New for 2018: 2A Armament Xanthos-Lite AR-10 Receiver

In recent years, the popularity of AR-style .308 Win. rifles has grown immensely, and recent additions to the market are supporting the growth of this segment of the AR-style rifle world. For those looking to shave weight off these normally heavy rifles, the 2A Armament Xanthos-Lite AR-10 receiver is tailor-made to provide a solid foundation for your lightweight .308 build.

At the outset of the company's project, designers and engineers had a mission to produce one of the lightest large-frame AR receivers on the market, and the resulting Xanthos-Lite receiver is the realization of that goal. The matched receiver set is machined from 7075-T6 billet aluminum, entirely sourced in the USA. Rather than going the fully skeletonized route that other manufacturers chose in their lightening efforts, the team at 2A Armament chose a pocketed design that still closes off the internals of the receiver while reducing weight and providing an enhanced aesthetic look.

In addition to shaving down weight in non-critical areas of the receiver, the company also designed the receiver with an integrated, lightened trigger guard and completely removed the forward assist. Even small areas, such as the center of the Picatinny optics rail running along the top of the receiver, received lightening cuts to save every ounce possible. The result is a matched upper and lower set that weighs in at only 16 ounces total. The company claims the design is up to 12 ounces lighter than most other AR-10-size receivers on the market.

Other upgraded features have been thoughtfully added to enhance the usability of the receiver, such as a tapered charging-handle ramp that avoids the scuffs and scratches normally seen on mil-spec charging handles. The system also includes a screw-in pin for the bolt release rather than the more-commonly seen roll pin, making installation an easy proposition. Trigger pins are a standard .156-inch diameter for use with most trigger designs, though the company warns against using Elftmann triggers in this particular receiver set. Finally, the magazine well is beveled to aid in reloading.

The 2A Armament Xanthos-Lite AR-10 receiver also includes a tensioning screw that eliminates rattle between the two receiver halves, as well as a DPMS High standard rail height. The upper receiver features barrel-nut threads measuring 1 7/16"-16 UN-3A. The entire receiver set is treated with a bead-blasted, hard-coat anodized finish. The receiver is designed for compatibility with most AR-style .308 accessories and components on the market, but due to the non-standardized nature of the AR-10 market, the company cannot guarantee that all components will work.

The suggested retail price on the 2A Armament Xanthos-Lite AR-10 receiver set is $699.