Unsure of what AR to build next...

[NeverEnoughFDE]

I have a lower sitting around, but not sure what I want to build with it. I do know that the goal here will be lightweight. The goal will be to have it weigh about 5 lbs before accessories & can are added. It will just be a range toy.

It will be run suppressed full time. Kicking around the idea of finally diving into the world of low mass BCGs and adjustable gas blocks. I do know that will end up with a Fostec handguard on whatever I build.

I already have a 16" barrel AR, 10.5" SBR & 14.5" AR along with a 22LR rifle, 22LR pistol & AR9 pistol. I did think about doing 300 blackout, but the cost of subsonic ammo is too much IMO. My 5.56 cans (SOCOM MINI2 and Turbo T3) do not recommend shorter barrels so I guess that rules some options out. Outside of that, I have no clue what to build. Hoping to not build a dupe of what I already have unless I can get it significantly lighter.

Anyone have some input? TIA!

 

[berettaprofessor]

I so badly want someone to offer a 30 Carbine upper.....just to say I have one, I'd build it if a chambered AR barrel could be found. Just not skilled for chambering and reaming a blank myself!

 

[gotboostvr]

I have a lower sitting around, but not sure what I want to build with it.

Until you can answer that for yourself, I'd hold off on spending money.

 

[NeverEnoughFDE]

Until you can answer that for yourself, I'd hold off on spending money.

lol hence me posting for input...

 

[gotboostvr]

Well, I can tell you I'm thinking about building either a 6ARC or 6.5G 14" pistol upper to use for hunting during "handgun season" and will run it suppressed.

 

[Telekinesis]

I would recommend a SPR type rifle - that looks to be a hole you haven’t filled. I’m not sure how a very light version of a 16” rifle (or SBR) is going to be materially different from what you already have unless you just want to play with the lighter components for its own sake. But I admit I’m biased - I just got done building a SPR myself.

For an adjustable gas block I would recommend Riflespeed. I put one on my recent build and I like it a LOT more than my Superlative Arms gas block. It is expensive though.

The shorter the barrel, the easier it will be to hit your desired max weight, so if you really want a light weight rifle you probably want to go with a <16” barrel. Also consider that a 5 lb rifle with a 1 lb suppressor (thinking the Mini 2) is probably going to have a weird balance point if the can is at the end of a 16” (or longer) barrel.

 

[NeverEnoughFDE]

I would recommend a SPR type rifle - that looks to be a hole you haven’t filled. I’m not sure how a very light version of a 16” rifle (or SBR) is going to be materially different from what you already have unless you just want to play with the lighter components for its own sake. But I admit I’m biased - I just got done building a SPR myself.

For an adjustable gas block I would recommend Riflespeed. I put one on my recent build and I like it a LOT more than my Superlative Arms gas block. It is expensive though.

The shorter the barrel, the easier it will be to hit your desired max weight, so if you really want a light weight rifle you probably want to go with a <16” barrel. Also consider that a 5 lb rifle with a 1 lb suppressor (thinking the Mini 2) is probably going to have a weird balance point if the can is at the end of a 16” (or longer) barrel.

Thinking of trying a Faxon pencil barrel this time. I have their 16" Gunner on another build and like it.

 

[DMW1116]

45 caliber AR, either SOCOM or Bushmaster. I really like my 20” A4 copy too but that’s not light.

 

[NeverEnoughFDE]

45 caliber AR, either SOCOM or Bushmaster. I really like my 20” A4 copy too but that’s not light.

Will have to be quite compelling for me to start stocking another caliber. 45 is definitely out. I consolidated a while ago. All my pistols are 9mm or 22LR now.

 

[LoonWulf]

Will have to be quite compelling for me to start stocking another caliber. 45 is definitely out. I consolidated a while ago. All my pistols are 9mm or 22LR now.

Ive not shot any AR platform gun as fun as a large bore. Personally i prefer the .458, but they are all about the same.
The only AR im even somewhat inclined to own again would be a .458.

 

[LiveLife]

will be run suppressed full time ... I did think about doing 300 blackout, but the cost of subsonic ammo is too much ... I have no clue what to build.

Anyone have some input?

How about 9mm upper to run subsonic 147 gr loads?

Can't get any cheaper than 9mm rounds, especially if you reload.

45 is definitely out. I consolidated a while ago. All my pistols are 9mm or 22LR now.

How about 9mm upper using Endo/Exo mag? No modification to .223 lower and in a snap, could use lower for something else (I use 9mm/22LR uppers with Endo Mag and AR22 mags):

Endo Mag kits - https://www.meanarms.com/products/detail/endomag-9mm

32/40 round Exo mag - https://www.meanarms.com/products/detail/endomag-9mm

I so badly want someone to offer a 30 Carbine upper

Until then, we have 350 Legend using 9mm projectiles with better ballistics.

 

[CraigC]

My .300's and 6.5's are the favorites. I don't know why anybody who likes AR's and has suppressors wouldn't want a couple Blackouts. I used this .300 a lot last year. It accounted for three or four deer with the Nosler 220gr.



Didn't even get to hunt with the newest Grendel.



Or the 16" .300 I put together last year.

 

[Mk-211]

https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-16-mid-length-pencil-5-56-nato-1-7-nitride-13-5-lightweight-m-lok-upper-w-bcg-and-ch.html

The Best AR-15 Complete Uppers Online | Bear Creek Arsenal

Shop for AR-15 complete uppers available in many popular calibers. Each complete upper comes with an upper receiver, M-LOK rail, flash hider, and AR-15 barrel.

www.bearcreekarsenal.com

 

[DMW1116]

Will have to be quite compelling for me to start stocking another caliber. 45 is definitely out. I consolidated a while ago. All my pistols are 9mm or 22LR now.

Fair enough. In that case maybe try a rifle length 20” or similar. It’s agonist like a different caliber with the change in recoil and extra velocity. Probably doesn’t play well with cans though.

 

[InTheSwamp]

Until you can answer that for yourself, I'd hold off on spending money.

Beat me to it. I have 3 lowers sitting around and no money will be spent until I answer myself that Q.

 

[gotboostvr]

Beat me to it. I have 3 lowers sitting around and no money will be spent until I answer myself that Q.

I need to pick up a few more lowers.

My uppers have been multiplying lately, and I've got the parts to build out at least a couple more uppers.

I've got all the parts to finish a few stripped lowers, just gotta wait until a sale on something that catches my eye and my budget intersect.

I've built out a bunch of "budget" lowers over the years, and I've got no complaints, but since I don't actually need another lower, I think I'm gonna bide my time and pick out something... not top of the line, but a little more upscale than my PSA's and Poverty Ponies.

 

[Lo-Profile]

I've got two stripped lowers/uppers laying around, have had them close to a year. Just didn't know what I want to build.
Already have 10+ complete builds already in 7 calibers

 

[BreechFace]

If not wanting to add an additional caliber of bullet, which I commend you for, sometimes I feel I need to downsize on my number of calibers and focus on 4-5.

So if I’m reading right you already load for .224”, .308”, and .355”?

If so, then I would narrow it down to these three options and choose:

1. Short 8-9” barreled 300BLK and since you already own an SBR’d lower that has a place (.308”)
2. 350 Legend, good hunting performance, subsonic loadings would be intriguing (.355”)
3. SPR/DMR 5.56 rifle, 18-20” barrel, 1:7 twist to shoot heavy for caliber 77gr+, rifle length gas, rifle speed gas block, good medium zoom scope 2-10 or 3-15 scope and start shooting at distance. (.224”)

If you could be convinced of another caliber (.452) then I would recommend 450 Bushmaster. It’s a rush in an AR15.

 

[dredd]

I so badly want someone to offer a 30 Carbine upper.....just to say I have one, I'd build it if a chambered AR barrel could be found. Just not skilled for chambering and reaming a blank myself!

Count me in!!!

 

[gotboostvr]

So, I've caught myself pondering this a little further over the past couple days.

What do you suggest to someone that's open to suggestion?

Your bases at first glance seem fairly well covered, but without knowing the exact details of each build, what you intend to do, and what you actually do, there may or may not be a hole to fill in there.

My rifles all fall into one of three categories.

Bench, field positions, and off-hand rifles.

Off-hand, short barrels, red dot or maybe a LPVO optic. I'd call it a CQC weapon if I was a more tactical operator.

Field positions, could be a short barrel, could be a long pipe, typical sporting barrel profiles. No HBar's here. Generally mid powered variable optics, something around 2-4x on the low end, 9x or higher on the top end, but typically second focal plane to keep the weight down. Good trigger, probably keep a bipod mounted on it. Might be shot off hand or from a bench, or off a pack, shooting sticks etc. I try and avoid foregrips and excessive accessories that might prohibit me from setting up in an awkward spot or from using a natural support. Kind of like a DMR/SPR-Lite

Bench rifles, pretty self explanatory. HBar or Bull barrel, great trigger, high powered optic, First Focal Plane, or even Fixed magnification. Don't worry about a bipod, I'll be shooting off bags anyways. They don't need to be 24" barrels, a 16" bull barrel will still shoot small.

Your pistols and SBR's probably fall into the "off-hand" category. Your 16" might too, or a "field position" possibly even the "bench" category, depending how it's set up. I'd categorize what you've got, and see where your gaps are.

 

[Necessary_Nutrient]

6.8 SPC because it's great for everything AR's do at or under 500 yards, easy to reload, easy to find mags, bullets are cheap(er) than others

 

[earlthegoat2]

I like this 5.2 lb rifle myself. It is a 5.56 now but any lightweight barrel would maintain nearly the same weight.

 

[vanfunk]

@earlthegoat2, what are the build specs of that carbine? Love it.

 

[earlthegoat2]

@earlthegoat2, what are the build specs of that carbine? Love it.

It is a rough clone of an SP-1 carbine, but it also is close to a Colt Government Carbine.

Colt Government Carbine barrel, Colt 6 hole handguards, C7 upper, repro XM-177 type stock, repro A1 grip. The lower is a plain PSA with very little lettering or adornment.

 

[Demi-human]

Will have to be quite compelling for me to start stocking another caliber.

Well, other than that, you would be making the same thing over again.
Why so resistant to 300Blackout? This is the natural progression. It’s twice the bullet and a quarter the market, of course it’s more costly, but you already have your cheap blasting rimfire bases covered.
Nothing says JoeCool at the range like, “>PSHhhhssst<”. (You, of course, have one of your rimfire suppressed already, right?)

As well, a thirty caliber suppressor will work great on a .223/5.56, 6.5, 7mm.

Why not rebuild one of your uppers or lowers with titanium parts? That’s the easy button for the last pound. Many will shuck out five hundred smacks for a carbon hand guard, but balk at three hundred dollars worth of corrosion proofing and lightening for inside the rifle. The only things that have to be steel are the barrel, bolt, gas tube, and springs.

Or buy just the AGB and carrier to experience those for a while?(I highly suggest them, along with a powered tungsten weight with half the powder removed, and a lower power main spring.)
Buy a Noreen or Battle Arms receiver and lighten up one of the most used ones. (Even a lowly Anderson SlickSide is a very lightweight option.)

It’s just for the range, get away from the MilSpec, go a little wild. Spray paint it!

Five pounds is easy before the accessories. Buy some premium, lightweight accoutrement for your go to, then put all the heavy kit on your trainer.

If none of that helped, 450 Bushmaster was the answer…