Making a lighter AR

jimbobborg · Dec 1, 2015

I've seen a couple of billet upper/lower combos with cut outs, which seem to make the rifles lower in weight. While I love my current rifles, I'd like to build a truly lightweight 3-gun rifle. What's the consensus on cut outs on receivers? This will be strictly a competition rifle, not a SHTF rifle.

jakbob · Dec 2, 2015

I would think that reliability is more important in 3 gun than weight?

*Edit- I don't want you to think that I am being a smart ass. I was looking into doing 3 gun and everything I read and watched preached reliability. They could be wrong, who knows lol

RoadDawg · Dec 2, 2015

jakbob said:
I would think that reliability is more important in 3 gun than weight?

*Edit- I don't want you to think that I am being a smart ass. I was looking into doing 3 gun and everything I read and watched preached reliability. They could be wrong, who knows lol

Especially since weight effects recoil and recoil effects follow up shots.

Also, I would be concerned with foreign matter getting into the rifle and causing a malfunction at just about the time you need it to work right.

jimbobborg · Dec 2, 2015

RoadDawg said:
Especially since weight effects recoil and recoil effects follow up shots.

Also, I would be concerned with foreign matter getting into the rifle and causing a malfunction at just about the time you need it to work right.

According to Daniel Horner, a lighter rifle makes transitions faster on multiple targets. Most of the top guys in 3-gun keep the weight down on their rifles, too. I'm building another rifle that will be as light as I can get it. I have a competition rifle now that will be the backup, so if the new one fails, I'm not completely screwed.

shocker998md · Dec 2, 2015

Bcm lightweight 14.5 and a mid west industry gen 2 rail. Small optic and call it a day. Don't put any fancy do fangled stuff on it and run it. I love mine.

Didn't break the bank and is light.

Biggfoot44 · Dec 2, 2015

Well since weight is declared to #1 priority , never mind the lightening cuts, go straight to polymer.

teratos · Dec 2, 2015

Do an MFT minimalist stock, and a carbon fiber fore end with a pencil barrel.

mopar92 · Dec 2, 2015

Easy button here

http://sinistralrifleman.com/2015/07/22/training-and-manufacturing-resources-coming-together/

bigjohn · Dec 2, 2015

I just finished a 300 blackout. I did watch the weight on them but didn't buy anything lightweight specific. No scope 6.75lb. With scope 7.75lb

jimbobborg · Dec 2, 2015

shocker998md said:
Bcm lightweight 14.5 and a mid west industry gen 2 rail. Small optic and call it a day. Don't put any fancy do fangled stuff on it and run it. I love mine.

Didn't break the bank and is light.

You don't shoot 3-gun, do you?

Biggfoot44 said:
Well since weight is declared to #1 priority , never mind the lightening cuts, go straight to polymer.

I thought about that but since the rifle will be dropped into barrels during matches, I don't think they'll be durable enough to last a season.

teratos said:
Do an MFT minimalist stock, and a carbon fiber fore end with a pencil barrel.

That's the stock I want. I posted a while back on the carbon fiber handguard I wanted. Pencil barrel? No thanks. I don't need shots stringing.

mopar92 said:
Easy button here

http://sinistralrifleman.com/2015/07/22/training-and-manufacturing-resources-coming-together/

Pretty close to what I want, but not digging the fixed stock and I don't think the lower is being built anymore.

mopar92 · Dec 2, 2015

jimbobborg said:
You don't shoot 3-gun, do you?

I thought about that but since the rifle will be dropped into barrels during matches, I don't think they'll be durable enough to last a season.

That's the stock I want. I posted a while back on the carbon fiber handguard I wanted. Pencil barrel? No thanks. I don't need shots stringing.

Pretty close to what I want, but not digging the fixed stock and I don't think the lower is being built anymore.

GWACS Armory is making them still, i think you can take 1/2"off the stock safely if you want a shorter LOP.

Biggfoot44 · Dec 2, 2015

Ohhhhh , now we have other priorities other than light.

So light weight is now #3 behind durability and thick bbl ?

Generic forged lower, whichever bbl profile suits your preference, plain tubular carbon fibre free float hand gaurd, lightest optic & mount you can bring yourself to use.

Melnic · Dec 2, 2015

With an HBAR requirement are we talking a fluted barrel?
My Pre ban M4 profile with plastic handguard is my lightest but not that I was counting oz. just my lightest.

Biggfoot44 · Dec 2, 2015

The OP has escaped to Northen Va , and hence can use the bbl profile of his choice.

vgplayer · Dec 2, 2015

milsport-arms-ar-15-80-lower-receiver-7075-t6-forged-skeletonized-msa-80-lower-skel-by-milsport-arms-0fd.jpg

http://www.milsportarms.com/products/milsport-arms-ar-15-80-lower-receiver-7075-t6-forged-skeletonized

$900 proof research barrels an option?

DaemonAssassin · Dec 2, 2015

I built a 6# 300BLK, before scope and mount, for deer hunting. I wasn't trying to make a lightweight rifle, it just happened. After the scope and the mount, it came to 8# with a loaded 20 round mag.

You can do it, if you are smart about it. I remember that armed ferret built a 5# AR, just for the hell of it.

DaemonAssassin · Dec 2, 2015

vgplayer said:
http://www.milsportarms.com/product...80-lower-receiver-7075-t6-forged-skeletonized

$900 proof research barrels an option?

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.

BradMacc82 · Dec 2, 2015

DaemonAssassin said:
I built a 6# 300BLK, before scope and mount, for deer hunting. I wasn't trying to make a lightweight rifle, it just happened. After the scope and the mount, it came to 8# with a loaded 20 round mag.

You can do it, if you are smart about it. I remember that armed ferret built a 5# AR, just for the hell of it.

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.

vgplayer · Dec 2, 2015

Of light weight lowers I have seen I feel better about that setup. Trigger pocket is essentially mil spec unless the owner decides to mill out the sides.

DaemonAssassin · Dec 2, 2015

BradMacc82 said:
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 remember him posting a pic of the rifle and a pic of the rifle on the scale. I don't remember if it was in an established thread or if it was one that he created.

BTW, thanks for helping me get the upper together. That thing has served me well during deer season, this year. Even at 8# with the scope, it is a hell of a lot lighter than the bolt or the LAR-8. I'll whip up some handloads on the Dillon and we'll get together in the spring/summer for some range time. You have to see how accurate this rifle can be, with good ammo.

Making a lighter AR

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