The Lightweight AR

[WDW]

Where have you been all my life!!

I just recently picked up a Colt 6720. I've always steered clear of pencil barrel AR's because I thought they were somehow inferior. Well, they're not. They may heat up quicker & lose a marginal amount of intrinsic accuracy, but it's probably nothing I'll ever notice. The weight savings, while only about 3/4 of a lb, is very quickly noticed after a few minutes of running & bringing the gun up repeatedly.

I like it so much, I may never go back. I'm fresh out of M203's & HE 40mm's anyway so I don't need the the step cut barrel.


http://i865.photobucket.com/albums/ab217/10mm4me/image-8_zpsc1fc3a54.jpg (http://s865.photobucket.com/user/10mm4me/media/image-8_zpsc1fc3a54.jpg.html)

[orionz06]

I'm fresh out of M203's & HE 40mm's anyway so I don't need the the step cut barrel.


We can't all be perfect. :p


Good choice.

[ffhounddog]

Good weapon. Congratulations.

[Kyle Reese]

Very nice.

[JSGlock34]

Excellent choice.

[WDW]

Very nice. New purchase?

Yep!!

What's really weird is that I shot the 6940 w/1x RDS better @ distance (100yds) than I did the 6720 w/4x ACOG. I'm not sure why. Maybe it was luck, but I was making 8" hits more consistently & faster w/the RDS.

I do this thing where I run 5yds, bring a cruiser ready carbine to C1, run 5yds, hit the prone, & make (4) 8" shots on (4) different targets @ 100yds. The running is purely to up my resp. rate to increase difficulty.

[ffhounddog]

Maybe because you are use to the 6940?

[WDW]

I think it may be that with the RDS, you don't have to focus. Just dot, target, shot. I don't know. I'm gonna shoot more this weekend. I'm gonna try & get some actual data together to see what's what.

[Sparks2112]

I'm pretty happy, that my KAC SBR with KAC Supressor, Aimpoint H1, Scout Light, and a loaded 60 round surefire mag comes in right at 10 pounds. I guess that's not technically light though huh?

Congrats on the new blaster, looks nice.

[LHS]

I love my LW-contour DDM4. I'm sold on the LW barrel for my (admittedly limited) needs.

[rob_s]

Light makes right

[Chuck Haggard]

You don't need cuts on the barrel for a 203, the barrel is already skinny, like on an M16a1. Just sayin.


Years ago I had the gun that Colt never made but should have; I bought a carbine from Ken Elmore during the great Colt drought in the 90s and had him take a 6920 and install a skinny barrel. I really, really prefer the lighter barrel. So does Ken BTW. Nice to see Colt making the gun that should have been making all along.

[Jay Cunningham]

Nice to see Colt making the gun that should have been making all along.


Colt LE6933

http://www.tribal-paintball.com/edwin247/LE6933_2sm.jpg

[TR675]

Second the 6933. For my purposes it's just the best option out there.

[WDW]

Colt LE6933

http://www.tribal-paintball.com/edwin247/LE6933_2sm.jpg

I want that gun so bad!!!! I regret not buying a new one for $1,100 last Nov. I said, oh ill get it later, no hurry. Yeah right!! Prob never see one of those again at that price.

Is that yours?

[Sparks2112]

http://i1312.photobucket.com/albums/t535/sparks2112/AR15_zps7e282181.jpg

Under 10lbs in that configuration, other than the can that's my setup. I've got one of their new CQB suppressors which is half the weight and length of the NT4 that's mounted on it currently, with the same sound suppression level. I'm looking forward to that showing up. It should be under 9lbs at that point, which for a wholly kitted out rifle doesn't strike me as too bad.

ETA: I'm dying to rattle can it as soon as my stamp shows up. Any day now...

[David Armstrong]

I've wished for a long time that Colt would make a run of the original A1 configuration guns. Slightly shorter butt stock, thin 20" barrel, overall weight around 6 pounds...just a delight to carry and shoot for me.

[Sparks2112]

I've wished for a long time that Colt would make a run of the original A1 configuration guns. Slightly shorter butt stock, thin 20" barrel, overall weight around 6 pounds...just a delight to carry and shoot for me.

We just got a colt SP1 transferred in for a customer. A1 configuration, triangle hand guards, no forward assist. It's, sweet...

[WDW]

I've wished for a long time that Colt would make a run of the original A1 configuration guns. Slightly shorter butt stock, thin 20" barrel, overall weight around 6 pounds...just a delight to carry and shoot for me.

That would be a fun repro build too! I wanna grab one of the new Magpul fixed carbine stocks as soon as I find one in stock. They're close to A1 LOP I think.

[JAD]

We just got a colt SP1 transferred in for a customer. A1 configuration, triangle hand guards, no forward assist. It's, sweet...

They're around. Right now they're inflated, but maybe they'll settle a bit. I've wanted one since Clint smith used one for his demo in urban rifle.... A long time ago.

[Pennzoil]

Nice choice On the 6720!

I have one and another AR with a DD pencil barrel which perform great. I sold all of my AR's with thicker barrels awhile ago and don't miss them at all.

[Doug]

I have a 6270 upper with a Micro. Want to leave the FSB on it.

Has anyone added a rail to their 6720 to get their grip out farther and FF the barrel?

The Troy Delta seems to fit the bill but can't get myself to add the weight back. Keeps the FSB which is nice.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/08/e9umuqe3.jpg

[David Armstrong]

I've wished for a long time that Colt would make a run of the original A1 configuration guns. Slightly shorter butt stock, thin 20" barrel, overall weight around 6 pounds...just a delight to carry and shoot for me.

We just got a colt SP1 transferred in for a customer. A1 configuration, triangle hand guards, no forward assist. It's, sweet...

That would be a fun repro build too! I wanna grab one of the new Magpul fixed carbine stocks as soon as I find one in stock. They're close to A1 LOP I think

They're around. Right now they're inflated, but maybe they'll settle a bit. I've wanted one since Clint smith used one for his demo in urban rifle.... A long time ago.

Hmmmm......sounds like some interest. Anybody got some contacts with the Prancing Pony People? Todd??

[Jay Cunningham]

I just picked up a Colt A2 clone. It's an HBAR re barreled to gov't profile.

[WDW]

I just picked up a Colt A2 clone. It's an HBAR re barreled to gov't profile.
We need pics!!!

[Jay Cunningham]

1540

Not my gear in the background. lolz

[orionz06]

1540

Not my gear in the background. lolz

Your helmet is Kryptek, isn't it?

[Jay Cunningham]

My helmet is purple.

[Pennzoil]

Here is my lightweight barreled AR's top is my DD for hunting/hiking (same one I accidently parked the truck on but still shoots good after a trip to dd) with new paint and my 6720 for home with uber tactical hose clamp light mount. They both come in right @ 9 lb loaded.

http://imageshack.us/a/img33/9733/xxxar2.jpg

[JAD]

1542
Colt's MT6530, about 7.5 as shown. No stoppages in at least 10k rounds except for some PMC that had a light crimp. Probably shot out -- I need to shoot it for group. My first and last AR purchase.

That is, youngsters, a Brown mount. It was put ion my gun for $135, including the $75 part. Who did it, you ask? Some guy named Toast, or Yost, or something.

[Desmond82]

So what's the weight cap on a so called "Light AR"?

[WDW]

So what's the weight cap on a so called "Light AR"?
The difference between an HBAR or step cut barrel to a pencil barrel is all I was referring to. It's all purely subjective though.

[Desmond82]

The difference between an HBAR or step cut barrel to a pencil barrel is all I was referring to. It's all purely subjective though.

Got you, guess that's another question for another thread

[David Armstrong]

So what's the weight cap on a so called "Light AR"?
Probably differs from person to person. The original full-size AR was 6.6 pounds, IIRC, and I felt it handled like a dream.

[JAD]

Yep. I wish mine weighed less. It has an ultralight stock which helps, but I sure could have less weight in the optic these days. That mofo was state of the art in '98.

[orionz06]

So what's the weight cap on a so called "Light AR"?

I am not required to carry one for hours on end so I never gave it much thought. Light would be the lightest of what I have, heavy would be the heaviest of what I have. I only know what a few of mine weigh because someone else did the math for me.

[JAD]

I have found that light guns (especially front weight) improve my focus in classes. That's where I got the bug.

[ST911]

I'm a fan of lightweight carbines, and the 6720 in particular. This is my EDC, running since 05/2010 or so. Light and handy.

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j18/Skintop911/Colt%20AR6720/6e2aed76.jpg

[Ed L]

That picture makes me think I need another AR. How is the light mounted?

thanks,


I'm a fan of lightweight carbines, and the 6720 in particular. This is my EDC, running since 05/2010 or so. Light and handy.

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j18/Skintop911/Colt%20AR6720/6e2aed76.jpg

[ST911]

That picture makes me think I need another AR. How is the light mounted? thanks,

Surefire G2 with a Malkoff drop-in, VTAC mount, rail section bolted on the top of the HG. I've been looking at other mounting solutions, and that light will probably be replaced with a Fury sometime soon as well. In the interim, it works pretty well.

[Al T.]

Surefire G2 with a Malkoff drop-in, VTAC mount, rail section bolted on the top of the HG. I've been looking at other mounting solutions, and that light will probably be replaced with a Fury sometime soon as well.

I have the same thing. Brother Pat's recommendation? Mine was... :cool:

I've also found that the Midwest Industries mount (#MCTAR-01G2) that attaches to the front sight is very user friendly, but I have 36 inch sleeves...

[ST911]

I have the same thing. Brother Pat's recommendation? Mine was... :cool:

Yes, along with others.


I've also found that the Midwest Industries mount (#MCTAR-01G2) that attaches to the front sight is very user friendly, but I have 36 inch sleeves...

That's a leading option right now. I need to get some different mounts in and see what will work the best. As time allows.

[Jay Cunningham]

IWC FTW

[Sean O]

IWC FTW

This.
My go to is a 6933, IWC MOUNT-N-SLOT W surefire light, MOE FOREND and Aimpoint H1. This combo make a nice light rifle, and still decently balanced even with a suppressor.

[gunkid]

Many a battle hardened, horny handed farmer boy in WW2 preferred the 30Carbine over the Garand. Audie Murphy himself said that many casualties came as a result of fatique, being too tired to notice something important. Since the advent of the AK, guys have not gotten away with the sort of stuff that many slid by with when all the enemy had was bolt actions! if you hit 5 men in any one mix up, you will have done as much as any of our Medal of Honor winners have done (with just the rifle) and lived to tell of it, that is. How many times do you think that you can miss and still survive, by anything but pure luck? I don't bother to carry more than 3 loaded mags. 30 rders. It's just not worth the extra bulk and weight. Neither is a 1911 and the 6 loaded mags some fools think that they want to add to the pack. :-) when I'm already carrying a pack and a rifle, the only pistol that is going to be added is a pocket 9mm, with one spare magazine, if it's a shtf thing, where I can't expect to replace expended centerfire pistol ammo.

[LittleLebowski]

Many a battle hardened, horny handed farmer boy in WW2 preferred the 30Carbine over the Garand. Audie Murphy himself said that many casualties came as a result of fatique, being too tired to notice something important. Since the advent of the AK, guys have not gotten away with the sort of stuff that many slid by with when all the enemy had was bolt actions! if you hit 5 men in any one mix up, you will have done as much as any of our Medal of Honor winners have done (with just the rifle) and lived to tell of it, that is. How many times do you think that you can miss and still survive, by anything but pure luck? I don't bother to carry more than 3 loaded mags. 30 rders. It's just not worth the extra bulk and weight. Neither is a 1911 and the 6 loaded mags some fools think that they want to add to the pack. :-) when I'm already carrying a pack and a rifle, the only pistol that is going to be added is a pocket 9mm, with one spare magazine, if it's a shtf thing, where I can't expect to replace expended centerfire pistol ammo.

This thread is about the lightweight AR. Please stay on topic.

[Jay Cunningham]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/17/evy7uve3.jpg

I just acquired this Colt 6720 for a very good price NIB (could not pass it up).

I checked iron sight zero and general function today. This one could pretty much be everything I need. And something I would recommend when I invariably get the "which AR" question.

[Jason F]

Nice Jay - very KISS.

What does it tip the scale at?

[Jay Cunningham]

I need to pick up a suitable scale. Maybe I'll do that on the way home back from the range.

[tremiles]

IWC TMC for your light? How does your sling mount up front?

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

[Jay Cunningham]

IWC TMC for your light? How does your sling mount up front?

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

Yes, and the sling also attaches to an IWC QD mount.

[Al T.]

http://www.impactweaponscomponents.com/

Thanks for the tip, these guys were off my radar... :)

[Jay Cunningham]

Their stuff is so simple and effective; where the hell were they 10 years ago?

[Jason F]

I can't recall the weight offhand, it's been a few months since I threw this on the scale. It's my current setup. I've been debating switching the MOE handguard for a long rail to get my support hand further out, but that will definitely change the weight and balance. Hmmm, decisions....

1562

[Jay Cunningham]

I can't recall the weight offhand, it's been a few months since I threw this on the scale. It's my current setup. I've been debating switching the MOE handguard for a long rail to get my support hand further out, but that will definitely change the weight and balance. Hmmm, decisions....

1562

Dude, that rifle is nice but you'd love the IWC light mount compared to the one you currently have on there.

[SPDGG]

Lightweight is FTW, can't see myself going back to a heavier profile unless its for a precision app.

LW Barreled Dissipator w/ Cut Back 13" VTAC Alpha for the .625 FSB
- Mid Gas; GB & FSB pinned.

I believe the only thing I changed since this pic was swapping the 6P for a G2
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j122/fkim2003/SideTopSide1024x768.jpg

[Surf]

I have shifted to really appreciating a lighter weight set up, however for the life of me I just don't get along with pencil profile barrels. I have tried a few Colt, DD and most recently in my latest 3 gun rifle the BCM LW. This latest LW BCM barrel shoot a great 5 round group when cool, but for myself I just don't like how they respond when heated up and I notice the decline in accuracy even at 50 yards. Enough to not want to trade off the accuracy for that weight saved in the barrel. I have only about 50 rounds through the BCM LW barrel, but I already swapped out the LW barrel upper on this new rifle in favor of running either a SS BCM barreled upper, or a standard profile CL BCM barreled upper. I must say that the LW BCM barrel with the Noveske NSR rail is damn light.

[Jason F]

Dude, that rifle is nice but you'd love the IWC light mount compared to the one you currently have on there.

Yeah, a new light mount is on the list of "want to buy". That DD setup is what I had on hand when I got the rifle. It works, but it's not great when you have to mount the rail to the MOE to mount a light. "Making it work" for a while.

Any thoughts on the Thorntail Offset (here) versus the SMC Mount-N-Slot? Used either?

[TGS]

I have shifted to really appreciating a lighter weight set up, however for the life of me I just don't get along with pencil profile barrels. I have tried a few Colt, DD and most recently in my latest 3 gun rifle the BCM LW. This latest LW BCM barrel shoot a great 5 round group when cool, but for myself I just don't like how they respond when heated up and I notice the decline in accuracy even at 50 yards. Enough to not want to trade off the accuracy for that weight saved in the barrel. I have only about 50 rounds through the BCM LW barrel, but I already swapped out the LW barrel upper on this new rifle in favor of running either a SS BCM barreled upper, or a standard profile CL BCM barreled upper. I must say that the LW BCM barrel with the Noveske NSR rail is damn light.

Would you be able to quantify the accuracy difference when the guns are heated up?

My standard gov't profile BCM 14.5" can pull 1.5-1.8 MOA in slow fire 40 shot groups (1 round downrange per breathing cycle), so....I'm just curious how significant the difference is that you've found. I'm surprised there's any, really, given that all the extra weight of a standard profile barrel is in all the wrong place (according to convention).

[rob_s]

Would you be able to quantify the accuracy difference when the guns are heated up?

My standard gov't profile BCM 14.5" can pull 1.5-1.8 MOA in slow fire 40 shot groups (1 round downrange per breathing cycle), so....I'm just curious how significant the difference is that you've found. I'm surprised there's any, really, given that all the extra weight of a standard profile barrel is in all the wrong place (according to convention).

I never could stand the little twerp that wrote this, and I may be breaking a forum rule by linking here, but he seems to have matured a bit recently. Either way, this is the first time I'd seen someone post actual, you know, data.

http://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=111488

[Jay Cunningham]

I picked up a 25 lb. postal scale so I'll give some weights later.

So far so good; I only shot about 60 rounds through it off the bench at 25 yards, but it functioned as it should with no issues. I used the supplied 20 round PMAGs and they fed and locked the bolt back fine.

I need to confirm my zero at 100 and dump a couple mags through fast to heat it up a little.

[Jay Cunningham]

Yeah, a new light mount is on the list of "want to buy". That DD setup is what I had on hand when I got the rifle. It works, but it's not great when you have to mount the rail to the MOE to mount a light. "Making it work" for a while.

Any thoughts on the Thorntail Offset (here) versus the SMC Mount-N-Slot? Used either?

I think The Thorntail is just the one designed for a Picatinny rail. I have and use both.

Was this what you were asking?

[rob_s]

I think The Thorntail is just the one designed for a Picatinny rail. I have and use both.

Slightly off-topic, but the newer handguards that people are tempted to try due to weight reductions a getting maddening in this regard. There are two types of Troy tubes (the VTAC with slots and regular with holes), the Centurion CMR with helicoils, whatever Geisselle is doing with his handguard, various KAC, various Keymod...

I've just decided to stick with my old Daniel Defense M4 rails as I've discovered that they are about the latest 4-rail system I can find, proved excellent heat insulation wo Larue index clips without getting too fat, and take industry standard parts as well as allow me to easily remove accessories as un-needed, which is something I'm finding to be key in weight savings.

[Jay Cunningham]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/17/evy7uve3.jpg

I just acquired this Colt 6720 for a very good price NIB (could not pass it up).

I checked iron sight zero and general function today. This one could pretty much be everything I need. And something I would recommend when I invariably get the "which AR" question.

The carbine *exactly as it is pictured* weighs exactly seven pounds. The magazine is empty and the chamber is clear.

[Jason F]

1562

Just weighed it. 7lbs 14oz, unloaded. I've added a CTR stock, a BAD lever, and an Aimpoint H1 clone. So a few minor additions since that last photo taken a few months back.

[jlw]

Can I play? (lighting was off for the picture)



https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/992993_517799994934559_1411002683_n.jpg

[Jason F]

Can I play?

Personal weapon or dept issue?

[littlejerry]

The carbine *exactly as it is pictured* weighs exactly seven pounds. The magazine is empty and the chamber is clear.

That's a slick setup and exactly what I wanted to build this year. My plan was to use my Q1 bonus to buy a 6720... But then the world went mad so I'm still rocking the 20" A2.

I've seen some 6920s at normal prices lately but I'm holding out for the 6720. A sling, light, and DD fixed rear are all I have planned.

[jlw]

Personal weapon or dept issue?

Personal. Office issue is suppressed shorty Colt.

[Kyle Reese]

Personal. Office issue is suppressed shorty Colt.

Kinda hard to go wrong there...:cool:

[jlw]

Kinda hard to go wrong there...:cool:

Yeah, but if things get serious I have a Marlin 336 in .30-30 handy...

[rob_s]

I put this together for a couple of reasons, one being simply to see how light "lightweight" could be in order to get a sence of the "floor", and the other being having a short, light, gun to carry a lot and shoot very little when teaching/running drills. I think I got it about as light as I could and it really was nice to carry.

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q111/rob_s/weights/8a24db17.jpg

[Guinnessman]

The carbine *exactly as it is pictured* weighs exactly seven pounds. The magazine is empty and the chamber is clear.

Jay,

I love the simplicity of that set-up. The IWC mount looks good, and now the Centurion FSP Rail sitting in my closet may become EE fodder. My plan was to set up my 6720 the same as my DDM4, but there is something about the simplicity of your set up that looks appealing.

Are you adding an optic to your rifle?

[Jay Cunningham]

Jay,

I love the simplicity of that set-up. The IWC mount looks good, and now the Centurion FSP Rail sitting in my closet may become EE fodder. My plan was to set up my 6720 the same as my DDM4, but there is something about the simplicity of your set up that looks appealing.

Are you adding an optic to your rifle?

I dug out an old Aimpoint Comp ML2 (in factory Aimpoint mount) yesterday and stuck it on. I bought this optic back in 2005 or 2006 and I'm now looking at it trying to figure out the "need" for $678 Micros or $813 M4S optics. Whole other thread, to be sure, but these days I can't imagine going with anything other than a used Comp ML2 or a new/used PRO.

I'm heading to the range tomorrow for 100 yard zero check and I'll take some more pics and update the weight.

[Guinnessman]

I dug out an old Aimpoint Comp ML2 (in factory Aimpoint mount) yesterday and stuck it on. I bought this optic back in 2005 or 2006 and I'm now looking at it trying to figure out the "need" for $678 Micros or $813 M4S optics. Whole other thread, to be sure, but these days I can't imagine going with anything other than a used Comp ML2 or a new/used PRO.

I'm heading to the range tomorrow for 100 yard zero check and I'll take some more pics and update the weight.

It is hard to beat a ML2 or PRO for the price. The worst case with a PRO is having to replace the factory Aimpoint mount. I am going out with my Dad this afternoon to go and sight in his 6920 with a PRO. Should be a good afternoon!

[Jay Cunningham]

What's wrong with the factory Aimpoint mount?

[Jay Cunningham]

I started a thread specifically on the Colt 6720:

http://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?8593-Thoughts-on-the-Colt-AR6720-Lightweight-LE-Carbine&p=141070#post141070

[Guinnessman]

What's wrong with the factory Aimpoint mount?

I have not had any issues with the factory Aimpoint mounts, but you know how some people are, and they just have to tinker. I should have been more specific in my post.

Today I had the chance to run my Comp m4 along side a PRO, and honestly, the PRO cannot be beat for the price. If the PRO was available when I bought my Comp M4 I could have saved some cash!

[Jay Cunningham]

I have not had any issues with the factory Aimpoint mounts, but you know how some people are, and they just have to tinker.

QFMFT

I have spent so many thousands of dollars and wasted so much time on silliness.

[Jason F]

Personal. Office issue is suppressed shorty Colt.

Figures. He's got a cool boss. :cool:

Which can do you run on that office issue rifle? The local guys from AAC or something else? Just curious.

[jlw]

Figures. He's got a cool boss. :cool:

Which can do you run on that office issue rifle? The local guys from AAC or something else? Just curious.


The can is a Surefire.

---

I traded a bunch of suppressed, select fire Uzis for a bunch of shorty Colts. The Uzis are on a form that only allowed them to be transferred to other agencies thus drastically reducing their value.

[Jay Cunningham]

The can is a Surefire.

---

I traded a bunch of suppressed, select fire Uzis for a bunch of shorty Colts. The Uzis are on a form that only allowed them to be transferred to other agencies thus drastically reducing their value.

Damn. Pics?

heh

[jlw]

Damn. Pics?

heh


Would you like that with suppressor

https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/1013805_518942754820283_1622707497_n.jpg

or without?

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/1618_518942781486947_807347849_n.jpg

[Odin Bravo One]

I really expected to be a lot more impressed with the SF suppressors than I have been. Especially the mini's.

They are still free where I get them, so I'll use it, but if I were spending the money, I'm not sure I could justify the cost (even dealer cost) for what it does compared to similar suppressors at half of the price.

Can't argue they are sexy. And I know plenty of people who spend perfectly good dollars on gun items simply because they look cool............but that's not really a priority for me.

But since the topic is lightweight, without much regard to practicality of it, the SF mini's will give the cool look, and keep with the lightweight concept.

Of course, another solution to an AR that is too heavy.......................

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v690/SavageHunter/Dumbbell_zps0bd7e1f8.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/SavageHunter/media/Dumbbell_zps0bd7e1f8.jpg.html)

[rob_s]

In the realm of lightweight, if one simply must have a can (which is nothing more than another toy for anyone buying one on a Form 4), I'd like to see YHM make this one in a ~7" length.


http://yhm.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=14_18&products_id=306

[YVK]

Of course, another solution to an AR that is too heavy.......................

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v690/SavageHunter/Dumbbell_zps0bd7e1f8.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/SavageHunter/media/Dumbbell_zps0bd7e1f8.jpg.html)

Refreshing thinking on this subject. I always thought that shooting ARs had a secondary benefit called "gym need realization".

[rob_s]

Person A can carry weight B for C time or distance. As B increases, C decreases.

Maybe the answer to the weight picture is this picture... ;)

http://math-blog.com/images/pcm1.jpg

[YVK]

Person A can carry weight B for C time or distance. As B increases, C decreases.

Maybe the answer to the weight picture is this picture... ;)

http://math-blog.com/images/pcm1.jpg

Correct. My math is that to make it C++, we need to change B into B-, and A into A+.

[GJM]

In the realm of lightweight, if one simply must have a can (which is nothing more than another toy for anyone buying one on a Form 4), I'd like to see YHM make this one in a ~7" length.


http://yhm.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=14_18&products_id=306

The definition of a toy is subjective, but I have heard the long range precision crowd is using cans on their bolt rifles with good results.

[Odin Bravo One]

I have heard the long range precision crowd is using cans on their bolt rifles with good results.

My precision rifle actually shoots 1/2 MOA better (under most circumstances, inside a grand) with the suppressor installed than without. At 1k and beyond, it's not quite 1/2 MOA improvement, but there is tangible, and verifiable improvement over the performance without the suppressor. The zero shift still sucks, IMHO, but you will get some amount of zero shift any time you are using a suppressor. I'll take the massive zero shift for the 1/2 minute improvement in results down range. To mitigate the effects and unpredictable nature of the zero shift, I simply shoot suppressed 100% of the time.

1/2 MOA is barely measurable in the carbine type AR world, and the variables are too many to even bother to mention. Along with the fact the majority of the AR shooting world does not really know what MOA their rifle is truly capable of, because they shoot at 100, and simply assume that their 1/2" group translates to 1/2 MOA.

While true "Long Range" shooting (like all shooting) is more about the shooter than the gear, the ratio of gear to shooter skill is much more important for long range accuracy and repeatable, predictable results. My suppressor gives me a predictable, and repeatable increase in my long range shooting performance, whether it is a cold bore, UKD shot, or shooting groups at yard lines.

(Of course, this particular precision rifle is anything but lightweight, which is not really on topic of the lightweight AR. Apologies for my digressions).

[rudy99]

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w86/rudy1999/B0156666-7927-4A7E-A94F-9ADB63E83520-6807-000008F28DC7C18D.jpg (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/rudy1999/media/B0156666-7927-4A7E-A94F-9ADB63E83520-6807-000008F28DC7C18D.jpg.html)

The upper is a BCM LW 16" Mid. You don't see the IWC light mount up front. The Fury isn't in the mount now and it would add about 5+ oz, so the whole package is about 7lb, 14oz. Full weight of the sling isn't on it, so that might add another oz or two.

EDIT: Sorry for the large photo, I couldn't edit the size.

[Surf]

Would you be able to quantify the accuracy difference when the guns are heated up?

My standard gov't profile BCM 14.5" can pull 1.5-1.8 MOA in slow fire 40 shot groups (1 round downrange per breathing cycle), so....I'm just curious how significant the difference is that you've found. I'm surprised there's any, really, given that all the extra weight of a standard profile barrel is in all the wrong place (according to convention).Just to be clear, I am gauging the following off of a red dot and not a magnified optic. I have found a range of around .5 to .75 MOA loss when I heat up the barrels and shoot a group. If I fire a box of ammo (20 rounds) at a 1 second or so pace and then shoot a group at 50y or 100y, I see a consistent difference hot vs cold. This is very much noticed when I quickly transition to various sized steel targets from 235y, 265y, 310y, 400y and 450y on a hot heavy or LW barrel. Steel targets sizes range from 4" to 18". The steel is not scientific but if you track performance over periods of time with cold or hot, with different barreled uppers, a pattern can be clearly seen. A rifle or moreso when a barreled upper does not instill confidence in the shooter (myself) I will not stick with that set up. Granted many shooters may not heat up barrels quickly say at close range then immediately transition to a longer distance targets. I do it quite often and if I were to shoot 3 gun with longer distances I would definitely take that into consideration.

I will note that at close ranges 50 yards and in, say off hand, most shooters will probably not notice a difference as it really is small. However even with a drill like the Mod Navy Qual, I can personally see variances in my performance with the LW barrel but I have been known to be picky. Bottom line, for myself, I like a lighter set up these days and haven't completely given up on a LW or pencil type barrel but if I am not confident with some type of gear or set up, then I will go with something else.