new lightweight AR project complete

[Arizona_Mike]

I posted my plans a whle ago and taliv spoke of his plans in the same thread. He moved more quickly than I did. Now I'm hijacking him (but as soon as I post pictures I will start a brand new thread ).

I did swap 1.1oz of parts in the already absurdly light magnesium upper but it did not cost a lot. The main advantage of the aluminum door is cosmetic and was not very expensive. The FA plug as also cheap.

There are a ton of parts and pins on the lower to play with that can cost a fortune. I did not want to go this route when there is a 28oz lower out there that cannot be beat for weight at any cost. And I can take from 28 to 26oz for free (by removing the deadfall weights--not needed in a semi-auto gun--even early military M16s ran as high as 1000 rpm without them).


Mike

PS. NoDak Spud LLC has duplicated the 6lb loaded weight of the Colt 601 with a 20" barrel and loaded 20rd steel mag! They have retro-style 601 and M16A1 lowers and uppers.

 

[Arizona_Mike]

I'm going to take the upper out for fit/function/fire testing today. I haven't pinned the FS yet so I will use a conventional (and stamped SBS) lower for testing. The projet is growing on me alredy. Very likely it is something I would sling over my shoulder on a hike with a red dot and a 10rd Magpul mag.

JP is not seling aluminum BCs anymore because aparently thy did not hold up over time.

At at huge 4.7oz savings at only $90/oz. Th BoomFab titanium carrier is starting to look a lot less painful. Imagine a complete rifle under 4.5lb!

Mike

 

[Arizona_Mike]

Range testing went great. LC 193, Indep. 5.56, and Fed .223 all holding the bolt open on 1.25 turns of the gas block with bone dry (never lubed) but clean upper and a dry and filthy lower. Running on 1.5 turns open it throws brass to 4:00.

I threw a 3 MOA red dot on it and given how outdated my perscription shooting glasses are, it was a 4-4.5 MOA dot I consistantly shot 2.5-3 MOA with the pencil barrel. I'll probably pick one of those new 2 MOA microdots they sell now.

I really see this gun having a place on my shoulder when I am doing something other than shooting or delibertely hunting, probably with a 10rd mag.

Mike

 

[HKGuns]

It looks like a nimble rig.

Dang those keymod rails are butt ugly. I'm still not down with the whole keymod idea. Sure it saves some weight, but how much really?

Nice job!

 

[Arizona_Mike]

My own build is further delayed by GWACS getting my order wrong. I paid for a fully populated lower and they send a stripped. I emailed from the FFL's house last night and called this morning a got voicemail . . .

HK Guns, The KMR is a nice looking rail in person and the thinness makes you hold it more like something precise than something big (and I have big hands with long finders and I feel this way). Some times I wonder how people with average hands get a good grip on their ARs.

Mike

PS. AWACS called me back and were very apologetic. Offered to do the install of the parts but I declined. They are going to ship to me. They are throwing in their lightweight pin set as well.

 

[Outlaw Man]

Nice!

I wish mine were that light...

 

[taliv]

hey mike, apparently voodoo innovations has an extended FH that is under 2 oz. would be great for you. i don't want to add the length

 

[Arizona_Mike]

hey mike, apparently voodoo innovations has an extended FH that is under 2 oz. would be great for you. i don't want to add the length

Yes it is the Manimal. A bit under 1.5oz. Basically an A2x turned down to .730 nor so (thin wall). I ordered one a couple days ago.

Mike

 

[Arizona_Mike]

On a related topic, what scale should I buy? I have a powder scale and I have a very accurate little scale that goes up to about 1 kg. Are these postal scales most of you are using to weigh entire guns?

Mike

 

[taliv]

no idea. the scale in the OP is something cheap my wife keeps in the kitchen to weigh vegetables or something. I don't know, but she always gives me dirty looks when i set a gun on it!