Any experience w/ piston-operated S&W M&P15 (the PS)?

[dukefan70]

So I recently got something of an education watchin nutnfancy's video on DI (Direct Impingement) vs. Piston operated ARs. While I'm leaning toward a DI AR, I'm still curious about the piston system. Nutnfancy made the point about same cleaning only up front instead of in the receiver. The big point to me though was that the foreend where the gas piston was (he was using a Ruger SR-556) got literally melt-your-skin-hot (his son burnt himself) after a few dozen rounds. So I called S&W to ask about their piston AR and how they dealt with this and the guy said he didn't know.

Bottom line: Anyone have any experience with the S&W M&P15 PS (piston operated) and how the front end at the piston did w/ the heat?

 

[Zerodefect]

My plain old DI AR15 gets hot enough there to burn me. I just avoid touching the barrel after I've dumped 3 mags down range in a run&gun.

My point is I wouldn't let barrel heat sway your decision.