I dont need a forward assist. The option to put on a dust cover door would be nice be nice but is not necessary. I am happy with forged uppers, the Tacti-Cool Billets are great looking but not worth the extra $$$ to me.
Anyone have any suggestions for a good LW upper? From the list above or others? Also I would be thrilled to hear about any deals currently offered.
One of the forged ones without forward assist. That would be #s 4 and 7 from your list, or the AIM Surplus one linked above this post. I have the same type sold by Rainier Arms (I think their house brand is made by MEGA, but I’m not sure) and like it. AeroPrecision is a known quantity to me and is good quality. I’ve read good reviews of Anderson but have no experience with them.
FYI, #6 in your list is an ultra heavy receiver made by DPMS. It’s meant for benchrest type guns and I don’t think it’s lighter than standard - in fact probably a couple ounces heavier than standard.
I’m in the process of putting together a Noveske 14.5 “Skinny” barrel (same as Thunder Ranch barrel) with a V7 Upper (no forward assist or port door), a KMR 10 with a V7 Ti barrel nut Ti clamps and a Boomfab BCG
Have a Scalar mount and a T-2 for it so it should come in pretty light…
I used the 2AA Balios Lite upper and lower. It is the lightest on your list. The fit and finish are excellent. If you don’t want to spend that much, the Aero Precision would be my choice. I don’t have their slickside upper but I have three of their regular uppers. They are a great value.
To me, it looks like there is minimal weight savings to be had in the upper receiver.
The barrel and handguard/rail seem like the highest return areas.
The stock too, but a bit of weight in the stock may actually help balance the gun rearwards and paradoxically make it feel a bit lighter.
I realize this is a very old thread, but was disappointed to receive a DSA enhanced lightweight upper today, with titanium FA and door, it is 8.0 oz. So their specs of it being 5.8 or .385lb may be accurate, but only for the stripped upper, and not with FA and door installed. Looking for a slickside now.
Just curious, but what is the intent of the carbine? Saving a few ounces in the center of the weapon does little to offset the actual feel of the weapon… Swap that weight savings around and save weight off the front, and the difference becomes noticeable.
By no means am I suggesting you stop working on whatever your end goal is, but rather, I bring it up simply so you keep the end result along the lines of what you envision. If your end goal is simply to be as light as possible with stock parts, that is great. If it is to have the best feeling or handling carbine to actually use, you may find a slightly different direction is what you seek.
I don’t see the downside of having it.
You could use it to “quietly chamber a round”, or to close the bolt when doing a visual check to see if the bolt picked up a round.
choices is what makes this so much fun. to each their own. if you like 'em, use 'em!
me, i go with Curtis LaMay’s idea for the slickside. no extra weight, fewer parts, nothing sticking out, nothing to catch a fingernail on when charging, no chance of forcing in a round that shouldn’t be loaded. i’ve never regretted not having one in the last 45 years.
Old thread, but I just built an AR for a handicapped individual. I used a Spikes matched receiver set then went lightweight everywhere else (Rail, barrel, block, stock, etc). Receivers are only going to save a few ounces and you might sacrifice durability and life.
The lightest uppers out there that are still strong are the 2A Balios Lite Gen 1 or 2 and the V7 2055 upper. While the weight may not matter much, you give up nothing and have a very strong base material with great machining and finish. If you are doing an ultralight but fully fuctional build, those are the best choices. You save at most a about 4oz with light upper and lower and I can tell you from experience you want matched sets if the upper and lower fit matter to you.
The Balios Lite lowers have the screwed base for the rear takedown spring, like the Aero Gen 2, the built in accu wedge screw adjustment and a screw in bolt release pin that all end up making fit and assembly a breeze. I own 2 sets and cannot recommend then enough.
Hopefully, my next build will be off a V7 reciever set in 2055 aluminum, to get more strength than stock, with the same low weight.
I don’t know if they are “lightweight”, but I really don’t like the forward assist either and have a few of the rainier arms uppers without it. Not sure who makes them for Rainier.
