what is a good piston conversion for the ar15? i know there are different designs and i've been wanting to get one. adam's arms seems pretty good and favorable by many but i like to keep the factory look, that mean the factory sights. anyone have experience with other? i was also wondering what would be the difference with you were to use a gas block and not have a gas system at all, would this make it less reliable?
ar15: gas piston
- Thread starter trigga
- Start date
- Status
PMROY
Member
I recently installed the Bushmaster Gas Piston Retrofit Kit to my Bushmaster A4. The kit is as advertised, it works great, fits perfectly and the gun stays cleaner. After a rough start because I employed a gunsmith that did not have enough experience with ARs, but then with some excellent customer service from Bushmaster, I learned how to install and maintain it myself. The bolt in the kit is extremely well build, that is why the kit is almost $400. It might not be chromed like the Adams Arms bolt, but do you really need that? This link below takes you step by step and I recommend you look at it before purchasing any kit.
http://www.utahconcealedcarry.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=5597
http://www.utahconcealedcarry.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=5597
PMROY
Member
By the way I will post some pictures of the A4 with the kit installed tomorrow.
PMROY
Member
The hand guards come in the kit, but I swear they are about the same size , just with double heat shields. Remember you can always upgrade to a rail system instead. As to the gas tube, not really, just have to take your time.
PMROY
Member
PMROY
Member
The barrel clamp is loose in the picture, if you notice the shiny area is were it will be placed and tightened. I was in the process of cleaning the rifle.
PMROY
Member
PMROY
Member
I hope this all helps awnser your questions on Gas Piston Kits.
thanks, on bushy's page they had the manual, said the handguards were oval, hopefully nothing too big cause i've seen some on s&w i believe and they look funny. i'm not into that rail and tactical stuff, i love the traditional look. i just hope removing and plugging up the tube is easy cause i don't plan on shooting .223 much.
PMROY
Member
The hand guards are really not that bad, minor difference. But, if you are really not going to shoot mainly .223 or 5.56 ammo, why go through the expense? If you have to remove the gas tube and change the bolt, it will become a hassle. A Bushmaster AR DI is a perfectly good piece of hardware, so my humble advise is, do not convert it to a Gas Piston rifle. My logic is the following:
1. A Gas piston conversion adds reliability to extensive/ abusive use of the rifle.Even though some members will debate this point!
2. You are trying to have 3 rifles in 1, 22LR, .223, 5.56 DI/ converted to Gas Piston, therefore you are increasing the probability of a problem, which could affect all three choices.
Bottom line, keep it as it is, for the $400 savings on the kit, you can have a lot of fun with 22LR and a very good .223 ammo channel.
When you are ready to have a Gas Piston only rifle, you can use the above listed reasons 1 and 2, to justify buying it.
It's your call, but would you convert your toaster oven to a microwave and use it mainly as a toaster to save electricity over the oven part?
1. A Gas piston conversion adds reliability to extensive/ abusive use of the rifle.Even though some members will debate this point!
2. You are trying to have 3 rifles in 1, 22LR, .223, 5.56 DI/ converted to Gas Piston, therefore you are increasing the probability of a problem, which could affect all three choices.
Bottom line, keep it as it is, for the $400 savings on the kit, you can have a lot of fun with 22LR and a very good .223 ammo channel.
When you are ready to have a Gas Piston only rifle, you can use the above listed reasons 1 and 2, to justify buying it.
It's your call, but would you convert your toaster oven to a microwave and use it mainly as a toaster to save electricity over the oven part?
- Status
