AR15 - how light can you go.

[MoBoost]

I've been having an itch to build a bottom line light weight AR15. I've seen some very light builds on polymer frames, but I feel like the weight was taken off in "wrong" places.

Here is my idea:

Standard lower - shaved.
Non-assist flat upper.
JP light weight bolt and buffer.
16" standard car. barrel, turned to .450-.500, shortened to 14", 2" cage welded
Some sort of minimalistic gas block.
Red dot.

JP forces to use rifle tube - what would be very light rifle tube/stock?
Are there any non-exotic light handguards?

 

[ez bake]

FYI, You can get a carbine or mid-length pencil-profile barrel in 14.5" already...

JP makes the best lightweight handguards from what I've read. If you're going to go with an optic, check out Primary Arms Micro (or spring for the Aimpoint Micro).

 

[264Magnum]

Standard lower - shaved.

What do you plan on shaving off? I know you said you don't want to use a polymer lower, but it'd be awfully hard to beat a Cav-Arms lower to save weight, if you could find one.

JP forces to use rifle tube - what would be very light rifle tube/stock?

http://riflestocks.com/store/product95.html

 

[mblaney]

You might want to check out the Project Featherweight thread over at M4Carbine.

http://m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=39599

 

[carleb]

On impulse, I bought one with a Plum Crazy lower and I have to say that I'm very satisfied with it. It definately is less weight and works like a champ.

 

[MoBoost]

Good suggestions. Thanks.

You might want to check out the Project Featherweight thread over at M4Carbine.

http://m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=39599

Welp, that's a turn-off. Way heavier than I was hoping for

 

[Perplexed]

Welp, that's a turn-off. Way heavier than I was hoping for

5.4 lbs is "way heavier" than you'd hoped for? That's about the weight of a M1 Carbine, which I think is pretty darn light. What is your target weight?

 

[MoBoost]

Under 5lbs.

How thin can you turn the barrel? I know original Stoner design had an aluminum barrel with steel sleeve - maybe I should try that.

 

[338Shooter]

We could turn it as thin as you want. Guarantee it to fire at least once

 

[pktrkt]

A 2nd for the plum crazy. I've built one and it's so light you actually get quite a bit of felt recoil. Not arm shattering but more than usual. I've got an old sp1 carbine length slab sided upper and as a combination its very low weight. Haven't weighed it but next to the rock river m4 style it's a featherweight. I've got around 500 rounds thru the plum crazy and can honestly say it still looks brand new. No hammer wear or parts that are worn. Don't know how many rounds before appreciable wear will show but none so rar. Fired lots of 5.56 with the slide fire lately and still no wear. The pencil barrel does get hot tho. YMMV
Pktrkt