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On topic with the OP though, my favorite of the overall package piston AR designs is the LWRC design. The fit/finish is by far the best and the balance isn't bad at all, when you get the fluted barrel. I also like that the gas system adjustment can be done by hand on the fly and you can service the piston with the greatest of ease.

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To answer your questions:

Favorite = none.
Why = I've owned a few (see below) and they provide ZERO measurable performance improvement over a quality DI gun unless you SBR or suppress it.
How does it compare = see the list I've owned.  They all had varying degrees of reliability and the accuracy was not equal to DI guns of the same "quality".  They also weighed more (harder to drive to the target / quicker to give shooter fatigue) and used proprietary parts.

I was a complete convert to piston ARs a few years ago.  I started collecting pistons and selling DIs.  Eventually I decided to thoroughly test piston guns, and this led to me owning this list (because I couldn't find a piston gun that did anything better than a bone stock $800 Colt 6920):

LWRC M6A1
LWRC M6A2
LWRC M6A3
LWRC M6SL 14.7 P/W
LWRC M6SL 16
LWRC M6IC Basic Enhanced 14.7 P/W
LWRC M6IC Basic Enhanced 16
(2) LWRC M6IC Fluted Enhanced 14.7 P/W
(2) LWRC M6IC Fluted Enhanced 16
(2) POF Puritan
(2) POF Minuteman

I had five piston ARs at one time.  I kept selling or trading them to try different models because once I started pushing them at the range I was disappointed in their performance.  I had duplicates of a couple of models becuase I thought there had to be SOMETHING justifying the cost and hype.  There was not.  Piston ARs are a novelty.  I wouldn't trust a LWRC in a class let alone in a SD situation.  

I had to send guns back to the manufacturers;
I had cases stuck in the chamber so severely I broke cleaning rods beating them out;
I had guns that wouldn't cycle Wolf ammo no matter which gas setting or buffer I used (I don't have a single DI that won't cycle 1000rds of Wolf without a single malfunction ... or cleaning);
I had guns that wouldn't produce 3" groups at 100 yards with quality ammo (using a shooting bag as a rest on a bench);
I had guns that had parts breakages.

In short I found piston guns to be like the Bushmaster ACR....a very neat idea that doesn't work well.  If you want a piston AR for a range toy...rock on!  If you want an AR for anything serious...just buy a BCM, Colt, DD or KAC DI.

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I'm sorry, but I doubt your claims. I shoot my rifles quite a bit, always have.

Having had over a dozen different AR's over the decades, and four different LWRC rifles, two of which I still have and plan to keep. I've found them to be rock solid well built shooters. Heard of a few guys having an issue with a new rifle, CS fixed them right up.

For you to claim that many bad rifles? You just kept getting them? If I had big problems with a product in that price range I would be done with that company.

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Having had over a dozen different AR's over the decades,

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To answer your questions:

Favorite = none.
Why = I've owned a few (see below) and they provide ZERO measurable performance improvement over a quality DI gun unless you SBR or suppress it.
How does it compare = see the list I've owned.  They all had varying degrees of reliability and the accuracy was not equal to DI guns of the same "quality".  They also weighed more (harder to drive to the target / quicker to give shooter fatigue) and used proprietary parts.

I was a complete convert to piston ARs a few years ago.  I started collecting pistons and selling DIs.  Eventually I decided to thoroughly test piston guns, and this led to me owning this list (because I couldn't find a piston gun that did anything better than a bone stock $800 Colt 6920):

LWRC M6A1
LWRC M6A2
LWRC M6A3
LWRC M6SL 14.7 P/W
LWRC M6SL 16
LWRC M6IC Basic Enhanced 14.7 P/W
LWRC M6IC Basic Enhanced 16
(2) LWRC M6IC Fluted Enhanced 14.7 P/W
(2) LWRC M6IC Fluted Enhanced 16
(2) POF Puritan
(2) POF Minuteman

I had five piston ARs at one time.  I kept selling or trading them to try different models because once I started pushing them at the range I was disappointed in their performance.  I had duplicates of a couple of models becuase I thought there had to be SOMETHING justifying the cost and hype.  There was not.  Piston ARs are a novelty.  I wouldn't trust a LWRC in a class let alone in a SD situation.  

I had to send guns back to the manufacturers;
I had cases stuck in the chamber so severely I broke cleaning rods beating them out;
I had guns that wouldn't cycle Wolf ammo no matter which gas setting or buffer I used (I don't have a single DI that won't cycle 1000rds of Wolf without a single malfunction ... or cleaning);
I had guns that wouldn't produce 3" groups at 100 yards with quality ammo (using a shooting bag as a rest on a bench);
I had guns that had parts breakages.

In short I found piston guns to be like the Bushmaster ACR....a very neat idea that doesn't work well.  If you want a piston AR for a range toy...rock on!  If you want an AR for anything serious...just buy a BCM, Colt, DD or KAC DI.

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what a troll post. you LWRC haters are hilarious with your BS claims.

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You can doubt all you want.  As I mentioned, the adjustable gas guns were not reliable with cheap ammo.  I had other issues.  In the end, I didn't see the "advantage" to having a gun that was heavier, less accurate and used proprietary parts.  There is no way for me to prove or you to disprove anything you see on the internet.  I've been on this board since 2007 and have 518 feedback.  Its not like just some guy.  I've been here a long time, and based upon my feedback...at least the stuff I sell is as I say it is.  

If you love your guns - great.  Mo' powa to ya.

Pistons aren't for me.

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By the way, this isn't impressive.   A lot of guys on AR15.com have over a dozen ARs right now.

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I'd have to check my records, but IIRC I ordered FIVE of the LWRC A2 uppers from CDNN when they were $799.  Hey, three of them functioned 100% up to about 200rds!

ETA: I don't remember having any significant issues with the non-adjustable gas guns.  The biggest problems were cyclic reliability with the IC Enhanced guns (adjustable gas).  Even with carbine buffers I had problems.  I also had broken parts (spring cups, selector).  I do remember having an early two-pc BCG that had a loose key but can't remember if it was an adjustable gun.

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I've got a Leitner-Wise upper with a pinned 14.5" barrel. It's a nice design.

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i have a Sig 716 and an LWRCi A5 in 6.8.

people/haters will say that piston is only good for suppressors and DI is best.

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Happy LWRC SPR owner which has almost 4000 rounds through it now. Never had a single issue with it. Haven't tried any steel cased ammo in it. It does stay very clean and cleaning the piston system is real easy.

I just picked up an LWRC DI to give a try. Couldn't pass it up for just over $1000. I love the ambi lower and it is going to get a Trijicon Accupower 1-8 mil red reticle. Put 90 rounds through it the other day and it feels alright. I need some more experience with it when I receive my new Way of the Gun sling, the backup iron sights, scope, and light to see how it all balances and what kind of groups I can achieve.

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I almost jumped at that but no more room in the safe's at the moment. You should do a write up on them, a lot of people have wondered about how  they compare. That said with the lower as much as it is alone it's a great price, hands down the best lower I have ever had.

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Newb here.  First this is a great thread - thanks to GaryT1776 for his persistence and patience. The experience of so many guns and honest opinions is exactly why these forums are so valuable.  And to all others, what a great discussion.  So my take away is, the more guns the better.  Budget aside, why wouldn’t we all have both DI and piston guns if not for the variety?   In this vein, sounds like we need both a PWS an LWRC as these two seem to get a lot of praise and look like great guns.  The LaRue is on order for the DI side.  Thanks to all for the great info.

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I have a few piston rifles. Hands down my favorite is my PWS MK1 MOD1 114. It's not front heavy like my other pistons and dare as say well balanced! The craftsmanship is top of the line.

Second would be my LWRC M6A2-S. Craftsmanship is equally nice as PWS. It's definitely front heavy as all short stokes are. This doesn't effect my pure enjoyment of shooting this rifle.

These two rifles will never leave my possession.

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To be honest I'll probably not buy any other brands besides PWS. IMO these set the bar above any other. Everything about these rifles from quality, design, balance, looks etc. Is flat out bad ass. This is my SHTF forever rifle.

The reason I like the M6A2-S over their new models is the older design barrel. It's heavier but I think that's a good thing.

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Agreed heavier isn't always better but I've heard some say the fluted barrel harmonics isn't as good. Possibly just bs also but mine is very accurate & I have no reason to trade it out.

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built this using an osprey defense piston kit and a spikes 14.5" barrel. it runs like a top and is very soft shooting

https://i.imgur.com/5PTUlyu.jpg