Some rifles feel balanced and easy to carry all day. Others wear you down before you make it half a mile. When a rifle’s front-heavy, every step turns into a reminder that you should’ve packed something else. Long barrels, chunky handguards, big optics—whatever the cause, these rifles tip forward and make slings near worthless.
If you’ve ever had your arm go numb on a hike or your barrel nose-dive off a rest, you know the type. These are the ones that just don’t carry well.
FN SCAR 20S
The SCAR 20S is a precision rifle that shoots well, but it’s a beast to carry. With a 20-inch barrel and heavy front-end, the weight sits way forward. Add a bipod and a scope, and it’ll drag your sling right off your shoulder. Even the stock can’t balance out the front mass.
It’s not really meant to be hauled over long distances on foot. Most folks run it from a bench or a fixed hide. But if you try to walk with it for any real distance, you’re going to feel it fast.
Springfield M1A Loaded
The M1A has history, but it’s never been easy to carry. The Loaded model adds weight with a thicker barrel and beefier hardware. All of that steel up front makes it feel like it’s constantly trying to nose-dive out of your hands or off your pack.
You can sling it, but it never settles right. It’s a solid shooter, no doubt, but if you’re trekking through the woods or hauling it on uneven ground, you’re going to be shifting your grip the entire way.
Remington 700 SPS Tactical with Bull Barrel
This rifle is known for precision, especially in the .308 setup, but that bull barrel throws the balance off in a big way. It’s accurate, but carrying it is another story. The front end is so heavy that even a padded sling feels useless after a while.
It’s great on a bench or a bipod, where the weight helps with recoil and steadiness. But once you’re off the concrete, it turns into a chore. It’s not a field rifle unless you’ve got patience—and strong shoulders.
Barrett MRAD
The MRAD is a modular precision rifle with a serious reputation, but it’s also front-heavy and bulky. That full-length barrel and massive handguard make it feel like you’re carrying a metal plank. Even without a suppressor, the weight distribution leans heavily forward.
Operators and long-range shooters love the performance, but it’s not built with backcountry carry in mind. If you’re hiking into a spot, you’ll feel every extra ounce in the nose. It’s a rifle you carry to a location—not one you carry all day.
PSA Gen3 PA10 with Heavy Barrel
The PA10 can be a decent budget .308 AR, but the Gen3 with a heavy-profile barrel gets downright front-loaded. The weight stacks up fast with a free-float handguard and muzzle device. It feels off balance even before you mount a scope.
This one doesn’t carry like a standard AR. It pulls forward when slung and wears on your support arm during long holds. It’s doable in a tree stand or short stalk, but you won’t want to hump it through the mountains.
Savage 110 Precision
Savage nailed accuracy with the 110 Precision, but it’s a tough carry in the field. The heavy barrel, aluminum chassis, and long handguard put a lot of mass toward the muzzle. That makes it feel lopsided, especially when slung.
Most guys running this rifle are shooting from bags or bipods. It’s not meant to be an all-day trekking rifle, and the weight distribution proves it. For range use or fixed-position hunts, it’s fine. Just don’t expect to enjoy carrying it far.
SIG Cross with Suppressor and Optic
The SIG Cross is actually pretty light in its stock form, but once you tack on a suppressor and a big optic, the balance goes out the window. The barrel isn’t particularly heavy, but the add-ons shift the weight forward fast.
Guys love it for backcountry hunting because of the short action and folding stock, but if you load it up too much, it starts to feel front-loaded and awkward on the shoulder. It’s a great platform—until you overbuild it.
AR-10s with 20-Inch Barrels and M-LOK Handguards
Build an AR-10 with a 20-inch barrel and a full-length M-LOK handguard, and you’re setting yourself up for a front-heavy rig. Even with a lightweight stock, the balance is off. It hangs down on a sling and wears your arm out on longer holds.
This setup is common in long-range semi-auto builds, but it’s not ideal for spot-and-stalk hunting or general carry. Once you add glass and maybe a bipod, it’s downright tiring. It shoots great—it just doesn’t haul well.
Tavor X95 with Suppressor and Light
The Tavor X95 is a bullpup, so you’d think it would balance better. But once you throw a suppressor on it and add a weapon light or laser, the front starts to sag. The overall length stays short, but the handling gets front-heavy fast.
It’s still more compact than most rifles, but the accessories throw off the natural balance that bullpups are supposed to offer. It’s manageable—but if you’re carrying it all day, you’ll notice the extra pull on your wrist and shoulder.
Ruger Precision Rifle in .300 PRC
This rifle was built for long-range precision, not comfort. The .300 PRC chambering needs a long, heavy barrel to get the performance it’s known for. That barrel makes the rifle noticeably front-heavy, especially with a large scope and bipod attached.
It’s a fantastic shooter off a bench or a rest. But it’s not a rifle you’ll want to carry very far on foot. If you’re packing it into a backcountry elk spot, you’d better be ready for a slog. This one wears you out before you ever fire a shot.
*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.
