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Posted: 8/13/2008 8:07:27 PM EDT
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I'm currently running a Del-Ton midlength upper with Daniel Defense 9.0 M4 FF Rails. It's a great, solid rifle, but the thing is 9+ lbs unloaded. This isn't such a problem, but all the weight tends to be at the front of the weapon, making it feel rather unbalanced. What's the best solution to this problem? Get the heavy barrel recontoured, or cut 1.5 and perm the flash hider? Or both? Anyone else here had to put their AR on a diet? |
Is your barrel a strait-up HBAR or is it turned down under the handguards? If it's an HBAR, get it turned down under the handguards. |
If you don't want it muzzle heavy, the M4 profile is not the way to go. A socom or medium profile will balance more toward the receiver, but as is, a lighter profile forward of the gas block is probably the only way to significantly affect the balance with out adding weight to the stock end. Going shorter might help too. Call ADCO, they can do the re-profiling and cut it down for you if you want. |
You might want to IM COSteve for more info on this. He seems VERY pleased with the improved balance and his dealings with ADCO:
From this thread (and others): www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=118&t=368676 Personally, I have a government-profile middy and even it seems front heavy. I'm definitely going lightweight for my next build. |
FWIW, I turned down my 7.5 kittykat barrel(heavy), which removed 7ounces. I would bet you could get twice that out of a 16+" barrel. From this  to this 
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SOB....that is FANTASTICAL. |
 Send it to ADCO. I had them turn my RRA HBAR down under the guards, and in front of the FSB. In addition to weighing less, it balances a lot better, which is a greater advantage than any realized weight savings, IMO. Here's some pics of ADCO's work:    It was worth the two weeks it took, and every penny it cost. 
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Absolutely go with both the lightweight profile and 14.7" barrel + pinned A2 FH. The weight and especially the balance is so much better I can't believe it. Adco will do a kick ass job and your accuracy won't suffer at all. I'm now wondering why anyone would want a 16" when the shorter one is so much better balanced. |
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I agree with the others. Steve at ADCO does very good work. His prices are a very good value. On the work he has done for me, his turnaround time was very fast. I have been very pleased. |
Just so everyone does not get confused the above is complete tripe. SOCOM profiles are more nose heavy than M4 profiles and significantly so. We keep having this issue with newbs posting facts based on their imagination.  Any reduction in weight forward of the receiver is significant... the further forward the more significant. An M4 profile is MUCH less nose heavy than a HBAR and you will certainly notice it. A SOCOM would cut that weight shedding in half. Of course when discussing midlengths an M4 profile is just a govt profile aka light under the handguards and ~.74" out front. SOCOM profile is .85" under the handguards. Since the area under the handguards is larger on a midlength than a carbine you will have a HUGE difference once you go light under the handguards. It also does not take that much exra weight in the rear to help balance a rifle. If a CTR fells a bit nose heavy a UBR does not and the UBR is not THAT heavy when hefted in your hand. IMO if you dont want to go lightweight on the front of the rifle you can cut it to 14.5" and pin a Phantom and get the same feel as the 16" lightweight profile out front. A Phantom weighs the same as an A2 so a 14.5" barrel plus Phantom will be lighter and produce less flash vs the 14.7" and A2. Depending on your HBAR actual profile (1" vs .95" etc and chamber taper if any) you can shed up to 12oz on a midlength by just doing the under the handguard profiling. |
OK, I'm a total newb, and forgive me, but this statement makes perfect sense to me. I'm a small dude (5'7" 186lbs) and average physical condition. I own my first and only AR; a full size 20" stocker. Yea, it's nose heavy, but still lighter than my AK. IDK, maybe I plagued with youth and enthusiasm? Seriously though, with help from this site, I will build my own in the near future. Probably a AR pistol. That picture thread really has me droolin'. |
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Spec the prices yourself... I am betting not. Also you can have the sling mount and baynet cut off and have it propperly parked when its profiled. The only LW barrels I know of are the 16" Bushy and the CMMG units. CMMG is the only midlength lightweight I know of... it aint cheap and you wont get that much for your current used barrel once you subtract shipping the new upper and shipping your barrel to someone. |
Probably not. And if you like the accuracy of your current barrel and know what kind of ammo it likes, a bird in the hand is better than 2 in the bush. IMHO. |
It's important that your rifle be well balanced and fit you well, I agree with that. I just think people go overboard sometimes trying to perfect a rifle. Just shoot it and drill with it a ton and you will learn to work it properly. |
For the record, DevL is absolutely correct. I only considered the balance of the barrel by itself, failing to consider the balance of the complete rifle. Also for the record, don't let my low post count fool you. I've been shooting for 20+ years and am not completely ignorant or a total newb. I am however prone to the occasional brain fart. ETA: And I just wasted post 308 apologizing for that mental flatulence 
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I agree, but installing a fixed stock does wonders to properly balance out the rifle. Collapsible stock + mid-length= nose heavy. A1 stock+ mid-length= just right! 
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If you don't have the tools, or the time to do it yourself, let ADCO do it. |
Nice rifle. What length is that barrel? Brand and length of rail? |
It's a 16" barrel. The rails in that photo are MI, non-free float rails, but the rifle now has a Daniel Defense Omega free float rails on it.
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Good advice. If you want to get in the AR-building business, then it is worth getting the tools, but if you figure this is a one-time shot, then let ADCO do it. They do it very well. Moon |
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