Skeletonized lightweight AR-15

[Raven]

Is there a current record on weight on these types of builds?

Magnesium receivers full of holes hold the record

 

[Rebel_Rider1969]

Is there a current record on weight on these types of builds?

Lightest I've seen was 3.4.

 

[rviray]

Lightest I've seen was 3.4.

Damn that's light. I'd like to see the specs on that, probably not a 16" barrel build.

 

[Anyting5dolla]

I’m not sure what the record is but without heavy modifications other then what can be purchased from a manufacturer. I know mines pretty light wish the rest of my parts would hurry up so I can weigh it.

 

[Anyting5dolla]

Not sure the receivers actual weight but the barrel is 17oz I know that for a fact. And the upper stripped feels to weigh less then the red dot and it’s mount.

 

[Anyting5dolla]

That's a nice looking build. Definitely let us know the final weight on that thang.

New hand guard came today do you know of any lightweight barrel nuts this one is to heavy.

 

[Raven]

New hand guard came today do you know of any lightweight barrel nuts this one is to heavy.

Delta ring. Remove the metal heat shields. Ribbed plastic is way lighter than an aluminum mlok or picatinny rail. Cut the front sight and bayonet lug off of an A2 profile front sight. Very lightweight. Lowest profile you could ever get the gas block ever, period. I bought a preban Bushmaster that somebody else had done this too and I was skeptical but then very pleased. Mine kept the bayonet lug, though. It's worth the extra weight.

 

[Glockguy_17]

So this past weekend I was toying around with building, yet another AR15. This time I wanted to do a skeletonized build and since I was doing that, I thought I would do a lightweight build with it. After running the numbers, I know that this project will not be done until 2022, if that. You will see the price tag below and know why.

The skeletonized upper and lower I chose is from War Dog Industries. I don't have hands-on experience with that company, but their skeletonized upper and lower look sick, so I said... "ehh, why not".

View attachment 100343

Here is the bottom line, price with weight.

Main
Part	Manufacturer	Price	Weight (.oz)
Upper	War Dog Industry	$129.00​	8.20​
Lower	War Dog Industry	$189.90​	6.50​
BCG	Rubber City Titanium BCG	$370.99​	7.80​
barrel	FAXON Ultra Lightweight Pencil 16"	$179.55​	19.04​
handguard	Brigand Arms Blade Woven Carbon Fiber	$350.00​	5.00​
stock	MFT Minimalist	$59.99​	5.80​
grip	Future Forged Cektor SG-2	$79.99​	1.20​
Buffer Tube	Andro Corp Industries	$99.00​	2.60​
		$1,458.42​	56.14​

LPK
Part	Manufacturer	Price	Weight (.oz)
Titanium Grip Screw	V7	$7.76​	0.11​
Selector	V7	$50.44​	0.29​
Castle Nut	V7	$22.31​	0.24​
Trigger & Hammer Pins	V7	$18.43​	0.08​
Mag Catch/Release	V7	$44.62​	0.26​
End Plate	V7	$32.98​	0.25​
Trigger	ELF	$279.00​	2.00​
		$455.54​	3.23​

UPK
Part	Manufacturer	Price	Weight (.oz)
Sights	Bobro Lowrider Sight Set	$200.00​	2.4​
Forward Assist	NA
Ejection Port Door	NA
Charging Handle	V7	$40.74​	1.02​
		$240.74​	3.42​

Summary:

Price	Weight (.oz)	Weight (.lb)
$2,154.70​	62.79​	3.92​

And, before all the haters come out. This is intended to be a fun, if I have some cash buy a part here-and-there, build. I ain't going into battle with this thing. If SHTF, I got other weapons that I can use for that....

You guys see the price tag, and I know that in a year or two the technology on light weight ar-15 parts may change, but for now, this is the parts list. If you guys can improve on the Price and the weight, please chime in.

Lastly, the final cost per ounce is $34.32.

Seems like mine lol

 

[Raven]

Seems like mine lol

Drill a hole thru the middle of your bolt release paddle... you missed a spot

 

[Oldergeek]

Just when I thought I was through with my 7.62X39 build . . .

 

[rviray]

I'm actually tearing this build down and tearing down my Fostech 5.56 lightweight build too. Planning on weighing every piece to figure out how to get close to 3.4lbs, with a 16" 5.56 build. Gotta represent the GCGF ;-)

My wife is hating that I have time off, crap is all over the kitchen table. lol

 

[Anyting5dolla]

Drill a hole thru the middle of your bolt release paddle... you missed a spot

 

[rviray]

Just in case anyone is interested in lightweight hand guards. I found this place

AR-15 Round Ultra-Light Hex Free Float Handguard With Barrel Nut 7“ 9” 12“ 15”

If weight is one of your main concerns for your AR 15, This Ultra Lightweight Hexagon free float handguard is the lightest handguard we offer. It features a simple, utilitarian design with an enlarged and Hexagon knurled center section for a comfortable and secure grip. It will fit all mil-spec...

www.ohhunt.com

and ordered the 15" one. It only took 9 days to deliver.

I just measured it with the handguard & barrel nut and it is 7oz. It's an aluminum alloy and it feels like it will withstand the occasionaly range day. The only downside is there are no rails. There are just holes to attach rails, so you got to be right on the money to line up with the upper so I can put on a front sight.

I figured the Brigand Arms Edge 15" handguard is 5.1oz, but costs $400...price per ounces on either one....I'm cheap, so it was a no brainer for me.

 

[Anyting5dolla]

Last few parts will be here tomorrow so I can swap and weigh it.

 

[Oldergeek]

Just in case anyone is interested in lightweight hand guards. I found this place

AR-15 Round Ultra-Light Hex Free Float Handguard With Barrel Nut 7“ 9” 12“ 15”

If weight is one of your main concerns for your AR 15, This Ultra Lightweight Hexagon free float handguard is the lightest handguard we offer. It features a simple, utilitarian design with an enlarged and Hexagon knurled center section for a comfortable and secure grip. It will fit all mil-spec...

www.ohhunt.com

and ordered the 15" one. It only took 9 days to deliver.

I just measured it with the handguard & barrel nut and it is 7oz. It's an aluminum alloy and it feels like it will withstand the occasionaly range day. The only downside is there are no rails. There are just holes to attach rails, so you got to be right on the money to line up with the upper so I can put on a front sight.

I figured the Brigand Arms Edge 15" handguard is 5.1oz, but costs $400...price per ounces on either one....I'm cheap, so it was a no brainer for me.

thanks for that bit of information R. I'm continuing to follow with interest. Trying to apply your work to an old 308 AR that I built years ago that is just too damn heavy to hunt with

 

[Paul Mormak]

I'm actually tearing this build down and tearing down my Fostech 5.56 lightweight build too. Planning on weighing every piece to figure out how to get close to 3.4lbs, with a 16" 5.56 build. Gotta represent the GCGF ;-)

My wife is hating that I have time off, crap is all over the kitchen table. lol

My wife always says my guns puked all over again.

 

[Raven]

thanks for that bit of information R. I'm continuing to follow with interest. Trying to apply your work to an old 308 AR that I built years ago that is just too damn heavy to hunt with

I got rid of several AR10's and an Austrian LMG heavy barrel FAL and went back to SKS Paratrooper's because the semiauto 308's were just too heavy to lug around all day. A good weight compromise I found was the sheet metal semiauto PSL, and Saiga makes something similar in 308. My second PSL I never really shot for accuracy, but my first one I focused on and could get repeatable 1 MOA groups with iron sights. I prefer irons over scopes. Yet another way to drop serious weight. Get rid of the glass, rings, prisms and batteries

 

[Raven]

 

[Anyting5dolla]

All of those are very good points I could do all of that but would I want to do that to my rifle that isn’t anything but a paper princess with a big price tag no. I’d do all of that to a very cheap lower and upper.

 

[Anyting5dolla]

STOCKS | smokecomposites

www.smokecomposites.com

I was looking into these at one point but I’m not sure on if I want to spend that kinda money.