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Posted: 1/21/2015 6:59:23 PM EDT
Have settled on Piston versus Gas system, but what AR is best for under $2,000 I am looking at Ruger 556 model and LWRC but not sure what model of LWRC?
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Although I have never used either of them, I have heard highly of the SR-556 and various models of the LWRC. Another less known manufacturer is Black Rifle Arms.
They have an upper called the CAPS (Combat Adaptive Piston System) which is pretty cool. Has 4 different gas settings plus a off setting. Video: http://youtu.be/3t23Oias_hQ?list=UUUG5PAZcmijRheTe-JmInYA Link to Website: http://www.blackriflearms.com/CAPS-PISTON-UPPERS_c_49.html They also have a low-profile system that is non-adjustable. The CAPS are also reasonably priced. You could get one of the uppers and a PSA complete lower, and you have a piston AR for under $1000. 7.62x39 PDW with CAPS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJdpiN4P24c EDIT: Check out this video of their very unique carrier design: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzsE_J3XSWQ It is a shorter carrier, but has a polymer extension connected to the end, so when it travels into the buffer tube, no wear is done to the lower receiver whatsoever. The polymer, in case you were wondering, has a strength about 6 times that of carbon steel. |
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You are going to get answers all over the board. Everyone has their favorite for a reason, and they generally are lwrc, pws, barret, lmt, pof and adams arms. Forgot sig and a few others.
I am a PWS fan. I own one and love it. I will admit if you want a really pretty and beautiful rifle the lwrc would win in my book. I fell in love with the piston system, weight and balance of the PWS in my hands. That is just my opinion. Only other piston system rifle i really want is the Barret, i think they are dead sexy. Adams Arms i have owned have all ran flawless,especially in 545x39. Good luck, and PWS is my vote if i had to just because i have the most experience with it. It will all be up to you, start finding gun shops that carry them and go cop a feel. |
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This is a pretty good deal for around 2K.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=464602116 |
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This is a pretty good deal for around 2K. http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=464602116 View Quote That actually is a killer deal. If the OP has no desire to suppress, that would be perfect. If going to suppress, I would hold out for an IC-E, for the adjustable gas block. |
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Bought my first PWS a little over a year ago. Loved it so much I bought two more! Have shot between 2500-3000 rounds through them to date and they have been flawless, and stay remarkably clean. My buddy let me mount his suppressor on one the other day and it worked great as well! I had never heard of them but saw a short barrel one at a local dealer and liked the feel so much I researched em out emailed them and ordered one up, best balancing AR style rifle I have seen.
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I have both the LWRC M6A2 SPR and the Ruger SR 556. Both needed new triggers which were replaced with Geissele SSA-E triggers. Surprisingly the SR 556 turned out to be more accurate than the LWRC. 5 shot 100 yard groups with the SR 556 averaged 0.6 moa, With the LWRC averaging about 0.75 moa.
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PWS or LWRC. I bought the PWS and I am very happy with how accurate and soft it shoots with basically no muzzle rise. You can find them for around $1750 give or take.
I do plan to purchase the LWRC Six8 down the road.... |
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PWS hands down. I own 2, and have modified them somewhat. Best ARs I've ever had, I prefer them to LWRC.
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CDNN - RUGER® SR556E® SC 556 16 PISTON FIXED TUBE STOCK on sale for $799.99 - HERE
Take the money you save and upgrade the stock, buy some mags, and purchase an optic. |
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CDNN - RUGER® SR556E® SC 556 16 PISTON FIXED TUBE STOCK on sale for $799.99 - HERE Take the money you save and upgrade the stock, buy some mags, and purchase an optic. View Quote ...and I good Geissle trigger. I went the upper route with the Ruger and built my lowers the way I wanted them. I like them a lot and have never had a problem with them. I got the 556C and the 6.8 SPC when they still made it. ( The 6.8 is a better gun than a lot the 6.8 crowd give it credit for and is sub MOA. Just not SPC spec-II. ) |
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+3 on the LMT. Love mine. Would have picked PWS or LWRC for second choice. The piston plus the monolithic rail platform is what sold me. Makes for a heavier rifle, but not as bad as some people make it out. The ability to mount optics where I want is great.
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...and I good Geissle trigger. I went the upper route with the Ruger and built my lowers the way I wanted them. I like them a lot and have never had a problem with them. I got the 556C and the 6.8 SPC when they still made it. ( The 6.8 is a better gun than a lot the 6.8 crowd give it credit for and is sub MOA. Just not SPC spec-II. ) View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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CDNN - RUGER® SR556E® SC 556 16 PISTON FIXED TUBE STOCK on sale for $799.99 - HERE Take the money you save and upgrade the stock, buy some mags, and purchase an optic. ...and I good Geissle trigger. I went the upper route with the Ruger and built my lowers the way I wanted them. I like them a lot and have never had a problem with them. I got the 556C and the 6.8 SPC when they still made it. ( The 6.8 is a better gun than a lot the 6.8 crowd give it credit for and is sub MOA. Just not SPC spec-II. ) God, how could I forget the trigger! Yes, first upgrade. Geissele. 2000+ rounds through mine with no problems. And Ruger needs to get off it's ass and start cranking out some upper options for this platform. 300 Blackout and some SBR length options would be awesome. |
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Patriot Ordinance Factory. Check out the new "Puritan". For 1499 it's alot of firepower.
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I vote PWS. Their piston system design is the best in my opinion. Also, the overall quality of their guns and assembly workmanship are top notch.
HighSpeedSteel |
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Ruger, SIG, Colt, LMT. They all make good piston guns nowadays and it shouldn't be hard to find a solid performer well under your $2,000 pricetag. It seems all the manufacturers now have solved the carrier tilt stuff that was seen on some early guns. And I think they're all using adjustable gas blocks now to optimize the gun for suppressed use.
Don't rule out Barrett. I have a Gen1 REC7 that has been a bullet hose. Fit, finish and workmanship is second to none (minus the lousy GI trigger) and I'd be seriously looking at their new lightweight model if I didn't already have a Gen1. Now that I'm thinking about it I might sell my Gen1 and pick up the new LW model... |
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I cast my vote for lwrc. Best piston rifle I've owned by far. Nothing comes close to touching it imo.
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I have had good luck with my Ruger, probably 2500 rounds in her over the last couple years. No issues, its solid. Came with Troy rails and flip up Troy battle sights. Its heavy but doesn't bother me.
I have two other AR's that are lighter and I like my Sig too. I ordered an AA piston upper for another build to give them a try. |
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Bought my first PWS a little over a year ago. Loved it so much I bought two more! Have shot between 2500-3000 rounds through them to date and they have been flawless, and stay remarkably clean. My buddy let me mount his suppressor on one the other day and it worked great as well! I had never heard of them but saw a short barrel one at a local dealer and liked the feel so much I researched em out emailed them and ordered one up, best balancing AR style rifle I have seen. View Quote Agreed, the balance is amazing |
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Anyone seen the ARAK21? Think ak upper with ar lower gas piston 5.56 or 300 black or 7.62x39
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Bought my first PWS a little over a year ago. Loved it so much I bought two more! Have shot between 2500-3000 rounds through them to date and they have been flawless, and stay remarkably clean. My buddy let me mount his suppressor on one the other day and it worked great as well! I had never heard of them but saw a short barrel one at a local dealer and liked the feel so much I researched em out emailed them and ordered one up, best balancing AR style rifle I have seen. Agreed, the balance is amazing I'll be honest for me it isn't. I prefer a front heavy rifle. Gets back on target faster. Balanced firearms are great if you don't work out in my opinion. |
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I have 2 Piston ARs, the Ruger SR556 and the Core 15 "TAC M4 Piston Rifle". There are definately things about both rifles I like more than the other and I think they are each "better" at different things. I have right at 1500 rnds through both rifles and on the ruger I have not had a single jam or FTF with any ammo cheap or pricy. The Core 15 on the other hand does not like steel cased ammo (has has zero issues with any brass ammo I have put through it) which does not bother me because I do not buy steel cased ammo, the only reason it was even in my gun is because a buddy of mine wanted to shoot a mag full to see how it performed because he was considering buying one and all he runs is cheap steel. That being said, in my experiance the Core15 is a much more accurate rifle than the Ruger . This could be the effect of a number of things including trigger (i have the stock trigger in the Ruger and a geissele in the Core). I personally like the feel of the Core 15 better, everything seems tighter and more crisp and it has magpul furnature out of the box where the ruger has their propriatary handguard and the grip is horrendous to my hands. That could also very easily play a big role in accuracy. Both guns run cool and clean in my experiance and honetly I dont think you can go wrong with either, but I wanted to give you my opinion on the couple of brands that I have put through the paces. If you buy the Ruger be fully prepared to drop some coin on a new trigger and grip right away, the Core is great out of the box and really does not need anything changed to be a great rifle.
Mack |
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I'll be honest for me it isn't. I prefer a front heavy rifle. Gets back on target faster. Balanced firearms are great if you don't work out in my opinion. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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Bought my first PWS a little over a year ago. Loved it so much I bought two more! Have shot between 2500-3000 rounds through them to date and they have been flawless, and stay remarkably clean. My buddy let me mount his suppressor on one the other day and it worked great as well! I had never heard of them but saw a short barrel one at a local dealer and liked the feel so much I researched em out emailed them and ordered one up, best balancing AR style rifle I have seen. Agreed, the balance is amazing I'll be honest for me it isn't. I prefer a front heavy rifle. Gets back on target faster. Balanced firearms are great if you don't work out in my opinion. Lmao, wtf does working out have to do with a rifle being well balanced? To each their own, but working out doesnt have much to do with the benefits of a well balanced AR platform. |
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Lmao, wtf does working out have to do with a rifle being well balanced? To each their own, but working out doesnt have much to do with the benefits of a well balanced AR platform. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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Bought my first PWS a little over a year ago. Loved it so much I bought two more! Have shot between 2500-3000 rounds through them to date and they have been flawless, and stay remarkably clean. My buddy let me mount his suppressor on one the other day and it worked great as well! I had never heard of them but saw a short barrel one at a local dealer and liked the feel so much I researched em out emailed them and ordered one up, best balancing AR style rifle I have seen. Agreed, the balance is amazing I'll be honest for me it isn't. I prefer a front heavy rifle. Gets back on target faster. Balanced firearms are great if you don't work out in my opinion. Lmao, wtf does working out have to do with a rifle being well balanced? To each their own, but working out doesnt have much to do with the benefits of a well balanced AR platform. It implies you're too weak to effectively handle a heavy or slightly front heavy rifle. |
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It implies you're too weak to effectively handle a heavy or slightly front heavy rifle. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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Bought my first PWS a little over a year ago. Loved it so much I bought two more! Have shot between 2500-3000 rounds through them to date and they have been flawless, and stay remarkably clean. My buddy let me mount his suppressor on one the other day and it worked great as well! I had never heard of them but saw a short barrel one at a local dealer and liked the feel so much I researched em out emailed them and ordered one up, best balancing AR style rifle I have seen. Agreed, the balance is amazing I'll be honest for me it isn't. I prefer a front heavy rifle. Gets back on target faster. Balanced firearms are great if you don't work out in my opinion. Lmao, wtf does working out have to do with a rifle being well balanced? To each their own, but working out doesnt have much to do with the benefits of a well balanced AR platform. It implies you're too weak to effectively handle a heavy or slightly front heavy rifle. lol wow! you're an idiot. you should post some pictures of your muscles haha. This thread should be back to Piston systems. PWS, LWRC. |
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Haha, hilarious. As if working out makes any difference whatsoever. The facts are PWS is better balanced than an LWRC. Like I said I sold both of my LWRCs and bought 2 PWS rifles, pretty heavily moddded to my liking. PWS just has a better piston system. |
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Haha, hilarious. As if working out makes any difference whatsoever. The facts are PWS is better balanced than an LWRC. Like I said I sold both of my LWRCs and bought 2 PWS rifles, pretty heavily moddded to my liking. PWS just has a better piston system. View Quote The piston system is not what is the balance point. The PWS uses a smaller diameter/profile barrel. The LWRC setup uses a thicker barrel and makes the setup slightly front heavy, unless you go with the spiral fluted. The spiral fluted IC is better balanced than the PWS setup. I've owned both and prefer the LWRC setup to the PWS. Really boils down to personal preference. |
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The piston system is not what is the balance point. The PWS uses a smaller diameter/profile barrel. The LWRC setup uses a thicker barrel and makes the setup slightly front heavy, unless you go with the spiral fluted. The spiral fluted IC is better balanced than the PWS setup. I've owned both and prefer the LWRC setup to the PWS. Really boils down to personal preference. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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Haha, hilarious. As if working out makes any difference whatsoever. The facts are PWS is better balanced than an LWRC. Like I said I sold both of my LWRCs and bought 2 PWS rifles, pretty heavily moddded to my liking. PWS just has a better piston system. The piston system is not what is the balance point. The PWS uses a smaller diameter/profile barrel. The LWRC setup uses a thicker barrel and makes the setup slightly front heavy, unless you go with the spiral fluted. The spiral fluted IC is better balanced than the PWS setup. I've owned both and prefer the LWRC setup to the PWS. Really boils down to personal preference. Never said it was, I said PWS had a better piston system. I had the IC with a spiral barrel, it wasn't better balanced. |
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I'll be honest for me it isn't. I prefer a front heavy rifle. Gets back on target faster. Balanced firearms are great if you don't work out in my opinion. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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Bought my first PWS a little over a year ago. Loved it so much I bought two more! Have shot between 2500-3000 rounds through them to date and they have been flawless, and stay remarkably clean. My buddy let me mount his suppressor on one the other day and it worked great as well! I had never heard of them but saw a short barrel one at a local dealer and liked the feel so much I researched em out emailed them and ordered one up, best balancing AR style rifle I have seen. Agreed, the balance is amazing I'll be honest for me it isn't. I prefer a front heavy rifle. Gets back on target faster. Balanced firearms are great if you don't work out in my opinion. Your opinion flies in the face of logic. Any rifle that is balanced will be easier to utilize regardless of whethre or not you work out. It may get on target faster, but is that all we're concerned with? Thats just part of the equation |
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Seeing this is America the over weight out of shape capital of the world saying those wanting a PWS don't want to work out would suggest 95% of people would buy a PWS over an LWRC.
Ev1 usually has a better argument but we all have off days. I can remember Ev1 posting about excess wear on his LWRC in the buffer tube and others posted it was normal to a point (although it seemed his was more so and I am sure LWRC made it good) I have 2 PWS now a Mod 1 and a Mod 0 with 15K+++ rounds through the lower and it has no wear at all in the buffer tube, none, nada, zip. I have heard excuses why PWS has better balance all suggesting because they cut a corner or lightened the barrel. Piss poor arguments and the shift from those buying PWS to a much higher number suggest reality, when you try one you experience the difference: An equally good shooter that is lighter and better balanced so for those who don't sit at a bench to shoot the PWS is in a class by itself. I have no loyalty to any brand. If someone builds a better gun that has better value i will switch. In 4 years of PWS I have owned other pistons and have shot many other pistons and have yet to find any reason to switch. PWS is simply a better easier to maintain design that because of being better balanced and lighter allows for more walk around time and is unsurpassed in reliability, accuracy and function in every way a M4 type is required. Anyone considering an M4 should avail himself to at the very least a trip to the LGS to hold the various fine piston ARs and if possible shoot as many as you can and decide for yourself |
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PWS or LWRC. I bought the PWS and I am very happy with how accurate and soft it shoots with basically no muzzle rise. You can find them for around $1750 give or take. I do plan to purchase the LWRC Six8 down the road.... View Quote You can find a 14.5" for $1590 right now. Still not not cheap but not bad at all. |
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Have the PWS, SIG and Adcor. Basically, your choice come down to whether you want a long stroke piston (PWS and SIG 556 or 556xi) or short stroke (LWRC, LMT, Adcor, Adam Arms, Ruger, SIG 516, HK MR556, and most other manufacturers making piston conversion). Out of the ones I have, I prefer the PWS when shooting un-supressed. Cannot beat the reliability, balance and simplicity (simplicity based on long stroke based on AK). Both SIG and the Adcor is a little front heavy, and LWRC is heavier than PWS by a 1lb+. However, when I shoot suppressed, I go with Adcor since most of the gas escape near the rear of the gas block. Although cleaner than DI guns when shooting suppressed, the PWS upper and lower still get pretty dirty because some of the gas still escapes toward the upper/lower/bcg. The short stroke works better for me when suppressed because the gas escapes mostly behind the gas block (I rather have the rails near the gas block be dirty than the bolt and the upper/lower) . I also must comment that PWS service is great (Adcor-not so where I have placed 2 calls and 2 emails about parts and tools within last two weeks and NO return calls or return e-mails from them). If you want a 7.62x39 piston based on AR platform, PWS has them on a limited run. You can get a SIG 556R (2nd gen, don't get the 1st gen) or 556xi (but I have heard this first gen in 7.62x39 has some problems, but 556xi in 556 is fine).
Hope this helps with your decision |
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Oh, I also forgot to mention Serbu SU-15, which they just release yesterday for pre-order purchase of the upper for $795 (normally, over a $1000).
http://serbushirts.com/products/su-15-upper-receiver-pre-order Based on my search, this seems like a hybrid of DI/piston based on the French MAS 49-56. It seems like a good combination of DI/piston system and I could not help myself but to get at least one at this deal. Faxon also makes short stroke piston and some people seem to like this system for reasons unbeknownst to me. |
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The only piston design I've ever used is my ADCOR. I don't know how it compares to other piston systems, but I'm very happy with it.
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The only piston design I've ever used is my ADCOR. I don't know how it compares to other piston systems, but I'm very happy with it. View Quote I have one as well. It's a good system for what is supposed to be a mass produced gas piston rifle. My goal is to own every piston AR on the market. One day I will. Then I will test them all side by side and post my observations and my preferences. |
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I must agree with the previous poster that PWS does not cut corners. I have multiple PWS systems, both MOD0 and MOD1, and recently purchased a PWS barrel for a DI build. Their barrels are high quality and have a profile very similar to Hanson barrel profile, which are considered lightweight and accurate.
Wanted to get an LWRC (as you can see I have multiple piston systems) because so many people are very happy with this gun, but every time I find a good deal, e.g., $900 almost new 10.5 upper or $800 for 16.5 upper, could not get myself to get one because of 3 things: (1) the piston system looks very "beefy", ergo, heavy, but reliable, and it has three parts, i.e., gas block, gas tube,, middle rod, back rod and spring. To many parts. (2) have to remove the top rail. although well designed, users need to take their accessories off the top rail and side rail to service the piston. However, I think LWRC recommends cleaning it around every 5K rounds (3) there is a spiral fluted version by LWRC which is indicated above as about 1+lb heavier than PWS, and hence, a non spiral version would be even heavier. LWR reduces the weight of their barrel by fluting. Spiral looks nice, but based on research, it is not recommended, other than straight fluting based on barrel harmonics. It probably does not make that much of a difference in 556 since the barrel probably does not flex as much compared to a 308. However, I would rather have a non fluted barrel that is light weight and accurate like a Hanson profile, which PWS seems to use because fluting does change the barrel harmonics, and there may be variations from gun to gun based on how the fluting was done. That does not mean that LWRC piston guns are inaccurate, but based on some website or people testing of LWRC, it is very accurate when match ammo is used but no so accurate when regular 5.56 ammo is used. |
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Most of the piston systems are proprietary and hence, the parts from different brands are not interchangeable. However, the conversion kits from Adam Arms and Syrac can be used to build your own short stroke gun. Since I can build these short short systems after building multiple uppers, I would rather get a system I could not build myself if I were to spend nearly 2K for a gun.
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The Ruger is heavy. I would go with a LWRC M6IC. Please don't get an AA kit. Another good option is the LMT.
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