Who builds the lightest AR-15 today? woman/kid

[500grains]

So looking at an AR-15 as a woman / kid gun, who makes the lightest one? Hopefully there is something out there as light as the Colt SP-1.

[SkiDevil]

Hello 500 Grains,
You may want to take a look over at the Daniel Defense website. They are now making a Pencil barrel AR. It is listed only as the upper, not as a complete rifle (see link).

-comparable pencil barrel model upper/ "Light-Weight" profile from BCM [no HFB like DD];http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-16-Mid-Length-LIGHT-WEIGHT-Upper-Receiver-p/bcm-urg-mid-16lw.htm

Also, although I wouldn't recommend it for defensive use but as a range gun a complete CMMG rifle with a pencil barrel was available at one time as well. Both rifles are supposed to be fairly light-weight. I checked through their site and didn't see it listed but it was offered at one time. Most of the manufacturers will build whatever you want so a phone call or e-mail may be worth your time to check. Same goes for Rock River Arms and a couple of the other similar class manufacturers like DPMS, etc. have similar offerings (same caveat/ range toys only).

Finally, not long ago there were a few threads regarding light-weight builds, you may want to search through the Custom Build and AR General threads for the particular postings. If I recall, this subject was discussed by Robs and GotM4.

Personally, I would *strongly recommend* checking-out the Daniel Defense Rifles or slapping together a rifle by building the lower and ordering an Upper from Daniel Defense or from BCM. If you opt to build your own rifle checking-out Rob's site Yellow tactical visor is highly recommended. As a matter of fact before ordering/ buying the gun it is a worthwhile read. His insight/ experience into what is really required/ useful for a Hard-Use and practical carbine is on point (link listed below).

Good Luck,
SkiDevil

LINKS:
http://cmmginc.secure-mall.com/shop/

http://www.danieldefense.com/?page=shop/detail&product_id=266

http://www.tacticalyellowvisor.net/8343/59827.html

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/AR15-Upper-Receiver-Groups-s/1.htm

READING:
SWAT Magazine article written by Tiger McKee regarding light-weight build AR, check back issues.

I found a summary of the article at;
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=431559

[ForTehNguyen]

if you want to go even more lightweight, have to cobble together parts vs a complete rifle. Using a pencil upper and a Cavalry Arms MkII lower. The lower is actually cheaper than a comparable aluminum lower because of the integrated buttstock. Cav Arms lower is worth looking into.

Carbine pencil upper will be slightly lighter than a midlength pencil. But carbine will have more recoil due to the gas system. My middy lightweight recoils more than my other middys just because the gun weighs less than my other setups by 2 lbs.

My Cav Arms + BCM middy LW upper setup weighs about 5.75lbs unloaded with iron sights only. Balanced well, the center of balance is somewhere around the magwell.

[TOrrock]

A Colt 6520 is a great carbine but it limits optics options.

A Daniel Defense lightweight flat top upper on a DD lower would probably get the nod from me.

[rob_s]

A Colt 6520 is a great carbine but it limits optics options.

Problem?

Solution! (https://policeguns.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=16_236&products_id=6615&osCsid=lq7n4ogmvfdbcsthk08uqvq4o0) :D

[Sam]

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=11101&langId=-1&productId=760612&tabselected=tech&isFirearm=Y&parent_category_rn=15702

Listed at 6 lbs is an accurate weigh. This rifle is very similar to one I assembled a couple months ago.

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/Lightweight_001.jpg

Even with the Streamlight and Burris red dot sight, mine is only 6.5 lbs.

[rob_s]

FWIW, I am building just such a gun as this. Building, IMHO, is going to get you lighter and better suited to your purposes.

My list of parts that I'm slowly accumulating:
Les Baer non-forward assist upper (http://www.lesbaer.com/223parts.html)
Daniel Defense 14.5" lightweight carbine barrel (http://www.danieldefense.com/?page=shop/detail&product_id=253)
PWS FS 556 (http://primaryweapons.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=9&idcategory=6) (or similar)
Troy Industries TRX Extreme 9.0 tube (http://store.troyind.com/9_TRX_Extreme_BattleRails_p/strx-eli-c8bt-00.htm)


Less certain about the lower. Thinking of using a Daniel Defense lower, probably an LPK that I have, Geisselle SSA trigger, one of the new Troy grips (http://store.troyind.com/Battle_Ax_CQB_Grip_Black_p/sgri-axp-00bt-00.htm), a standard M4 stock...

I'd like to top the whole thing with one of Trijicon's sub-compact 1.5x ACOGs with the green circle/dot reticule.

IMHO what you want to do on a lightweight build is balance the light weight with the recoil management and the recoil management with the back-blast.

[htxred]

as for complete rifle, KAC sr-15 is pretty light :D

[sonrider657]

I built this gun with a Cav Arms Lower, Carbon 15 Upper, and a Bushmaster Super Lightweight 16" barrel. The result is 5 lb. 1 oz (without magazine). It handles and shoots great. :)

http://www.christiancarnivore.com/magpul 2.jpg

[500grains]

Gentlemen, thank you for the excellent suggestions! I like the DD and Colt options best at this point, but I am going to investigate the others as well.

[rob_s]

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=11101&langId=-1&productId=760612&tabselected=tech&isFirearm=Y&parent_category_rn=15702

Listed at 6 lbs is an accurate weigh.

I find that S&W weight to be a little on the low side. I have a BCM 14.5" midlength with 11.0 Troy Extreme and it's 6 lbs 2 oz. I can't imagine that the longer barrel and tube doesn't weigh more.

[Warg]

I built this gun with a Cav Arms Lower, Carbon 15 Upper, and a Bushmaster Super Lightweight 16" barrel. The result is 5 lb. 1 oz (without magazine). It handles and shoots great. :)

http://www.christiancarnivore.com/magpul 2.jpg

What the consensus on the durability of these Bushy carbon uppers and how much lighter are they compared to a standard upper?

[TOrrock]

What the consensus on the durability of these Bushy carbon uppers and how much lighter are they compared to a standard upper?


Not good and should be avoided.

[Looey]

GotM4 does, you should PM him and ask him to build you one.

[sonrider657]

What the consensus on the durability of these Bushy carbon uppers and how much lighter are they compared to a standard upper?

I had heard the horror stories but built one anyway. It assembled exactly like an aluminum Upper and so far has performed flawlessly.

Full disclosure: I have not ran this gun very hard and it has less than 1,000 rounds through it.

[skyugo]

if you want to go even more lightweight, have to cobble together parts vs a complete rifle. Using a pencil upper and a Cavalry Arms MkII lower. The lower is actually cheaper than a comparable aluminum lower because of the integrated buttstock. Cav Arms lower is worth looking into.

Carbine pencil upper will be slightly lighter than a midlength pencil. But carbine will have more recoil due to the gas system. My middy lightweight recoils more than my other middys just because the gun weighs less than my other setups by 2 lbs.

My Cav Arms + BCM middy LW upper setup weighs about 5.75lbs unloaded with iron sights only. Balanced well, the center of balance is somewhere around the magwell.

the cav lowers are pretty neat, i had one with a lightweight CMMG upper on it. i never weighed the gun, but it was probably the lightest AR15 i've ever handled. ~6 lbs probably?

that said if this rifle is for a woman/child an adjustable stock may help more than having the absolute lightest lower.

[500grains]

I had heard the horror stories but built one anyway. It assembled exactly like an aluminum Upper and so far has performed flawlessly.

.

I have owned 2 of the Bushmaster carbon guns. The first I bought used. It would not feed, so I sent it back to BM and they fixed it for free. Then it fed but shot huge groups (XM193 ammo), and my confidence in it was already low. The other one I got new. It fed and ran fine, but also shot huge groups. So I ditched both of them. A shooting range near here that rents guns including MG to shooters had one of the BM carbon fibers, and customers shot it until the frame cracked.

Carbon fiber seems like a good idea, but my guess is it allows too much flex in the upper, resulting in poor accuracy, and the fiber frame needs an aluminum skeleton to stand up.

[Robb Jensen]

GotM4 does, you should PM him and ask him to build you one.

Thanks brother. Here's the hotlink to Project Featherweight (https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=39599&highlight=project+featherweight).