The Ultimate Light Precision AR Project

[CanPopper]

I had the idea rattling around in my head for quite a while where I would use all the latest, greatest most high tech materials to build a light AR-15 rifle that would be able to shoot 0.5 MOA groups, handle well, and shoot well suppressed. After Sandy Hook, I decided to turn my aspiration into a real rifle. Now my build is coming together and only a few parts are missing due to the component shortage from the buying frenzy.

Below is what I have so far and the weight:

Upper:
Mega Billet Upper
16" 0.750" OD Proof Research Carbon Fiber Barrel Threaded
9" Precision Reflex Carbon Fiber Delta Forearm
Noveske Switch Block
JP Enhanced Bolt
JP Full Mass BCG
Weight is 3lb 10oz withoutht he JP Full Mass Bolt Carrier (which I'm still waiting on)

Lower:
Mag Tactical Magnesium Lower
PWS Enhanced Buffer Tube
JP Silent Capture Spring
Geissele Super Dynamic 3 Gun Trigger
Magpul CTR Stock
Hogue Grip
Regular Spings, pins and whatnot
Weight is 2lb 1oz

So right now I'm sittin gat 5lb 11oz before the Bolt Carrier and muzzle brake. From your experience, would it make sense for me to trim mass by switching to the JP low mass bolt carrier? Or does that only go well with an adjustable gas block? For the muzzle brake, I'm thinking about purchasing the Seekins Brake since it looks pretty cool. For now, I have the PWS FC556 to console me. Does anyone make a great titanium AR muzzle brake?

For my optics, I'm thinking of switching back and forth between an Aimpoint T1 on a LaRue mount and Trijicon Accupoint TR20-2 mounted on a Nikon 223 mount. Those two seem to be the best light weight combo. Are there other optics better than the Trijicon that is also very light? I have the March 1-10x24 Tactical already but that still outweighs Trijicon and Nikon mount.

 

[Crosshair]

Nice build! I'm also going with the MAG lower for my sbr build, they're cool. For the optic, I don't know if you could do much better than the Trijicon you have @ 12.8 oz. I'm not sure it would be worth going to the low mass bcg, though it may run fine with the Switchblock. I think more than weight savings, it is the improved recoil impulse that would sell me on it. Looks like you chose some of the best parts available, nice work.

 

[Hygienist]

Jp Low mass is going to be inappropriate with the switch block I think. I'm fairly sure though not 100% that it only has normal gas and suppressed, which means it'll either be over gassed or under gassed. I see you choose the JP silent capture as well. I'd have to recheck on that but I wanna say it was intended for use with an adjustable block. Honestly in your shoes I would just get the lightweight carrier and an adjustable block. If you're concerned about reliability JP is coming out with spring kits for the silent capture system so you can run a stronger spring to make up for less mass. Your choices for gas blocks would then either be the syrac adjustable, which is more traditional, or maybe try this which is like the switch block but more customizable MicroMOA - Home of the Govnah - Modular Adjustable Gas Block though you need to know what had port sizes you want and you'll need to custom Spec the sizes instead of picking a pre set one.

For your handguard I'd try to steer you away from the pri. They're Not that light. I'd go for one from AP Custom USA be sure to custom order it with rail slots at the 3 6 9 and 12 (otherwise you're missing the bottom rail slots I believe). Last time I checked that'll be no charge. If you want a continuous top rail believe that must be specced when they build it and is non detachable. You can ask for a matte carbon fiber as well.

As for the brake I think you'll want one that serves as a qd Mount for a suppressor. Most are gonna be generic dual port brakes. The special mounts are gonna be a battlecomp with a 51t thread for mounting aac suppressors and the saker or probably the best and most expensive muzzle device, the newly released KAC MAMS which mounts KACs new generation of suppressors.

 

[CanPopper]

Hmmm...those are certainly interesting components that I wasn't even aware existed. I've never heard of the Govnah nor AP Custom until now. Thanks!

I'm thinking I'll just get both the low mass and full mass bolt carriers and experiment with it. I have other AR's they go on. Also, I have the bolt carrier weight system from David Tubb so I can easily convert a low mass into a full mass by simply adding it.

For my suppressors, I already have a Ranger 2 with a Thunderbeast Titanium .223 on the way so they are water under the bridge. I'll just swap the brake and suppressors for now.

What I've heard is the quick detach suppressors usually are inferior to the thread on ones in terms of accuracy. This is why I decided to pursue the threaded path. Would that be true for the KACs as well?

 

[mbpike]

I don't have any tech. info to add but I just wanted to sound this rifle sounds sexy. Can't wait to see pictures and a range report!

 

[elfster1234]

Pics even if its under construction! You know we all cant wait that long!

I had the idea rattling around in my head for quite a while where I would use all the latest, greatest most high tech materials to build a light AR-15 rifle that would be able to shoot 0.5 MOA groups, handle well, and shoot well suppressed. After Sandy Hook, I decided to turn my aspiration into a real rifle. Now my build is coming together and only a few parts are missing due to the component shortage from the buying frenzy.

Below is what I have so far and the weight:

Upper:
Mega Billet Upper
16" 0.750" OD Proof Research Carbon Fiber Barrel Threaded
9" Precision Reflex Carbon Fiber Delta Forearm
Noveske Switch Block
JP Enhanced Bolt
JP Full Mass BCG
Weight is 3lb 10oz withoutht he JP Full Mass Bolt Carrier (which I'm still waiting on)

Lower:
Mag Tactical Magnesium Lower
PWS Enhanced Buffer Tube
JP Silent Capture Spring
Geissele Super Dynamic 3 Gun Trigger
Magpul CTR Stock
Hogue Grip
Regular Spings, pins and whatnot
Weight is 2lb 1oz

So right now I'm sittin gat 5lb 11oz before the Bolt Carrier and muzzle brake. From your experience, would it make sense for me to trim mass by switching to the JP low mass bolt carrier? Or does that only go well with an adjustable gas block? For the muzzle brake, I'm thinking about purchasing the Seekins Brake since it looks pretty cool. For now, I have the PWS FC556 to console me. Does anyone make a great titanium AR muzzle brake?

For my optics, I'm thinking of switching back and forth between an Aimpoint T1 on a LaRue mount and Trijicon Accupoint TR20-2 mounted on a Nikon 223 mount. Those two seem to be the best light weight combo. Are there other optics better than the Trijicon that is also very light? I have the March 1-10x24 Tactical already but that still outweighs Trijicon and Nikon mount.

 

[CanPopper]

Well, not much to look at right now. Just a completed lower along with the mounted Trijicon Accupoint and Ranger 2 suppressor. Proof Research still has the upper minus the bolt carrier.

I emailed PRI regarding the weight of their Carbon Fiber Delta Gen III 9" handguard and they told me it weighs 15 oz counting the barrel nut. Looking at AP Custom's website, their 9" weighs 6.3 oz but without the barrel nut or any of the attachment system. I've fondled the 9" PRI Delta at the NRA Convention and it was silly light. I think most of the weight is in the steel barrel nut and mounting system. The problem with AP is their 6.3oz weight doesn't count the barrel nut. I read that a standard barrel nut weighs 1.4 oz but would it work with the AP? Just sent AP an email asking them.

I've gone with the PRI Delta because the regular round PRI forearm is too low to allow the gas tube to go under (Proof contacted me about this problem). Only the Delta, with its triangular shape, is tall enough to work with the Noveske Switch block. The AP looks like it would suffer the same problem. However, it won't be a problem if I change the gas block and the forearm together.

 

[Hygienist]

AP Custom uses a standard barrel nut, so just add the 1.4oz to the finished weight. But again though you'll want to ask for rail mount vent slots all along 3,6,9,12 o clock, since I believe it's missing the bottom slots I think. That'll reduce the weight just a bit further too. And I believe you have the option of going for matte in lieu of shiny carbon if you'd prefer.

The issue I have with using the switchblock, is that it uses a pre-determined gas port size for the suppressed setting, fine tuned by Noveske for a normal weight carrier. So it's perfectly fine for a normal carrier. If you're using a light weight carrier then you're going to be overgassed, and you'll probably have higher recoil caused by the lightweight carrier hitting the buffer tube harder than it should be. On the other hand, if you use an adjustable like the Syrac or one where you can pick a gas port suitable for your lightweight carrier like the Govnah, then you can get just the right amount of gas for your lightweight carrier, and in that case [Adjustable Gas + Lightweight Carrier] should both weigh less overall, and have less recoil than [Switchblock + Normal carrier].

In RE to suppressors, sorry, I thought you were going for a QD suppressor. I'm not well read at all on thread ons, but if they're apparently more accurate it sounds legit. And I wouldn't think KAC is more accurate than any other QD suppressor, they just happen to have the best QD mounts IMO.

 

[CanPopper]

Just heard back from AP that their 6.3oz weight is all inclusive including the barrel nut. Man! That makes my build far from "ultimate" in terms of lightness then. Unfortunately I can't just switch it out since the Noveske needs the higher clearance of the PRI Delta. I'm going with the full mass carrier so I guess I should be fine. Now the question will be how does it perform with the suppressors?

I have the Ranger 2 which seems to be a pretty high back pressure suppressor. It broke the upper receiver of my plastic Kel Tec PLR 16 and it gums up my long range AR even with a switch block. Thus I ordered the Thunderbeast .223 titanium which claims a low back pressure design. Fingers crossed on how that one will perform. Right now my Ranger 2 only goes on my current AR with the switchblock in the "off" position and on my bolt gun.

Maybe I'll build another Super Ultimate upper using the new Mag Tactical Magnesium Upper that will come out at summer's end combined with the AP carbon fiber forearm, JP low mass carrier and the Syrac adjustable block.

At least the good news is my lower seems to be pretty definitively "The Ultimate" so I can reuse that part.