Last year I bought a DPMS TAC-20, they dont make this model anymore but I think some distributors still have a few on the shelf. 20" barrel and a free float quad rail with an A2 stock. Took it hunting last deer season and realized it was way to big, heavy, and bulky for what I use it for. Came home and immediately started the research. I soon realized several things. For what I do I only need a 16" barrel, low power scope, and anything to keep weight down.
First, I pulled the barrel and replaced it with a Rainier Arms 16" one. I havent had time to test accuracy much but at 100 yards it looks the same as the 20" HB. I know velocity is lost, blah, blah, blah, but again for my purposes I am in no way concerned with this as the longest shot I will realistically take on game is at best 125 yards. Every deer I saw last year was within 60 yards. My range only goes to 200 yards so no big deal there either.
Second I replaced the quad rail with a JP free float aluminum tube, rifle length. Let me just say, wow, that thing rocks!
I just sent the trigger to Bill Springfield (
http://triggerwork.net/ar15s.html) and for $39 im getting a crisp clean 4 pound trigger. Ill report on that when I get it back and do some shooting with it.
I replaced the A2 with a ACE skeleton stock, have an ergo grip, and a Vortex 2-7 with the BDC reticle. Magpul mags arent that expensive ($20?) and I like them better than the metal ones that come with it.
Overall, I shaved it down to about 8 pounds (empty) and sold all the old parts to almost pay for the new ones. I didnt keep track of what I have into it, but if I factor in the sold parts the total is under $1500 and that is to include optics.
Sorry for the crummy pic.