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Posted: 10/6/2014 11:03:15 PM EDT

I have a Car length AR- it's a RRA upper half with standard A2 FSB and detachable carry handle. I currently have an optic mounted. I've replaced the hand guards with MOEs and I'd like to put in a piston system.

I've been reading reviews on the Adams and the Osprey. Both pretty comparable in price and both have seemingly endless rave reviews. Has there been a discussion here that settled which one was superior? Or if one was more suited to specific needs? I'm not running a can or FA, it's just for fun.

It looks like the AA comes with the FSB gas block (in two choices- what's the difference?) and the Osprey doesn't have the adjustability. Am I seeing all I need to see?

Thanks!

Posted: 10/7/2014 10:38:09 PM EDT

[#1]

Sorry- am I asking this wrong or using the wrong terminology?

I'm leaning towards the AA. Just looking for reinforcement or adamant negative reviews.

Thanks!

Posted: 10/8/2014 1:50:12 AM EDT

[#2]

i'd recommend AA, not to bash osprey, i have no experience with them, but i had an issue with my AA mid length, the gas block wasn't really straight and the gun was short stroking. emailed them, they asked me to bring it to a gunsmith to make sure my rail was on straight, told them i was at my gunsmith when i emailed them, was emailed back telling me to expect an RMA, the next day i had an RMA. i got the upper back today and it looks like they fixed it. not sure if the short stroking was fixed, but at least it looks straight now.

so i'm pretty satisfied with their customer service for what it's worth. i have an 11.5 inch AA upper that ran flawlessly out of the box as well.

Posted: 10/8/2014 11:47:34 PM EDT

[#3]

Thank you. Its looking more and more like the AA will be added to my safe soon.

Curious- is there any way to get a gas block for a piston kit that will allow me to keep my precious and totally necessary bayonet lug? I noticed that AA and Osprey don't have it. Is there an aftermarket variety?

Posted: 10/9/2014 1:49:27 AM EDT

[#4]

Quote History

Quoted:
Thank you. Its looking more and more like the AA will be added to my safe soon.

Curious- is there any way to get a gas block for a piston kit that will allow me to keep my precious and totally necessary bayonet lug? I noticed that AA and Osprey don't have it. Is there an aftermarket variety?

View Quote

http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_19/586431_Adding_a_bayonet_lug_if_your_gas_block_doesnandapos_t_have_one__Can_it_be_done_.html

this may or may not work, but you'd be giving up a free floated barrel to do it. how often do you really need a bayonet? my bad, realized that item isn't for sale anymore, regardless where there's a will there's a way.

side note, i emailed AA around 1am last night, woke up to an email response , they said i mounted my rail a bit wrong so the rail wasn't straight. seemed odd to me but it's nice and straight inline with the gas block now, so whatever they did worked. and they did experience short stroking so they opened up the gas port as it was under spec. based on this i'd recommend AA to any of my friends since their customer service wasn't an issue.

Posted: 10/9/2014 7:05:59 AM EDT

[#5]

Outstanding- thanks so much. This pretty much seals it.

And I can't imagine ever NEEDING my lug, but when has that ever mattered? I guess I'll have to complete another build to use it!

Posted: 10/9/2014 9:41:05 PM EDT

[#6]

I did it. I got the AA retro Car kit with the rail.

Now we wait.

The good news is, they're on sale at Midway, I had a $40 Midway store credit and a $40 credit on my card from a banking error, so it was like being on super sale!

Posted: 10/16/2014 11:31:43 PM EDT

[#7]

Well, I got it and installed it. Took two days because I have two kids and very little personal time!

Unfortunately, tonight I went to finish and my MOE hand guards won't fit. I guess they changed the design (since I bought mine) and I don't have the clearance. They mention on their website that you can modify the hand guards to fit- is it worth it, or just spend the $30 for newer ones? I suppose I'll eventually build another rifle and be able to use these...

Now to carve out some range time to test it all a few hundred times and then wait for the Ebola zombies.

ETA: Brownells had the one I want with a free VFG. Super don't need that, but free is free. It's on its way.

Posted: 10/17/2014 1:07:20 AM EDT

[#8]

i dont think the MOe guards ever fit. They always modded them to fit. I have the osprey in FZ car length and to be honest i got about 1k thru it and i havent cleaned it. Not that im going for torture test results, im just lazy lol

Posted: 10/17/2014 7:26:36 AM EDT

[#9]

un-modified factory MOE hand guards are compatible with our system.

Posted: 10/18/2014 12:22:12 AM EDT

[#10]

Hmmm- did they change the MOE in the last few years? Mine most certainly will not clear the piston. I looked around and see reviews stating specifically that these two are compatible, suggesting there's been a design change.

Thanks for checking in. I'm looking forward to having it all together next week and hopefully testing soon.

Posted: 10/20/2014 4:58:20 PM EDT

[#11]

Quote History

Quoted:
Hmmm- did they change the MOE in the last few years? Mine most certainly will not clear the piston. I looked around and see reviews stating specifically that these two are compatible, suggesting there's been a design change. .

View Quote

Yes.
The Gen 1 MOEs would not clear piston systems without a little help from a Dremel.
The Gen 2 MOEs do.

You see the difference visually by looking at the overall cross sectional shape. The Gen 2's were a little more Triangular and peaked on the top section whereas the Gen 1's were more Trapezoidal.

Posted: 10/20/2014 10:19:44 PM EDT

[#12]

Awesome. Thank you. My new ones should be arriving tuesday or wednesday. And I may have a buddy with a CAR looking for my old HGs. Or they just sit for a future build.

Thanks everyone!

Posted: 10/21/2014 7:53:54 PM EDT

[#13]

I have had my AA middy kit for ~4 years. It has been flawless. Plus it's really nice when it comes to cleaning time!!

I use Slip2000 and after 500 rounds the carrier is still wet and cool to the touch.

Posted: 10/25/2014 3:23:30 PM EDT

[#14]

Took it out this morning and ran a few dozen rounds through it and I absolutely love it. I only had a short window to work with, so I ran a target out to 50yds (instead of 100 where my scope is sighted) and all of my groups were just where I wanted them to be. Stayed true, felt great and looks clean inside. I'm a happy guy.

Bring on the Ebola zombies.

Thanks everyone for your help along the way. And a big cheers to Adams Arms. Good stuff.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Thinking about jumping in

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