I have just completed part 1 of a 3 part series of articles I am writing about how balance affects the employment of an AR-15 carbine. In this first part, I discuss how balance is determined and what small changes affect balance. Part 2 involves balance relative to intended usage, and Part 3 will involve range time with carbines that have various (forward, neutral, rear) centers of gravity.
You can access the article here. Questions and comments are welcome.
Good article. 
It is just like fitting shotguns, after eye position, how it balances is just as important for good handling and shooting performance.
Excellent information, 87GN, and a pleasure to read since it’s also well written.
Thank you for the great information. Right before you posted this I posted a question that your info really helped answer.
Thanks
Excellent post and I look forward to your follow up articles.
USGILT
Good stuff! Now I need to build a similar rig and balance my carbines.
I agree. I try and make my rifle fit like my shotguns and have the rifle balance slightly forward (slightly). Balance and fit good hand in hand. Good article explaining balance.
Good article 87GN. A lot of folks neglect proper balance in their AR, hanging all kinds of shit on it, without considering weight & balance in it’s function, application and manipulation.
great article, and I would like to know how you made the device that you use on the rail to suspend the rifle…
I am not sure that I understand all that I know about the balance of a rifle.
What roll does the pivot point Or the butt of the stock play, sence all movement is forward of this point as opposed to the ballance point?
Would placing weight closer to the pivot point help the rifle point faster than placing the weight closer to the balance point. Next is better handling defined by ease of carry or speed on target?
Good read how did you make the rail mounted string attachment?
Excellent article. I need to reconsider my choice of stocks. I really have to try different configs to determine what feels “right” since, overall balance appears is more important to a quick handling/point carbine than overall weight, apparently.
The pictures really helped illustrate your points.
Good read, thanks for sharing that with us.
The CG of a shoulder fired weapon doesn’t have as much effect as a lot of people seem to imply. The simple reality that the stock is stuck to the shoulder and the gun is supported by two hands makes a big difference in where weight helps and hurts and how the gun will feel in hand or when transitioning between targets.
How the user holds the gun will have a greater difference in felt weight and balance than any other factor. The more rearward the support hand is placed the more CG will effect the shooter. The more forward the support hand is placed the less the CG will matter.
Before everyone goes out and buys new stocks and flash suppressors, work on your ability to use what you have and see what effect technique and proficiency have on how the gun feels.
Bushmaster and others seem to sell a fair amount of their 20 inch HBAR’s, and those could be considered a wee bit heavy on the forward end 
When I shot match we used to fill the buttstock storage compartment with lead and stick strips of tire wheel weight tapes into the area between the plastic handguard and the heat-shield. Most of these service match AR’s weighed in at around 12 pounds.
My current Recce build has a 16 inch heavy barrel and a EMOD collapsible stock, I don’t find it out of balance or front heavy.
I’m not saying that CG is the end-all indicator of how a weapon will shoot. I am saying that it is a piece of the puzzle that may be interesting to look at for people looking to get the most out of a setup they may already be comfortable with. Alternately, people who have X amount of cash who are looking to buy a rifle might want to take it into account when ordering stuff.
Wait for the second and third parts, you’ll see where I’m going with it…
It’s the QD attachment from a LaRue FUG with a countersunk bolt and nut attached.
I just hung my carbine and it works out about even maybe a bit to the rear not much.
Like the article may learn some things.
And I was not saying that you did ;).
I was addressing those that chimed in (or are thinking along the same lines but did not post) that they need to swap this or that on their guns.
It’s a problem with breaking something down into multiple parts, and the way you did it. With an entire article devoted to balancing the gun at the slip-ring, many people will assume that this is important to making the gun shootable. Wihtout the other two parts readily available to follow your hypothesis and experience it leaves readers to their own devices. While you are not to blame for other’s perception, it is understandable how some can be side-tracked.
Personally I like to see a project write-up at its conclusion, not part-way through, for a few reasons.