AR-15 Dissipator question?

[trainwreck100]

I think I just found what I've been looking for, but figured I'd ask here right quick to make sure. In the paper there's an AR-15 rifle with Dissipator upper. What is a Dissipator, and who made it? Is it something I want for my first (and likely only) AR?

 

[Onmilo]

Dissapator= 16" barrel length with modifications to use the full length handguards normally found on the full size AR rifles.
Bushmaster was the first company to offer this option and since then several others have offered the theme in one form or another.

Find out whether the upper has the Bushmaster modification which uses a seperate front sight block with the regular 16 inch gas tube and gas block hidden underneath the handguards or if it uses the Fulton type arrangement which skips the seperate 16 inch gas block arrangement and uses the standard 20 inch rifle gas block and tube, (less reliable in my experience.).
The upper may also feature what are called 'mid length' handguards and this set up uses a 16 inch or 18 inch barrel mated to a gas tube assembly that locates at the mid point of the full length gas tube location and the 16 inch carbine gas tube location or about 12 inches from the breech.
This set-up may be a bit more reliable than the 16 inch tube location but the trade off is the special length handguards which limit you to the forend/handguard arrangement possibilities.

I have owned a Bushmaster Dissapator carbine for about fifteen years now.
It is handier than a full length rifle and no less accurate than a standard A2 type rifle and the full length handguards better protect the barrel than the short handguards, long area of exposed barrel on the 16 inch carbines.

I would strongly recommend you find out exactly what version the upper is and if at all possible attempt to test fire the weapon before you make the purchase. HTH

 

[xring]

I think they are the coolest looking AR configuration available. I really prefer the 16" Dissy look, but just ordered a CMMG with the 18" and full hanguard so I could get the rifle length gas and extra velocity. Dissy +2 as I think of it. Check out CMMG as they offer the 16" with the mid gas. The Bushy has carbine length gas..

 

[modifiedbrowning]

Also, if it is a Bushmaster with the carbine gas system, Bushmaster offered two barrel configurations for the Dissipator. The first is a HBAR which some people find too muzzle heavy, and an M4 profile barrel which is lighter than the HBAR.

 

[trainwreck100]

Assuming it is a Bushmaster (that's what I'm hoping for) will it be easily modified as far as barrels and grips and the like? I don't plan on changing much, but you never know...especially when the capability is there.

 

[MisterPX]

Assuming it's a regular AR, then you will have the ability to modify it to your hearts content.