Cali_Ed Posted December 7, 2014 Report Share Posted December 7, 2014 (edited) So this is my build so far. Something I had on the back burner and still kind of is. I got some parts for it on cyber money. Stock, lpk, upk. So fsr weighs 2.6 pounds. And reccomendations on pencil barrels? Are they worth it? Not gonna be full auto just shooting paper and what ever else soda cans what ever. Trying to keep her light. Suggestions on handguards also needed. Thanks guys Parts so far stag upper rba upk phase 5 lower rba lpk bcm carbine tube bcm h buffer magpul moe plus grip mft batttlelink stock Edited December 7, 2014 by Cali_Ed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FaRKle! Posted December 7, 2014 Report Share Posted December 7, 2014 (edited) Are you going for a complete lightweight build? Or just a few parts lightweight?I use a Sionics lightweight barrel on my lightweight build. It's 4150cmv,and melonited. Other good options are BCM's ELW and ELW-F, and Odin Works' ULTRAlite 16 SS barrel.My lightweight rifle weighs 5lbs, 15.9oz unloaded, but with accessories and optics. I broke it in at a carbine class recently and it handled fantastically. Edited December 7, 2014 by FaRKle! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
98Z5V Posted December 7, 2014 Report Share Posted December 7, 2014 The BCM lightweight barrels are badass - I used their lightweight 14.5" carbine barrel on my son's rifle, with their pinned A2X flash suppressor. Great barrel... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cali_Ed Posted December 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 7, 2014 Thanks for the info guys, would it actually be worth going with the 14.5 vs 16? Anyone heard of faxon barrels? Their 16" goes for 150 ish and weighs 1.19lbs for their lightweight barrel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
98Z5V Posted December 7, 2014 Report Share Posted December 7, 2014 Do the 14.5" barrel with a pinned, extended muzzle device. You'll be happier in the long run. If you can find a 14.5" barrel with midlength gas system, you will really, really be impressed with how it shoots. I set Pinky up that way, and the damn thing is one of my favorite rifles... <lmao> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FaRKle! Posted December 7, 2014 Report Share Posted December 7, 2014 (edited) Thanks for the info guys, would it actually be worth going with the 14.5 vs 16? Anyone heard of faxon barrels? Their 16" goes for 150 ish and weighs 1.19lbs for their lightweight barrel.I don't like 14.5" because I change things up on my guns too regularly. Muzzle devices, handguards, maybe even gas blocks... If you plan on trying new muzzle devices in the future I highly recommend 16".As for the Faxon, the paper specs look good. You can tell they reduced the weight over the others by removing more material from between the chamber and gas block (tradeoff). Their gas block journal is .625" and the barrel tapers slimmer than that just before it. Doesn't give me a great feeling. Their gas port is sized appropriately, but something about them just doesn't feel right...That said, you're still on the hook for "The Rule" on it ;). Look, I even found it for you at a better price ($125). Makes me wonder even more how they can sell them that low... Edited December 7, 2014 by FaRKle! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cali_Ed Posted December 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 7, 2014 As soon as some funds open up I'll pick one up :) and yeah I don't think the the 14.5 weighs that much les mYne 1 oz or 2 less potentially I'll have to check. I guess if I wanted to try diffrent muzzle devices I'd have to go to a gun smith which would be a pain. I'm all up for a shorter barrel but having to get something longer to make it me compliance kinda makes them a moot point I think Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
98Z5V Posted December 7, 2014 Report Share Posted December 7, 2014 What is the overall intent of this rifle? Sounds like you want a carbine. If you want a carbine, then build a carbine, and make that bastard as short as possible, legally. If you want something longer than that - then build it next... There's no "universal upper" out there. Once you decide on what you need/want, then you don't need to change parts around, change gas blocks, change barrels, etc. You build another upper for an idea like that. I don't like 14.5" because I change things up on my guns too regularly. Muzzle devices, handguards, maybe even gas blocks... If you plan on trying new muzzle devices in the future I highly recommend 16". Changing this much means a new upper. Which means a new rifle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cali_Ed Posted December 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 7, 2014 As always you make good point. Here in calif Barrel must be 16" long or 14.5 with something pinned to make it 16" long. Purpose of this rifle realistically shooting paper Or if I ever bug out into the wilderness(lol) some thinking I can throw on a sling and not be bothered by it. A fun gun I suppose that I can shoot for cheap and splurge with some rapid fire un like my 308 that I use for 800 meter shooting. This rifle will be for short range I suppose max distance maybe 300 thats pushing it. 25-100 yards is most likely for this rifle. I plan on getting a reflex sight sort of optic for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
98Z5V Posted December 7, 2014 Report Share Posted December 7, 2014 Sounds like the M4 carbine right there, from your description. Which has a 14.5" barrel. Make it legal and pin it with an extended muzzle device, to make it civilian-legal without the SBR tax stamp. Pick your parts carefully, and you'll never have to change a thing. I have several 14.5" pinned carbines - I don't change them up. I built them the way they needed to be built. They each have their purpose. <thumbsup> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cali_Ed Posted December 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 7, 2014 Do the 14.5" barrel with a pinned, extended muzzle device. You'll be happier in the long run. If you can find a 14.5" barrel with midlength gas system, you will really, really be impressed with how it shoots. I set Pinky up that way, and the damn thing is one of my favorite rifles... <lmao> What would you say the advantage over the 16" is? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
98Z5V Posted December 7, 2014 Report Share Posted December 7, 2014 Maneuverability. Colt never made the M4A1 or the M4 with a 16" barrel. Period. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cali_Ed Posted December 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 7, 2014 But with a muzzle device pinned to make it 16 " wouldn't it be the same? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
98Z5V Posted December 7, 2014 Report Share Posted December 7, 2014 Your 16" barrel is gonna be about 17.5" with it's muzzle device attached... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cali_Ed Posted December 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 7, 2014 Excellent point brother 98, does that 1.5" diffrent make a huge impact in your maneuverability? You are a wealth of knowledge kind sir. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
98Z5V Posted December 7, 2014 Report Share Posted December 7, 2014 Excellent point brother 98, does that 1.5" diffrent make a huge impact in your maneuverability? You are a wealth of knowledge kind sir. Strictly from a point of maneuverability - yes, it does make a *huge-impact* type of difference. To further the point of maneuverability, when that is the KEY point of a military weapons system, that is the whole reason for the development of the Mk18 system - with a 10.3" barrel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robocop1051 Posted December 7, 2014 Report Share Posted December 7, 2014 I feel the swing difference. I can also store my rifle in a MP5 bag. 14.5" mid length barrel (piston op) with pinned BC v1.5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FaRKle! Posted December 7, 2014 Report Share Posted December 7, 2014 (edited) I don't think the the 14.5 weighs that much les mYne 1 oz or 2 less potentially I'll have to check."Ounces is pounds" as BAD likes to say...Removing weight further down the barrel will have much greater dividends than removing weight closer to you due to mechanical advantage.That said like 98Z5V said, it depends on what your intent for this rifle is. Specifications are driven by customer requirements.My requirements were a lightweight carbine that weighed in at <6lbs without sacrificing reliability and ability to change parts out on my own. That drove the specs for a 16" barrel, VLTOR A5 system, and standard BCG (not one of those gamey LW carriers) I have on my gun that certainly aren't lightweight. Maneuverability. Colt never made the M4A1 or the M4 with a 16" barrel. Period. They never made a mid-length gas system either ;). Edited December 7, 2014 by FaRKle! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cali_Ed Posted December 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 7, 2014 Well put guys, thank you. Most of these 14.5lw barrels seem to way just as much as the 16lw barrels. I may get the faxon and get it chopped to 14.5 for more weight savings, or would that add ore to the cost that could be used elsewhere? Another question is, sense the md needs to be pinned does that mean you generally have to buy the gas block and gas tube from that same company so that they can install it for you before it's pinned? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
98Z5V Posted December 7, 2014 Report Share Posted December 7, 2014 They never made a mid-length gas system either ;). The midlength gas system was borne from the M4A1 and M4, man, plus the application of the 1994 AWB. I was issued an M4A1 in Jan 1995. It's all about distance from barrel end to distance from gas port, and it started with the M16. That's the whole reason the M4 is what it is, and why carbine-length gas systems are what they are - on the 14.5" barrel. It all comes from the M16, 20" barrel, rifle gas system, and THOSE lengths, and it's a direct measurement - for the M4. M4 feedramps came after that one, and those were full-auto derived, due to the shortened barrel, over the 20" M16. Midlength gas came from the ban era, when barrels HAD to be 16". The M4 carbine with carbine gas, the civilian mandate of 16" of barrel - that equals midlength gas systems, almost... M16 with rifle gas, M4 with carbine gas - now you have the 16" requirement on civilians... bump the gas tube length. Midlength gas was born... Combine MORE worlds nowadays - 14.5s with midlength gas are FUCKIN SWEET! That's how all that $hit went down. No joke, no lie... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robocop1051 Posted December 7, 2014 Report Share Posted December 7, 2014 I get all moist when you talk like that... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
98Z5V Posted December 7, 2014 Report Share Posted December 7, 2014 You just think I'm hot, and it doesn't matter if any weapons-talk is involved or not. That's why I love you... :leghump: :love4: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robocop1051 Posted December 7, 2014 Report Share Posted December 7, 2014 Pants down hug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
98Z5V Posted December 7, 2014 Report Share Posted December 7, 2014 NAILED IT!!! :hethan: <lmao> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt.Cross Posted December 7, 2014 Report Share Posted December 7, 2014 Get a room you two..... ... and send me the address. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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