User Panel
Posted: 7/3/2011 7:42:47 AM EDT
JUST WANTED OPINIONS ON THE BEST PISTON AR TODAY.
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I'm sure there will be plenty of HK 416 answers with no experience behind the weapon.
Seeing as I have no experience with the 416, I would say POF. |
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JUST WANTED OPINIONS ON THE BEST PISTON AR TODAY. There's not one that's "BEST" at this point in time. All have a unique take on how to replace the gas tube with a piston with most designs being similar to each other. PWS and RRA are probably the two designs that are the most unique. The HK, while not perfect, is probably going to be the most widely tested and used rifle, at least from a military standpoint. Which rifle offers the features you want? Which rifle seems to offer the best value for the money? These questions are more easily answered... |
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I think you'll get about 100 different answers depending on who you ask.
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I think you'll get about 100 different answers depending on who you ask. X2, Do you want a piston built upper or a retro fit? My piston of choice is my LMT MRP cqb, sold my bulky heavy POF for it. Sort of like rack grade AR vs. boutique imo. |
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You and I seem to be in the same boat. Buying my first AR and looking at "pistons." Have found LMT and Ruger to be the most talked about and I'm trying to decide between the 2.
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LWRC is King This. FWIW, it's the only other (besides HK) piston AR with combat use. |
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ADCOR!!!!!!! But in all seriousness listen to melvin. He is completely right there is no best. Only what you think is best and what you want.
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Out of the ones I've tried, I bought a PWS. Oh, and an adams arms. I like the PWS more though.
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Speaking of LWRC, has anyone seen one of these?
http://www.sturmgewehr.com/webBBS/nfa4sale.cgi?read=139339 |
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I'm very happy with my Adcor BEAR thus far. While the new design is very promising, it is obviously relatively new, so there's some risk involved. Seems to be working just find for everyone, though. If I had wanted a more proven design, I probably would have gone with an LWRC A2 or A3. I also really like how you can get them CeraKoted from the factory. The HK MR556 is obviously a contender, but I don't understand why it weighs so much. |
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I'm voting POF. Amazing barrels, no springs in the piston, and the NP3 coat is amazing. That being said, it all comes down to personal preference. Look at the different systems and see what fits you the most. Look for the features you want and avoid those you don't.
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I have an Adams arms middy and a lwrc m6a2 I like both but I haven't put very many rounds through the lwrc yet to really judge. I have not had any problems with the Adams arms in over 2000 rounds of all types of ammo.
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Speaking of LWRC, has anyone seen one of these? http://www.sturmgewehr.com/webBBS/nfa4sale.cgi?read=139339 LWRC has churned out a huge let down on the first round of these UCIW units. They DO NOT have the new ambi lower or the mini-sopmod stock from SHOT show. That is crap, not to mention their pricing is seriously out of whack. Especially for something that you cannot even break down in the field in any sort of decent time-frame. A $10 car stock on a $2400 rig? Non-milspec buffer extension. You probably couldn't put a can on it if you wanted to because the FH indexes behind the awkward little thumbscrews. This thing is not worth $2000 much less $2400. IMHO - You can do better by yourself from scratch for much less. |
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I have an Adams arms middy and a lwrc m6a2 I like both but I haven't put very many rounds through the lwrc yet to really judge. I have not had any problems with the Adams arms in over 2000 rounds of all types of ammo. I am very interested in your findings. Please let us know your thoughts after say 2-3000 rounds down range with each. I think that you will see that, despite the exorbitantly high price of the LWRC, neither will out do the other my much in any department other than the fact that the AA is much quicker to clean and has the adjustable gas block. |
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Speaking of LWRC, has anyone seen one of these? http://www.sturmgewehr.com/webBBS/nfa4sale.cgi?read=139339 LWRC has churned out a huge let down on the first round of these UCIW units. They DO NOT have the new ambi lower or the mini-sopmod stock from SHOT show. That is crap, not to mention their pricing is seriously out of whack. Especially for something that you cannot even break down in the field in any sort of decent time-frame. A $10 car stock on a $2400 rig? Non-milspec buffer extension. You probably couldn't put a can on it if you wanted to because the FH indexes behind the awkward little thumbscrews. This thing is not worth $2000 much less $2400. IMHO - You can do better by yourself from scratch for much less. You realize those weapons were developed for a specific foreign military contract? They weren't developed with civilian sales in mind and the price is a reflection of the "collectors premium" of that weapon (allegedly 1 of 4 in private hands in the US). If I were looking for a weapon of that type I would get the PSD, unless I was a collector of such things. |
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my LWRC M6A2 SPR is unbelievable- so solid, shoots anything ive run thru it, well balanced and accurate- truly a modern classic. just find one and shoulder/shoot it for yourself- then decide.
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Happy w/ my LRWCi M6A2
3 years she is between 20K and 24K rds. down range, and quite accurate. Keep the springs and cups changed out @ 5K intervals, keep propriatory piston assembly spares. and shoot w/ confidence. Let her eat, she eats it all.................. forrest - |
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My vote would be the Primary Weapons System MK 114 because I really like their long stroke system. No harsh impact of two metal parts bashing into one another. Plus the carrier is supported by the op rod vs supported by the upper receiver and buffer tube. So with the carrier supported/connected by the op rod and the PWS buffer tube...there is zero carrier tilt and super easy field strip. Just like an AK but with AR accuracy, modularity and ergo's.
Still not perfect though since the charging handle is still in your face. I'd rather have a forward mounted non reciprocating ambidextrous charging handle like the ACR or RRA PDS but like anything else it has its pro's & con's. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvTrVEYA_Yk |
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My vote would be the Primary Weapons System MK 114 because I really like their long stroke system. No harsh impact of two metal parts bashing into one another. Plus the carrier is supported by the op rod vs supported by the upper receiver and buffer tube. So with the carrier supported/connected by the op rod and the PWS buffer tube...there is zero carrier tilt and super easy field strip. Just like an AK but with AR accuracy, modularity and ergo's. Still not perfect though since the charging handle is still in your face. I'd rather have a forward mounted non reciprocating ambidextrous charging handle like the ACR or RRA PDS but like anything else it has its pro's & con's. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvTrVEYA_Yk Sounds to me like you need an ADCOR BEAR then. |
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My complaint with the PWS system is that it gets crazy hot. The top rail is also the gas tube and, after a couple mags, the forend is too hot to touch. Add the fact that the side and bottom rails are connected to the gas block and you've got some heat transfer there, as well.
I have also found the PWS will still give you "gas eye" like a DI gun since the propellent gasses blow down a gas tube right into the upper. |
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I too came here seeking advice on buying a piston. I was considering LWRC, LMT and POF all fine weapons.
I had never heard of PWS but when it was mentioned I checked them out and found they, IMO, had a superior piston design. Most pistons are over the gas block and they drive a rod back against the bolt carrier key and while these now work fine that places the weight over the muzzle and they are nose heavy. The PWS gas system is based on the AK47/Daewoo tailored to an AR. It has a piston rod connected to the bolt carrier as one unit. This means no springs and the entire group comes out easily to clean (hardly needs it but I like to wipe the bore) It also means the weight is over the bolt not the muzzle so it is neutrally balanced like a DI gun and that was important to me. Balance may not be as important for bench shooting at the range but off hand close combat to me it was a very important factor. I have a front grip on my PWS so have not noticed any problem with heat build up. This gun to me is my go to end of the world has to function in the most varied ways of use of any gun I own. I have considered and shot many of the possibilities and most are fine weapons and if you bought any of them you would likely be posting your satisfaction now. If you can try any you are considering you may find aspects you prefer over another. If balanced weight matters PWS is a clear choice. It is also much cheaper meaning you can buy an EOTech or Aimpoint and a case of ammo and still take your lady out for a night on the town for the same money Wulfmann |
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I'm very happy with my LWRCs. They are a bit on the heavy side due to the barrel contour, but function great. I do wish the barrel profile was smaller on them.
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Only two systems have any combat experience and input from that combat experience incorporated into their designs. Of those two companies, only one of them is selling a rifle that is a semi auto version of those combat proven/improved weapons, the other company is selling a match rifle version. LWRC all day everyday.
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Paul Howe's got an approved model through PWS. Paul's a no nonsense kind of guy and wouldn't put his name on it if he didn't see some merit in their system. http://primaryweapons.com/store/pc/catalog/PWS_MK116_556_CSAT_L_1.jpg He put his name on an LWRC M6A1-S as well, for what it's worth: http://www.weaponevolution.com/forum/showthread.php?1150-My-New-LWRC-Paul-Howe-Package! |
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In his "Make Ready" video he's sporting a LT Stealth.
I guess there's multiple ways to skin a cat. I would really like to try a PWS someday though. |
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Have owned a bunch of LWRC's with many thousands of rounds fired. Never the first hint of a problem. They also come with some really nice accessories. I like my 5.56's so much I just ordered the 308 (repr) version. Good luck.
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The main reason I like the POF over the LWRC is the NP3 coatings and the long term reliability/accuracy that comes out of the guns.
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NP3 coating as in the colored anodizing? More of a cosmetic detail than a functional one, no?
As far as accuracy/reliability, debatable, to say nothing of the unnecessary weight and bulk. |
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NP3 also offers lubricity and wear resistance. As long as the coating is also applied to the interior, it should have its benefits. On the exterior, it should offer some wear resistance above normal anodizing as well as the obvious "bling" factor.
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POF is generally also 1-1.5 pounds heavier than LWRC's comparable models. I would also like to add that EXO and NiCorr are surface conversions where NP3 is a teflon coating. I would guess both are great, but I would think a surface conversion would be much more effective and last longer.
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POF is generally also 1-1.5 pounds heavier than LWRC's comparable models. I would also like to add that EXO and NiCorr are surface conversions where NP3 is a teflon coating. I would guess both are great, but I would think a surface conversion would be much more effective and last longer. I never had the NP3 wear off when I owned my POF, but 1-1.5lbs is almost being generous. Damn things are HEAVY. |
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there is no need to adjust gas pressure for the pws(suppressor use). it is a very simple desgn and i really like mine. if you get 1 you won't regret it. the system just works no mater the length of the barrel.
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I'm voting POF. Amazing barrels, no springs in the piston, and the NP3 coat is amazing. That being said, it all comes down to personal preference. Look at the different systems and see what fits you the most. Look for the features you want and avoid those you don't. I use my POF for those long shots with a scope and bipod, so the weight and fat handguard don't matter to me. The extra weight helps to stabilize my shot. Love my POF !!! |
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Many good pistons available. I'm very happy with my 5.45 Adams Arms. Light, not nose heavy. Ports the gas in the right direction. Mine has been reliable with even the dirtiest, crappiest, steel case surplus ammo. Eats black box Wolf no prob. Accurate. Simple design with all parts user accessible. Love the Melonite treatment. Like it enough that I'm ordering another in 5.56.
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