Reducing front weight on MP Sport

[reckless1911]

As the title says, im looking to reduce some weight from the front of my MP. I added a couple accessories to it and I think the weight primarily came from the cheap carbine length quad rail I added. I was wondering if anyone could recommend a good lightweight 11 inch or more free float rail with gas block?

 

[Dream to Dream]

If you want to keep your FSB, there's this: https://danieldefense.com/rail-systems/m4-rail/m4-railtm-12-0-fsp-carbine.html

Weight is 13.1 oz.

Are you looking for lighter than that? Do you want a low-profile gas block?

 

[shawn mccarver]

If you want reduced weight, put it back to original condition.

 

[reckless1911]

If you want to keep your FSB, there's this: https://danieldefense.com/rail-systems/m4-rail/m4-railtm-12-0-fsp-carbine.html

Weight is 13.1 oz.

Are you looking for lighter than that? Do you want a low-profile gas block?

yea I def want a low profile gas block. im sure that front sight has a little weight to it over the low profile, and I am not really even a fan of it. I rather have the flip up sights.

 

[Dedezelic]

If you want reduced weight, put it back to original condition.

^^^^ This ^^^^

 

[Dream to Dream]

yea I def want a low profile gas block. im sure that front sight has a little weight to it over the low profile, and I am not really even a fan of it. I rather have the flip up sights.

Weight-wise, the FSB and a low-profile block are very similar. I sold off all my old carbines that had front sights installed in preference of railed flip-up sights; I regret this and wish my current carbine had a fixed front sight base.

If you are really interested in a low-profile gas block with an extended rail, I may have some parts you would be interested in. Drop me a PM if you wish.

 

[ASTMedic]

I sold off all my old carbines that had front sights installed in preference of railed flip-up sights; I regret this and wish my current carbine had a fixed front sight base.

Out of curiosity why do you wish you had the standard front sight?

 

[Dream to Dream]

For a few reasons:

1. It does not interfere with my visibility or sight picture when using my optic (Aimpoint PRO)

2. A barrel-mounted front sight will give a truer sight picture than a sight mounted to a free-float rail. POA/POI on a rail-mounted front sight will be affected when putting tension on the rail (such as using a sling as a shooting aid) or during sustained firing.

3. The durability of a pinned front sight base is much greater than a rail-mounted sight, not to mention the fact that most quality metal rail sights will cost close to $100 each.

My ARs are all mid length gas systems, so a FSB still gives me a good sight radius. I suspect that the only time I would not want a fixed FSB is when using a magnified optic, but I have yet to test that theory.

 

[reckless1911]

For a few reasons:

1. It does not interfere with my visibility or sight picture when using my optic (Aimpoint PRO)

2. A barrel-mounted front sight will give a truer sight picture than a sight mounted to a free-float rail. POA/POI on a rail-mounted front sight will be affected when putting tension on the rail (such as using a sling as a shooting aid) or during sustained firing.

3. The durability of a pinned front sight base is much greater than a rail-mounted sight, not to mention the fact that most quality metal rail sights will cost close to $100 each.

My ARs are all mid length gas systems, so a FSB still gives me a good sight radius. I suspect that the only time I would not want a fixed FSB is when using a magnified optic, but I have yet to test that theory.

hmm you just made me rethink this one...

https://danieldefense.com/rail-systems/m4-rail/m4-railtm-12-0-fsp-carbine.html

I dont want to spend $300 bucks on this with all the other projects im working on, but if I can find it at a better deal I would def pick it up.

 

[Dream to Dream]

Keep your eyes peeled. Now that the AR market has recovered, there are lots of deals popping up. I picked up a Daniel Defense 12" FSP M4 mid length rail from MidwayUSA three weeks ago for 50% off. Wish I had gotten more than one rail.

 

[ASTMedic]

Midway just had the extended carbine length rail on sale for $100 off.

 

[Vinney47]

Judging from the pics of the OP, the other additions on the front end add much more weight than the rail. You could asses the need of both a vertical grip and a bi-pod and decide if you could do without either or both of them, also you could look at a combined grip/bi-pod that would still give you the utility of both but weigh less than the two you have now.

Just other things to consider.

 

[reckless1911]

Judging from the pics of the OP, the other additions on the front end add much more weight than the rail. You could asses the need of both a vertical grip and a bi-pod and decide if you could do without either or both of them, also you could look at a combined grip/bi-pod that would still give you the utility of both but weigh less than the two you have now.

Just other things to consider.

yea I was hoping that after I got some weight off with a new rail I would get one of these mag well grips. The weight of the bi-pod is not a factor for me because its only on the gun when Im doing bench shooting. I am referring to reducing weight for when im physically on foot carrying and shooting it.

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[MichiganScott]

yea I was hoping that after I got some weight off with a new rail I would get one of these mag well grips. The weight of the bi-pod is not a factor for me because its only on the gun when Im doing bench shooting. I am referring to reducing weight for when im physically on foot carrying and shooting it.

You're just adding more weight. If you want to lighten up the rifle, you need to give careful thought to exactly what accessories you need. You don't need a mag well grip. A couple of generations of America's finest have learned to shoot an M16 darned well without it.

 

[rojodiablo]

I suspect that the only time I would not want a fixed FSB is when using a magnified optic, but I have yet to test that theory.

Not an issue. With even a low power, 4x optic you do not see the A2 pillar. The optic does not 'see' until beyond the end of the barrel.
The higher the magnification, the further out the parallax gets a focused recognition.

 

[cyphertext]

Like others have said, if you want to lighten that rifle, get rid of all the stuff you have added. Changing the front sight won't amount to a hill of beans with all the garbage you have or want to have attached.

 

[Vinney47]

yea I was hoping that after I got some weight off with a new rail I would get one of these mag well grips. The weight of the bi-pod is not a factor for me because its only on the gun when Im doing bench shooting. I am referring to reducing weight for when im physically on foot carrying and shooting it.

Amazon.com: MWG - Mag. Well Grip by FAB Defense: Sports & Outdoors

Gripping the magwell is bad practice, so I hear. Doesn't give you much control over the front end of the gun, the placement of your off hand is too far back.

It's not for everyone, but I tried a magpul angled fore grip (the AFG2, to be specific). Didn't like it at first install, but after acclimating to it I REALLY like it. Less than 3 ounces, could be something to consider. Also, just some ladder style rail guards that weigh next to nothing can improve your grip and comfort over the front end. If you are set on having a vertical foregrip, magpuls RVG is pretty light.

Just out of curiosity, what quad rail do you have? more specifically, what does it weigh? Just a quick check on Amazon and all the cheap quad rails (I'm talking as low as 17.99) are 9-12 oz, those that give an actual product wieght as opposed to shipping weight. And those are aluminum. The expensive ones are not any lighter. Not sure changing your quad rail is going to save you much weight and might not be worth doing unless you still just want to upgrade to a higher quality (supposedly) quad rail anyway.

Now if you go to a polymer handguard, like the magpul MOE one (6.8 oz) and didn't add anything to it, THEN you could be saving up to half a pound maybe just on the rail. add a rail section to the MOE and an AFG2 and you've still saved a quarter poundish, plus the weight of the grip you have now.

Just spitballing options for ya.

 

[reckless1911]

Gripping the magwell is bad practice, so I hear. Doesn't give you much control over the front end of the gun, the placement of your off hand is too far back.

It's not for everyone, but I tried a magpul angled fore grip (the AFG2, to be specific). Didn't like it at first install, but after acclimating to it I REALLY like it. Less than 3 ounces, could be something to consider. Also, just some ladder style rail guards that weigh next to nothing can improve your grip and comfort over the front end. If you are set on having a vertical foregrip, magpuls RVG is pretty light.

Just out of curiosity, what quad rail do you have? more specifically, what does it weigh? Just a quick check on Amazon and all the cheap quad rails (I'm talking as low as 17.99) are 9-12 oz, those that give an actual product wieght as opposed to shipping weight. And those are aluminum. The expensive ones are not any lighter. Not sure changing your quad rail is going to save you much weight and might not be worth doing unless you still just want to upgrade to a higher quality (supposedly) quad rail anyway.

Now if you go to a polymer handguard, like the magpul MOE one (6.8 oz) and didn't add anything to it, THEN you could be saving up to half a pound maybe just on the rail. add a rail section to the MOE and an AFG2 and you've still saved a quarter poundish, plus the weight of the grip you have now.

Just spitballing options for ya.

are the magpuls free float? beyond the weight reduction idea, I still want to go with a free float rail anyway just to improve my long distance shooting accuracy. Maybe I will just go with another carbine length rail but a free float one and leave the front post. Yea thats what I will do.

 

[SickMAK90]

The magpul MOE hand guards are not free floated. My favorite free float hand guards are the Troy Alpha rails. It is light, cheap, and free floated. If you want a free float hand guard that is pretty much still a "drop in" get the Daniel Defense Omega.

If I was you I would remove all that stuff you put on that rifle.

 

[reckless1911]

The magpul MOE hand guards are not free floated. My favorite free float hand guards are the Troy Alpha rails. It is light, cheap, and free floated. If you want a free float hand guard that is pretty much still a "drop in" get the Daniel Defense Omega.

If I was you I would remove all that stuff you put on that rifle.

when you say remove all that stuff, what exactly are you referring to? keep in mind I already stated that the bipod is not a factor because I only have it on when I am bench shooting. So the only things on the front of the rifle are the rails and the pistol grip.

I think the 9inch alpha rail with shaved down front sight gas block will be what I go with