V7 Weapon Systems continues their all out assault on your AR-15’s excess weight. Their new V7 Ultra-Light Mag Catch/Release offers a 48% weight reduction versus the standard parts. The mag catch engagement point is made from the same super alloy that they use on their V7 Lightweight Castle Nut that they claim is 30% stronger and harder than 7076 T6 aluminum. The button and threaded post is machined from 7076 T6. It is hard anodized and completely corrosion resistant.
I am kind of interested to see what weight saving parts V7 Weapon Systems will come up with next. Check out the V7 Ultra-Light Mag Catch/Release at V7 Weapon Systems.
Sigh. If only it was an ambi.
Matt,
I would be interested in an article focused on all of these weight saving parts. I’m in the midst of a build that could actually focus this for you and could give you the end feedback for a future article.
R/s
Rob
Rob,
That sounds interesting. I look forward to hearing more. I also have a build that has been purposely kept pretty light weight (it even has some V7 parts). We should compare notes some time.
I’m all for weight savings but a mag catch weighs something like 0.45oz and a castle nut about 0.65oz. So a 50% weight savings seems pretty inconsequential when you consider that a very light weight AR weighs ~7lbs (112oz).
I understand that it all adds up but before i attacked small parts like that I’d go after the big ones.
Barrel (~26oz),
BCG (~11oz)
Handguard (8-18oz)
Upper Receiver (~9oz)
Lower receiver (~9oz)
Stock (9-14oz)
Of all of those components, the upper and lower receivers seem the most obvious for lightening via judicial use of exotic materials. Unlike the barrel and BCG which can’t be lightened without reducing performance or reliability, or handguards and stocks which have already been made significantly lighter, stronger and functional over the past decade.
Phil,
I agree that, taken on its own, this part doesn’t make much of a difference. However, for the users who have already addressed many of the large parts you already listed, V7 Weapons Systems’ parts can start shaving additional weight. It is part of a more comprehensive approach.
We have taken a look at their previous offerings over at KCT, an have done a pretty in depth review of what those weight savings give you. Take a look kctactical.blogspot.com/2013/11/v7-weapons-systems-components.html