Hi guys this might be my first post. I have been reading the piston forum for a while now and am trying to decide on the piston AR I want.

I am hoping maybe some of you can help point out some of the differences between them all and why one may be $1150 and other is $2600 and everwhere in between. I know some people prefer the looks of one or the rail on another but what all really varies the price that much.

I can get a Bushmaster MOE piston gun for $1149 locally and it seems like a good gun and comes with some magpul stuff but I don't know much about the piston system. I know it doesn't have an adjustable gas block (not sure it is a big deal if I don't get a supressor). I have some friends that have DI bushmasters and they seem to cycle fine without issues. For a bit more I can get a SR556 or maybe a SIG 516 or S&W PS, etc and then for about $1800 it seems I might be able to get a REC7. I like the gas block and BCG on the REC7 but it seems some of the rest is about the same as the $1149 gun.

Then there are the $2k+ guns like the LWRC A2 SPR which looks amazing. The one I handled seemed nice but I am not really an expert. I like the barrel and how it saves some weight and how they offer the 14.7" PA. I also am in love with the SPR forend, but that seems like a stupid reason to buy one over another.

Anyway I am lost in a sea of offerings. I am mainly buying the rifle to take to the range and to keep at the house. I do understand items that are made with quality and reliability and am making this purchase for the long term and just assume do it the first time (assuming there is a right).

For the money, I really like my Ruger.

I'll throw Adams Arms out there. I have an AA Midlength Tactical Elite on a Mega forged lower and I love it. It eats any ammo I throw at it.

I've played wth a number of the current offering and own piston guns from a couple different sources. All have their strengths and weaknesses but they're all basically the same in that they replace a hollow gas tube with a solid push rod. In my experience, it seems all makes are pretty solid guns nowadays and it is hard to get a real turd from a reputable manufacturer. I know that's probably not much help if you're looking for recommendations on Brand A vs. Brand B, etc.

What kind of budget are you in? Is there anything specific, feature-wise, you're looking for in a piston gun? If you can give us some ideas about what you want maybe it will help us narrow the choices for you.

id avoid paying 2k and have plenty of cash to get the features i want. thats the beauty of ar's, they're like legos for grown men. take the money you would save and buy a quality optic, a free float rail of our choice, the furniture you want and all the bells and whistles you can think of and you still probably wont be spending as much as a 2k+ rifle alone.

for whats it's worth i have an Adams Arms upper on a rock river lower i built and love it, no problems and worth every penny. built to fire for 860, at about 1800 now fully loaded.

however the next piston rifle i buy will be a Sig 556 hands down...i'am really considering the pistol version though

good luck with whatever you wind up getting

I'm pretty much in the same boat. I'm looking for my second ar and I want piston rifle. I want a LWRC but saw an article about Huldra in a magazine. They look like they are a pretty good deal. Does anyone have any experience with these rifles?

LWRC SPR FTMFW

I am working up a spreadsheet now with all of the options out there and narrowing them down based on the features I am looking for. I will try to post my results, but the data will probably be tailored for what I am looking for.

I stopped at a local gun store the other day and held a 516, SR-556 (both quad rail and the thin rail) and the M&P15PSX. Even with the thin rail the Ruger seems a bit nose heavy compared to the others and I am not real sure why.

Going to the gun show in town Saturday so we will see what is there to look at. One probably I am having is it is hard to find some of the brands in my area. LWRC, LMT, Barrett, PWS, etc are super hard to find and about the only place to is a little over an hour away.

Consider the budget for accessories when you buy.

$500-$650 for a 1x4x24 illuminated scope for example.

$150 for a good bungie sling.

$500 for ammo to start with.

$200 for a good bi-pod with a quick release.

And so on.

Aw my slow ass is too late.