Building an AR-15

supertool73 wrote: That puts in a good perspective what going real light weight really costs.  To make it with the optional lighter parts you listed would that have added much more to the cost?

No, and in fact in this particular comparison, it would have been a bit less $, because the polymer and magnesium receivers are less expensive than that 2055 alloy, (but also less durable). The Faxon pencil barrel would be a little less expensive too, lacking the fluting. The aluminum bolt carrier would be less, but some of the other, more skeletonized titanium bolt carriers are more, so it would depend on which way you go there. The more minimalist stock is less, but ergonomically I didn’t like it as well.

Going with those slightly lighter parts above would have saved maybe $300...but I wouldn’t have liked the finished product quite as well as what I ended up with. Admittedly, looks played a huge role in my decisions too. I just love the look of carbon fiber and titanium accents against the remaining black parts.

Bottom line, going really light can get expensive, but how expensive boils down mainly to the materials chosen. Aluminum parts are lighter than the same parts in titanium, but not as strong, and titanium is of course much lighter than steel. Titanium and CF parts both drive up the cost, and that 2055 alloy is also expensive.

koshkin wrote: You can buy a single short rail from Brigand.

I may look into that route. I saw the M-Lok backing plate on their site and bought one, but didn’t see the short rail segment. I tried to find a good spot for the backing plate against an M-Lock adapter, but I couldn’t find a way to position it anywhere that it would sit flat and not look like crap, so I ditched the idea. I may just use a QD clip style sling end attached directly onto the weave at the front of the hand guard.

RifleDude wrote: supertool73 wrote: That puts in a good perspective what going real light weight really costs.  To make it with the optional lighter parts you listed would that have added much more to the cost? No, and in fact in this particular comparison, it would have been a bit less $, because the polymer and magnesium receivers are less expensive than that 2055 alloy, (but also less durable). The Faxon pencil barrel would be a little less expensive too, lacking the fluting. The aluminum bolt carrier would be less, but some of the other, more skeletonized titanium bolt carriers are more, so it would depend on which way you go there. The more minimalist stock is less, but ergonomically I didn’t like it as well. Going with those slightly lighter parts above would have saved maybe $300...but I wouldn’t have liked the finished product quite as well as what I ended up with. Admittedly, looks played a huge role in my decisions too. I just love the look of carbon fiber and titanium accents against the remaining black parts. Bottom line, going really light can get expensive, but how expensive boils down mainly to the materials chosen. Aluminum parts are lighter than the same parts in titanium, but not as strong, and titanium is of course much lighter than steel. Titanium and CF parts both drive up the cost, and that 2055 alloy is also expensive.

BeltFed wrote: Ted, how sturdy is that hand guard?

It’s amazingly stout, which is one of its incredible traits given how light it is. At SHOT, they had a heavy dumbbell hanging off the end of one with it cantilevered out from a stand unsupported. There is a video online where they exploded some Tannerite underneath one of those hand guards and it didn’t hurt it.

RifleDude wrote: koshkin wrote: I am secretly hoping that he built this rifle knowing that I am interested in a light weight Grendel and he is simply doing some durability testing prior to my birthday next year ILya Have you ever experienced the bitter taste of disappointment before, my friend?

When does the season end in Texas?  I'll be in the area in November some time.

RifleDude wrote: Deer season goes from the first Saturday in October until mid-Jan. There is no pig season. We can shoot them year-round.