Who makes a good piston AR I am thinking about getting an upper for my AR build. I would like to start shooting the cheaper steel case ammo for practice or may evem go to a 5.45x39 platform, but I hear those have mag issues.
I've got to be honest, I think piston-guns are cool (and am a fan of the Robinson XCR, the Sig 556, and even the FN SCAR and Bushmaster ACR), but I've never understood the need to add a piston to any of my gas impingement guns.
Lots of folks shoot steel-cased ammo out of their ARs with no issues for the most part (provided its non-corrosive, and in-spec decent ammo - there is always bad ammo out there).
If its really dirty, you just have to clean the gun a little more often, but I typically shoot Wal-Mart's bulk Federal ammo and its relatively clean brass ammo for $.40/rnd.
You can get decent .223 for as little as $.25-$.30/rnd and not have to deal with 5.45x39 (and isn't that ammo on the rise in price from how cheap it used to be?).
That's just my opinion, but I say stick to 5.56 and good ole gas impingement.
Lots of folks shoot steel-cased ammo out of their ARs with no issues for the most part (provided its non-corrosive, and in-spec decent ammo - there is always bad ammo out there).
If its really dirty, you just have to clean the gun a little more often, but I typically shoot Wal-Mart's bulk Federal ammo and its relatively clean brass ammo for $.40/rnd.
You can get decent .223 for as little as $.25-$.30/rnd and not have to deal with 5.45x39 (and isn't that ammo on the rise in price from how cheap it used to be?).
That's just my opinion, but I say stick to 5.56 and good ole gas impingement.
I put an Adams arms piston kit on my AR and love it. I paid $229 for the kit from weaponsparts.com. It runs clean and keeps the gas out of your face if you are camped out behind the scope. I've put right at 1000 rounds of Wolf 62gr through the piston setup and my lower is still spotless inside. I won't go back to direct impingement on this gun that's for certain. The nice thing about the Adams arms kit is you can adjust the gas system for suppressive or the .22 kits. Everybody either loves the piston kits or hates them. I'm a fanboy now. I used to make fun of them until I ran one.
+1 on the Adams kit. I am building a Mega Monolithic with the Adams kit. I have many recomandations for the Adams kit.
As for ammo, I found this place with very cheap polymer coated ammo. http://www.sgammo.com/product/surplus/1000-rds-223-556-hollow-point-62-grain-tula-steel-case-ammo At 179.95 per 1000, I think the savings in ammo cost alone will make these worth it. I have asked lots of questions about these steel case ammo, and the feed back I've gotten are generally good. I have 1200 rds ready to blast!!
That website has some decent prices on ammo, EXCEPT he won't allow for local pick up. I'm not paying $15+ to have it shipped a couple miles or less.
To the OP, my brother has the Ruger SR-556 and loves it. It is a smooth shooting rifle and a snap to clean. It comes already tac'd out and the price is about right IMO.
If you maintain your weapon there is no reason to move away from direct impingement. Pistons are great: they keep your bolt area cleaner and cooler, they reduce the toggle of the weapon, and no gas escape from behind the charging handle. But for civilian/range use it isn't necessary. If you have the extra money, by all means, its a great investment.
Just remember that its great to not have to clean your bold carrier group, BUT that piston gets dirty just as fast as the bolt in a DI weapon. It will also slightly reduce your accuracy because of the extra vibrations above the barrel.
For a nice piston AR you might look into the Stag model 8 (SA8). Im not sure what you can get them for in your area but here in weatherford they run $950-$1000.
Just remember that its great to not have to clean your bold carrier group, BUT that piston gets dirty just as fast as the bolt in a DI weapon. It will also slightly reduce your accuracy because of the extra vibrations above the barrel.
For a nice piston AR you might look into the Stag model 8 (SA8). Im not sure what you can get them for in your area but here in weatherford they run $950-$1000.
Oops !! I didn't realize the place was in OK !!!
Out here my forum guys love their prices. Here is my thread for this stuff .. http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=348696
I have seen both sides in my store. There are people that just love them, and will never go back. And there are people that feel that thay are overpriced for what they are. It is a choice. One of those things that you have to take a paper and write down the pros and cons for your shooting situation.
Gas piston has been around for a long time, it is nothing new. Check out Stoners Gas pistion rifle that the US turned down, thus keeping the M16. And then look who picked it up.
You either love them or hate them.
I have customers, that buy them all the time and never look back, saying they are just as happy as a clam.
I also have customers that say they would never own those pieces of sh#$, as they look at the new Rugers, Sigs, CMMG's and others.
Like I said to each their own.
One thing that you might want to keep in mind if you buy one. The Daniel Defense Omega Rail™ piston version will only fit on the Stag and CMMG models.
Gas piston has been around for a long time, it is nothing new. Check out Stoners Gas pistion rifle that the US turned down, thus keeping the M16. And then look who picked it up.
You either love them or hate them.
I have customers, that buy them all the time and never look back, saying they are just as happy as a clam.
I also have customers that say they would never own those pieces of sh#$, as they look at the new Rugers, Sigs, CMMG's and others.
Like I said to each their own.
One thing that you might want to keep in mind if you buy one. The Daniel Defense Omega Rail™ piston version will only fit on the Stag and CMMG models.
If I was designing a battle rifle it would have a gas piston. If I had to go to battle, I wouldn't take an AR15 with a piston conversion.
I am looking at buying a ar, is piston driven really better than the other inpengement...
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