it would appear that this year is going to be quite the year for the lighweight barrel profile. As someone who has been a big fan of this profile, and owned carbines with almost entirely barrels in the .625" diameter, I have to say I’m impressed (and feeling a little vindicated as well).
Couple this with all the recent claims of free float tubes getting lighter and lighter and it sounds like there are a whole lot of lightweight projects in the works for a whole lot of people.
My own plan right now is for a 14.5", carbine-length gas (maybe mid-length), with a 9.0 Troy Xtreme Vtac tube and either a chopped FSB or lightest low-pro gasblock I can find. Thinking either MBUS or DD BUIS, and either an H-1 in Larue mount or Trijicon TA44SG-10 in LT mount. Might consider alternate mounts if they prove to be lighter. Probably keep it 14.5" and use it on an SBR lower but may pin one of the new AAC Breakout brake/hider mounts (would really like it if the non-mount version came out soon).
Got a lightweight planned? What’s your plan? Why? What makes you interested in the lightweight barrels vs. what’s out there now?
I’m excited at the new lightweight prospects for this year as well. The upper I was envisioning the other day (reading Grant’s thread about DD pencil barrels) sounds a lot like what you’re describing Rob: 14.5" carbine with some version of that Troy/VTAC tube, an H-1 on a DD mount (appears to be lighter than the LT - is it?) and (perhaps) Gen 2 MBUS sights. Keep it 14.5" and run it on my SBR lower.
For me, lighter has always been better. I settled for M4 barrels for years because they were lightest that were easily available and affordable to me. Never particularly liked them. Glad to see plenty of high quality, reasonably priced pencil barrels coming to market.
I think last year was sort of the “Year of the Middy.”
I see the lightweight barrels as part of a larger trend toward weight conciousness. Aimpoint T-1s, lighter rails, smaller lights, etc. For a long time I think people have been throwing stuff on their AR’s without paying any attention to weight, and are surprised and disappointed when their rifle ends up weighing 10+ lbs. It’s a great development IMHO.
I have a 6520 that I’ve been mulling over how to set up. But with all these new products coming out, I may just sell it and start over.
It I was to start from scratch, I’d probably get one of those BCM uppers and a BCM lower. From there I’d have to spend some time researching the various options and finding what offers the most performance per ounce.
anyone have a Cavalry Arms polymer lower to attest to the weight reduction?
If i was building an all out light weighter:
Cavalry Arms polymer lower/buttstock piece
middy, lightweight barrel, with FST
middy MOE handguards
T1 type optic
I’m thinking pencil is just one facet of (a) market recovery and (b) access to guns. And it’s a good facet! I still like the N4 profile…and I presume it could be “year in which many great things come into fruition with the AR.”
Cav Arms lowers are exceptionally light. I sold a couple last year. The only thing that concerned me was that mags wouldn’t drop free from them. I’m not sure if anyone has solved that issue with a little sanding, but I’m sure it’s very possible.
I think that comes from people getting out and using them. I’ve been attending training classes for a few years now and in the last year or two it’s REALLY seemed to explode. I don’t know that any one instructor is busier but there are sure an awful lot more “instructors” doing it.
I think with use comes a focus on weight after the shooter gets overly tired by TD1 or TD2 and has trouble supporting the gun.
I agree with this observation. I’ve a couple builds in mind but I’m not sure if they’re strictly “lightweight” builds. Every now and then I mull over a good “walking gun”, but I’ve never actually planned out a gun that is designed from the onset to be as lighweight as possible while still being functional. This probably has to do with my lack of rifle experience and not knowing from first-hand experience what I would need from the rifle and what I could make due without. I suppose I envision the SBR I want to build as being my lightweight build, even though it doesn’t use a lightweight or pencil barrel.
Oh, and thank you for pointing out that AAC Breakout, Rob. That looks like a winner for sure.
14.5 LW BBL
vortex or surefire hider
11’’ vtac extreme handguards
milspec upper/lower/trigger-group
TR44SR-10 or an RMR
Troy or Larue/DD BUIS
Noveske sling plate with a vltor std modstock
I’m guessing rainier will be getting the new barrels if daniel defense is making them.
I’m surprised by this. Is it because shooters are out of shape? Most of the time the gun is supported by the sling from my own course experiences at EAG and others. I could see this if you are hiking long distance or going over rough terrain like for a recon, but personally, it doesn’t seem that big of a deal to me as a civvy. Then again, I was never one to tote around netbooks instead of laptops while I traveled either.
Curious as to what is the tradeoff? Barrel heats up faster? Maybe fails faster under sustained fire? If there is no tradeoff then this is a no-brainer for me and a lot of folks, as why not save a few pounds (vs the laptop example, where the netbook gives up DVD drive, has shorter battery life, etc – def fits a certain user profile, but not others)
I’m sure it’s all those. Especially having less material means more heat will pass through. I remember seeing a video of barrel bending trough continous full-auto rate of fire.
Heats up faster and also cools faster. No discernible impact on accuracy with sustained semi-auto firing within my own use and given the kind of ammo that most people shoot.
I frankly think this is as much a realistic view of the end use as anything else. The HBAR lie that was foisted on all of us is pretty well dispelled at this point and putting XM193 or Wolf ammo through a barrel that’s supposedly maximized for accuracy is just silly.
The idea of “sustained fire” actually goes right along with this. What does that mean? Why are you doing it? What are you hoping to achieve? Do you need gnat’s ass accuracy AND a high rate of fire?
Lightweight barrels won’t be for everyone, but it’s been my opinion for a very long time that the profile makes the most sense for the most users by a huge margin.
I want an 11.5" pencil barrel with a total build that’s as light as practicable with alloy receivers and good gas management. I’d be interested in a 16" middy pencil build too.
I think the old thoughts that a rifle was for shooting 100 yds + has given way to the CQB rifle. There the emphasis is on fast handling rather than pinpoint accuracy in the prone position. I think we’ll continue to see lighter builds and ultra lightweight materials showing up in non-traditional areas.
I have a 6933 upper now. My 1st AR was a Colt mid-ban 16" Lightweight and I could have sworn the O.D. of that barrel was smaller than the 6933’s? The 6933’s profile seems more M4’ish without the cut.
It wouldn’t be the first time I was wrong if I am though.
