I have owned both models and currently have a slick side. As specified the weight differences are negligible and I would say indistinguishable from an analog perspective, but the balance of the slick side feels a lot better to me. I kind of reminds me of the balance of an FAL. I have also owned a Scar 17s which was noticeably lighter but LMTs are just freaking tanks construction wise and I mean that in the best of ways. I would choose a slick side over a railed version for carry/offhand shooting/ hunting. It's still heavy and a LARUE predatar or tober or KAC/ scar will be lighter and probably better balanced but I am very happy with my LM8. Now, if someone would make screw on rail covers (like centurion or KAC) and direct mount handstops/ accessories for the LM8 chassis, THAT would be awesome.