4.8lb AR-15 build for $650

[titanhank]

So you want a lightweight ar-15 and have checked out mag tacticals $1400 4.8lb rifle and thought to yourself, too DAMN expensive. I had the same thought and decided to build my own. Here is how i built a 4.8lb rifle for $647. I could have shaved another .1 lb off with using the mapul k grip and semi auto bsg, but i like the houge grip and the full auto BCG was on sale at AIM. I also wanted standard internal parts that would shoot steel case crap ammo and not break the bank. I have done a lot of research and have found it is approximately $100 per ounce of weight reduction from this point further. It is just not worth $400 to shave 4ozs off a BCG or another $100 on the upper to save less than 2ozs, but this is just my opinion. My goal was sub 5lb for the price of a dpms oracle.

Here is the list of parts with weights on a postal scale.

Mag tactical lower 6.1oz. LGS for $69.95
Anderson slick side upper. 6.7oz. LGS for $55
Standard charging handle. 1.2oz. LGS
Houge grip. 2.7oz. LGS
Full auto BCG. 11.6oz. Aim surplus for $90
Anderson LPK 5.0oz. LGS
A2 buffer tube. 3.3oz. Came with ace stock kit
A2 recoil spring. 2.2oz. Came with ace stock kit
Ace urle stock 6.8oz. Model 1 sales for $84. Came with rifle buffer. Did not use.
Rifle buffer. 1.6oz. LGS. Removed weights, works perfect
Faxom 16" pencil barrel. 19.2oz. Faxom for $149, but mag tactical has them somethimes for $110.
Faxom gas block. 1.1oz. Faxom
Gas tube. .7oz. Faxom
A2 flash hider. 2.2oz. LGS
Clark carbon handguard. 6.7oz. Includes barrel nut and sling swivel for $100

The total weight 4lbs 13.2oz or 4.8lbs. the rifle is as light as rifles costing over twice as much and runs like a champ. It is weighed without optics, sights or magazine in order to establish the same base configuration as mag tactical.

I also mounted the carbon fiber handguard with 4- 8/32" button head screws by drilling and tapping the barrel nut. It is rock solid and can be removed. I did not like the idea of permanently glueing it on.

 

[Jack O A T]

Impressive Hank! Could have even saved another .5oz by going with the non-beavertail Hogue. Lol

 

[BIKER13]

Dang thats nice.Going liteweight on this new one,dont know if I will come in under 5 though

 

[fattboyzz]

So around +\- 6.5 lbs with optic & full 30rd mag ?

 

[user 71]

Could you have saved any weight by going with a carbine buffer and MFT minimalist?

 

[titanhank]

Could you have saved any weight by going with a carbine buffer and MFT minimalist?

Could you have saved any weight by going with a carbine buffer and MFT minimalist?

the carbine buffer tube, castle nut and end plate weighs 4.9ozs and then add the mft stock of 5.8ozs for a total of 10.7ozs. My a2 buffer tube weighs 3.3ozs and the ace stock weighs 6.8oz for a total of 10.1ozs. I think either one would be appropriate for a lightweight build, i just preferred the ace stock look and it saved .6ozs.

 

[user 71]

There's about a 1.4 to 2 oz difference in the buffer itself too...the actual numbers escape my mind at the moment.

Edit: I see now that you have a carbine buffer. Are you using one of the buffer stops to make the carbine setup work in a rifle tube?

 

[VanillaGuerrilla]

I love these light weight builds well done. I'm guessing you used a carbine buffer instead of a rifle buffer due to weight? Does it have any effect on performance? Thanks.

 

[titanhank]

I love these light weight builds well done. I'm guessing you used a carbine buffer instead of a rifle buffer due to weight? Does it have any effect on performance? Thanks.

The rifle buffer weighs 5.2oz and the carbine weighs 3.0oz. I am now using a rifle buffer with the weights removed and it works perfect. It weighs 1.6ozs.

 

[VanillaGuerrilla]

what it the reason for having different size buffers?