Build Thread My sub 5lb ultralight build

[Jerderv]

I'm also a backpacker and have a desire to build a sub-6lb (w/o magazine) for backpacking once in awhile. It would be helpful if costs were posted. I don't plan to sink $2k into a new rifle, but $1k might be do-able.

UPPER
[X]Aero Percision NO FA $70
[X]V7 port door and rod $42
[X]V7 Lightweight CH $38
[X]Spikes gas tube $15
[X]Faxon Pencil 4150 16 $175
[X]DSA Titanium A2 $30
[X]DD A1.5 sights $120
[X]2A Titanium Gasblock $70
[X]ALG EMR V2 $155
[X]2a Regulated BCG $300

Upper Total: $1015
If i did it again i would have just bought the $110 AIM BCG and used the RCI gas key $40
Upper Total with AIM BCG: $865

LOWER
[X]Aero stripped G2 $70
[X]Magpul trigger gaurd $10
[X]Buffer $20
[X]Tubb's Buffer spring $35
[X]Spikes EBTrigger $150 Could easily save money here, Right to bear has a nice trigger for $40.
[X]Ergo swift grip $15
[X]V7 Ti Grip screw $5
[X]V7 UL Castle nut $22
[X]V7 UL End plate $22
[X]V7 UL AL pins $23
[X]V7 3gun Safety $52
[X]V7 UL Mag catch $27
[X]V7 UL Bolt catch $30 Didnt drop much weight, not needed.
[X]V7 Buffer retainer $7 Didnt drop much weight, not needed.
[X]PA10 Buffer tube $20
[X]Knock off BAD LBS $25


Lower Total: $533

U+L Total: $1548
U+L Total AIM BCG: $1398

I think you could build a sub 5lb rifle for ~$1100 if you really shop around.

 

[Diamondback]

For lighter weight, dunno how the V Seven compares but FAB Defense has a polymer dustcover for ten bucks and 0.2oz.
Adjustable Polymer Ejection Port Cover for M16/M4/AR-15 - PEC

 

[Jerderv]

For lighter weight, dunno how the V Seven compares but FAB Defense has a polymer dustcover for ten bucks and 0.2oz.
Adjustable Polymer Ejection Port Cover for M16/M4/AR-15 - PEC

V7 has a new "Air" port door. that weighs 0.2oz but cost 3 times as much as the polymer door you posted. Comes down to personal preference.

V Seven Ultra Light Port Door (Air)

 

[Jerderv]

Put 100rnds through it today. love this gun.

 

[Certaindeaf]

Pretty sweet! My three pound stock (unloaded) 1911 is jealous!

 

[Jerderv]

Thanks man, had to see how much this thing weighs with 70rounds and a flashlight. ~7.5lbs

 

[Certaindeaf]

My hands weigh nothing o snap
note to self

 

[Diamondback]

For further weight loss, you might look at hybrid (metal-reinforced polymer) lowers like the Tennessee Arms Liberator... 5.6oz to the Aero's 8.35, plus eliminating the 0.88oz of that Magpul triggerguard. Net savings 3.53oz, almost 1/4-lb.

For comparison, your full-length rifle weighs less than the projections for my Gremlin build, and that's a PISTOL!

59.33 modified PSA 10.5" upper (PA AFAB-556 brake, Vltor CASV-EL handguard w/o rails, DSA CASV delta-ring, FAB poly port door)
2.6 Indian Creek BFD blast deflector
1.1 generic charging handle
1.5 Diamondhead 1401 poly rear sight
2.1 FAB PTK angled foregrip
---66.63 upper assembly less BCG, optic and mount (not including FG mount rail)

4.5 EP Armory polymer blank (guesstimate)
9.34 modified Anderson LPK (ambi safety, YHM EZ-Push takedown pins, KNS anti-walk FCG pins, FAB AGF-43S folding grip)
10.5 LAW Tactical sidefolder
15.4 TacFire pistol buffer kit w/ H3 buffer
1.44 Shockwave Blade
---41.18 lower assembly

107.81oz assembled weight - 6lb. 11.81oz. plus BCG and optic/mount, and it looks like even if I had the bucks to replace most of it with V Seven stuff that would still only about cancel out the 2.4oz gain from the 18oz 10.3" Daniel Defense barrel in Phase 2, and that's WITH a plasticrap lower!

 

[Diamondback]

Apologies if this was already mentioned up-thread, but just in case thought this weight-list with 41 pages of discussion might be useful even if it is BARFCOM.

Lightweight Parts List with WEIGHTS (AR-15) - AR15.COM