When considering all the items I needed for my lightweight AR build, I thought this was going to be a no brainer.

Traditional A3 flat top (Doublestar from MidwayUSA)


vs.

Lo-Pro Flat top (DPMS from MidwayUSA)


You'd think that the traditional flat top would be heavier since it has the dust cover, dust cover pin, dust cover spring, dust cover retaining ring, and complete forward assist assembly. Not to mention the built in brass deflector. All that has got to weigh something, right? Sure. That'll cut precious ounces off an upper. That's why I decided to go with the smooth side DPMS Lo-Pro. Little did I know that I made an error.

The DPMS Lo-Pro flat top upper is a match competition upper. It's built with extruded 7029-T6 aluminum (which is one of the strongest aluminum builts). The walls are thicker than a traditional A3 flat top. It also has a heavier anodizing. With all this, the upper receiver comes in at 10oz. A traditional A3 upper is 8oz. Nope.. definitely not lighter. It was cheaper, though. $87.00 vs $123.00 for a traditional A3.

Since the DPMS Lo-Pro is a competition upper, it will require some light fitting of the rear takedown hole. Not much. Just enough to allow the pin to press through. I will keep it as tight as possible to improve accuracy.

After much thinking, I've decided to swap this upper with my varminter AR. The varminter AR is a precision rifle so having this competition upper will be a plus. Then, I can swap back to a traditional A3 upper on my lightweight build and get it under 7lbs.

So Chris... forget what I said. The DPMS is NOT the way to go if you want a lightweight build!

I just came back from FX Tactical on 8946 W Cactus Rd, next door to Shooter's World. They have a gondola display FULL of Magpul Pmags in both M2 and M3, windowed and non-windowed. Prices range from $13-$18. Prices are as they were before all the craziness happened. I guess things are finally calming down. No 20rnd magazines yet. Just black 30rnd mags.

http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/featured/blemished-psa-picto-lower-and-classic-lower-parts-kit.html

Stripped lower + LPK for under $100.00.

http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/featured/psa-ar-15-complete-blem-lower-magpul-moe-edition-od-green-no-magazine.html

Complete assembled lower in FDE, no magazine for under $200. Wow!

If you have a stripped lower then this is a good deal. No FFL required.

http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/catalog/product/view/id/14231/s/psa-16-m4-premium-moe-black-rifle-kit/?utm_source=Huge+Savings+on+Magpul+MOE+Rifle+Build+Kit&utm_campaign=Constant+Contact&utm_medium=email