What exactly happens to an AR DI system when exposed to sand (and mud and dirt) that causes them to jam? Does the problem arise when the sand gets between the bolt carrier and rails, between the bolt and the bolt carrier, locking lugs and barrel extension, etc. What’s happens with the AR DI system that doesn’t happen to the piston/AK systems that apparently make them more reliable?
I’m not new to ARs and I do understand the cleaning and maintenance required. I also understand that the DI system is dirty, but I am curious to hear from people with experience regarding the above.
Issues with dirt and sand have more to do with tight tolerances than operating system. However, it seems that direct mechanical pressure during initial carrier movement helps overcome debris in the system.
Traditional piston operation is more of a benefit when firing sustained full-auto, from a Short Barrel, or with suppressor use, and especially when all three are present. It has much more to do with reliable function even with extremely heavy fouling.
Stuffing a piston into an AR does not make it an AK.
here’s a Q for those who’ve operated AR’s in sandy/muddy/horrible conditions…
does grit and stuff beat the shiznit out of the upper’s anodizing?
what’s it take to wear an upper out due to grit? basically just has to guide the bolt/carrier assembly into the barrel extension right? so you can have it pretty sloppy i’d think…
I don’t have any experience with the HK system, but many claim (based upon experience) that it’s more reliable in dirty/sandy/dusty environments. Given that the bolt carrier and bolt are similiar to the AR (I don’t know about the tolerances) I was curious where this reliability came from. A portion of the reliability gain must come from the fact that the piston system runs cooler.
I agree a piston in an AR does not make it an AK. One of the big advantages the AK has over the AR in terms of reliability are looser tolerances.
There are several communist states that don’t allow 30 round magazines, which is all you can get the PMAG in currently. 20 rounders should be out any day now.
The Bay State is one of the states where newly manufactured high capacity magazines are not allowed. We can have all the prebans we can buy, but nothing newly manufactured. Makes sense doesn’t it? P-Mag buyers with a need to void themselves of USGI contract 20’s and 30’s without date codes, (pre-ban) need only drop me a PM…
Awesome. I have been meaning to post a WTB in the Classifieds. I have some now, will likely be looking for more down the road and know folks here in the PRM who are looking right now. I can all but guarantee they will be gobbled up by folks hungry for sanely priced prebans.
Back on point, where is the mechanism by which failures occur by “dust+magazine”. I’m not doubting it at all, just curious. Is it a poorly fitting magazine which allows dust/dirt/muck to accumulate around the carrier, or is it something else?
I read a review of a Stag a year or two ago in Shotgun News. One picture showed a mag with mud falling out of it. Another showed a stack of Wolf ammo. The thrust of the article was on Stag’s reliability regardless of condition, and the caption for pic #2 said something like, “It’d take more Wolf than this to stop a Stag.” This article was important to my decision to move forward with the AR platform and buy my first. Very happy with the decision; I don’t really consider spending money on an AK anymore.
Agreed. I’m not running out to buy a Doublestar Patrol LW…but those SN articles were a starting point for this noob, until I ran into this site, full of esteemed professional info
BTW I recently re-read the one about the 6.8spc, which I found generally informative.
