt • 241 grams $250 Sale $187 •Midwest Industries MI-LWM12G3-BLK • 232 grams $152 •Buffer: Taccom Ultra Lightweight Carbine Buffer and Spring • 85 grams $38 •V7 castle nut • 6.7 grams $22 •V7 pistol grip screw • 3.2 grams $5 •V7 titanium buffer retainer • 1 gram $7 •Charging Handle • 21 grams $16 •Gas Block SLR Rifleworks Sentry Adjustable Gas Block - .625" Titanium Set Screw 22 grams $153 •2A Armament AR-15 Titanium Takedown Pins • 5 grams $44 •V7 ultra light S7 bolt catch • 9 grams $21 •V7 hybrid 57° selector w/ ti core • 8.3 grams $49 •V7 Ti Micro Brake • 23 grams $49 •Cerakote • ? grams $175 Totals $1684 and 4.8 pounds View Quote |
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Originally Posted By SOCOM76:
6lbs is average, and hardly qualifies as ultralight. View Quote 6lbs, all in is still a noble goal. And by that I mean include optic, light, slings and any other accessories you’d run it with. It is challenging to get under 6lb that way, especially with a magnified optic. I’m planning a lightweight myself but I’ll be happy if I’m under 7lb all in with ACOG TA33 and a light and sling. I’ll be using fairly stock parts as well which makes it harder. I don’t have the cash to throw at ultralight titanium parts. |
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Originally Posted By Leg: While it is fairly easy to get a carbine under 6lb (Colt 6520 anyone?) I would say that they are far from average. Lots of ARs on arfcom are pushing 10lbs with optics, lights and sling. 6lbs, all in is still a noble goal. And by that I mean include optic, light, slings and any other accessories you’d run it with. It is challenging to get under 6lb that way, especially with a magnified optic. I’m planning a lightweight myself but I’ll be happy if I’m under 7lb all in with ACOG TA33 and a light and sling. I’ll be using fairly stock parts as well which makes it harder. I don’t have the cash to throw at ultralight titanium parts. View Quote |
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Originally Posted By Leg: While it is fairly easy to get a carbine under 6lb (Colt 6520 anyone?) I would say that they are far from average. Lots of ARs on arfcom are pushing 10lbs with optics, lights and sling. 6lbs, all in is still a noble goal. And by that I mean include optic, light, slings and any other accessories you’d run it with. It is challenging to get under 6lb that way, especially with a magnified optic. I’m planning a lightweight myself but I’ll be happy if I’m under 7lb all in with ACOG TA33 and a light and sling. I’ll be using fairly stock parts as well which makes it harder. I don’t have the cash to throw at ultralight titanium parts. View Quote IMO, ultralight is 4.5lbs and under with optic. |
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Originally Posted By hfrog355: There's nothing ULTRA lightweight about a 6 lbs rifle. There's nothing wrong with building a rifle or building a lightweight rifle, but it does seems silly to build a 6lbs rifle and call it ultra lightweight when there are guys putting together 4lbs rifles with parts you can order straight from a manufacturer. Then you get the real sickos who are further milling those parts and hollowing out screws pushing for 16" 3lbs guns. View Quote I've posted one uber light in this thread, and two other SBR actual field-able rifles that come in under 6lbs, but also have supressors, lights, real optics, BUIS, et al..... I am also in the process of building a 6.5G build that will have a scope, a RMR, A supressor, a 16" Barrel and it will still be under 6lbs. I will grant you, there are many folks just doing basic off the shelf style rifles that are under 6lbs and it doesn't queue any of my interest. But I am interested in the true ultra light hobby guns as well as the complete practical builds that keep it as light as possible. |
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Originally Posted By Nada-Nada:
Depends on the build. When you add suppressors, lights, optics and sights, and make a field-able rifle and not just a hobby driven range queen... 6lbs is pretty ultralight. View Quote |
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The future of your lightweight AR build begins with the PWD. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1I6Qb6kAJjChEJ56qhznv2291c5UHRDyNXuSXGObumqM/edit?usp=sharing
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Originally Posted By jekbrown: A silencer is a requirement for a "fieldable rifle" now? View Quote If you are building a safe queen / range gun type firearm and you barely make it under 6lbs and only have irons on it.. well... that's pretty boring IMO. Under 4lbs gets interesting for these types of builds. I suppose two closely related but different topics of interest. I appreciate all the light weight parts the industry has responded with and while I have a uber light build myself, and will rebuild it with even lighter parts when I think the time is right.... I am generally more intersted in leveraging the parts and technology for real builds to see how light I can make them while remaining practical in that build is not fragile and is field-able. |
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Originally Posted By SOCOM76:
I have a 6720 that weighs a smidgeon under 5lbs with iron sights. Yep, still has a Colt full mass carrier, Colt pencil barrel, and Colt carbine buffer system. With an ACOG mounted, still under 6lbs. Really, the only thing you're replacing is the FSB, handguard, buffer tube, endplate, castle nut, port door, selector switch and a few other small odds and ends with Al and Ti counterparts. Average, nothing exotic, didn't cost a small fortune, and hardly a daunting task. I've had that rifle for years and years. IMO, ultralight is 4.5lbs and under with optic. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Originally Posted By SOCOM76:
Originally Posted By Leg: While it is fairly easy to get a carbine under 6lb (Colt 6520 anyone?) I would say that they are far from average. Lots of ARs on arfcom are pushing 10lbs with optics, lights and sling. 6lbs, all in is still a noble goal. And by that I mean include optic, light, slings and any other accessories you’d run it with. It is challenging to get under 6lb that way, especially with a magnified optic. I’m planning a lightweight myself but I’ll be happy if I’m under 7lb all in with ACOG TA33 and a light and sling. I’ll be using fairly stock parts as well which makes it harder. I don’t have the cash to throw at ultralight titanium parts. IMO, ultralight is 4.5lbs and under with optic. You’re rifle sounds like a great build and I’d certainly appreciate seeing it. Why do they have have to be super exotic or expensive to be ultra lightweight? Personally I’m not interested in rifles that use a lot of carbon fibre, composite lowers and the like. Anyone can throw a ton of cash at specialist manufacturers and build an Ultra Light for Uber bucks. They’re certainly able do what they want with their builds and some of them are neat but I’m just as interested in rifles that use fairly stock components and still come in under 6lbs. Is it particularly hard or challenging? As you’ve pointed out, no. But neither is throwing thousands at a build, it’s just money. Now some are doing a lot of lightening themselves and those are really interesting. I’m jealous, wish I had the equipment and talent to something similar. I’m not sure what my point is at this point. That they’re all interesting and relevant I suppose. It’s the OPs thread, you don’t need to contribute or you could certainly start your own with a 4.5lb max weight. My build will be a long term project as I’ll put it together as time and money allow. At this point I doubt I’ll post it here because I don’t need anybody trash talking it because it doesn’t fit their criteria. |
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Originally Posted By Leg:
Why do they have have to be super exotic or expensive to be ultra lightweight? View Quote |
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Originally Posted By Leg: Personally I’m not interested in rifles that use a lot of carbon fibre, composite lowers and the like. Anyone can throw a ton of cash at specialist manufacturers and build an Ultra Light for Uber bucks. View Quote The interest in light weight in significant enough volume is what has brought the parts to market. As volume increases, manufacturing methods improve, etc, the better this gets for everyone. |
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When this thread started 6 lbs was a reasonable goal for an ultra lite. JP or used Smith or PM&T BCG were the only lightweight options. Lightweight barrels were pretty much non existent. Lightweight receivers were pretty limited as well. The Clark carbon fiber was the only lightweight handguard. The plethora of lightweight parts is a fairly recent phenomenon.
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cola-warrior.com
#teamemily |
Originally Posted By Nada-Nada:
If they were similar in cost to milspec parts would you be interested? The interest in light weight in significant enough volume is what has brought the parts to market. As volume increases, manufacturing methods improve, etc, the better this gets for everyone. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Originally Posted By Nada-Nada:
Originally Posted By Leg: Personally I’m not interested in rifles that use a lot of carbon fibre, composite lowers and the like. Anyone can throw a ton of cash at specialist manufacturers and build an Ultra Light for Uber bucks. The interest in light weight in significant enough volume is what has brought the parts to market. As volume increases, manufacturing methods improve, etc, the better this gets for everyone. Josh Ashton makes a great point. Most of these parts are a recent phenomenon. Lightweight handguards (aside from Clarke’s carbon fibre) came on the scene with Daniel Defence. If you wanted a lightweight you were stuck with a Colt 6520 or a Bushmaster pencil or building it yourself. I’m still living in the dark ages. Most dealers in Canada have not latched on to the lightweight market. A government profile is as light as most carry. A few years ago when I wanted a lightweight build there was nothing available up here at all. I ended up buying a Stag 16” that had been turned down in front of the FSB to pencil profile. I certainly welcome new products and think that some pretty interesting things have come to market the last few years. Let’s just not assume that it’s not light because we can build it lighter. I’ve been using the AR professionally for over 20 years and I’d give my left nut for a 6lb Carbine with optic. Instead I’m saddled with a C8A3 that weighs over 9.5lbs with an Elcan. Our M203 weighs an extra 2lbs over the US version. Throw on a light and an IR laser and I’m likely pushing 11lbs for a 16” Carbine, throw on that M203 and it’s closer to 15 so you’ll have to excuse me if I get excited by a sub 6lb fighting rifle. |
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People are getting a little sandy in their shorts... Pic thread? Finally got that Faxon FH, and a few pics w a 20 round mag with 64gr fusion msr.
Attached File Attached File Attached File |
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Tu Ne Cede Malis.
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Nada-Nada -
Love that lightweight with the integrated suppressor. The main purpose for pushing this market to develop lightweight components is so that the user can add things like a suppressor, lights and optics without being penalized by the weight. It’s not about the gun being light and easier to carry as much as it is being faster to move from target to target and to midigate the weight penalty for accessories. |
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Originally Posted By themagikbullet:
People are getting a little sandy in their shorts... Pic thread? Finally got that Faxon FH, and a few pics w a 20 round mag with 64gr fusion msr. https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/108746/55B62CB6-84AD-4A69-8761-EDC771698715-405283.JPG https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/108746/5E0D6DE1-1D07-438B-B6AE-CE8BFB46A948-405284.JPG https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/108746/CEBC2779-7E94-47B4-88B9-BEAC5037D8E1-405285.JPG View Quote |
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Originally Posted By themagikbullet:
People are getting a little sandy in their shorts... Pic thread? Finally got that Faxon FH, and a few pics w a 20 round mag with 64gr fusion msr. https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/108746/55B62CB6-84AD-4A69-8761-EDC771698715-405283.JPG https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/108746/5E0D6DE1-1D07-438B-B6AE-CE8BFB46A948-405284.JPG https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/108746/CEBC2779-7E94-47B4-88B9-BEAC5037D8E1-405285.JPG View Quote |
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Tu Ne Cede Malis.
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How much does it weigh with out the ammo and sling but the suppressor on there?
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