Convert AR 15
How reliable are the kits to convert an AR-15 to a piston system?
0
-
As long as you get a kit that replaces the bolt carrier you'll be good to go. All the manufacturers that sell these have about the same quality so shop around and get your best deal you can get.
Edit
Some of the earlier kits only replaced the carrier key. This caused a lifting of the carrier inside the upper causing undue wear on the inside of the upper receiver. Also known as carrier tilt.0 -
Thanks for the info. The kits I have found cost about $325-450.00. I will double check for the ones that clearly state they replace the bolt carrier. 0 -
I shot a brand-new Sig piston gun yesterday. I normally shoot DI guns, both personally owned Colt/Bushmaster/DPMS semis and work-owned full auto Colt M-4s. I couldn't tell the difference between the two systems, what is all the hoopla about the piston vs. DI for the average gun owner in the US? 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Riomouse911
I shot a brand-new Sig piston gun yesterday. I normally shoot DI guns, both personally owned Colt/Bushmaster/DPMS semis and work-owned full auto Colt M-4s. I couldn't tell the difference between the two systems, what is all the hoopla about the piston vs. DI for the average gun owner in the US?
Piston is supposed to be more reliable under dirty conditions or from lack of cleaning. It runs cooler since hot gas isn't vented directly into the action. It can also be advantageous if you're running a really short-barrel system or suppressor (or both). Those are basically the main advantages.
Disadvantages include greater cost, potentially greater recoil impulse (from piston reciprocating shock), slight increase in weight, and (so far) non-standardization of parts. Piston guns definitely aren't MORE accurate than gas/direct impingement ones, though how much less accurate they are (and whether or not it matters) is debatable.
If you're running a short barreled or suppressed gun, are absolutely paranoid about reliability, hate to clean your guns, or just have to have the "latest-greatest" than a piston system might be for you.
For the other 95%+ of shooters (myself included), there probably isn't any real advantage.
Incidentally, if I really wanted a piston gun, I'd probably just buy one designed as a piston gun from the onset (eg a SCAR, etc) rather than buying an aftermarket conversion.0 -
quote:Originally posted by beantownshootah
Incidentally, if I really wanted a piston gun, I'd probably just buy one designed as a piston gun from the onset (eg a SCAR, etc) rather than buying an aftermarket conversion.
+ 10000000 -
Just find an AR-180. Problem solved. 0 -
Cool, thanks BTS. I know some of the 10" DI AR's I have been around have had issues with reliability in the past, so the piston-system on these makes perfectsense. We shot some DI AR's with 14.5" barrels using a shorty-suppressor from Sure-Fire and a longer one from another maker when we did a recent ballistics test of the new Winchester ammo. The suppressors made a minor difference in velocity, but no reliabilty issues were noted.
The piston Sig was a really nice set up,but I'll stick to what I know I guess.0 -
The main reason for the impingement rings on the bolt is to forward the bolt to energize it to the correct unlocking position as the carrier travels rearward. The main difference is the bolt/barrel lug wear. The piston systems seem to create more wear in these areas. A piston is more reliable with weight and loose tolerances. The vibration keeps the crud from building up. The weight aids the feed. I would like to see a AR15 gas piston system work in sub zero temperatures. It might be interesting. There are reasons for the impingement system far beyond a floating barrel. Many times users develop formed opinions based on what seems to be the right in the old school fundamentals and reverse engineer a great product with a gimmick. My non-chrome lined AR15 builds are very reliable because I use used, loose, broke-in bolts to allow for better bolt rotation and the bolts don't seem to bind as much as new ones from the barrel high right off set from the barrel nut tension. A simple used bolt can make an impingement or gas piston system more reliable. In my opinion, the impingement system is superior to a micro-rod gas piston design. Stoner was around when gas pistons were the fundamental design and it seemed he went in a different direction and if he wanted to use a gas piston system he would have. I also very slightly knock off the sharp corners off of my used bolts and barrel lugs to. Burrs can develop creating failures to extract. Opinions vary. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by 511pe
The main reason for the impingement rings on the bolt is to forward the bolt to energize it to the correct unlocking position as the carrier travels rearward. The main difference is the bolt/barrel lug wear. The piston systems seem to create more wear in these areas. A piston is more reliable with weight and loose tolerances. The vibration keeps the crud from building up. The weight aids the feed. I would like to see a AR15 gas piston system work in sub zero temperatures. It might be interesting. There are reasons for the impingement system far beyond a floating barrel. Many times users develop formed opinions based on what seems to be the right in the old school fundamentals and reverse engineer a great product with a gimmick. My non-chrome lined AR15 builds are very reliable because I use used, loose, broke-in bolts to allow for better bolt rotation and the bolts don't seem to bind as much as new ones from the barrel high right off set from the barrel nut tension. A simple used bolt can make an impingement or gas piston system more reliable. In my opinion, the impingement system is superior to a micro-rod gas piston design. Stoner was around when gas pistons were the fundamental design and it seemed he went in a different direction and if he wanted to use a gas piston system he would have. I also very slightly knock off the sharp corners off of my used bolts and barrel lugs to. Burrs can develop creating failures to extract. Opinions vary.
What about the AR180 this was a Stoner design also. Many people think that the 180 should have been the AR/M-16.0
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
9 comments