WD, as I have no experience with this sort of thing, what does a long gun with all that stuff on the bang end handle like?
Are you talking about the light and suppressor?
It's a 14.5" lightweight barrel with pinned suppressor mount to make it 16". The lightweight barrel without the suppressor is super handy. Easy to carry and shoot. It has the midlength gas so it's a little softer than a carbine gas. Add the can, at little over a pound, it really makes the gun front heavy. I've tried using a heavier stock to balance it, but it just made the while thing too heavy. After some practice with the can on, you really get used to the weight and can figure out how to transition and follow up quicker. The suppressor makes more gas blow back which cycles the bolt faster and more violently which is harder for follow up shots, but can be gotten used to.
So, without the Suppressor, this is one of my all time favorite setups. With the suppressor, it's less desirable, but it's a suppressor so the cool factor negates the weight. Lol. I'd be glad to let you try any of my AR's any time and let you feel the differences.