Not a build, an assembly...but still. Lightweight hammer-forged midlength...

[QuietShootr]

We'll see how this turns out. As I may have mentioned before, I like light fighting guns. I have been reliably informed via PM that this is because I'm a pussy, but I digress.

I got an M&P15-22 MOE a few months ago to set up as a trainer, and I love the way it handles. Even with a light, VFG, and RDS mounted, that M&P is as easy to handle as a swagger stick - and light is good if you're actually going to train and use the thing. I like it so much so I thought I'd try to build a light but battle-worthy 5.56 that would feel as much like it as possible.


Parts:
RRA lower, checked to verify mag well and pin holes are OK
Colt LPK (from G&R)
Colt receiver extension, buffer, and Brownells CS carbine spring
BCM BFH .625 lightweight midlength upper
BCM M16 MPI BCG
BCM Gunfighter Mod 4 charging handle
MOE stock, grip, handguard, and VFG in FDE
MBUS rear sight in FDE
MOE rail light mount
Aimpoint M3 in ADM mount

I'll post pics and weight when I get it together. It should be a VERY pleasant handling gun.

Now waiting for the boxes to get here :-D

ETA: using the vuurwapen weight calculation tool, it looks like this will come out to be 7.1# unloaded as it sits, 7.44 pounds dry with a Surefire G2LED in a Vltor mount. That should be nice indeed.

[Todd.K]

I like light fighting guns. I have been reliably informed via PM that this is because I'm a pussy

Do people really not know what M4/Gov profile is under the handguards?

[QuietShootr]

Do people really not know what M4/Gov profile is under the handguards?

I guess not. I think it's also a case of Internet Commando syndrome - where the bitcher has never had to carry a rifle farther than the parking lot to the bench.

[krichbaum]

I built a 'lightweight' middie kind of by accident, as a couple spare parts sprouted into this whole new carbine. Some of the parts on mine are different from yours, but the bulk of it is very similar. For what it's worth, as pictured less the mag it weighs in at exactly 7 lbs. To me, it makes for a really nice package with everything I need and nothing I don't. You're gonna love yours.

[jet80tv]

How's that troy fixed sight workin for you? Was thinkin of gettin one

[Dionysusigma]

I built a 'lightweight' middie kind of by accident, as a couple spare parts sprouted into this whole new carbine. Some of the parts on mine are different from yours, but the bulk of it is very similar. For what it's worth, as pictured less the mag it weighs in at exactly 7 lbs. To me, it makes for a really nice package with everything I need and nothing I don't. You're gonna love yours.

http://www.krichbaum.net/gallery/alb...1280x45029.jpg

And mine is nearly identical to this one as well, but with a UBR (for the time being - going to swap it out with a MOE and Vltor A5), no reflex sight, no paint, and Daniel Defense A1.5 instead of Troy.

Seems this setup is a good choice for many.

[markm]

Do people really not know what M4/Gov profile is under the handguards?

For a dozen years or more, my outside gun was a 20" Hbar. When I replaced the barrel with an FNMI M16 barrel I thought I'd have to tether it to the Earth it felt so light.

[Todd.K]

I'm OK with people who like a heavier barrel. It's just people who like M4/A2 profiles but talk down about lightweight barrels.

[markm]

I know what you're saying. Just carrying an HBAR around for so long makes EVERYTHING seem like a feather build.

[QuietShootr]

I'll post some pics tomorrow. It came in at just over 7.5 pounds unloaded and it feels pretty damn good. I'm going to order some more Colt LPKs from Grant before they're gone.

The proof will be in the shooting, but the handling is nice. The configuration as it sits now (a couple of things wound up being different from the original list.)

RRA lower, G&R Colt LPK
BCM BFH 16" lightweight midlength upper
BCM M16 BCG
BCM Gunfighter Mod 4
Magpul MOE stock, forend, pistol grip, VFG, and one short rail section
Magpul MBUS rear
Aimpoint M3 in ADM mount
Knight's Armament singlepoint sling QD mount plate (and THAT was fun to put on.)
Surefire G2LED in VTAC mount
Brownells CS carbine buffer spring

The only question I have to work out is the buffer. All I had on hand was a standard carbine buffer, so I'll be ordering an H and an H2 to test. I like the heaviest buffer a gun will run with.

Shooting tests to follow...