I'm facing several big decisions.
1) Piston or D.I.
I understand the pros of D.I. to be that it is slightly simpler and slightly lighter. It is also on average cheaper and has many more manufacturers to choose from. On the other hand, I understand the pros of a modern Piston to be that it doesn't allow hot dirty air into the main parts of the rifle, it isolates them to a piston chamber which makes it significantly easier to clean, makes its cleaning to be required far less often, and can lengthen the service life of the rifle because as the main parts run cooler, they will run longer. Additionally, I have read several accounts of piston ARs exhibiting less recoil than a similar D.I. system.
2) .223 or .308
This is a highly debated and controversial topic, but I'd like to introduce a different perspective. The only reason I'm considering the .308 over the .223 is because I don't have access to a full-auto .223 caliber rifle. In any of a number of SHTF scenarios, one might be faced with adversaries that are all armed with M4/M16 type rifles. Obviously the .308 has more power per shot, roughly, I believe, three times the kinetic energy. That's about the same kinetic energy that comes out of an M16s three round burst of .223 ammo. Obviously, the military chose to employ a three-round burst of .223 over semi-auto fire of .223 for a reason. But, since I don't have access to those, I'm thinking I can bridge the gap with a .308. I well understand that .223 ammo is cheaper, lighter, and has far less recoil, but my main priority is having sufficient firepower otherwise that is all irrelevant.
3) Barrel Length: 16" 18" or 20"
Given my current location, I cannot own anything NFA, otherwise I would buy a 10.5" SBR with a silencer, full-auto in .223. Being that I can't own a SBR or a silencer, I'm thinking I should go with 18" (if I go .223) or 20" (if I go .308") and go ahead and take advantage of the extra barrel length, giving me more FPS and less muzzle flash, etc.
4) Manufacturer - Model - Caliber - Barrel Lenth - Operation
LaRue Tactical - Stealth Sniper - .223 - 18" - D.I.
Robinson - XCR - .223 - 18" - Piston
LaRue Tactical - OBR - .308 - 20" - D.I.
LWRC International - REPR - .308 - 20" - Piston
Most of these rifles are available in different lengths. For example, the .308s are available in 18" and 16". The .223s are also available in 16". Based on the reasoning above, however, I think I'd be most satisfied with one of these four. I'm completely undecided though! I might end up getting a .308 in 16" for all I know! If anyone could offer any substantiated input or additional insight, I would greatly appreciate it! Thanks in advance.
1) Piston or D.I.
I understand the pros of D.I. to be that it is slightly simpler and slightly lighter. It is also on average cheaper and has many more manufacturers to choose from. On the other hand, I understand the pros of a modern Piston to be that it doesn't allow hot dirty air into the main parts of the rifle, it isolates them to a piston chamber which makes it significantly easier to clean, makes its cleaning to be required far less often, and can lengthen the service life of the rifle because as the main parts run cooler, they will run longer. Additionally, I have read several accounts of piston ARs exhibiting less recoil than a similar D.I. system.
2) .223 or .308
This is a highly debated and controversial topic, but I'd like to introduce a different perspective. The only reason I'm considering the .308 over the .223 is because I don't have access to a full-auto .223 caliber rifle. In any of a number of SHTF scenarios, one might be faced with adversaries that are all armed with M4/M16 type rifles. Obviously the .308 has more power per shot, roughly, I believe, three times the kinetic energy. That's about the same kinetic energy that comes out of an M16s three round burst of .223 ammo. Obviously, the military chose to employ a three-round burst of .223 over semi-auto fire of .223 for a reason. But, since I don't have access to those, I'm thinking I can bridge the gap with a .308. I well understand that .223 ammo is cheaper, lighter, and has far less recoil, but my main priority is having sufficient firepower otherwise that is all irrelevant.
3) Barrel Length: 16" 18" or 20"
Given my current location, I cannot own anything NFA, otherwise I would buy a 10.5" SBR with a silencer, full-auto in .223. Being that I can't own a SBR or a silencer, I'm thinking I should go with 18" (if I go .223) or 20" (if I go .308") and go ahead and take advantage of the extra barrel length, giving me more FPS and less muzzle flash, etc.
4) Manufacturer - Model - Caliber - Barrel Lenth - Operation
LaRue Tactical - Stealth Sniper - .223 - 18" - D.I.
Robinson - XCR - .223 - 18" - Piston
LaRue Tactical - OBR - .308 - 20" - D.I.
LWRC International - REPR - .308 - 20" - Piston
Most of these rifles are available in different lengths. For example, the .308s are available in 18" and 16". The .223s are also available in 16". Based on the reasoning above, however, I think I'd be most satisfied with one of these four. I'm completely undecided though! I might end up getting a .308 in 16" for all I know! If anyone could offer any substantiated input or additional insight, I would greatly appreciate it! Thanks in advance.