Lite AR Frankenbuild

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  • Ric-san

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    Ok so during the AR craziness days post Sandyhook when everything dried up, I managed to get a New Frontier Armory poly lower....sat around for years before I had a friend give me a hand putting it together with basically all mil-spec parts. I kicked around the idea years latter for a lite AR build. Started reading up on what’s out there and decided I can do it while maintaining a budget of $400. So I pretty much shopped sales, BF2018 & 19, and the like. Finally got everything put together. All that’s left as of now is to head up to JJ’s and see how it shoots...went over budget just a bit, I’m going to say including shipping on some parts plus the lower come in around $500. Total weight is at 4 lbs, 13.6 oz.

    New Frontier Armory lower. $ xx
    Spikes Tactical lower parts kit. $ 50
    Mil speck buffer tube/ parts. $ 30
    Hogue 15* handgrip. $ 16
    MFT stock. $32

    AR Stoner stripped upper. $50
    AR Stoner gas tube. $10
    Brownells lite BCG M16. $90
    Lite 12” handgrd/durkin tactical $40
    Aluminum barl. nut/Chinesium $10
    Gas block. $12
    Bear Creek pencil 16” bbl. $60
    Thread protector. (NO flash suppressor)
    $ 8
    Charging handle(Brownells) $10
    Shipping. $ ?

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    Ric-san

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    Ric-san

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    There's still room to lighten it up! Gotta get it under 4! :)
    You’re right... Faxon barrel would shave 4 oz, but costs an extra $100 from what I paid for the Bear Creek .223 Wylde one. Titanium loose parts like gas block, magazine catch, take down pins, etc would save 1/2 weight of mil spec parts, but again add about another $150 to the build. Definitely though of, but wanted to keep a budget in mind...
     

    JWlineman

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    14.5" pinned/welded would shave a little too but at some point you reach diminishing returns on investments.

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    I did a lightweight build a couple years ago. I comes in at 5 lbs., 14.7 ozs. (no magazine) and 6 lbs. 2.8 ozs. (with empty 30-round magazine). Here are the specs on it.

    Upper Receiver:
    AERO PRECISION Stripped Upper Receiver
    Strike Industries Lightweight Forward Assist - Blk
    Strike Industries Enhanced Ultimate Dust Cover - Standard/Blk
    Strike Industries Charging Handle w/ Extended Latch - Blk
    LaRue Tactical 16" 5.56 PredatAR barrel (mid-length) w/ M4 Feedramps
    LaRue Tactical Low Profile Gas Block (.625") and Gas Tube
    SLR Rifleworks Synergy BCF 5.56 Mod 1
    SLR Rifleworks Helix 11.7" MLOK Handguard (HELIX-11.7ML)
    SLR Rifleworks M-LOK Handstop Mod 2 (HS-ML2)
    Battle Arms Development M16 Bolt Carrier Group - Black Nitride Finish (BAD-BCG-M16)

    Lower Receiver:
    McKay Enterprises A2 Lower Receiver (stripped)
    Battle Arms Development BAD-EMMR Enhanced MODULAR Magazine Release - LG/Blk
    Battle Arms Development Sabretube (Mid)/QD Endplate/B.A.D.-BS Stock Combo
    Battle Arms Development Carbine buffer and Buffer Spring
    Battle Arms Development Enhanced Takedown & Pivot Pin Set
    Elftmann Tactical Ambidextrous Push-Button Speed Safety
    CMC LANTAC E-CT1 Single Stage Flat Trigger 3.5LB Release
    Forward Controls Design Augmented Bolt Catch/Release (ABC/R-F-BLK)
    TYRANT DESIGNS CNC Mod Grip (Medium Chevron Panels)
    CORE15 Trigger Guard

    Optic/Sights:
    HOLOSUN Paralow HS403A Red Dot Sight - 2 MOA
    MAGPUL MBUS PRO Front & Rear sights (Blk)

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    Rebel_Rider1969

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    Ric-san

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    No flash hider on this build, went with a plain ol’ thread protector to save a few oz’s...

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    Ric-san

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    An AR15 bolt carrier is over 3 ops lighter that the standard auto type bolt that they all sell.

    I bought a “lite BCG” from Brownells...looks like this one and weighs I think 4 oz’s less than standard mil spec BCG.

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