November 30, 2015

Lightweight ARs: 5 Ultra-Lightweight 5.56mm Rifles To Consider

Looking for a lightweight AR? These five rifles from elite manufacturers are amongst the best 5.56mm offerings on the market.

Dr. Martin D. Topper

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Diamondback DB15B
Diamondback DB15B: Weighing 6.65 pounds, the Diamondback DB15B has a 16-inch, 4140 chrome-moly, free-floating barrel that is chambered for the 5.56mm NATO. It has an aluminum handguard that can be modified with rails and retails for $1,019.

Lightweight AR rifles Rock River Arms LAR-15 Lightweight STD

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Rock River Arms LAR-15 Lightweight STD
Rock River Arms LAR-15 Lightweight STD: Weighing 6 pounds, the LAR-15 Lightweight STD has a 16-inch, lightweight barrel chambered for the 5.56mm NATO as well as a carbon-fiber handguard. The MSRP is $1,325.

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Ruger AR-556
Ruger AR-556: This 6.5-pound rifle has a 16.1-inch, hammer-forged barrel chambered for the 5.56mm NATO and comes with adjustable sights. Its MSRP is $749.

Lightweight AR rifles Smith & Wesson M&P15 VTAC II

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Smith & Wesson M&P15 VTAC II
Smith & Wesson M&P15 VTAC II: This rifle weighs 6.28 pounds. Its 16-inch barrel has 5R rifling and is chambered for the 5.56mm NATO. It also has a Geissele Super V trigger. Its MSRP is $1,949.

Lightweight AR rifles Wilson Combat Tactical Lightweight

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Wilson Combat Tactical Lightweight
Wilson Combat Tactical Lightweight: This 6.69-pound rifle has a 16-inch barrel and comes in 5.56mm NATO, 6.8 SPC, 300 Blackout, 7.62×40 WT and .458 SOCOM. The base MSRP is $2,250.

Eugene Stoner designed the original AR with space-age materials in order to save weight. The idea, of course, was that soldiers could carry more ammunition if their rifles weighed less. But ever since Vietnam, the M16/AR platform has evolved, and with it have come additions that increase weight.

RELATED STORY: 8 Law Enforcement-Ready AR-15 Rifles Under $1,000

The original polymer handguard was replaced with quad-rail systems for attaching all manner of accessories like lasers, lights, slings and bipods. And if you’ve served in the military, you know that ounces equal pounds, and pounds equal pain.

Now gunmakers are shifting gears again, however. Instead of offering heavy rifles that can handle every conceivable mission, they’re creating lightweight rifles that can be kitted out as needed without being too burdensome. That’s why we’ve rounded up some of the best rifles currently available that weight less than 7 pounds unloaded.

RELATED STORY: Affordable & Effective: 16 AR-15 Rifles For Under $1,000

Ruger’s AR-556 weighs only 6.5 pounds but offers a cold-hammer-forged barrel and traditional M4 styling. The Smith & Wesson M&P15 VTAC II and Wilson Combat Tactical Lightweight are custom-grade rifles with enhanced triggers, modular handguards and next-gen furniture. But that’s not all

Scroll through the gallery above to learn more!