The Quest for the Ultimate in a Lightweight KISS Carbine

[greene]

Screw it, I'm dumping my optic for this and a more powerful white light.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRQMtr7Dl8k

If half the claims made are true, its a winner.

Those might work out great. I had the front fiber optic break out of my 1911 front sight & was surprised at how much I liked shooting through the hole.

[BrigandTwoFour]

I don't know how I missed this thread. I love this topic.

This was my KISS project I did a while back.



I did a whole write up on it in the custom build forum over here.

I call it the "Minuteman" in honor of my old career as an ICBM officer. The goal was a bit of a blend of old school and modern, just like my old missiles that were fielded in 1967 and updgraded over the years.

[Moose-Knuckle]

I don't know how I missed this thread. I love this topic.

This was my KISS project I did a while back.



I did a whole write up on it in the custom build forum over here.

I call it the "Minuteman" in honor of my old career as an ICBM officer. The goal was a bit of a blend of old school and modern, just like my old missiles that were fielded in 1967 and updgraded over the years.

Pretty snazzy. First time I've seen a rifle length MOE handguard paired with a MOE rifle stock. Looks good in OD.

[Canonshooter]

As an old NRA High Power shooter, I truly appreciate a good set of iron sights. Unfortunately, my eyesight now renders them something less than useful. RDS are a non-starter as well due to astigmatism, so it's optics-only for me at this point. The Leupold 2.5X20 scope/Daniel Defense mount combo shown below weighs just over 12 ounces combined, rifle as shown (sans magazine) weighs in at 7-pounds/3-ounces;

rifle-2.jpg

[Canonshooter]

Since I was asked via PM about this somewhat non-typical (for an AR) scope, I thought I'd share my response here.

Like you, this scope had been on my radar for a really long time;

https://www.leupold.com/scopes/rimfi...light-2-5x20mm

If a simple fixed power scope with a non-illuminated duplex reticle is something you can live with, the Leupold is awesome. It's extremely light (about 6 ounces), is durable (intended for hard-recoiling dangerous game rifles), and is bright and clear with long eye relief and a forgiving eye box. Easy to use with two eyes open and the scope itself obscures little of the view. And just as importantly, the adjustable diopter (eye piece) allows a sharp view and reticle with my crappy eyesight. As stated in my post, combined with the Daniel Defense mount, the entire optic package weighs just over 12 ounces (an Aero mount would get it under 10).

Actual magnification is 2.2x so inside 10 yards it is quite useable but not as fast as a RDS or a LPVO set at 1X. It wouldn't be my first choice for kicking down doors and room clearing (not that I do that stuff anyway), but combined with a WML the non-illuminated reticle is sharp and clearly visible in low light conditions. For my use outside in daylight conditions, from 10 yards out to 300, it's amazingly good for a "Fudd scope." It's fast, clear, bright and easy to acquire the target with, if not very tacti-cool.

If I was to do it again, I'd order the scope direct from Leupold with either the Post & Duplex or German #4 reticle, and the CDS turrets;

https://customshop.leupold.com/confi...ight-2-5x20mm/

Even at that custom shop price, I would still go for it.

So in summary, if you don't feel disadvantaged with fixed power and a non-illuminated reticle (I do not), the FX-II Ultralight 2.5x20mm is definitely worth considering. After trying everything from Aimpoints, ACOGs, three different LPVOs, and the Leupold Prismatic on an AR, I am very content with this scope. At this point, have no intention of abandoning it.

[Dr. Bullseye]

i don't know if anyone has considered this sight but it is cannot be destroyed except with a vice, is powered by fiberoptics/tritium so it will work at night and has no battery so it qualifies as KISS.

https://seeallopensight.com/products...m-night-sights

I think is weights less than two ounces. I am still thinking about this.

[LowSpeed_HighDrag]

i don't know if anyone has considered this sight but it is cannot be destroyed except with a vice, is powered by fiberoptics/tritium so it will work at night and has no battery so it qualifies as KISS.

https://seeallopensight.com/products...m-night-sights

I think is weights less than two ounces. I am still thinking about this.

Are you being serious with this post?

[Dr. Bullseye]

Are you being serious with this post?

Why not?

[GH41]

Since it looks like this thread is going off of the rails I'll take the opportunity to change the subject while questioning the OP. What are you willing to give up for a lighter rifle?? Would you give up a full ambi lower, sling with hardware, light/mount and RDS to save what a loaded 30 round magazine weighs?? It's about percentages to me. It's easy to build a six and a half pound full featured rifle without using exotic parts. Put a loaded magazine in it and it weighs another pound. Put the same 1 pound magazine in a 5 pound rifle. My point is.. Chasing weight is easy until it starts costing real money. My everyday watch weighs a pound. My everyday winter leather jacket weighs 5 pounds. WTF should worry about a couple of ounces??

[Dino11]

i don't know if anyone has considered this sight but it is cannot be destroyed except with a vice, is powered by fiberoptics/tritium so it will work at night and has no battery so it qualifies as KISS.

https://seeallopensight.com/products...m-night-sights

I think is weights less than two ounces. I am still thinking about this.

A shooting friend of mine has one of these and I have shot it numerous times. They are a little hard to zero, but once dialed in they are pretty good.

I just ordered a refurbish unit with free shipping for $130.00. You can get a first Gen non tritium for $70.00