Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
AR-15 rifles have not seen much true innovation in years. Most of the market has focused on accessories or cosmetic updates. ROAM Rifles has taken a different path by changing the core material. Instead of the traditional aluminum receivers and handguards, ROAM builds with a proprietary magnesium alloy.
Aerospace Pedigree
ROAM is an aerospace manufacturer first, and they brought that experience into the firearms world. Magnesium alloys are already used in demanding applications on U.S. military aircraft such as the Apache helicopter and modern fighter jets. Those applications prove the alloy can deliver high strength at very low weight. ROAM applies a dual finish of TAGNITE anodize and Cerakote to counter wear and corrosion, the same combination used in aviation to protect magnesium parts from the elements.
ROAM has been building AR10 parts for a while now, and I put together an incredibly lightweight AR10 with a 22-inch barrel in 6.5 Creedmoor. Read about that and see the parts list HERE.
Weight Savings in Ounces
The numbers tell the story. In side-by-side testing, a standard aluminum AR upper receiver with forward assist and dust cover weighed 8.4 ounces. A typical aluminum lower came in at 8.5 ounces. ROAM’s magnesium versions cut those numbers significantly, with the upper at 5.8 ounces assembled (4.3 ounces stripped) and the lower at 5.4 ounces. The 15-inch full-rail handguard tips the scale at only 8.0 ounces, including its hardware. Each part shows a real, measurable weight reduction without eliminating critical features.
I believe this is the lightest handguard available with both full Picatinny and M-LOK slots, and I am not aware of any lighter option that offers the same features, including carbon fiber designs.
Side-by-side weight comparisons show just how much ROAM’s magnesium alloy cuts compared to standard aluminum parts:
| Part | Standard Aluminum | ROAM Magnesium | Weight Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper Receiver (with forward assist & dust cover) | 8.4 oz | 5.8 oz | 2.6 oz |
| Lower Receiver (stripped) | 8.5 oz | 5.4 oz | 3.1 oz |
| 15″ Full-Rail Handguard (assembled with hardware) | N/A | 8.0 oz | N/A |
| Total Savings (Upper + Lower) | 16.9 oz | 11.2 oz | 5.7 oz |
Why It Matters
AR rifles gain weight quickly once outfitted with modern gear. Lights, optics, bipods, lasers, infrared accessories, and slings all add ounces. With ROAM’s magnesium receivers and handguards, shooters essentially get free weight capacity. You can mount the same accessories and still end up with a lighter rifle than an all-aluminum build. Hunters who carry rifles for miles, shooters running night vision or thermal gear, and anyone who values a balanced rifle will notice the difference.
READ MORE HERE: CZ Shadow 2 Carry Review: Competition DNA Meets Daily Carry
A Legitimate Step Forward
This is more than a cosmetic change. It is the first real material innovation in the AR world in years. Magnesium is lighter than aluminum yet stronger than a polymer. Combined with aerospace coatings and engineering experience, it offers a practical upgrade that enhances handling in the field. ROAM has proven that the AR platform still has room to evolve when companies are willing to apply aerospace thinking to firearms.
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Visit ROAM Rifles to learn more.
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As the Editor-in-Chief of GunsAmerica, Hunt365, Decoding Darkness, and Suppressor Academy, True Pearce brings a rare blend of legal expertise, competitive shooting credentials, and deep hunting knowledge to the forefront of the firearms world. A former professional sponsored 3-Gun and Multigun competitor with multiple championships and titles, True’s shooting career began in long-range and tactical sniper matches—and he still burns powder in precision competitions, now branching into Hunter NRL.
A certified firearms instructor who has trained over 10,000 students face-to-face, True has also served on both sides of the courtroom as an attorney and currently as an elected Prosecuting Attorney. He has prosecuted and defended high-profile self-defense and firearms cases, giving him a unique, real-world perspective on the Second Amendment.
Outside the courtroom and off the range, True is a true western outdoorsman. A lifelong hunter and rancher, he rides and hunts off his own string of horses and pack animals, chasing elk, mule deer, wolves, coyotes, and anything else in season. He’s a longtime reloader, producing both precision rifle ammo and, back in the day, handloading over 40,000 rounds of 9mm and 5.56 annually for competition.
He’s also a thermal and night vision expert, known for his obsession with high-end optics, and is rarely found without a camera or a guitar nearby. Whether he’s glassing a distant ridge, reviewing cutting-edge gear, or deep in legal research, True brings passion, precision, and grit to everything he does.
Experience:
– Professional Shooter – Sponsored 3-Gun & Multigun competitor with multiple titles and a foundation in long-range and sniper/tactical matches.– Firearms Instructor – Certified instructor with over 10,000 students trained face-to-face.– Elected Prosecuting Attorney – Attorney with real-world experience defending and prosecuting self-defense and gun-related cases.– Hunter & Rancher – Horseback hunter with a working ranch, passionate about elk, deer, predator, and backcountry hunting.– Reloading & Ballistics Expert – Precision reloader and former high-volume competition handloader.– Optics Authority – Known for his deep knowledge and unrelenting standards in optics, thermal, and night vision gear.– Outdoor Creative – Avid photographer, guitar player, and outdoorsman with a sharp eye for gear and storytelling.– 2A Advocate – Committed to protecting the Second Amendment and educating Americans about their rights and responsibilities.
But doesn’t magnesium burn? Also, when magnesium is exposed to Water, doesn’t it corrode much faster than the typical aircraft-grade aluminum used on the AR15/M4/M16 receivers? Just asking.