I know this is already covered in different threads. What I want is a list of pros and cons from people that have actually used both systems. I don’t want book answers or industry news. I want actual results from people that have used them. I would also like them to state which Gas piston system they used.
You certainly seem to know what you want.
How about your people call my people, bossy guy, & we lunch?
USGI, m4a1 & cqbr
Pro’s:
-lighter & smaller
-less recoil impulse
-quieter with a can
-150,000+ tourist in uniform with spare parts
-no one ask you stupid questions about your carbine
Con’s:
-more PMS intensive
-burns through barrels/parts at mach speed
-need to lube & clean more often esp. with a can
-have broke the bottom rail off a RAS when pummeling with a forgrip
-putting a grenade launcher on or off radically changes one zero
HK416
Pro’s:
-don’t need to clean (8K & my inner angel couldn’t take it any more…)
-2rd burst are silly fast & accurate (heavy barrel & higher cyclic rate)
-better than the USGI M4 trigger (& the new geissle non-adjust F/A is still better yet)
-the FF rail is far more solid than the KAC RAS on an M4, no zero shift mid operation with a IR designator
-Barrel is good for a higher rd ct, (hammer forged? gas piston port less erosion?, I don’t know why…)
-all parts good for much a higher rd ct, bolt, recoil spring, etc.
-mag well is bigger, a wee easier to jam mags in from odd positions
-attaching the nicely sized & uber safe HK 40mm grenade launcher doesn’t change your zero
-higher user confidence, due to less observed incident rate
Cons:
-slightly heavier & bukier
-more noticable recoil impulse on semi
-noisier with a can
-people ask you stupid questions about your carbine
-stock sights BLOW, aftermarket required
*not really a con, but a note: can’t use polywer magazines(in actual HK416 lower) due to longer magwell
-in the unlikely event you do break parts, you better have some deployed with your bunch, few others have spares
AK of any varient
Pro:
-you can have the visible & audio signature of the enemy
-ready supply of heavy magazines, off dead muj, you didn’t really want to carry anyway
Con:
-you have the visible & audio signature of the enemy
-not even close to being as accurate or fast as an m4/optic combo
-magazine are heavy & bulky
-stock sights BLOW
-unergonomic POS, good enough if not on a timer in front of your buddies…
Here is a simple rule of thumb to follow:
Shooting an SBR? Piston
Shooting FA? Piston
Shooting with a Can? Piston
Shooting a 16" or 18" barrel with a middy gas system? DI
Shooting a 20" barrel with a rifle gas system? DI
Shooting for accuracy? DI
C4
Go join up skippy and check 'em all out yourself.
thank you, those of you who helped. I appreciate your insight. I think I will go with a DI first and a Piston later on. Being in the army I don’t make a lot of money to buy piston anyway. lol
When I was a new guy, on junior E pay, I bought a Sig p226 & a noname lower & made a Colt #727 clone. (early m4’s). It paid dividends.
Buy a replica of what you will use for work, if you can afford it, and no silly hyped up piston BS(for your purposes).
The recoil impulses, and handling characteristics are radically different (once your in tune with them). Between a m4a1 & the piston varients.
Get stupid proficient with what you have. Keep a stock trigger in it, etc.
If I were you I’d get a:
LMT lower $330
And a 14.5" LMT upper with a pinned longer flash hider, BCG, CH.
Whatever optic you use, I’d go aimpoint, or EoTech
I’m sure you can come up with BUIS, rail system, mags, cheap via the sale boards, etc.
If you need help with small parts or something let me know. I remember not making shit.