Making a lighter AR

[5.56blaster]

AR's are heavy?

 

[Biggfoot44]

No, you're right most AR aren't that heavy themselves, its the cumulative kitchen sink attached to them.

 

[5.56blaster]

No, you're right most AR aren't that heavy themselves, its the cumulative kitchen sink attached to them.

Tacticool be heavy. Optics and a 30 round mag aren't.

 

[DaemonAssassin]

Tacticool be heavy. Optics and a 30 round mag aren't.

It's why I refrain from putting crap on my rifles that I won't use. I keep them lean and mean by sticking to that philosophy.

 

[outrider58]

It's why I refrain from putting crap on my rifles that I won't use. I keep them lean and mean by sticking to that philosophy.

That's why I quit using bayonets.

 

[FlatsFlite]

http://www.christensenarms.com/products/carbon-barrel/ca-15-barrels/

 

[5.56blaster]

That's why I quit using bayonets.

Musket?

 

[pwoolford]

I giggled like a schoolgirl while finger-fvcking it while dodging free-range ferrets...

You sir, can multitask with the best of them!

 

[Speed3]

He did, and it was so stupid light I giggled like a schoolgirl while finger-fvcking it while dodging free-range ferrets at his place.

All with standard forged receivers too, IIRC.

I believe it was a forged receiver as well. Stupid light...pointed super easy. Maybe thats what I will build on a spare lower hmmm

 

[BradMacc82]

You sir, can multitask with the best of them!

I try, the ferrets do make that task quite 'interesting' at times. Them some quick lil bastiges.

 

[photoracer]

I have 2 3-gun rifles. One is my original Stag 3GH upper. With everything on it including optics and a CF handguard it weighs about 9# even. My other gun has a 16" ABS carbon fiber wrapped barrel, ALG rail, 2nd gen polymer lower, and a lighter stock. With a 1 oz heavier scope it weighs right about 7# even.

 

[MikeTF]

http://www.amazon.com/Gibson-Enterprises-AR-15-Rifle-Lighter/dp/B00LV411BG

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

[friendlyhippo]

When Daniel Defense discontinued their .625 gas block barrels, Faxon Firearms came on the scene with nitrided (both 4150 and 416 available) pencil barrels. They weigh less than 20 ounces for a full 16" barrel. If you can't build a sub-6-pound rifle with one of those, you're doing it VERY wrong.

some guys on another ar-15 related forum have even gotten around 4.5 pounds for a 16" non-pinned example.

 

[friendlyhippo]

Ballistic advantage's "barrel of the week" is a 21-ounce 14.7" pencil profile for $128.

 

[vgplayer]

When Daniel Defense discontinued their .625 gas block barrels, Faxon Firearms came on the scene with nitrided (both 4150 and 416 available) pencil barrels. They weigh less than 20 ounces for a full 16" barrel. If you can't build a sub-6-pound rifle with one of those, you're doing it VERY wrong.

some guys on another ar-15 related forum have even gotten around 4.5 pounds for a 16" non-pinned example.

Just assembled one for wife with that barrel came out to 6lbs. Wasn't trying for the lightest but the "light" parts were:
13" ALG V2 Rail
Mission First Minimalist Stock
Magpul SL Grip

 

[friendlyhippo]

About the only thing out there lighter than the ALG rails are the BCM KMR. For the price (especially if you wait for blems or a major sale) it's difficult (at best) to justify the price difference when the weight isn't much.

 

[shocker998md]

Your right I don't 3 gun, but I really don't get why my 14.5 wouldn't be competitive compared to other rifles. 14.5 bcm barrel, aim point pro, and a decent shooter. What else do you really need in the rifle?

Not trying to come off as a smart ass, but if lightweight is key what else is needed.

 

[jimbobborg]

Your right I don't 3 gun, but I really don't get why my 14.5 wouldn't be competitive compared to other rifles. 14.5 bcm barrel, aim point pro, and a decent shooter. What else do you really need in the rifle?

Not trying to come off as a smart ass, but if lightweight is key what else is needed.

Since you asked. The rifle portion of the competition has us shooting from 5 yard paper targets to 400+ yard steel targets. I'm using an 18" SPR profile barrel to increase muzzle velocity so there's less drop out at the further ranges. To offset the weight of said barrel and a 1-6x scope, I'm trying to keep everything else as light as possible. The handguard I'll be using is a carbon-fibre wrap with a ring on the ends to minimize weight there. I'll be using a lightweight stock. If I can get more weight off without affecting accuracy, that's what I want. If I can cut the weight of the receiver set by 25-30%, I'll take it, as long as it's metal. As for the Aimpoint, it's a fine optic, but once I used one past 200 yards it was pure Kentucky Windage. I don't want to calculate holdovers in my head while on the clock.

 

[OrbitalEllipses]

Tacticool be heavy. Optics and a 30 round mag aren't.

Having about 2lbs in scope and mount is really annoying though. Add a pound for the mag. Boom, 7-8lb rifle.

Since you asked. The rifle portion of the competition has us shooting from 5 yard paper targets to 400+ yard steel targets. I'm using an 18" SPR profile barrel to increase muzzle velocity so there's less drop out at the further ranges. To offset the weight of said barrel and a 1-6x scope, I'm trying to keep everything else as light as possible. The handguard I'll be using is a carbon-fibre wrap with a ring on the ends to minimize weight there. I'll be using a lightweight stock. If I can get more weight off without affecting accuracy, that's what I want. If I can cut the weight of the receiver set by 25-30%, I'll take it, as long as it's metal. As for the Aimpoint, it's a fine optic, but once I used one past 200 yards it was pure Kentucky Windage. I don't want to calculate holdovers in my head while on the clock.

A real 1-6x of quality plus mount will be around 30oz or more. A red dot IS kentucky windage past 200yds, that's a certainty. Something to consider with a heavier barrel profile and lighter stock is how the rifle balances. Most bullpups I've come across are actually pretty heavy for being chambered in 5.56 NATO, but they feel lighter simply due to where the weight is. Just a thought.

 

[r3t1awr3yd]

I wouldn't trust a lower that has chunks carved out of them like that. Weight can be saved in other places, that won't allow debris into the firearm.

It never seems to get tons of debris in it to me

I don't think $900 for the lower is reasonable though.