Lightweight AR-15

[Brother in Arms]

Hey everyone after reading some M1 carbine posts I started thinking how much id like to have one...but the 30 carbine round is a little uncommon these days militarily speaking and I think the 5.56 round is more deadly and available....so I got thinking why not make a light wieght AR-15 carbine that would be almost as light as an M1 carbine but use more common ammo and magazines...I have read a few posts about peoples "Volks" rifles ect.. which also gave me this idea...also my Gf is building a AR-15 and she wants it light but mainly she wants it to fit her...as well as be accurate. How light can you get with a no frills AR-15?

Del-ton Lightwiegh with A3 upper

Collapsable M4 stock

maybe carbon fiber lower but it might not be much lighter than Aluminum vs.cost.

20 round magazines or maybe Orlites

What do you all think? The Rifle my Gf is building is a Delton Light weight with A3 Upper. Short Fixed Tactical entry stock (like the A2 type only small) A1 pistol grip on a A2 Lower.

Take it easy everyon
Brother in Arms

 

[RockyMtnTactical]

I had similar thinking...

I had considered an M1 carbine, but since I am into AR's, it would be nice if my wife had something that used the same mags and ammo as me, so I built her this.

 

[vanfunk]

With a "superlight" upper from Bushmaster, CMMG, et al, a no-frills 16" carbine should come in under 6 pounds. I love the old Colt SP-1 carbine - A1 sights, no forward assist - simple and clean - and 5.5 pounds unloaded. 16" lightweight ARs are very handy, and I agree with your assertion about the effectiveness of 5.56 vs. .30M1 carbine. The carbine round isn't the slouch that many contend it is, but I'd take 5.56 just about any day.

If you've got some cash to spend, consider the Colt 6520 Government Carbine. They weigh less and they're less expensive than the M4s, but they do have a fixed A2 carry handle. Nonetheless, there's nothing better than a Colt for an off-the-shelf rifle. Next up I'd say CMMG is ahead of Bushmaster at this point, in terms of initial quality and the feature/price ratio.

Good luck! Sounds like a fun project.

vanfunk

 

[nico]

Depending on budget, I'd go with a medium contour midlength barrel from CMMG or possibly have the barrel turned down to a lightweight countour.

Regarding performance, a midlength gas system has nothing but advantages over a standard carbine length, with the only disadvantage being that it's not available from as many manufacturers. The reduced recoil of a midlength as compared to a carbine (some people notice it; some don't) would be emphasized with the longer gas system.

 

[Ironballs]

http://www.bushmaster.com/shopping/Carbon15/az-c1516m4ft.asp
A true lightweight ar at 5.77 lbs. [2.62 kg], hard to beat for weight.



http://kel-tec.com/su16b.html
the su16B is lighter at 5.4#'s and better than 1/2 the price, this may be a great choice for the GF,... heck, it may even be more reliable then the carbon15

 

[Kaylee]

How much weight do you really save with the fiber or plastic receivers - judging from the weight of a stripped receiver, it can't be much... I would think most of the weight would be the the barrel, recoil assembly, and bolt carrier, no?

 

[rangerruck]

if you want the lightest, get a keltec plr 16, it is a light as you will get.
next would be the keltecs' SU style rifles.
next up would be the Bushy carbon fiber 15's. I have picked up many of those babies, and every time I have picked one up, their weight allways surprises me.

 

[RockyMtnTactical]

How much weight do you really save with the fiber or plastic receivers - judging from the weight of a stripped receiver, it can't be much... I would think most of the weight would be the the barrel, recoil assembly, and bolt carrier, no?

The Cav Arms lowers save a whole pound... But other than those, I am not a big fan of the polymer/carbon fiber type receivers...

 

[only1asterisk]

How much weight do you really save with the fiber or plastic receivers - judging from the weight of a stripped receiver, it can't be much... I would think most of the weight would be the the barrel, recoil assembly, and bolt carrier, no?

The Cavalry Arms MkII lower is 14oz less that a complete lower with A2 stock and about 4oz lighter than one with an M4 stock. I don't know about the Bushmaster plastic lower.

David

 

[only1asterisk]

But other than those, I am not a big fan of the polymer/carbon fiber type receivers...

I'd agree with that.

David