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Buy a Colt 6520. Buy a stripped CMT M4 (or A3, or whatever they want to call a flattop receiver with M4 feedramps) for $100. Move the barrel, forward assist, and dustcover assembly to the new upper. While you're installing the barrel on the new upper, install a Daniel Defense M4 7.0 rail for $265. You may need a taller front sight post, you may not. It's a cheap part, not a big deal.
Now you're into the gun for about $1200 for the base gun, $100 for the CMT upper (you can recoup this cost by selling your "genuine Colt A2 upper" on TOS to some collector for twice what you pay for the CMT), and $265 for the rail. Add to this a Larue BUIS for $89 and an Aimpoint H-1 in ADM mount for $522 and you're into the complete gun for $1700.
Another route would be to skip the rail altogether, keep swap the skinny handguards that come with the Rifle for a set of M4 handguards, still swap the upper for a CMT and install the H-1, and do a Surefire X300 attached to the FSB via a Midwest Industries FSB rail for $35.
Imagine this with a longer barrel and a micro.
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The bottom gun in this pic is a mostly stock Colt 6520. The modifications are an A1 grip in place of the factory A2, M4 handguards in place of the factory skinny version, and a side-sling swivel at the front sight base. (the top gun is a suppressed mostly-stock 6933)
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a bit late to this thread, but I'll add my $0.02... My Noveske build weighs 7lb as shown (Noveske N4 basic upper, Noveske lower, Aimpoint T1, LaRue tall mount, LaRue BUIS, CAR fiberlite stock, Vickers sling)
I just finished adding an X300 to the handguard (similar to what rob_s posted above) and it now weighs 7lb 3.9oz.
The 6520 and the 6933 have the lightest barrels. Even a reprofiled barrel will be heavier.
If you want a rail, get a URX or a DD. If you want you can get a 9.0 rail and trim the FSB, you can save an ounce that way.
Don't lighten the guts.
Use an M4 Enhanced stock for best cheek weld.
Skip the irons, or use Troy sights front and rear.
Use an upper without a forward assist. It is two ounces lighter.
Don't get the VIS, it is a lot heavier.
6lbs. 3 oz for rifle from factory
another 7 oz for an Aimpoint T-1
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The 6520 flattop conversion makes for a nice, light carbine, but once you go swapping out receivers you're getting pretty far away from the "factory built" that the OP mentioned. You could use any of many flattop receivers, but if you want to keep it Colt you can get a stripped A3 upper from Brownells (probably cheaper than from SAW).
My lightest configuration has been a Les Baer receiver w/o forward assist (-2.7 oz.) with a CMMG 14.5" pencil barrel w/a perm'd Phantom, a Young skeletonized bolt carrier and bolt, a PRI FF tube with the rails removed (-4 oz.), no irons and the above pictured T-1. On a CavAid MKII polymer lower that weighs in at 5 lbs. 3 oz.
That combo has not been shot yet, though.
But the upper has been utterly reliable on its usual roost on a standard lower with an A2 grip and an Ace Ultra Light stock. In that configuration the scale tips at 5 lbs. 9 oz., and it's a very comfortable gun.
I'm assuming the old 4-position stocks weigh quite a bit less than the new 5 or 6-position collapsible (M4 style if you will)?
I went with a 16" lightweight mid-length in hopes of keeping it around the low 6's. The only addition will be that of an LMT Fixed BUIS (which I've heard isn't as heavy as it looks--anyone know?). With just these, a pinned Phantom 5C2, a MIAD, and a 5-position stock, should I have any problems falling around the 6.5 lb range?
There are some nice lightweight builds in this thread!
Best Regards,
28_days
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