[Syclone0538]

Pretty new to ARs, and am considering building one for light weight and low recoil. It'll be a range toy, possible groundhog gun, so while I obviously want it reliable, 100% reliability isn't critical.

Sounds like the longer the gas system, the less recoil, so rifle length is probably the way to go. Thinking about the Faxon 18" gunner, rifle length, or possibly the 16" gunner, mid length.

Faxon has a light BCG for $240, while the NBS is only half an ounce heavier, and half the price...

Thinking an adjustable gas block will be necessary, and the Superlative Arms looks to be the best.

Don't know much about the buffer system, and it seems like there is a lot to figure out there. Carbine vs A5 vs Rifle, buffer weight, and spring weight, and how those different options relate to the other less common stuff I'm thinking about.

Seems like a muzzle brake is the best thing for reducing recoil, but I'd prefer not to make it much louder to the shooter.

 

[Singlestack Wonder]

Nevermind…

 

[G29guy06]

I wanna build a lightweight scar to shoot prairie dogs with…

 

[G29guy06]

Sorry. I hope you get your answers

 

[ThomasM4]

Were to start
The simple solution is a1 retro its pretty dang light and feels really nice I think they got alot right on the a1's .
But hey something different I get it.
1st a lightweight bcg normaly requires a adjustable gas block and be willing to tune it to the ammo so must be willing to jump through hoops.

Bcm has a nice 16" midlength lightweight that really nice with an a5 system.
18" rifle with rifle buffer system used to be a popular 3 gunner set up .
The softest cycling setup ive come across so far was 11.5 noveske switch block with a5 and lmt enhanced bcg with a suppressor but it only cycles completly with a suppressor attached but thats not anything near lightweight.

Recently finished this . Its FN 18" rifle gas barrel with rifle buffer system its gov profile barrel . Its not the lightest but lighter than most. Its mostly just a budget build .

 

[DeltaFiveBravo]

Just use a standard BCG, remove the weights from the buffer, and use a heavier weight buffer spring. That's what I did when I assembled an 11.5" 5.56 pistol with carbine length gas system. It runs without failure. There's virtually zero recoil and muzzle jump. It has a Hera Gen 2 linear compensator on it instead of a muzzle brake.

I use a clamp-on SLR Rifleworks adjustable gas block on all my ARs in which I use an adjustable gas block, including .308 Winchester. It's simple and rugged.

 

[Sherlock913]

Just use a standard BCG, remove the weights from the buffer, and use a heavier weight buffer spring. That's what I did when I assembled an 11.5" 5.56 pistol with carbine length gas system. It runs without failure. There's virtually zero recoil and muzzle jump. It has a Hera Gen 2 linear compensator on it instead of a muzzle brake.

I use a clamp-on SLR Rifleworks adjustable gas block on all my ARs in which I use an adjustable gas block, including .308 Winchester. It's simple and rugged.

Just the spring? No need for an increase in buffer weight?

 

[MarkCO]

18" rifle gas, or 16" Intermediate. If you get a properly set up barrel, don't need adjustable gas. Brownells low mass carriers are legit, and what I use for customer builds who don't want to spend the extra for JP. Flat wire spring, empty or reduced mass buffer, and a good comp. There are only a few that work well and don't increase concussion to the shooter.

If you want more info, drop me a PM.

 

[DeltaFiveBravo]

Just the spring? No need for an increase in buffer weight?

The whole concept behind lightweight BCGs is to reduce reciprocating mass. Instead of wasting money for a more expensive lightweight BCG you simply reduce reciprocating mass by reducing the weight of the buffer by removing the internal weights.

Less mass requires less gas to get the BCG moving. Gas is reduced by using an adjustable gas block.

 

[MarkCO]

The whole concept behind lightweight BCGs is to reduce reciprocating mass. Instead of wasting money for a more expensive lightweight BCG you simply reduce reciprocating mass by reducing the weight of the buffer by removing the internal weights.

Less mass requires less gas to get the BCG moving. Gas is reduced by using an adjustable gas block.

Not really. Still need to balance buffer mass, deadblow effect, with carrier mass. If way over gassed, matters less, but that is counter productive.

 

[Wererat]

It's a .223 ...

 

[GlockFan7]

ARs by design are light weight, until you start adding accessories. Considering that the typical AR is chambered in .223/5.56 recoil is very mild, even at worst.

 

[DeltaFiveBravo]

Not really. Still need to balance buffer mass, deadblow effect, with carrier mass. If way over gassed, matters less, but that is counter productive.

Deadblow effect is only needed to minimize bolt bounce during full auto fire.

 

[rlewpolar]

I have a number of ARs but my lightest one (and also smoothest shooting) is a BCM 16” KMR midlength. So light and handy, makes everything else I own seem heavy and bulky. Aimpoint T1 optic, a Streamlight TLR light on there and I could lug that thing around all day. An absolute pleasure.

BCM® Standard 16" Mid Length Complete Upper Receiver Group w/ KMR-A15 Handguard

16" Recce Upper Receiver Group. This AR15 Upper comes w/ KMR-A15 Handguard, 16in barrel, and your choice of muzzle device. Designed as Life Saving Tools.

bravocompanyusa.com

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[jk_226]

Pretty new to ARs, and am considering building one for light weight and low recoil. It'll be a range toy, possible groundhog gun, so while I obviously want it reliable, 100% reliability isn't critical.

Sounds like the longer the gas system, the less recoil, so rifle length is probably the way to go. Thinking about the Faxon 18" gunner, rifle length, or possibly the 16" gunner, mid length.

Faxon has a light BCG for $240, while the NBS is only half an ounce heavier, and half the price...

Thinking an adjustable gas block will be necessary, and the Superlative Arms looks to be the best.

Don't know much about the buffer system, and it seems like there is a lot to figure out there. Carbine vs A5 vs Rifle, buffer weight, and spring weight, and how those different options relate to the other less common stuff I'm thinking about.

Seems like a muzzle brake is the best thing for reducing recoil, but I'd prefer not to make it much louder to the shooter.

Any rifle in 5.56 / .223 is what I'd consider low recoil, so I wouldn't bother with a muzzle brake. In most loads, these cartridges perform best in rifle length barrels, and definitely aren't as loud as out of a shorter barrel.

Generally speaking, the shorter the barrel the more powder burns after leaving the muzzle, thus the louder report and lower muzzle velocity. If you're new to ARs, I'd start with the basics, and don't overthink it.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[MarkCO]

Deadblow effect is only needed to minimize bolt bounce during full auto fire.

Wrong again.

 

[JK-linux]

IMHO, most AR’s are low recoil and lightweight.

 

[MarkCO]

Generally speaking, the shorter the barrel the more powder burns after leaving the muzzle, thus the louder report

Nope.

 

[MarkCO]

IMHO, all AR’s are low recoil and lightweight.

Generally true. But a properly tuned AR is flat and allows you to see impacts at seven close range.

 

[Featherweight]

Pickup and fire an M14 in .308. Then you will understand that the AR platform was designed to be lightweight and low recoil.