Keep in mind that free floating rails can sometimes be lighter than a standard handguard setup, particularly with a different delta ring/barrel nut you can save a few pounds. A few I can name right off the bat; the noveske nsr, the kac urx series, dd lite rail too
pic thread nsr below
I know you asked for an 18", but why do you want an 18"? Rifle gas system? More velocity ?
For what it's worth, a 16 inch is 100 less FPS than a 20" according to a few verifiable sources, so it seems almost negligible. And mid length systems can be quite smooth.
There are a significant amount...
The PSA is a smoking deal. It has all the appropriate pieces to be reliable and at a low cost. I'd get 6 mags and a butt load of ammo and have a blast.
This was definitely directed at me.
I like Noveskes because of the double thick chrome lined barrels that they offer with the outstanding accuracy I can get. I have a 12.5" that will hit just a hare above 1 MOA at 200 yards. Granted, the velocity of the 12.5 wil reduce accuracy at any...
Prefer steel case for practice/plinking/training, keeps costs low enough to keep doing it without having to get in depth with reloading. That being said, have been eyeing moving into a Dillon progressive for brass reloading in quantity.
Another thing is generally steel case is low in powder and...
Rem 700 5R Rifling 20" threaded. Great gun, fed like crap from the stock internal magazine. Plopped it into an AX chassis, ran great. But that's the biggest flaw of any new firearm I've purchased, though I've only purchased a handful of new guns. Most of mine come pre-loved.
IMO,
the ALG triggers aren't justifiably better than an m4 trigger. For me, I've come to the conclusion that it's Geissele or bust.
The theory on barrel selection is purpose.
I have two 16" ars. One is a BCM LW CL barrel, the other a WOA Stainless Barrel. The WOA will shoot lights out but has a...
+1
Don't discount the T3. It's a lights out hands down shooter, however may be out of your price range if you want rifle + optic, as the stock on the t3 lite may need to be replaced.
Another very viable option is an AR.
Nothing too fancy, but painted it FDE.
BCM LW 16" Upper
Noveske NSR Rail
Geissele S3G
Magpul MOE Grip and Stock
Aimpoint T1 on Larue mount
VCAS Sling
M600A Mini Scout on Haley Dropwing