In general, modern AR-15s are relatively light, averaging between 6.5 to 7.5 pounds. Sometimes, shooters benefit from cutting that weight back even more. Maybe you’re smaller in stature, or maybe you’ll be trekking through rough terrain with your AR, or maybe you’re just tired of your arms shaking after holding a heavy rifle while running and gunning on the range or in competition. 

Well-balanced and easy to wield, modern lightweight ARs are often sought by professionals including soldiers and law enforcement. No matter why you're in the market, we're here to help with a rundown of the best lightweight AR-15s we could find, starting with the lightest.