Building your dream AR, what would you do

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Weremey59

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I recently bought my first AR last month and I'm already looking to move onto the next project. I bought a DDM4V7 which I absolutely love however I still kinda regret not building one.
SO...... my question to you.
If you were to build an AR what would you build? The requirement is that it has to be between 4-6 pounds in total weight (without optics) and have a 10.5-11 inch barrel.

This thing is going to be a go fast range toy

Cheers
 
Mine is coming together with a BCM upper receiver/lower/MCMR handguard, and will probably have a B.A.D. stainless barrel. It will have a titanium BCG and all the other little titanium parts. Other: CTR stock, Radian Raptor ambi CH, Gunfighter grip. I'm not sure about the trigger yet, I'll just get it up and running and then decide later on. Mine will be a 14.5" though, as opposed to a 10" or 11".

I know BCM may not exactly be "dream" level stuff for some people, but their stuff has never let me down, and I am a believer in the company. I really wanted to get a KAC SR-15 originally, but several things soured me on that idea over time, and I am much happier to be putting my own AR together now!
 
Frankly, I'd get a 2A Arms Balios Lite pistol in the 10.5 inch length and convert it to a rifle, it'll run you around $3K but it's as light as it gets. The complete upper weights 2 lb 14oz. Throw an RMR on it and you're rocking. You can't build an ultra light weight AR for less.
 
Every AR I currently own is my "dream rifle" suited to various tasks. Rifle (singulr) quickly turned into 4.
Every piece was sourced and assembled to my specs.

SayVa64.jpg


Clearly, the photo shows I chose to spend more money on rifles than I did my basement carpet for those wondering *rolls eyes*

The specs on my SBR fitting your rough criteria is as follows.

Spikes Tactical receiver sets (milspec)
Lantac EBCG
ALG ACT trigger
BCM mod 4 charging handle
BCM mod something grip
B5 sopmod stock
Daniel Defence MK18 10.3" barrel
BCM KMR (original magnesium)
AAC flash hider
Troy irons
Surefire m300 in an HSP thorntail
Aimpoint comp ML3


It's not exactly "lightweight" but I never intended to do an ultralight for myself as it's just not an interest of mine.

I did however build a sub 6 pound 10.5 for a good friend of mine, but IMO, the rifle cost nearly double and the end results of accuracy, reliability, and shootability were no better.
The one piece of info I can pass on, building anything from parts that are reasonably available in this country into a sub 5 pound gun is next to impossible. Buying uppers, yes it can be done but it is not an easy task when building from parts.

I'll dig some finished photos out and post some specs as well.
 
KimptRt.jpg


Here's the lightweight we did.

Specs are:

Rainier Arms ultra match ambi billet lower
San Tan upper
Daniel defense BCG
ALG ACT trigger
MFT minimalist something stock
Battle Arms ultra match fluted, stainless, unicorn horn barrel. I think this thing weighed less than a pound if memory serves me (which I doubt)
Lantac dragon
BCM KMR-A 10
BAD titanium gas block.
Some other BS

Initially we were going to go with an Era3 titanium BCG but my friend ended up nixing that as it was too cost prohibitive at the time.

Again, lightweights can be done, but I'd invest some serious time in determining if lightweight is exactly what you want, before spending serious money chasing away the ounces.
 
FoxAlpha said:
Every AR I currently own is my "dream rifle" suited to various tasks. Rifle (singulr) quickly turned into 4.
Every piece was sourced and assembled to my specs.

SayVa64.jpg


Clearly, the photo shows I chose to spend more money on rifles than I did my basement carpet for those wondering *rolls eyes*

The specs on my SBR fitting your rough criteria is as follows.

Spikes Tactical receiver sets (milspec)
Lantac EBCG
ALG ACT trigger
BCM mod 4 charging handle
BCM mod something grip
B5 sopmod stock
Daniel Defence MK18 10.3" barrel
BCM KMR (original magnesium)
AAC flash hider
Troy irons
Surefire m300 in an HSP thorntail
Aimpoint comp ML3


It's not exactly "lightweight" but I never intended to do an ultralight for myself as it's just not an interest of mine.

I did however build a sub 6 pound 10.5 for a good friend of mine, but IMO, the rifle cost nearly double and the end results of accuracy, reliability, and shootability were no better.
The one piece of info I can pass on, building anything from parts that are reasonably available in this country into a sub 5 pound gun is next to impossible. Buying uppers, yes it can be done but it is not an easy task when building from parts.

I'll dig some finished photos out and post some specs as well.
Click to expand...

Awesome collection.
How is your experience with Lantac EBCG so far??
I have one in my CQA and love it.
 
Recently built one down to 4lbs 5.1oz based off of an F1 BDR15-3G receiver set with a Faxon 11.5 Gunner barrel. 4lb 11.7oz with Aimpoint Micro T-2 mounted.

Quick parts list would be

Brigand Arms Carbon 9” handguard
Battle Arms Sabertube stock/buffer tube
Faxon low-mass BCG
Empty carbine buffer
Lantac Dragon muzzle brake
Mid-length gas w/ Superlative Arms Adj. block
Magpul K grip
BAD titanium takedown pins
Triggertech adjustable flat trigger
BAD enhanced bolt catch
 
Last edited:
Those carbon fiber hand guard are really interesting. That's probably the avenue I'm going to go down. What's your opinion of polymer lowers? Everything seems to be made of it now a days but I question the durability and if the lose in weight is worth the durability difference.
 
faizi said:
Awesome collection.
How is your experience with Lantac EBCG so far??
I have one in my CQA and love it.
Click to expand...

Honestly, I think it's a giant gimmick. Aside from the NiB finish making cleaning marginally easier I see zero difference in operation between the other various BCG's I've used. The forward gas ports would be beneficial for suppressor use which is a non issue for us.
Only reason I bought it was because I managed to get it for less than the price of a DD milspec carrier.
 
FoxAlpha said:
Honestly, I think it's a giant gimmick. Aside from the NiB finish making cleaning marginally easier I see zero difference in operation between the other various BCG's I've used. The forward gas ports would be beneficial for suppressor use which is a non issue for us.
Only reason I bought it was because I managed to get it for less than the price of a DD milspec carrier.
Click to expand...

That was the only reason for me too to buy it.lol
 
Weremey59 said:
Those carbon fiber hand guard are really interesting. That's probably the avenue I'm going to go down. What's your opinion of polymer lowers? Everything seems to be made of it now a days but I question the durability and if the lose in weight is worth the durability difference.
Click to expand...

That was pretty much my thoughts on the polymer lower as well. Would definitely shave a little weight off though. If I was to do it again (and still might swap everything over and use this set for a build for my wife) I would probably go with the Balios or the Battle Arms lightweight receiver sets. The F1 is nice but it’s actually not that much lighter than a standard milspec set (Aero, etc.)
 
FoxAlpha said:
Every AR I currently own is my "dream rifle" suited to various tasks. Rifle (singulr) quickly turned into 4.
Every piece was sourced and assembled to my specs.

SayVa64.jpg


Clearly, the photo shows I chose to spend more money on rifles than I did my basement carpet for those wondering *rolls eyes*

The specs on my SBR fitting your rough criteria is as follows.

Spikes Tactical receiver sets (milspec)
Lantac EBCG
ALG ACT trigger
BCM mod 4 charging handle
BCM mod something grip
B5 sopmod stock
Daniel Defence MK18 10.3" barrel
BCM KMR (original magnesium)
AAC flash hider
Troy irons
Surefire m300 in an HSP thorntail
Aimpoint comp ML3


It's not exactly "lightweight" but I never intended to do an ultralight for myself as it's just not an interest of mine.

I did however build a sub 6 pound 10.5 for a good friend of mine, but IMO, the rifle cost nearly double and the end results of accuracy, reliability, and shootability were no better.
The one piece of info I can pass on, building anything from parts that are reasonably available in this country into a sub 5 pound gun is next to impossible. Buying uppers, yes it can be done but it is not an easy task when building from parts.

I'll dig some finished photos out and post some specs as well.
Click to expand...

What is the paracord on the sopmod stocks for?
 
Repper said:
What is the paracord on the sopmod stocks for?
Click to expand...

I'll usually rack them in my safe with slings afixed. The shock cord is simply a means to attach the excess sling to the rifle, prevent #### from getting caught up and dragging 3 rifles out with it.... again.
 
Weremey59 said:
I recently bought my first AR last month and I'm already looking to move onto the next project. I bought a DDM4V7 which I absolutely love however I still kinda regret not building one.
SO...... my question to you.
If you were to build an AR what would you build? The requirement is that it has to be between 4-6 pounds in total weight (without optics) and have a 10.5-11 inch barrel.

This thing is going to be a go fast range toy

Cheers
Click to expand...

So my build wouldn’t really be a build at all. I’m a little old school so I’d simply buy a Colt 11.5” 6933 Lightweight and swap out the M4 handguard and buttstock for old CAR equivalents. That would drop you under 6lbs easily and wouldn’t cost an arm and a leg. MBUS rear sight is one of the lighter ones out there so I’d leave it. If you want it lighter than just start throwing money at titanium parts.

Want a red dot? Buy an RMR and throw it in a Scalaworks mount, weighs just over 3oz.
 
Why is 6 lbs considered lightweight? My bone stock 10.5 PSA is about 2700 g with DD vertical grip and MBUS. That is just under 6 lbs and can be further lightened by minimalist stock, shorter handguard and lightweight linear comp instead of solid 6065 aluminium flash can.
 
My dream AR is already 90% built the way I want it right out of the box- DD MK18

Pull it out of the box, add an ambi charging handle, ambi safety selector, and a BAD lever.
 
FoxAlpha said:
I'll usually rack them in my safe with slings afixed. The shock cord is simply a means to attach the excess sling to the rifle, prevent #### from getting caught up and dragging 3 rifles out with it.... again.
Click to expand...

Do you happen to have a detailed picture of what this looks like with sling? I see guys doing this but not quite sure how? If there is a certain way that works well or just whatever the user can jimmy up? Thanks!
 
JayCarver said:
Do you happen to have a detailed picture of what this looks like with sling? I see guys doing this but not quite sure how? If there is a certain way that works well or just whatever the user can jimmy up? Thanks!
Click to expand...

I usually just fold it up and stuff it in, nothing fancy. Trial and error.
I've seen some guys do some ninja #### wrapping it around the grip and then back up over the magwell but I found that to be more of a hassle than it's worth.
 
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