Right on 7lbs
Cameron
Thank you. I’m trying to make my next build a little lighter and more manageable. The decisions include whether to hold off for the BCM 14.5" lightweight middy and then also whether to go with the 12" DD Lite rail or save about 4 oz. and go with the 11" TRX extreme (I still have some questions about it durability though for hard use)
Nice rifle, Cameron! And congrats on the little one!
Like Icculus I’m on the fence deciding between this upper and the soon to be released LW 14.5" midlength. (It’ll be for my wife also.)
Does BCM list the weights of both uppers? Hope someone knows since I haven’t found them. I’m guessing about half a pound difference but would like to be sure. If it’s less than that, no reason to wait.
I think the whole counting ounces thing is over rated, you can see my wife is part pixie, at 5’4" and 120lbs and has no problem with an 8 or even 9lb rifle. Performance parameters should trump weight.
Cam
Just a standard spring. I get em cheap and replace em often. I’m thinking about trying a Springco.
I hear ya.
If you decide to test-drive the springco, I’m assuming you’d use the ‘blue’ standard power spring? I’d love a range report if you do try it out.
I can’t get a straight answer on whether the blue spring is truly ‘standard power’ or if it’s slightly stronger than a stock buffer spring.
Thanks for the write-up, congrats on the baby!
I’ve been thinking about a 5.56mm upper, and BCM looks like the way to go.
I want to try a Blue and Red spring with various buffers and see what happens to the recoil impulse. I’m pretty sure a Red spring and H3 would be too much but I’d like to see what a Red spring and an H or H2 does and a Blue spring with H3.
That makes two of us. Let me know what you discover.
Thanks for the write up and videos. So from what I’ve read, I take it that the H3 is the buffer that will give this weapon the lightest recoil? What were your impressions of the H, H2 & H3 with the BCM 14.5 Middy?
Posted this link in the ‘AR-15 Buffer Hi-Speed video’ thread:
http://www.heavybuffers.com/ar15carbine.html
Found some super heavy buffers there. Anybody use them or know anybody else who does?
It seems the heaviest anybody has used have been the H3 so far (the 9mm buffer not having reciprocating weights and not being usable for 5.56 AR’s due to bolt bounce).
I am currently using 9mm buffers in my 16" M4 and 10.5" SBR (both 5.56) with no problem at all. I thought “bolt bounce” was only something encountered with select-fire guns?
I would encourage you to read this thread and scoot on over to http://vuurwapenblog.com to see the really neat (and informative) high speed video tests. The 9mm buffer displayed the highest amount of bolt bounce of any buffer tested (Carbine, H, H2, H3, 9mm, Rifle, Spike’s ST-T2).
The H2 and H3’s offered less perceived recoil and the lowest levels of bolt bounce in a carbine stock setup.
I saw this rifle over in the AR-15 pictures thread and really like it. Good choices on parts and configuration, and it looks good to boot.
All that and a wife with trigger control to boot.
While these mid length gas carbines run very smoothly and seem to work well with the heavier buffers, always remember that the heavier buffers can lead to short stroking with ammo that may be under powered.
Cam
I can’t take the credit for this carbine, the professionals at Bravo Company spec’d it out and put it together for my wife. She literally asked BCM for a light, soft shooting weapon this is what they recommended.
Cameron
The H3 ran and locked the bolt back with Hornady Steel Cased practice ammo. But it was really close to the short stroke realm… I mean you could definitely tell by feel.
H buffer was functional, H2 felt close to the H buffer and functioned just as well so I’m sticking with the H2. H3 would likely run great on full powered ammo, but H2 runs good across the board.
Is a 1x9 optic to much for a 14.5?
Nice rifle, and you just got to love that color. I take it you bought direct? Whenever i have contacted them, great service.
