What's the deal with heavy AR-15s

N

Nightcrawler

New member
In 1999, when I was fresh out of basic training, I went and bought myelf a Bushmaster XM15E2S AR-15. I realized quickly how heavy it was.

What is the deal these days with AR-15s being so heavy? I know that for long range or very accurate shooting, a heavy barrel, heavy stock combination with a bipod is useful. But but most AR-15 carbines out there are noticably heavier than the M16A1 I carry in the Guards.

Does anyone (besides Professional Ordnance...had a Carbon 15, liked it, but it jammed a lot) make a lightweight AR-15? I'm just curious, really.

Also, a buttstock question. Is there another option besides the current A2 buttstock? If I can't have a collapsing stock, I'd at least want a smaller, lighter one. Sort of like the tubular stock on the Carbon-15. .223 is NOT a big recoil cartridge...you needn't worry about having less butt area being painful on the shoulder. A slightly shorter stock would be nice, too.

I mean, if I'm going to be lugging more than eight pounds it's going to be a .308 or better. Just my opinion, obviously.
 
Last edited:
I'm with you.

Next one I build will probably be the A1 style. I might even go hunting for some of those cool triangular handguards.

(can you tell I grew up in the 70's?)
 
Olympic has one on their site that is supposed to be comparable in weight to the Carbon 15.

http://www.olyarms.com/far15.html

To reduce the weight, you can get gov't profile or A2 or even M4 style barrels from someplaces like Bushmaster.

And for the stock, Bushmaster, RRA and some others have the new non collapsable tele-style stocks that look like the old CAR stocks.
 
What is the deal these days with AR-15s being so heavy?

Spend more time in the gym - they will seem much lighter in a few months.:D
 
Your point is well taken. In my opinion, the beefing up of the AR15 a la M16A2 or worse, HBAR, has defeated the whole beauty of the original weapon.

What you are looking for is a Colt SP1 AR15. That has the original M16A1 specs. About 6 1/2 pounds with short stock, foolproof sights and no forward assist. Just about as light and maneuverable as the legendary M1 Carbine, except chambered for a decent cartridge.

The bonus is that you can configure it with a telescoping stock or whatever you like, they are all preban.
 
no M4gery stocks please

That is so goofy looking, IMHO. Doesn't anybody make a metal or fiberglass tube magazine with a simple buttplate on the end? Do we always have to have either the full stock or the mock collapsing one?
 
Check with DPMS, they make an LE entry stock which looks like the A2 stock, but is very short. It uses the collapsable stock tube and isn't much longer - don't know the dimensions, but it is short!

Then look around for a light contour 16" barrel to replace the standard HBAR that comes on most 20" guns. Model 1 currently it, Colt and I think DPMS - I'm sure there are others. This will lighten your carbine up a lot!

Put together your own rifle with a kevlar lower to take off a few more ounces and get a kit without a carry handle or front sight - sight it with a lightweight red dot. Lesse - that would be a DPMS LE entry stock, a Model 1 light contour kit, and a Hesse Kevlar lower. The only bad thing here I see is wondering if the Hesse Lower will be worth spit. (If you get a good one it will be good, but Hesse has a rep for spotty quality) Hmmm... Do I smell a new project for myself?

My light contuour barreled carbine looks like this (Though with collapsable stock, flashhider etc. It's a Colt complete lower with a Model 1 upper.) - Not as light as a Professional Ordinance carbon gun, but it is short, handy, and light. Love it.



m1colt.gif
 
The A2 profile barrel only adds about 8 oz to the A1 weight. Most commercial barrels are straight profile under the guards and are about 1 pound heavier than the A1 barreled rifle. The rear sight and brass deflector add an ounce or two. Collapsable or looking stocks add weight and aren't worth the money unless you want the look.

Get an A2 profile barrel if the weight bothers you.
 
It isn't the only the weight, Keith. The heavier bbl destroyed the balance of what was an almost perfect handling weapon.
 
My first AR15 was a DPMS HBAR...I hated it. ...a 223 that was almost as heavy as my Garand and M1A...

I certainly didn't recall the M16 from my military days being such a miserable pain in the ass to carry and balance!

I bought a A2 colt government profile barrel from Sarco and viola! My AR15 was a well balanced and handy weapon (even with the 20" barrel)

Piss on the damn full profile HBAR's! As you say, may as well carry a .308!

Thin barrels are much better....
 
Purpose?

As an infantryman with more than 26 years for pay, and in my 20th year of AFS, I say this:

Yeah, it is nice to have a light weight rifle to carry. It is like talking of gin and beer when you are quartered safe out here. But when it comes to shooting instead of carrying the heavier rifle is generally better. Not always, it for instance you are in a MOUT environment, a lighter weapon maybe quicker to get into effective play.

But were I to be in riflemans' terrain, on the maneuver element, I would prefer that my supporting fire by provided by heavier rifles and machineguns.

Were I in the supporting element I would prefer to be able to put each shot or burst in the most effective location. This is the business of the rifle. Accuracy and speed, flow from stability of platform and resistance to recoil.

Besides, the average soldier needs to lost 10 pounds a lot worse than his A2 needs to lose 3.5!!!!!!!


Just my humble opinion.


Michael
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top