New lightweight AR-15 project

[NikatKimber]

Weight of M1 carbine with wood stock and sling.....5# 2oz.......just saying. As for hand lapped.....my dog will hand lap As long as there is beer in it.
(just joking with Denis, who I haven't seen in a while. Hope all is well amigo!)

I want an M1 Carbine!!
However, is that loaded and with an optic?

Sadly, they’re also hard to find for a reasonable price.

 

[dennishoddy]

Weight of M1 carbine with wood stock and sling.....5# 2oz.......just saying. As for hand lapped.....my dog will hand lap As long as there is beer in it.
(just joking with Dennis, who I haven't seen in a while. Hope all is well amigo!)

Lol, its a selling point to add $$$.

 

[OKCShooter]

If someone told me they could build an AR that was under 2.8lbs I would have never believed them....

Crazy!

 

[NikatKimber]

So I never updated the last change. In March or April last year I swapped the BCA “light” barrel for a PSA ss pencil barrel. Saved me a couple ounces.

Current weight is 4lb - 13oz. Keep in mind that is with optic and loaded 10rd mag. My cost is about $650, WITH the vortex venom.

 

[GUN DOG]

Sweet my wife would probably like something like that average weight ars are just a bit to heavy m1 carbine is about as heavy as she sees comphy . If you get around to it would you list your parts for you light weight beast to make it doable for us that may want to do the same

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk

 

[NikatKimber]

Added it up, I forgot a part, so I'm at $700 plus shipping / transfer. However, some of those parts have been "indefinitely" out of stock. Also, I found a used Vortex Venom for $165 vs new cost of $225+. With the Vortex warranty, I'm ok with that; and I've seen similar deals elsewhere too, so it might still be possible. Some there are way better cost/weight ratios. Watch for sales for sure!

The build I would recommend if you are starting from scratch would be about $875 + shipping at multiple places + transfer fee. But it would shave an additional ~10oz from mine, for a total of just under 4.25lbs. If you would like that build list I can provide it. I hate posting tabular information directly into the forum, because it scrambles the formatting so badly. PM me an email address and I'll just send the excel sheet.

After having mine for over a year now, at sub 5lbs it's toy like. Under 4.25lbs would be awesome. The sub 4lb build I posted in the other thread would be just silly light.

 

[NikatKimber]

I just ordered the new DS Arms aluminum bolt carrier group. Spec'd to weigh 5.21oz, that will shave 3.79oz off from the AIM Surplus LW steel BCG. Getting a new adjustable gas block also. With those the total should be just under 4lbs for the rifle, right at 4.5lbs with optic and loaded 10rd mag.

Planning on a different brake, grip, charging handle, and optic mount, which should shave another 3.5oz. Once I get the funds for the Faxon pencil barrel, I'm hoping to break under 4lbs for the the whole rifle, loaded with optic. I need to get a picture. I'll do that when the BCG comes in.

 

[AKguy1985]

I just ordered the new DS Arms aluminum bolt carrier group. Spec'd to weigh 5.21oz, that will shave 3.79oz off from the AIM Surplus LW steel BCG. Getting a new adjustable gas block also. With those the total should be just under 4lbs for the rifle, right at 4.5lbs with optic and loaded 10rd mag.

Planning on a different brake, grip, charging handle, and optic mount, which should shave another 3.5oz. Once I get the funds for the Faxon pencil barrel, I'm hoping to break under 4lbs for the the whole rifle, loaded with optic. I need to get a picture. I'll do that when the BCG comes in.

That is crazy light for an AR.

 

[NikatKimber]

Here it is with the DSA aluminum BCG. 4lb 9oz with Vortex Venom and loaded aluminum 10rd mag.

 

[NikatKimber]

As it currently is.