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Originally Posted By jekbrown:
Page 1 info is super out of date...check the PWD for current info on the latest parts. Link in sig... View Quote |
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Thanks Vinnland, I appreciate it. I get a LOT out of this thread, and this (and other!) forums...the PWD is how I "give back". Glad it's appreciated! If you ever have any user weights to contribute, you can do so in this thread or in the PWD itself.
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The future of your lightweight AR build begins with the PWD. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1I6Qb6kAJjChEJ56qhznv2291c5UHRDyNXuSXGObumqM/edit?usp=sharing
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I think I'm going to buy the sharps 308 Xtreme performance bolt. It has dual ejectors, tapered bolt lugs,and a dlc coating. I'm running a kak dual ejector bolt now, I've been very happy with it.
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@j_cobbers @breastsroker
I got this thing in the mail today finally. And well those darn Chinese eBay sellers. They lied to me! It's actually a bit lighter than they said it was Attached File It looks and feels super legit as well. Definitely plastic though. I've always been interested in the viability of a plastic free float though. So I'm pretty happy with it. Attached File Attached File Mates up real well to my upper too. Just need the barrel and bcg. But that will wait until dividend time. Attached File |
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Originally Posted By Sylvan:
Dating a single mom is like playing someone else's saved game. |
Huge kudos to John Thomas @ Retro Arms Works for re-profiling my spare Faxon 556 pencil barrel @16.1 inches. He cut 1.1 ounces off that heavy barrel.
He had the barrel maybe 26 hours before shipping it back super quick. Still waiting for my new buffer tube stock and ultra light weight charging handle. Bacon, more details please, length, barrel nut weight and do they have anything with less rails. I like the look or it, would look great on an all black CF AR15. |
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Originally Posted By breastroker:
Huge kudos to John Thomas @ Retro Arms Works for re-profiling my spare Faxon 556 pencil barrel @16.1 inches. He cut 1.1 ounces off that heavy barrel. He had the barrel maybe 26 hours before shipping it back super quick. Still waiting for my new buffer tube stock and ultra light weight charging handle. Bacon, more details please, length, barrel nut weight and do they have anything with less rails. I like the look or it, would look great on an all black CF AR15. View Quote This is the 10" version. They come in 7, 10, 12, and 15 as far as I can tell on eBay. Comparing it to the 10.5 I have. The angular cut definitely brings it down to 9. So the top rail is 10". Just enough to cover a mid length gas block. I just hope it doesn't melt on the first outing ETA the qd sling mount works but I wouldn't trust it. Better than my PSA rail which won't even let the sling in. |
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Originally Posted By Sylvan:
Dating a single mom is like playing someone else's saved game. |
I've had the same problem with Magpul qd slings on v7's 308 handguards! Just swap out the qd loop for a generic one, that worked for me.
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Got the Smoke Composites 7.25" forend today, added U weight to the PWD.
3.81 oz tube (no top rail) 1.27 oz bbl nut .32 oz for 6x screws I have to remark on how fantastic this looks... the machining is incredible. Also, this is very, very rigid. kinda want to hang weights on it to get a little deflection. Will get pics up, and a review article on Ammoland eventually. |
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Originally Posted By breastroker:
I congratulate you on building the worlds lightest AR15. My mind is having a hard time finding where the 2.4 ounces went, that is a HUGE amount when this light. Can you photo the upper and lower separate on the scale? My barrel is at 18 ounces, yours? My handguard and barrel nut @ 1.8 ounces, how long is yours? I suppose a 8 inch with holes drilled could be lighter? My buffer weighs 0.5 ounces, yours? My buffer tube stock is 1.6 ounces, Yours? I know one that weighs only 1.28 ounces. My BCG bolt+ titanium firing pin+ cam pin + 2.04 ounces (BCG 5.35 oz.) Your carrier is probably much lighter? My gas block weighs 0.41 ounces, yours? Complete with gas tube and pin was 1.1515 ounces or 32.650 grams I know my aluminum bolt catch is lighter than your V7 tool steel My pistol grip looks the same @ 0.74 ounces My Blackthorne Polymer upper receiver @ 4.10 ounces Taccom light weight spring @ 1.13 oz, doubt yours could be any lighter than 1 ounce. The only thing I can think of is your barrel must be really light weight? Maybe a couple of tenths from the carrier? I just can't see the missing 2.24 ounces, where did you cut so much? It's been a long time since I weighed mine, need to get it out of the safe and weigh again. Really haven't put any effort for almost a year as my ultra light weight 308 AR @3.9 pounds was my priority. I am probably under 2.50 pounds, just not sure since adding the 3D grip and cutting the stock to 1.69 ounces. But no way can I cut another 2.2 ounces. View Quote PS: this is a great thread and some good stuff going on here and can appreciate everybodys building and innovation , 3lb ars are not cheap or easy. And i do not think anybody's build is a p.o.s, just stating what i think some people may be thinking. |
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...believe in me, I'm with the High Command.
MO, USA
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This is a borderline personal attack! And no, I don’t agree with your conclusions. Would I want to take a sub-2.5 lb. AR into a firefight? Absolutely not, but YEARS ago when I started playing with getting AR’s lighter so I could reduce weight on my Duty rifle I learned a lot AND dropped a few pounds without reducing reliability. |
"When trading bullets it is better to give than to receive" _____________________
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." - George Orwell |
I have no problems shooting my ultra lite AR15. Shoot it every time I make changes. Do I do 40 round mag dumps, no. Do I let trucks are tanks roll over it, no.
Most of the parts listed here can be used on any AR15, the light weight parts are usually much higher quality than mil spec. But if the world was collapsing I would fill my backpack with 308 ammo and use my 3.9 pound 308AR. Very accurate and MUCH more powerful than a AR15. |
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I run my lightweight gun at this event and others like it. Weather wasn't quite as nice for my run.
[youtube]95tB8zpgP7A?t=228[/youtube] |
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Yeah these ultralights aren't really built for combat, lol. Only thing I use mine for are the occasional hunting trip. They are not built for full auto. I do have a few lightweight ar's that are though.
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With just about any product there is a range of durability. Most ultralight parts are no less durable than milspec. I mean, crazy haavy steel flash hider vs a titanium a2 clone? Steel GB v. Ti one? For semi auto fire, these kinds of things don't decrease durability much.
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The future of your lightweight AR build begins with the PWD. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1I6Qb6kAJjChEJ56qhznv2291c5UHRDyNXuSXGObumqM/edit?usp=sharing
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...believe in me, I'm with the High Command.
MO, USA
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Hell, aluminum bolt carriers ORIGINALLY came about to increase the rate of fire on an M-16 to 1,400 rpm.
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"When trading bullets it is better to give than to receive" _____________________
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." - George Orwell |
I'd dare to say machined grade 5 titanium is superior to cast mil spec steel in most applications. Only downside is price! One of the few exceptions would be the sleeve of the bolt carrier. You really can't beat chrome lining when it comes to wear resistance. There's even a lightweight version of the m240 machine gun out there that uses a titanium gas block. If it'll hold up in that application I'd say heat isn't much of an issue either.
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@Bacon_Grease:
Cool pics and update on the ebay china rail. Let us know how it holds up to heat once you get some round through it. Hope it holds up for you! |
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One other quick comment on light weight AR durability--some people do abuse their builds. The In Range TV guys use their "WWSD" builds I'm some pretty intense 2 gun matches. Is it a war? No...but it's still more abuse than the average AR-15 owner will ever subject their rifle too. Some of these parts are light AND durable. They tend to cost a fortune, but it is what it is.
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The future of your lightweight AR build begins with the PWD. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1I6Qb6kAJjChEJ56qhznv2291c5UHRDyNXuSXGObumqM/edit?usp=sharing
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did something change regarding this thread? I started getting email updates whenever somebody posts. This started yesterday.
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NUTs
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You probably accidentally clicked on the email/subscribe option...it's easy to do and it happens to me all the time.
If you go to My Subscriptions, it's the little blue envelope icon IIRC. |
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The future of your lightweight AR build begins with the PWD. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1I6Qb6kAJjChEJ56qhznv2291c5UHRDyNXuSXGObumqM/edit?usp=sharing
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NUTs
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That sure is purdy!
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Sweet!
Joe makes great products. Are those button head screws steel? I would replace with titanium, that is what I have done for several with the same kind of barrel nut. I assume the barrel nut is aluminum? Are those spacers inside removeable are glued in? What was the total weight? |
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If you have some rounds through that gas block I’d love to hear your opinion.
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Yep, that's a damn good looking rail, no doubt about it!
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The future of your lightweight AR build begins with the PWD. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1I6Qb6kAJjChEJ56qhznv2291c5UHRDyNXuSXGObumqM/edit?usp=sharing
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Originally Posted By breastroker:
Sweet! Joe makes great products. Are those button head screws steel? I would replace with titanium, that is what I have done for several with the same kind of barrel nut. I assume the barrel nut is aluminum? Are those spacers inside removeable are glued in? What was the total weight? View Quote Barrel nut is aluminum The spacers inside the tube are not removable so far as i can see. Total weight on the gun? I'll get that today, I'm in the shop. The whole forend assembly with all 6 screws and gas block is 5.4 oz |
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Originally Posted By JerDerv:
If you have some rounds through that gas block I’d love to hear your opinion. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Originally Posted By JerDerv:
If you have some rounds through that gas block I’d love to hear your opinion. Originally Posted By DekNgo:
You're not kidding! It is beautiful! Can you show us some pics of the rail installed? Will get some full-gun pics uploaded shortly |
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I am assuming the 6 screws weigh close to 0.40 ounces, so titanium will cut 2 tenths of an ounce. What thread and I assume the screws are long? The weight may actually be 0.5 to 0.6 ounces if they are close to half inch length.
There is one metric that is nearly identical to US threads, can't remember if it is M5 or M4. Most of the foreign aluminum barrel nuts actually use metric steel screws, making it easy to replace. |
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Originally Posted By breastroker:
I am assuming the 6 screws weigh close to 0.40 ounces, so titanium will cut 2 tenths of an ounce. What thread and I assume the screws are long? The weight may actually be 0.5 to 0.6 ounces if they are close to half inch length. There is one metric that is nearly identical to US threads, can't remember if it is M5 or M4. Most of the foreign aluminum barrel nuts actually use metric steel screws, making it easy to replace. View Quote |
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anybody have weights for these uppers yet? Should be in the 2A arms and Battle Arms ballpark.
https://venom-defense.com/upper-receivers/ |
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Google says that their milled lower is 6.70oz, haven't done much digging on these yet, but if no one knows, i will.
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The future of your lightweight AR build begins with the PWD. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1I6Qb6kAJjChEJ56qhznv2291c5UHRDyNXuSXGObumqM/edit?usp=sharing
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Originally Posted By breastroker:
I am assuming the 6 screws weigh close to 0.40 ounces, so titanium will cut 2 tenths of an ounce. What thread and I assume the screws are long? The weight may actually be 0.5 to 0.6 ounces if they are close to half inch length. There is one metric that is nearly identical to US threads, can't remember if it is M5 or M4. Most of the foreign aluminum barrel nuts actually use metric steel screws, making it easy to replace. View Quote |
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I had a lapse of interest after I finished my LW build and kinda lost track of this thread.
I’m thinking about trying another build. Did anyone ever machine off one of the set screw boss on the BAD ti gas block? If so what did you gain....er lose? |
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I saw BAD was actually selling that gas block for a little while. Unfortunately it came with a 14.5 in barrel. I just want the gas block!!! 😁
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PWD updated with all the data that was added to the user contribution sheet...I'll cull the last couple pages of the thread and get that stuff added ASAP. One step closer to every AR part ever made...
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The future of your lightweight AR build begins with the PWD. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1I6Qb6kAJjChEJ56qhznv2291c5UHRDyNXuSXGObumqM/edit?usp=sharing
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Does anyone know where the Ti cam pins are in stock or have a spare for sale? Same for an Al bolt catch?
I'm at 3lbs and .65oz on an early 2017 rifle using off the shelf, unaltered parts. Will be solidly under 3# when the DSA carrier and TYR grip land. Now I'm playing the addictive gram game like the rest of you maniacs! And thanks for this thread and the PWD...took a while to read all 105 pages. |
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@larrys
thanks for posting the scale pics of your modded GB...I'd like to add that info to the PWD, but the weights don't appear to include set screws....or do they? Also, which size GB is this? 625 or 750? c'mon man, you know we need specifics! |
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The future of your lightweight AR build begins with the PWD. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1I6Qb6kAJjChEJ56qhznv2291c5UHRDyNXuSXGObumqM/edit?usp=sharing
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FYI, ALG 10” rail weights 6.1oz that’s damn near as light as a composite or plastic rail.
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Can anyone confirm the M weight of .67 oz on this Anarchy ti brake?
https://www.anarchyoutdoors.com/tpi-titanium-full-port-muzzle-brake-titanium/ |
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They have the weights reversed "Weight: 0.67 oz(22 cal) and 1.05 oz(30 cal)"
Because the OD is the same, the ID is much greater for the 30 cal brake. Much more meat (titanium) left on the 22 cal. The 22 cal has 35 holes drilled in a spiral pattern ending up with seven (7) distinct chambers for recoil reduction. The 30 cal 0.625 ID worked well, chambers are not as distinct. I use this on all my ultra light weight 308 ARs. I highly recommend this brake, although you can get then on sale from Anarchy by subscribing to their newsletter. |
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Thanks, Stroker! Makes sense, but that's sad since I can't find an aluminum A2 anywhere. Have a venom defense soldered on to a faxon 14.5 pencil. Since I'm doing what we do and always looking to go lighter, I thought I may be able to shave a few grams. I hope the herd here has contacted faxon and asked for their slim 3 prong in Ti, that would be great.
Back to hunting a Ti cam pin and GB set screws.. |
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Yes, the Ti faxon slim FH would be epic...sure hope they make them. If you haven't already, go pester them about it in the thread I started in their forum.
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The future of your lightweight AR build begins with the PWD. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1I6Qb6kAJjChEJ56qhznv2291c5UHRDyNXuSXGObumqM/edit?usp=sharing
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Originally Posted By CaptainKudva: just re-visiting the thread after some time away, honestly i would not consider either one of yours the lightest ar15. No offense but i wouldn't let let my worst enemy fire either on of these p.o.s'. In my opinion,(which most may not agree), to be considered a functional rifle there should be a level of safety, durability, and reliability. Id like to see either one of these do some 3gun/practical rifle stages , with mag dumps and barrel dumps. I have a sub 3lb ar that is use and sure, i can make i can make it lighter by putting the barrel on a lathe and turning it don to nothing and trimming my aluminum barrel nut to nothing, riveting a paper-thin carbon tube to it and then torquing it to a plastic upper. It would be good for the "lightest pARer-weight" debate, but i sure as hell would not practically use it. That being said, i have the lightest Ar15......lol PS: this is a great thread and some good stuff going on here and can appreciate everybodys building and innovation , 3lb ars are not cheap or easy. And i do not think anybody's build is a p.o.s, just stating what i think some people may be thinking. View Quote Originally Posted By PursuitSS:
This is a borderline personal attack! And no, I don’t agree with your conclusions. Would I want to take a sub-2.5 lb. AR into a firefight? Absolutely not, but YEARS ago when I started playing with getting AR’s lighter so I could reduce weight on my Duty rifle I learned a lot AND dropped a few pounds without reducing reliability. View Quote |
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Team Ranstad, SpyderNation #0086, Fairfax, VA CERT #86
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I actually tried the Taccom buffer with some of my light builds and for some reason no matter the spring combo, it was causing some weird issues with bolt bounce back (which caused light primer strikes), sheared bolt, or dented casings when the carrier chambers another round. Instead I replaced the springs and buffer with the Armaspec SRS and it seemed to fix the issue.
I couldn't figure out what was causing all my failures. I kept adjusting the gas, changed from a wolf reduced powered spring to a carbine spring to a springco blue and springco red. Turns out Taccom buffer didn't like my superlative arms or v7 ti carriers. This was happening in two of my builds. Beware, as it ruined an 2 LMT Enhanced Bolts and 2 sharps relibolts. |
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Originally Posted By jekbrown:
Yes, the Ti faxon slim FH would be epic...sure hope they make them. If you haven't already, go pester them about it in the thread I started in their forum. View Quote |
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I am trying to decide between a vseven 2099 Lithium Aluminum and their Magnesium Hyper Light rail. Which one is stronger? I don't plan to throw the rifle off of buildings, but I don't want a huge dent if I were to drop it from chest height on concrete.
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