Your opinion on a lightweight BCG?

AR/M4 AR General Discussion
1

So the wife said one of the most exciting things ever. “Babe, would you ever build me my own AR?” :blink: I can think of few things she could ask me that would make me as excited as I was at that point. Shes in love with OD Green so I sourced out a receiver set and buffer tube from Geissele in OD green…Give me a second…

Anyways

I’d like to keep it as light as possible while reliability somewhat high. My idea so far is a Faxon Firearms Gunner lightweight BCG and pair it with a Superlative Arms adjustable gas block (I love those things!) and pair it all with as light of a buffer as possible. Overall goal/idea is below…

  • Lightweight BCG and buffer (maybe spring too?) would make it easier for her to charge the firearm.
  • Little recoil
  • She complains about the weight of my ARs so this will keep her motivated and want to shoot hers.
    Less recoil.
  • I THINK the gas block adjustability will keep the reliability high enough.

Thoughts?

2

Unless you are building a race gun, or an AR that will never be used for defensive purposes then you should NEVER use lightweight reciprocal mass parts. No lightweight BCGs, carbine buffer or lightweight hammers should ever go into a serious use gun.

3

What’s the weight difference between an m16 carrier and a lightweight carrier? 2 oz.? Maybe 3? And the difference going to a carbine buffer from an H buffer, 1 oz.?

I don’t do the lightweight carrier/agb thing but it seems to me that’s not the place to save weight if a lightweight build is your goal. Adding expense and potential tuning issues to save 3 or 4 ounces doesn’t make sense to me. Barrel and handguard choice I think is the place to focus to drop easy weight. Just my opinion.

4

I think you are compromising reliability to save a few ounces.

Go with a light weight barrel and rail to save weight. Keep the working parts of the gun the way they are supposed to be.

5

The WWSD2020 rifle is under 5 pounds with a standard weight carrier and a JP silent spring which I think weighs more than the standard setup.

I’m not saying I agree with all their choices, just showing that really light weight can be done saving weight elsewhere.

6

I’m not sure what rail I want to go with. I really want to say Geissele to match…But the only size they have is the 10" overpriced Federal overrun rails $$$$$ and then that will doom me to build her a pistol 10.5

Barrel will probably be a BA or Faxon pencil.

7

I have a build with 14.5” Faxon Gunner, Superlative Adjustable Gasblock, lightweight BCG and muzzle brake. It shoots noticeably softer than my other ARs, but is meant for recreational use. Although I’ve not had a problem with it, I do keep it clean and well-lubed. The BCG is only 2-3 ounces lighter than M16 and it uses a standard spring and carbine buffer, so it’s not that far from a semi-auto carrier setup.

IMO, AR pistols with adjustable gas are definitely the way to go if lightweight and light recoil are the main priorities.

8

Has it ever failed to fire?

9

I had similar goals for my first AR build. I chose the Brownells lightweight BCG in nitride paired with an H3 buffer. This shifted the center of mass rearward making the gun feel lighter when shouldered.

10

double

11

So has it had any failures?

12

It hasn’t been fired enough to assert reliability but it seems to run well with XM193 and PMAGs.

The first Faxon pencil barrel had to be exchanged because of a bad chamber but if as light as possible is the priority it may be worth the roulette.

13

My setup hasn’t hiccuped in over 500 rounds. When I tuned the gas block, I set it to fully cycle with PMC Bronze and a loose grip away from my shoulder. My range ammo usually alternates between PMC Bronze and Wolf Gold. I can go one or two clicks lower on the gas block for Wolf Gold if I wanted to.

14

This.
Save weight on the barrel and handguard instead.

15

What lightweight bcg do you run?

16

The most light weight and low recoil AR I’ve EVER shot is the BCM 14.5 middy with KMR rail and their gunfighter comp. Nothing comes close at all.

Forget the gimmick parts. I wish I could loan my BCM middy out. It’s unbelievable.

17

I agree with those that suggest finding other ways to cut ounces.

Geissele makes a nice rail, but they’re not what I consider to be lightweight.

I’ve got a couple BCM Magnesium/Aluminum KMRs that have held up well so far.

18

I am also in the camp of forget about low mass carrier gimmicks. Stick with what works, save weight at the rail and barrel.

19

G rails are not very light. Midwest makes a 12.65" rail that weighs 7.9 oz installed https://www.midwestindustriesinc.com/MI-ULW12-625-p/mi-ulw12.625.htm

I would rather save weight there than at the carrier.

Andy

20

Just use an AR-15 carrier then at least its reliable.