Part II
You will note that the fore-end is wrapped in hockey tape. This cuts a bit of the shine from the carbon fiber. It also adds a bit of grip to the slick surface, as well as gives some camo in winter. Surprisingly enough, I noted even without snow on the ground, in the sagebrush of the western US, the lighter color really blends, so I never removed it after the last spring's snow melted.
Additionally It also prevents the HK hooks on my sling from making noise when they hit the rifle. A quiet rifle when not actually shooting it is a good thing. That is also the reason I use 550 cord on the back of the rifle. The 550 cord is lighter, and often stronger than some of the commercial attachment methods.
The HK hooks I modified my VTAC 2 point sling to use allow me to swap uppers/lowers as needed, or remove the sling for cleaning purposes in a matter of seconds. This simple and effective modification is an old trick that is well worth the $$.
As you can see the buffer tube has some wrap on it. I have always worn a beard/mustache. Beards and buffer tubes equal ripped hairs. another trick of the trade. I always try to wrap my work guns and personal guns with tape or vet wrap. This prevents your hairs from getting ripped out and your eyes from watering when they do. :50:
Vet wrap is simple and effective for this. Once you determine the correct stock length of pull, wrap it and call it G2G.
All up, sling tape, scope, etc, this gun weighs 7#s on the nose, which is pretty light all things considered.
These are just some tricks of the trade that I have learned from years of using the platform. I have been using the AR/M4/M16 series since 1988 when I left home to go to the Home of the Infantry, FT Benning in 1988, and now, 30+ years later, still use one at work (though I am now just doing mostly do admin stuff, and my guys usually do the heavy lifting).
