My AR is too heavy. :(

[CouchPotatoGun]

Have a 16" barreled AR and the thing just seems heavy to me. What can I do to get the weight down?

 

[Shadowbandd]

Barrel contour, BCG, buffer weights and furniture would be a good place to start.

 

[hoooogan]

Get yourself a kitchen scale before you start buying stuff without knowing what weighs what.

 

[PopNFresh]

Barrel contour, BCG, buffer weights and furniture would be a good place to start.

this plus optic/mount, short of drilling holes not too much else you can shave off

 

[alexnelon]

By the time you replace all the heavy pieces with light pieces you'll have a whole new gun.

 

[PopNFresh]

or two guns

 

[Steve300xcw]

zero details on your rifle other than its a 16" barrel, and want to know how to make it lighter?

 

[Blake C]

Take an honest look at yourself naked.
Chances are your PT is lacking

 

[4090Sharps]

You'll find a lot of ideas in this thread:

T

Thread 'Ultralight Ultralight Rifles'

Oct 9, 2023

I posted some info on the 77TMK thread about my experience on trying out the 77TMK on this black bear. There was some interest in the rifle used so I'm posting some info about the whys and hows on some of what I've put together over the last year or so.



I've been carrying lightweight bolt rifles around the mountains for a long time and have thought about how to make the lightest rifle I could, just to see what's possible, if nothing else. The lightest bolt rifle I've had was a 4# 9oz 308. That was pretty costly and there didn't seem to be a way to get much lighter without a...

• Thegman
• Replies: 4,332
• Forum: Firearms

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[spur60]

Pencil barrel.
carbon fiber hand guard.
5 or 10 round mags instead of 30s.
Minimalist stock.
Open sights, no optic.

Lots of ways to build a lightweight AR. Google has tons of links to forum threads and articles.

 

[HairyScandinavian]

My hunting AR's always end up 9+ or so pounds rigged up some close to 10. I don't use them in the mountains so doesn't really matter much to me.

 

[justinspicher]

What’s heavy?

 

[Stonehenge]

Barrel and optics are probably biggest drivers. Then rail and stock.

This setup with optic weighs in at 5lbs 13ounces but it was purpose built with all lightweight components. 16” barrel and all.. Sub moa fixed 2.5 power scope, perfect for my needs

 

[jimh406]

Cantilever optic mounts can be really heavy if steel. Other than that, you might be able to go with a lighter barrel.

 

[Steve300xcw]

Just cuz I bought a fancy scale.

A2, 3-9SS, fatty scope mount, 10rnd mag full up,

Didnt think it was that much. But IDGAS. Handy lil rifle..

 

[schmidty3]

Im using the PA 5x prism on mine. Pretty nifty optic. Very light too.

 

[NorthIdahoDude]

A "no compromises in durability" lightweight AR comes in around 5lbs dry, plus whatever optic and mag/ammo. Most of mine are around 6.5lbs all up with a 30. If you compromise a little (lightweight BCG, carbon handguard), you can take 1/2 lb or so off of that.