Has anybody seen a thread anywhere that seriously compares all the different gas piston ARs that are out there? There seems to now be as many piston-based AR manufacturers as ones that make direct gas impingement… FN, H&K, Ruger, Remington, Bushmaster, Addax Tactical, LWRC, S&W, etc.
I think this is especially prescient since we’re seeing piston-based systems more and more, especially from FN, H&K, Remington, and LWRC.
More than anything, I want to learn about this subject and get the plusses and minuses of each company.
I think what your looking for is valid, however, what are the comparisons you want?
Are you looking for the be all end all of piston guns/kits.
-Most rounds fired.
-Most rounds fired between cleaning.
-Parts breakage or lack there of, heat treat, etc… etc…
-What system will eat every ammo you feed it without short stroking and without changing recoil impulse.
-Carrier tilt.
-Wear of piston parts or other parts of the gun, upper or lower.
… just to name a few thing off the top of my head…
Most if not all of these things and others are going to be relative from user to user or from gun to gun. There are companies that claim over 50,000 rounds and still going, I dont doubt it at all.
I would read it, if it exists though.
I may not have said anything worth while, but thats my pennies…
Seth H.
This is exactly what I’m looking for. Additionally, I think we should list the weight, as piston rifles are usually weightier than DI rifles and the various companies use different systems.
I’d like to make a chart, to be honest. The problem with this idea, though, is that we really don’t have a standard rifle from which to judge like we do with the Colt M-4/6920 on Rob’s DI chart. The military has been seen using the FN SCAR, H&K 416, and LRWC M6 in various special units, but has not fielded any specific weapon in mass quantities or developed anything close to a TDP for piston rifles.
At least not to my knowledge.
Additionally, while some companies use dedicated piston systems that they designed, such as Ruger, LWRC, H&K, and FN, others simply take existing AR-15 rifles and use a kit on them; S&W did this with their M&P15PS, where they took an M&P15OR and installed an Adams Arms conversion kit to it. If we did a chart, we’d have to have a dedicated block for rifles designed with piston systems and rifles converted to piston systems.
Somebody can correct me if I’m wrong (And be required to prove it) but it was my understanding that the DEA itself isn’t buying LWRC rifles nor do they have an official configuration.
The DEA has merely said their agents are authorized to personally buy LWRC rifles if they choose to do so. Since they are issued Colts & Rock River Arms duty rifles I highly doubt many will do so. Except for a few who get free rifles or sweet deals for the marketing potential. This is far different from winning a contract or a complete unit purchase.
LWRCI press release;
"Quantico, VA – June 11, 2009 - The United States Drug Enforcement Administration has approved the LWRCI M6A2 Carbine as a DEA-Authorized Personal Duty rifle.
The DEA Domestic Configuration LWRCI M6A2 is authorized as a personal purchase duty rifle."
Since quite a few guys out there, have the PD 15 Gas Piston upper, I think that should be added to the list as well. It will likely stack up quite well.
These are just what pops off the top of my head. Feel free to add/revise. The ACR/Masada, Sig 556, and SCAR are present, but they are radically different platforms altogether, FMPOV.
Here’s a list:
Ruger SR-556
Robinson Armament XCR Light
Primary Weapons Systems DC-16
Land Warfare Resource Corp M6A4
Heckler & Koch MR556
Patriot Ordnance Factory P-415-16-BP-223
DSA AR GTC
Bushmaster Gas Piston Rifle
Sig Sauer 556
Fabrique NationaleN SCAR
Cerberus ACR
Lewis Machine and Tool MRP Defender Model Piston 16