Lightweight AR Builders Club

[Squid556]

Some time ago I wanted to build a handy lightweight AR carbine. I didn’t have the money for high end titanium stuff but I did make some sensible choices with furniture and a barrel. Ended up with a 14.5 inch carbine without optics at 5 lbs.

As time has gone on I’ve not been able to shake the idea of continuing to trim the fat, sensibly. Some items replaced with their lightweight counterparts can really add up (well subtract I guess).

My question to INGO is what parts have you used to get your carbines lighter? What experiences have you had in using those parts? I’d like to start a good discussion on the successes and maybe failures we’ve had at pursuing the coveted handy carbine.

 

[Squid556]

I’m going to start the thread off with where I’m currently at. This carbine is noticeably handier than most I come across …..but it’s still not quite as good as what it could be.


The upper and lower are milspec nothing deviates from standard internally. I am still threatening to see if a lighter BCG will be reliable on this mid length 14.5

The barrel is the best source of weight savings here. I can’t say enough good about the Faxon 14.5 Gunner barrel. It’s pinned and welded with a flash hider. That extra 1.5 inch off the end is very noticeable to me. I had considered Their pencil barrel but chickened out as I wanted to retain more ability to sustain fire with this build.

Gas block is a simple low pro steel .625. I really think using a .625 gas block barrel is they way to go for a handy 5.56.


My old Streamlight Polytac light has held up well so far. It’s very lightweight being made from polymer. It’s mount is actually some chineseium eBay special that I fortified with proper hardened screws from the hardware store. It sits low and hand placement is perfect.

For furniture I went with the BCM PKMR polymer two piece handguard, Magpul K grip, and the MFT minimalist stock. I really enjoy how minimal bulk this combination is. They have held up well and I won't change any of the furniture at this point. I even managed to save the weight of sling swivels by simply weaving my sling through the stock, making an effective single point sling

The biggest source of weight that I need to trim right now is the optic. The Votrex SPARC AR is fantastic. Built like a tank.... But weighs about as much

 

[Sigblitz]

I started long ago with the Bushmaster carbon. The End.

 

[Kirk Freeman]

This is my jam. I have monkey copied the Katana (RJ, not MHT).

This is a Katana upper (NO. 37 from RJ) on DSA lower, Tango Down grip, CTR stock:

 

[Kirk Freeman]

Of course, you can just buy a M6720 but uncertain if CZ is making it now:

 

[Kirk Freeman]

Monkey-copy of Katana with Tango Down grip, Rainer Arms barrel (1:9), ALG ACT trigger, Troy BUIS, Young chrome BCG and Vortex flash suppressor. I call these "builds" (I know, I know, I just part the stuff together, not really a "build") "The Staff Officers", light, handy, for carrying more than shooting, not for a base of fire, but for carrying around base.

 

[Kirk Freeman]

Another monkey-copy Katana with CTR stock, same parts.

 

[Squid556]

Monkey-copy of Katana with Tango Down grip, Rainer Arms barrel (1:9), ALG ACT trigger, Troy BUIS, Young chrome BCG and Vortex flash suppressor.

View attachment 242945

I dig those builds Kirk, any chance we can get the weights on them?

 

[Kirk Freeman]

My last one. Monkey-copy Katana upper with folding FSB on KE Arms WWSD lower.

Camo job is called "What does Kirk have left in the garage?"

 

[Kirk Freeman]

I dig those builds Kirk, any chance we can get the weights on them?

On the light side. I am in office cleaning desk for week. Will ATTEMPT to get you actual numbers.

I speculate same weight as M6720 so that's *Googles stuff* . . . 6.2 lbs. The Katana is 6.0 pounds so my copies are AROUND 6 pounds more when I put RDS on them.

 

[Kirk Freeman]

If I had the time and money back, I think I would just buy Colt M6720s and save the hassle of the "Custom Build Shuffle". I mean .2 pounds is 3 frickin' ounces so by the time you put a low power prism or even RDS on it the weight becomes a distinction without difference.

Several of my friends have BCMs and I am impressed by those. I have BCM but they are the SFW suppers which I used for C8A3 inspired clones (got a thing for green). Maybe just a a BCM 14.5"/ELW and call it a day? Maybe a gun for next year?

Just chopping the barrel does not always guarantee lighter weight. I have a buddy who has a Noveske 12.5 but the thing is a tank (like just handling it in the gun room it feels solid even without the laser phasers on it) but he was 180A so Chief has stuff on it but knows how to use it.

 

[Kirk Freeman]

FYI, Forrest Gump in Greenbow, Alabama is building Katanas at MHT Defense. They are listed at 5lbs, 14 ounces.

You may want to consider just buying an MHT (literally unknown here in Indiana) and avoiding the time and money of custom building.

Shootrite Katana – MHT Defense

mhtdefense.com

 

[Kirk Freeman]

As well, Monty at Centurion Arms has completed his move and the Bargersville works is open and he will be cranking out rifles 1Q 2023. Just talked to Corrie (she knows my family from Morgan Co.) the other day.

I recommend his CM4. It is listed at 6.1 lbs and the QC at Centurion ensures that it will last a couple of lifetimes.

Lightweight CM4 Complete Rifle with Hammer Forged Barrel- Standard Specs (No options)

Centurion's Lightweight CM4 Rifle is specifically engineered as a lightweight, practical, durable weapon with a long life.

centurionarms.com

 

[Sigblitz]

Some time ago I wanted to build a handy lightweight AR carbine. I didn’t have the money for high end titanium stuff but I did make some sensible choices with furniture and a barrel. Ended up with a 14.5 inch carbine without optics at 5 lbs.

As time has gone on I’ve not been able to shake the idea of continuing to trim the fat, sensibly. Some items replaced with their lightweight counterparts can really add up (well subtract I guess).

My question to INGO is what parts have you used to get your carbines lighter? What experiences have you had in using those parts? I’d like to start a good discussion on the successes and maybe failures we’ve had at pursuing the coveted handy carbine.

5 lbs is pretty light, probably lighter than my Bushmaster. But I wouldn't change it. It functions so good I'm not going to change the mix.

 

[Squid556]

Here is a website with a link to a vast database for various components and their weights.

I’ve been using this to compare and see what’s worth changing and what’s not worth it

If I share the link itself, it doesn’t jive with this format but you’ll see the link at the bottom of the first paragraph.

AR-15 Parts Weights Database -

When it comes to building an AR-15 weight is a factor I always consider. Unless you’re building a long range rifle that will only be shot off of a bench I believe lighter is always better. A good way to shave off ounces from your AR build is to use a lightweight lower receiver and lightweight...

www.thefirearmblog.com

 

[DDadams]

Smoke Composites, V Seven, 2A Armament, Brigand Arms - all will be your friend.

I'm curious, on my lightweight build I could have saved around 7-8 more ounces going with a Faxon pencil or Gunner even but chose to have my fluted Criterion cut and p/w a rather heavy brake for a suppressor mount.

With a regular receiver set, full weight BCG, regular stock - how did you get down to 5 lbs flat? Is it really 5 flat?

How much does that handguard weigh, if you know?


I'm considering making a second upper with a pencil barrel and Brigand Arms Edge to go all the way and see what it's like at ~4lbs but I have a lower I'm going to finally SBR so I might just do it with that instead..

 

[Squid556]

Smoke Composites, V Seven, 2A Armament, Brigand Arms - all will be your friend.

I'm curious, on my lightweight build I could have saved around 7-8 more ounces going with a Faxon pencil or Gunner even but chose to have my fluted Criterion cut and p/w a rather heavy brake for a suppressor mount.

With a regular receiver set, full weight BCG, regular stock - how did you get down to 5 lbs flat? Is it really 5 flat?

How much does that handguard weigh, if you know?


I'm considering making a second upper with a pencil barrel and Brigand Arms Edge to go all the way and see what it's like at ~4lbs but I have a lower I'm going to finally SBR so I might just do it with that instead..

I love Vseven’s stuff! But I won’t let myself afford it. 2A armament has been a great source to find some weight savings! I think I’m going to end up with their Palouse lower and several of their other weight saving lower items.

BCM PKMR handguard comes in at 7.2 oz

Streamlight Polytac with Chineseium keymod mount only 5.3 oz

Bare rifle is 5 1/4 pounds. My new scale doesn’t quite agree with the old analog scale I first used to weigh the rifle.

Might upset the apple cart here but I think I’m going to ditch the forward assist. Never once used it in the military and I only like to use it for hunting which this build doesn’t get used for. Gonna experiment swapping my non FA Anderson upper that I used on the “Stonikov” build.

 

[Romero Zombie]

Here is a lightweight build I did recently. Haven’t tested it yet. 5 pounds 8 ounces.

INGO Lower Receiver $90
Faxon 16” Gunner Barrel $166.25
Faxon Lightweight BCG $248.99
Aero Precision Upper $94.99
VG6 Titanium Epsilon Brake(clone)$80.00
Noveske QD End Plate $23.76
DPMS Castle Nut $3.99
Magpul MOE+ Grip $22.75
VLTOR Buffer Tube $37.99
M.I. 3GML Handguard $159.95
Magpul MOE Trigger Guard $8.50
Wilson Combat Gas Tube $18.29
Geissele Super 42 Buffer/Spring $65.00
Radian Talon Safety $47.45
Radian Raptor Charging Handle $75.95
LANTAC Titanium Takedown Pins $35.99
Titanium Mag Release $25.00
Seekins Mag Release Button $5.69
Seekins Bolt Catch $12.34
Sig Sauer ROMEO5X/XDR $249.99
V7 Titanium Mag Release $39.50

 

[Gabriel]

This is my lightest rifle. I didn't mean for it to be a light build, but more of a simple build. It's right at 7 pounds, but feels like a toy compared to my other ARs.

 

[hammerd13]

Here's one, weighing in at 6lb 3oz. Not super-light, but not a pig either.

• Sons of Liberty upper and lower
• Faxon 16" Gunner barrel
• Superlative Arms adjustable gas block
• Daniel Defense BCG
• Timney Competition trigger
• Timber Creek build kit
• BATTLELINK Minimalist Milspec Stock
• Sig Romeo 5 red dot