AR Sponsor
Posted: 1/6/2011 11:58:47 AM EDT
|
Hello,
New in the forum and to the AR community I was reading posts and reviews about piston system retrofit/ fix kits that are out there for the AR15, Is this mod really worth it for the longevity and accuracy of the weapon. Also what are the pros and cons between phospate and chrome plated bolt carrier? Thank you in advance for you replies and suggestions. |
|
Quoted:
Hello, New in the forum and to the AR community I was reading posts and reviews about piston system retrofit/ fix kits that are out there for the AR15, Is this mod really worth it for the longevity and accuracy of the weapon. Also what are the pros and cons between phospate and chrome plated bolt carrier? Thank you in advance for you replies and suggestions. I own DI and GP ARs. The "worth it" question is, of course, entirely subjective. What's "worth it" to me, with lots of disposable income, might not be "worth it" to you, with more limited funds (there are for example... I have no idea how much disposable income you have). I bought the LWRCi M6A2 because besides being curious about a piston (or more correctly, op-rod-based) AR, it is a quality rifle all around. I was curious about the piston system more than anything else. For a standard 14.5" or 16" unsuppressed carbine, the "advantages" pretty much boil down to easier cleaning, and, perhaps, greater tolerance to low lube conditions. Most DI users find that DI guns continue to run fine in crappy condictions and very infrequent cleanings, so long as you keep them lubed. So if if the SHTF and you run out of lube, the piston probably puts you at an advantage. Also, if you ever need to submerge under water, you can probably shoot a piston AR faster when you break the surface. :) Seriously, some claim longer parts longevity for piston ARs. I don't know if its true or not. It does seem to offer an advantage to SBR's running suppressed.... less fouling in the receiver (but plenty near the gas vents on the piston), and less gas in the face. After shooting some suppressed SBR's owned by buddies, the difference made me choose my M6 to get SBR'd. If it's your first AR, I suggest a plain vanilla DI gun. You'll learn the design and experience the joy cleaning them. :) After that, you can decide if you want to venture into the world of piston AR's. I certainly enjoy mine! |
|
Yeah, that is pretty much what i have in mind. Pretty much just enjoy it and perhaps later on perhaps switch. knowing myseld it will happen sooner then later.
I took it a part and to clean it well and re-lube it and it seemed pretty easy but ofcouse it is brand new out of the box but i will find out how easy it is to clean in once i put some rounds through. I kinda suspect that it will not be that easy to clean. What systems are abailable out there and what is more widely used by the community. I have seen Adams Arms and Young Manufacturing. Are there any earlier post that i might be able to look at for some advice.? |
|
Quoted:
I took it a part and to clean it well and re-lube it and it seemed pretty easy but ofcouse it is brand new out of the box but i will find out how easy it is to clean in once i put some rounds through. Oh just wait till you put 400 rounds of wolf ammo through in a single shooting session at the range. 
|
| Wanted to add: For the most part, I'd go with a purpose built piston upper or complete rifle if you feel the itch. Some folks have good success with conversions, others not so much. Putting conversions on can run into tolerance stacking problems, as the retrofit kit maker can't possibly check every possible combination of makers and parts. And, of course, more is better. :) |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
I took it a part and to clean it well and re-lube it and it seemed pretty easy but ofcouse it is brand new out of the box but i will find out how easy it is to clean in once i put some rounds through. Oh just wait till you put 400 rounds of wolf ammo through in a single shooting session at the range.
What he said. AR's are easy to disassemble for cleaning. It's the carbon that complicates issues. A word of advice: don't get obsessed with scrapping every bit of carbon off. Just wipe off the major gunk and lube it up really well. Contrary to what you may have heard, DI ARs do not need to be kept meticulously clean. They DO, however, have to be kept well lubed. |
| I have both and it's not a big deal either way. I have to say I love knowing my chamber and bolt area is clean, feels too clean, like a guilty clean. Feels like a DI looking over your shoulder looking for dirt that just isn't there, which takes a little of the fun out of it. Still it's really nice not having all that carbon build up. |
|
Ok,
Help me make a good choice. My goal is to have a reliable, durable gun, i guess.....like everybody else. Here are my thoughts. Fail Zero coated upper reciver vs. piston system (coated as well) with perhaps FZ coated BCG. If i go with the piston syste, well..... you pretty much minimize the all the carbon build up which is the what we all want o avoid.. If you go with the coated upper only. then you pretty much are also good to go as well since. Probably both will be better but for the $$ you pay you might as well buy a new gun or build one. Also from experience with chrome plating, if I get the parts plated, they will be out of spec as the plating makes the parts bigger....if you will, and woudnt that be a problem as well? |
|
Quoted:
Ok, Help me make a good choice. My goal is to have a reliable, durable gun, i guess.....like everybody else. Here are my thoughts. Fail Zero coated upper reciver vs. piston system (coated as well) with perhaps FZ coated BCG. I got a piston AR and I'm still looking at getting this done. If i go with the piston system, well..... you pretty much minimize the all the carbon build up which is the what we all want o avoid.. Yes you do minimize it on the BCG but all you did was move it to the front. Also you gas block will run much hotter than a DI AR so be careful not to burn yourself. But just ask your self what would you rather clean a piston and maybe 1 or 2 other components or a whole BCG? Remember all firearms need to be cleaned. Especially if you want to hit your target. That doesn't mean to say that you can't run your piston on a more relaxed cleaning regime. If you go with the coated upper only. then you pretty much are also good to go as well since. I find that my Bushmasters POF based system still has just a wee bit of GPR that comes in through the upper along the piston. It's not 100% clean but again much cleaner than a DI. Keep in mind though I run at least 200 rounds through my Bushy in a one hour shooting session at the range. Probably both will be better but for the $$ you pay you might as well buy a new gun or build one. For the cash it would make sense just to get a new gun in my opinion. Also from experience with chrome plating, if I get the parts plated, they will be out of spec as the plating makes the parts bigger....if you will, and wouldn't that be a problem as well? Only thing that's probably chrome plated in my AR is the bore and firing pin./ |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
What i mean here is i am wondering how tolerance are if you use the fz coating, as with the coating you are you are increasing the size of the part by maybe 1/1000 but still, would that trhough all specs out?
Ok, Help me make a good choice. My goal is to have a reliable, durable gun, i guess.....like everybody else. Here are my thoughts. Fail Zero coated upper reciver vs. piston system (coated as well) with perhaps FZ coated BCG. I got a piston AR and I'm still looking at getting this done. I have seen Osprey Defense has a fz piston syst. If i go with the piston system, well..... you pretty much minimize the all the carbon build up which is the what we all want o avoid.. Yes you do minimize it on the BCG but all you did was move it to the front. Also you gas block will run much hotter than a DI AR so be careful not to burn yourself. But just ask your self what would you rather clean a piston and maybe 1 or 2 other components or a whole BCG? Remember all firearms need to be cleaned. Especially if you want to hit your target. That doesn't mean to say that you can't run your piston on a more relaxed cleaning regime. IMO it really depends what you are going to use it for and how many rounds you put though it. I think is over kill for what i am going to use it. Just some paper probably around 200rnds at a time. If you go with the coated upper only. then you pretty much are also good to go as well since. I find that my Bushmasters POF based system still has just a wee bit of GPR that comes in through the upper along the piston. It's not 100% clean but again much cleaner than a DI. Keep in mind though I run at least 200 rounds through my Bushy in a one hour shooting session at the range. Probably both will be better but for the $$ you pay you might as well buy a new gun or build one. For the cash it would make sense just to get a new gun in my opinion. Or probably put one together yourself, Also from experience with chrome plating, if I get the parts plated, they will be out of spec as the plating makes the parts bigger....if you will, and wouldn't that be a problem as well? Only thing that's probably chrome plated in my AR is the bore and firing pin./ |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
What i mean here is i am wondering how tolerance are if you use the fz coating, as with the coating you are you are increasing the size of the part by maybe 1/1000 but still, would that trhough all specs out?
Ok, Help me make a good choice. My goal is to have a reliable, durable gun, i guess.....like everybody else. Here are my thoughts. Fail Zero coated upper reciver vs. piston system (coated as well) with perhaps FZ coated BCG. I got a piston AR and I'm still looking at getting this done. I have seen Osprey Defense has a fz piston syst. If i go with the piston system, well..... you pretty much minimize the all the carbon build up which is the what we all want o avoid.. Yes you do minimize it on the BCG but all you did was move it to the front. Also you gas block will run much hotter than a DI AR so be careful not to burn yourself. But just ask your self what would you rather clean a piston and maybe 1 or 2 other components or a whole BCG? Remember all firearms need to be cleaned. Especially if you want to hit your target. That doesn't mean to say that you can't run your piston on a more relaxed cleaning regime. IMO it really depends what you are going to use it for and how many rounds you put though it. I think is over kill for what i am going to use it. Just some paper probably around 200rnds at a time. If you go with the coated upper only. then you pretty much are also good to go as well since. I find that my Bushmasters POF based system still has just a wee bit of GPR that comes in through the upper along the piston. It's not 100% clean but again much cleaner than a DI. Keep in mind though I run at least 200 rounds through my Bushy in a one hour shooting session at the range. Probably both will be better but for the $$ you pay you might as well buy a new gun or build one. For the cash it would make sense just to get a new gun in my opinion. Or probably put one together yourself, Also from experience with chrome plating, if I get the parts plated, they will be out of spec as the plating makes the parts bigger....if you will, and wouldn't that be a problem as well? Only thing that's probably chrome plated in my AR is the bore and firing pin./ No not from what I've seen. |
AR Sponsor