Recommendations on 11.5" AR

[JRolin]

Looking for recommendations for a factory built 11.5" light weight AR platform.

Been doing some googling and haven't seen anything that really perks my interest.

Thoughts ?

 

[Burning Love]

What do you consider lightweight?

 

[JRolin]

What do you consider lightweight?

Anything under the average AR weight, which is think is about 6.5lbs now.

 

[Fatal_Bert]

https://palmettostatearmory.com/harrington-richardson-733-complete-11-5-upper.html

 

[JBWJr]

FN 15® 11.5" SRP G2 | FN® Firearms

The FN 15® SRP G2 is streamlined, providing a multitude of MIL-SPEC configurations to meet and exceed agency needs. The family of carbines, specifically developed with law enforcement officers’ needs in mind, offer lightweight designs with extended hand guards maximizing top rail space with...

fnamerica.com

JMHO

 

[Bennyboy]

BCM pioneered the 11.5” snd is always in the discussion of top quality ARs so I’d look at their offerings.

 

[ReservoirDawg10]

What do you consider lightweight? Does that number includes optics, light, laser, etc? Personally, I'd be more concerned about balance of the rifle and quality of the rifle and components over the number on the scale.
What features are important to you?
Any features that you just cannot stand to have?

What is your budget?

No matter the length, the recs are gonna remain somewhat consistent - SOLGW, BCM, Sionics, PWS, KAC, Noveske, LMT, LWRC, DD...

Features and budget matter

 

[MidniteFlame]

Throw in my 2 cents. A Geissele 11 1/2 right out of the box will rock your world!

 

[JRolin]

What do you consider lightweight? Does that number includes optics, light, laser, etc? Personally, I'd be more concerned about balance of the rifle and quality of the rifle and components over the number on the scale.
What features are important to you?
Any features that you just cannot stand to have?

What is your budget?

No matter the length, the recs are gonna remain somewhat consistent - SOLGW, BCM, Sionics, PWS, KAC, Noveske, LMT, LWRC, DD...

Features and budget matter

In the 5lb range or less would be awesome. The weight is the rifle without add ons.

Quality, fit and finish would be high on the features scale. Accuracy a close second. I think all of the options in the budget range will have these features.

There is no feature that I have issue with.

Budget would be $2k.

 

[ReservoirDawg10]

In the 5lb range or less would be awesome. The weight is the rifle without add ons.

Quality, fit and finish would be high on the features scale. Accuracy a close second. I think all of the options in the budget range will have these features.

There is no feature that I have issue with.

Budget would be $2k.

5 lbs is going to be tough. To get there, you are going to have to make some compromises. Some, personally, that I would not make.
- Lightwieght barrel. Sounds great, but heats up quickly. Detriment to accuracy. Detriment to your hands. If low rounds count and shot strings are your thing, then this could be an option.
- Handguard is somewhere else that you can save some weight, but, you would be going plastic or going with a much shorter rail to save a few ounces while losing a fair amount of functionality. You can try carbon rails, but meh.
- Can go lightweight BCG - but you are giving up long-term durability of the system, and many struggle to function properly out of the gate and without ideal circumstances. Fine if a competition gun and you have a back-up rifle, but otherwise, is it worth it?
- Save some ounces with a very minimalist stock. You can, but they tend to be very uncomfortable to shoot for me. YMMV

Truthfully, I think too many people care too much about what a scale says. The weight of what people consider "lightweight" is also very arbitrary in nature. Spend time getting a quality rifle together and getting it balanced properly. Get a good sling and learn how to use it effectively. Save some weight in your pack and what you put into it. Pack it properly for weight distribution. Get better boots that fit properly. A lil more time a a gym could potentially help as well.

In before "ounces equal lbs, lbs equal pain."