I posted this over at WEVO as well but thought I would post it here to maybe illicit some more responses.
Lightweight seems to be the trend these days. When I put together this BCM 16in Midlength Bravo Company had just introduced BFH barrels, I don’t believe the LW barrels were even out yet. None the less, I wasn’t very interested. After more learning occurred I find my self now wanting an LW barrel and I’ve been thinking about maybe going with the DD MFR as my current rifle weighs as configured at a heafty 8.5 lbs unloaded and 9 lbs loaded.
My first question is, is an 8.5lb 16in AR-15 considered heavy or is that fairly normal these days? Next is what could be done to cut weight with out getting extreme? What could the weight potentially be cut down to? What I have been considering doing is Replacing the barrel with a LW 16in, DD MFR 12.0 and perhaps replacing the stock with either an LMT SOPMOD or VLTOR I-MOD.
Typically a fully-loaded 3-round Pmag is right around 1 lbs. so something is off in your numbers.
First, as someone that’s been interested in reducing weight for quite some time, I want to be clear that the goal is to reduce weight WITHOUT sacrificing function. For example, if you need a NV laser then you cannot simply dump it to save weight. Similarly dumping an optic and going to irons only just to save weight is not part of the program. It’s also not about chasing numbers to chase numbers. If you think you’d prefer the rifle to be lighter then make it lighter, but don’t look at someone else saying they have a 7.5 lbs rifle and think “man, mine’s 8.5 lbs I’m doing something wrong”.
The “fat” on your gun is in the following areas:
[ul]
[li]Barrel[/li][li]Rail[/li][li]VFG [/li][li]Stock[/li][/ul]
I could quantify those weights but you could Google just as easily as I can.
My weapon is very close to yours as far as weight. Probably just a touch heavier. My setup is very similar but the biggest difference is that I have a UBR stock instead of the Emod. Here’s a pic of mine
I’ve thought about changing out the stock, the rails and the VFG. On the other hand I’m using a VCAS sling and the weight is easily manageable. I love the UBR stock, which weighs a ton, so I’m at a standstill. Over all though it weighs about 8.5lbs empty and 9.5lbs or so with a full mag. Making those changes I could probably knock off 1lb to 1.5lbs but the weight just doesn’t bother me that much right now.
Thanks Rob, the 9 lbs was incorrect, the scale actually said 9.4. I’m going to look seriously into a SOPMOD, MFR Rail and a LW barrel. If I could shave 2 lbs off the rifle that would be awesome, however I’m not sure that’s possible.
If going with the MFR Rail, what would be a good way to mount a two point sling? I was thinking about using a small section of rail to attach Gear Sector mount at the back of the tube.
My carbine for comparison, a bit more modest 16" midlength that weighs 6.93 lbs.
16" standard BCM upper
H1 in a DD mount
All Magpul Moe furniture
No light
I really dont care much about actual weight…obviously i do but i will explain. I feel balance is more important. My BCM rifle is set up close to same as my Colt…only main difference is my colt has an eotech and the bcm has a t1. I know it is probably half a pound or so there and the bcm is a 14.5 middy and colt is 16. I will say it is a pound or so heavier in reality but the felt difference is huge. The balance and weight distribution of my bcm makes the colt feel like a boat anchor.
Funny that you posted this, I just pulled the trigger on a LW BFH to replace my gov’t profile BFH and will be putting an MFR on it.
8.5 lbs isn’t terrible, but I say if you’re looking to shave some weight the aforementioned modifications make sense - do it. It’s not like your rifle will suddenly become feather light but you know what they say, ounces equal pounds & pounds equal pain.
On mine, I expect to realistically lose maybe half a pound out front, if that, considering a change of barrel profile, shaved front base, different rail (gov’t profile has a lite FSPM) and ditching an AFG and rail panels. A little more weight will come off the rear going from an Emod to either an Imod or CTR. You’ll likely be looking at pretty similar weight savings. The rifle will likely balance about the same, but be lighter all around and probably “drive” a bit faster due to being lighter out front. That’s the theory anyway.
Oh, and another sling mount choice for the MFR would be the IWC option for 1.75" tubes here.
Mine is 6.8lbs. Though the accuracy of that measurement may be off as I don’t have a fancy little scale like rob_s so I had to settle for the “weigh myself holding the gun/ weigh myself w.o and subtract” method.
I have a:
–LMT upper
–DD Omega rails (nothing currently on them)
–Eotech XPS
–CTR Stock
–MBUS
–VTAC sling
The only reason I weighed it is because more than a few people have told me that it was “really light”.
My current setup is a KAC SR-15 upper on a LMT lower with the following aftermarket parts:
Magpul CTR
Magpul XTM rail covers
Aimpoint M4s with QRP2 mount
This carbine, as currently configured, weighs 7.8 lbs. I still have to add a light and sling. I like the weight and balance of the gun as is, so I’ll probably add a SureFire X300 to make it right around 8 lbs.
I could probably shave another 10 ounces by replacing the M4s with a T1 and the XTMs with ladder covers, but weight isn’t the only consideration for me. I don’t like the feel of metal, so I think I’ll keep the XTMs. And I’ve read that T1/H1 models aren’t as forgiving of poor head placement, so it isn’t the best choice for me given my inexperience. Not to mention I love the fact that the M4s uses readily available AA batteries. So I’m keeping my AR the way it is. Running a light rifle is good, but ultimately you have to go with what works best for you even if it does weigh a little more.
My basic rifles tend to be between 6.0 and 6.25 lbs. They generally have CTR’s, TG battle grips, Troy flip ups front and rear and either 14.5 or 16 barrels, usually pencil barrels. By the time I add T-1’s, Surefire Scouts or mini’s, slings and hardware, and a loaded mag they genrally are between 7.75 and 8.0 lbs. ready to go.
I’ve found that a pencil barrel saves about 4 ozs. and that not all are the same. I’ve never miked them but I suspect the DD pencils tend to be a bit lighter than BCM but haven’t weighed them. I suspect this as 2 of my carbines weigh the same and are set up the same with the exception of a DD 16" on one and a BCM 14.5 tube on the other. Everything else is the same yet there is less than an oz. difference between the 2.
The older standard Vltor stock is lighter than a CTR or MOE, which surprised me. Your rail tends to add a bit of weight. I like the Larue system but it’s not the lightest out there.
