Are new production Ar's too heavy?

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natedog

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I was just thinking about this while brousing the Bushmaster website...the fullsize A2 weighs almost 8 pounds. Is this too much for a 5.56mm rifle? Has the trend of heavier barrels defeated the purpose of the lightweight rifle? The same goes for military M-16's. Is the heavy barrel a blessing or a curse?
 
I think the 20" A2 HBAR is way too nose-heavy for my taste, and I much rather prefer a carbine with a 16" HBAR or M4-profile bbl for better handling.

It doesn't get any better in the armed services. I've seen M4A3 carbines with so much tactical gadgetry dangling off that a 20" HBAR would be positively pleasant to lug around.
 
When I got my Bushy A2 20" I had hopes of my girlfriend learning to shoot a centerfire rifle with it. No dice when it comes to offhand. It is just too muzzle heavy for her tiny (and I do mean TINY) arms.

Oh well, I guess I will have to break down and get a 16" lightweight carbine for "her." Yhea, it will be for her... :evil:
 
The standard heavy barrel guns? Yep...But then it is cheaper to manufacture. I had a Bushmaster Shorty w/ Ak brake that was pretty heavy for a short rifle.

On the other hand there are many new production guns that have lightweight and M4 profiles that feel just fine.

I don't think that it's the weight as much as the balance of the rifle. The heavier barrel just makes it feel heavier than it actually is.

Good Shooting
Red
 
When you look at the rest of the world's main battle armaments, the M16/M4 family of rifles still comes in as a lighter weapon.

Most other battle rifles/carbines weigh in excess of 8lbs (unloaded), most weigh better than 4kg (8.8lbs).

Also take into fact that our combat troops should be in shape, plus, all of our units are motorized/airborne except during combat operations.

If you really are concerned, you can get a light barrel config.
 
I agree with TechBrute! 8 pounds is not that heavy! ;) Try an M-1 Garand, M-98 Mauser or even a 1903 Springfield if you want heavy. My target AR weighs about 11-ish pounds right now, with it balanced right at the mag-well, so it doesn't feel too bad up and running. And yes, the military M-16A2 does weigh less than a commercial HBAR. At least that's what my Marine armorer buddy tells me.
 
Colt SP1

The original configuration was best. You could hold it by the pistol grip and the nose wouldn't sag. Try that with an A2/HBAR. Ha!
 
"too heavy" is subjective

The AR fills so many niches now once can't paint all of them with the same brush. My competition ARs are "too heavy" for combat, but the lead comes out in about 2 minutes. My Cav-Arms lightweigh carbine feels like a child's toy by comparison. Each has their purpose. "Too heavy" does not exist as long as "sporting purpose" is undefinable. Thankfully, you may still purchase a rifle with "no sporting purpose" as well.
 
I guess I can put it like an economist and say, "it depends." Y'all know where my preferences lie, anyway. :D
 
I don't care for the HBAR configuration. I went with the 16" Bushamster HBAR to avoid some of the muzzle-heaviness of the 20-inch. It did relieve some of that, but I found I didn't care for the muzzle blast of the 16-inch, either, so I sold it.

Jaywalker
 
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