Rail Options.

[NightCat]

Hey everyone,

I'm looking to lighten my AR a little bit by changing out some stuff..

I currently have a Troy Ind. 11" Bravo Rail, which I have been trying to find a Weight on online, but nothing appears..

Some say 13oz, some say 14.5oz, either way. I dont have the one with the proprietry barrel nut, I have just the regular 4 bolt freefloat.

And I'm trying to get some input as to what would be a lighter rail?

I've been looking around at Centurion Rails, Daniel Defense, etc.

Suggestions?

(Trying to stick with 11-12", maybe shorter...but would require me to buy a gas block or something)

[mutt]

Even going with the lightest options from DD or Centurion is only going to shave off a few ounces (assuming same length) while costing you hundreds of dollars for the gear. Strong but light generally means expensive. Is the rail system the only place you can shave weight from or do you have other heavy stuff on the rifle? Optics, mounts, lights, lasers, bipod, etc? What barrel profile do you have? Do you even need a rail system?

[NightCat]

I have considered the Cost vs Weight savings on a raill, and I didn't realize that my Troy was actually fairly light if it is only 13oz... The DD Lite is 14, but doesnt come in 11, however in 12" instead.


Its a pretty regular build..

The best way to save weight would really be to get a 14.5" barrel with a pinned muzzle device.


Regardless, Optics - Micro T-1, HSP Thorntail mount w/ Inforce WML, DD Back up irons, magpul AFG and a few rail covers.

It's a regular BCM Barrel, not a light barrel, not a BFH HD barrel.


I am however going to change my stock out from an ACS to probably an MOE or CTR stock.

I want to lose some of the length and change my Troy medieval bake for a Battle Comp 1.0

[mutt]

14.5 LW barrel with a pinned battlecomp would prob give you the best weight savings. Other than dropping the rail, I don't think you'll save much more weight trimming the other stuff. All your other gear seems pretty lightweight now or have a useful purpose that justifies the weight. I think you've gone as light as you can without spending a ton of money or losing useful capabilities.

The weight difference between my LW barrel and M4 barrel isn't huge but the LW rifle feels better balanced, and therefore lighter, since I don't have the useless weight hanging out on the front of the rifle. If you don't need the QD mount in the stock, go with the MOE. It's definitely lighter than the CTR.

[NightCat]

14.5 LW barrel with a pinned battlecomp would prob give you the best weight savings. Other than dropping the rail, I don't think you'll save much more weight trimming the other stuff. All your other gear seems pretty lightweight now or have a useful purpose that justifies the weight. I think you've gone as light as you can without spending a ton of money or losing useful capabilities.

The weight difference between my LW barrel and M4 barrel isn't huge but the LW rifle feels better balanced, and therefore lighter, since I don't have the useless weight hanging out on the front of the rifle. If you don't need the QD mount in the stock, go with the MOE. It's definitely lighter than the CTR.

Yea, and that's another Option I'm looking at.... BCM has 14.5" Middies for $460 in stock... then $189.95 to get the BC added and Pinned..

Really considering doing that then putting my 11" Bravo on it...but then I have a 16" upper laying around I have to try and sell.

[NightCat]

Any thoughts as to getting my 16" cut down?

it's already a middy...

Ive never considered cutting a barrel, but a friend suggested it...


Legitimacy of it? accuracy losses? Barrel damage?

[mutt]

Any thoughts as to getting my 16" cut down?

it's already a middy...

Ive never considered cutting a barrel, but a friend suggested it...


Legitimacy of it? accuracy losses? Barrel damage?

As long as a competent gunsmith does the cutting, there's no problem with it. The biggest concern with cutting a 16in middy to 14.5 is gas port sizing. The gas port was originally tuned for a 16in barrel. Again, something for a competent smith to work out. Simply cutting 1.5inches off of a barrel won't save you much weight. I think it would be best to have it re-profiled to a LW and cut. Of course all the added labor cost might make it worth just buying a 14.5 LW barrel from BCM.

[hatidua]

then $189.95 to get the BC added and Pinned..

Make sure that A) you never ever ever ever plan on putting anything else on that muzzle, and B) that you've shot/heard the BC in-person before deciding to permanently pin one on your rifle. I'd offer to let you shoot either of the 14.5" BCM uppers I had the BC pinned on but those have been sold and I won't be revisiting that experiment.

[NightCat]

Make sure that A) you never ever ever ever plan on putting anything else on that muzzle, and B) that you've shot/heard the BC in-person before deciding to permanently pin one on your rifle. I'd offer to let you shoot either of the 14.5" BCM uppers I had the BC pinned on but those have been sold and I won't be revisiting that experiment.

Care to provide some input as to your decision?

[HoneyBadger]

The weight saved is minimal, but I really like the new(ish) Midwest Industries rails: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/234...ble-rail-ar-15