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You could just get a pistol AR, sub-16" barrel, with something like a Sig brace.
Easy way to lighten the AR, and make it more compact.
You will pay for this with more muzzle blast, flash, compromised ballistic performance.
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?146386-Noveske-Ultralight-(Update)
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?169707-Project-�berlight-sub-4lb-SBR-sub-5lb-suppressed-SBR
My links may be of use to you.
If not going SBR you may want to give Tennessee Arms Co nylon lowers a good look. They are lighter than Mag Tactical’s cast magnesium lower and more trustable IMO. I would recommend to buy a few and shake them out first but they will work with you if you get one that needs replacement.
-Tennessee Arms Company Hybrid Nylon polymer brass reinforced lower receiver: 5.6oz stripped
http://www.tnarmsco.com/hybrid-polymer-lower-receiver-any-color-free-shipping/?page_context=category&faceted_search=0
I’ve got one last ultralight build up my sleeve, it has the same goals as you: HD ready and reliable, close to 5lbs.
Not going pistol for range/ lethality reasons.
Anyone else used the Tennessee Arms Co? Looks awesome.
I’ve built 3 so far…fitting seems a little tight but so far so good. One lower has seen about 2k rds including a carbine course.
You already have some key lightweight boxes checked.
- LW barrel, fluted at that
- BMC KMR, the lightest handguard on the market
That takes care of pretty much everything at the most critical part of the gun (as these 2 parts sit so far forward of the center of mass).
Other then that, you have the gas block and muzzle device. V7 and SLR seem to be a rock solid outfits. They likely have something for these parts in Titanium.
Other then that, I personally don’t mess with lightweight unknown (to me anyways) BCGs, triggers and sights.
Get a BCM BCG, an ALG trigger (good trigger at a reasonable price) and an Aimpoint Micro.
All are light, don’t rest far from the center of mass, and above all reliable.
As others have already said, the stock is the least critical area for weight loss as far as agility in pointing the gun goes, being the furthest back from the center of mass.
I just purchased a brand new Colt LE 6720… Extremely light and handy(6lb range). NOT a build, but an option and a great baseline rifle to modify. Just a thought.
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Yup, good stuff, if you don’t mind minor fitting (dremel makes it quick and easy).
Mine’s been through a couple carbine courses without a hiccup.
Let’s just say I went with the TN Arms Co lower. Anyone have suggestions for a lightweight upper? I’m considering getting one that leaves off the forward assist but keeps the ejection port cover.
I have 2 versions of Benito’s advice done for my wife and daughters. A DDV7 with CMR hand guard and basic stock and a BCM ELW w/ KMR w/ B5 stock. Both are plenty lightweight enough for them to shoot a couple of hours and are extremely reliable. Reliable and shootable were more important to us.
I built my wife a lightweight AR. I went with a carbine gas system for the shorter handguard to save weight. I’d rather trim there than mess with the bolt or carrier.
I built a 16" mid-length free float AR for my daughter that came in at 5.71# complete with Magpul BUIS sights.
I used readily available standard parts.
The only items that are specifically lightweight are the BCM 16" mid-length lightweight profile barrel and the CAR Fiberite replica buttstock that weighs 4.7 oz.
If I go with a BCM Gunfighter stock at 7.7 oz the overall weight jumps to 5.94#.
If you are interested I could post the full component list with the individual weights.
BrianM, absolutely. That would be great.
SquirrelTactical
Here is the parts breakdown.
Upper
Ranier Arms No FA w/Dust Cover 7.30 oz.
FA BCG w/ 158 Carpenter Bolt 11.60 oz.
BCM Gunfighter Mod. 4 Charging Handle 1.10 oz.
BCM 16" Mid-Length Lightweight Profile 1-7 Barrel 23.60 oz.
Vltor Clamp On Gas Block - Stainless Steel 0.625 Black 2.00 oz.
Gas Tube Mid-Length BCM 0.80 oz.
13" ALG Ergonomic Modular Rail (EMR) w/Bbl Nut 10.60 oz.
ALG Defense Single Chamber Brake (SCB) 2.00 oz.
Magpul MBUS Gen 2 Set 2.50 oz.
Upper Total 3.84# 61.50 oz.
Lower
Spikes Zombie Killer Stripped Lower 8.30 oz.
Magpul MOE K Grip 2.20 oz.
Magpul MOE Trigger Guard Black 0.20 oz.
ALG QMS Trigger/Hammer 2.40 oz.
Noveske STS 60° Ambi Safety 0.50 oz.
Umbrella LPK W/O FCG, TG, Selector 1.50 oz.
CAR Fiberite Stock, RE, Castle Nut, w/Car Buffer & Spring 14.80 oz.
Noveske End Plate, QD, Steel 0.51 oz.
Lower Total 1.90# 30.91 oz
Measured Total Actual Weight 5.71#
The combined weight adding the individual weights is 5.74#, the actual weight of the complete carbine is
5.71#, this amounts to a 0.48 oz difference.
All the components were weighed on my Kitchen cooking scale which measures to 0.2 oz.
The Buttstock assembly is a copy of the original Colt Carbine Fiberite Stock including the Receiver Extension,
Castle Nut, End Plate, Carbine Buffer and Spring. I purchased it from M&A parts. It is no longer available. The stock end plate was replaced with the Noveske Steel QD end plate.
The CAR Fiberite stock is one of the lightest available at 4.7 oz. It’s not as substantial as the BCM Gunfighter Buttstock and it doesn’t have as good a cheek weld either.
The BCM Gunfighter adds 3.0 oz. bringing the total weight up to 5.90#.
So, by using off the shelf parts you can build a lightweight/featherweight carbine under 6#.
My daughter has no problems handling the carbine.
I hope this helps.
If you have any questions please ask.
Brian
I recently picked up a SMOS upper receiver to try out. It’s now my favorite. And the second lightest I have found on the market behind the 2a and clean lines. The SMOS is 6.1oz.