If by "mostly new components" you mean just a barrel and gas tube then ok. There's a lot of parts in an upper and changing two is not that bad, though you need some specific knowledge/tools.
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its funny, i know a few people in my area that went out and bought middies after the first few posts were made and the rage began. and they have no clue why they bought them. bandwagon maybe
I've purchased a middy. The decision is wether or not to keep the carbine. Based on what I'm hearing, I think I'm going to dump the carbine. The middies I've shot are much smoother and for follow up shots, its night and day. Plus, I don't have use for two AR's (that's code for the wife will only let me keep one :eek:).
Thanks for the feedback.
AMMAC
I never owned a carbine-length until I bought an SBR. Originally, when I bought my first AR15's, I hadn't discovered M4C or LF, and just preferred the longer forend.
My favorite benefit to the middy is the longer site "radius." Shooting a middy with irons is cake, but I have to work to focus on the FSP with the carbine.
I agree with this, the carbine gas system works extremely well in 14.5" and shorter barrels but when used on a standard 16" barrel really starts to beat up the rifle. The midlength gas system makes much more sense on a 16" barrel.
Going with a lightweight profile middy over government or HBAR shouldn't be much heavier than a 14.5" M4 profile. Maybe even less depending on the rails.
Agreed and so has Armelite, which I believe was the first to make the Middy, and Sabre Defense.
To the OP, my first Middy was a Sabre Defense upper a little over three years ago way before it became a fad, because I wanted a longer sight radius and more rail length to extend my support arm out to a more comfortable position. Quite frankly, I knew nothing about mid-lengths at the time and thought it was something different and it looked pretty cool to go on a Colt Sporter lower. I had never fired one until then, and that's when I found out it was softer shooting than a carbine gas length. A year or so later after joining this board, did I find that it was a more efficient DI system than the carbine, and that it was less harder on it's parts due to lower cycling pressures, which is why it had a softer recoil. A year later, I got a LMT MRP. I like carbine lengths as well since I own two 6920's, but favor the Middys, so for me, it's not a new concept.
I wish I had a scale. My current config calcs in at about 8 pounds 7 oz before my monster light. That's with a standard M4 stock.
I knew the advantages of a middy before I bought mine. I will reconfigure my set up and see if that helps. I believe a lot of the problem is in having a more forward CG. If that wad of cash turns into an exercise in futility I will buy the LW noveske I have always wanted. :D