Recommendations on 11.5" AR

[MidniteFlame]

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. 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."

Well Done Sir!!

 

[hikingthehills]

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

View attachment 6932771


JMHO

Their trigger pull seems consistent.

 

[cmshoot]

Lots of good advice here. My recommendation would be to go with a 12.5" and not an 11.5". The increase in dwell time (if both barrel lengths have a carbine-length gas system) makes the 12.5" a more reliable system.

 

[ReservoirDawg10]

Lots of good advice here. My recommendation would be to go with a 12.5" and not an 11.5". The increase in dwell time (if both barrel lengths have a carbine-length gas system) makes the 12.5" a more reliable system.

Just like the fat chicks at the late night bar always wanting just 1 more inch

 

[cmshoot]

Just like the fat chicks at the late night bar always wanting just 1 more inch

If they’re fat enough, you’re gonna need at least an extra inch!

 

[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

I took a look at all of them last night. Im surprised at how cheap the Sionics are. Does that mean they are lacking quality in comparison to the rest ?

 

[ReservoirDawg10]

I took a look at all of them last night. Im surprised at how cheap the Sionics are. Does that mean they are lacking quality in comparison to the rest ?

No. They aren't top tier by any stretch, but they put out consistent quality and pay attention to specs

 

[JRolin]

No. They aren't top tier by any stretch, but they put out consistent quality and pay attention to specs

So I guess that brings up a good point. If I dont care about a brand name, am I getting $600 more of value by going with one of the others ?

 

[ReservoirDawg10]

So I guess that brings up a good point. If I dont care about a brand name, am I getting $600 more of value by going with one of the others ?

It's in the specific features. If you are fine with pretty basic, but well assembled with quality parts - no

 

[JRolin]

It's in the specific features. If you are fine with pretty basic, but well assembled with quality parts - no

Just did some more research on them. They have tons of positive reviews on Reddit. Thanks for recommending them.