Midway had a huge clearance sale last year and I picked up the Osprey Defense OPS-416 Gas Piston Kit. I like the Osprey Defense over the Adams because there's no adjustment, it just works. Here's a video by MAC for anyone that's interested. NOTE: there is one error in the video, MAC cites the wrong part number for the Midwest hand guard so if you get the kit and want to upgrade your hand guard please verify with Midwest, other than that I like my piston upgrade.
Piston vs Gas Impingement
- Thread starter G8tor
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Bartholomew Roberts
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I've never scraped the bolt on a personally owned rifle or found it necessary even on my high round count ARs. The carbon buildup is self-limiting for the most part*. Like BenEzra mentioned, if you keep the bolt wet, it is pretty easy to keep carbon from building up.
*Suppressors will dry out the bolt faster and require you to shorten maintenance intervals. I did see someone who was used to running their AR hard get surprised when they added a suppressor and then shot 3,000 rounds in five days without cleaning (which they had done with an unsuppressed AR several times). They did actually manage to build up enough carbon to affect function.
*Suppressors will dry out the bolt faster and require you to shorten maintenance intervals. I did see someone who was used to running their AR hard get surprised when they added a suppressor and then shot 3,000 rounds in five days without cleaning (which they had done with an unsuppressed AR several times). They did actually manage to build up enough carbon to affect function.
Like I am sure many on here I own a lot of ARs in multiple calibers.
Some guns I build with a piston. Some I don't. Each has it's merits.
Light weight, hunting and target builds don't get pistons. Most others do. I'm about 50/50 on both types. I have found the osprey to be the best drop in piston. My 6.8 LWRC is the nicest purpose built. My smoothest shooter is a surplus fn rifle upper with an osprey piston and vltor b5 stock.
Owning multiples of both piston and DI, I can say say with certainty the piston is vastly easier to clean for me. It's biggest disadvantage for me is finding compatible handgaurds or rails although magpul and MI gives some options.
Money is also an issue here, I'm fortunate that the extra 300$ spent on a piston to hasten cleaning is worth it, others may not be so fortunate.
Just my 2 cents.
Some guns I build with a piston. Some I don't. Each has it's merits.
Light weight, hunting and target builds don't get pistons. Most others do. I'm about 50/50 on both types. I have found the osprey to be the best drop in piston. My 6.8 LWRC is the nicest purpose built. My smoothest shooter is a surplus fn rifle upper with an osprey piston and vltor b5 stock.
Owning multiples of both piston and DI, I can say say with certainty the piston is vastly easier to clean for me. It's biggest disadvantage for me is finding compatible handgaurds or rails although magpul and MI gives some options.
Money is also an issue here, I'm fortunate that the extra 300$ spent on a piston to hasten cleaning is worth it, others may not be so fortunate.
Just my 2 cents.
NWCP
Member
I own one RRA DI in 5.56 with a 6.8SPCII barrel for coyote hunting. I own a Stag Arms Model 8 piston rifle as well. My piston gun is easier to clean IMHO. Both the Stag and the RRA are accurate and reliable with the DI being a tad lighter. I say to each his own. I hunt more with the RRA DI in 6.8SPCII. My wife enjoys shooting the Stag so on range days she's has my Stag and I'm shooting my RRA. If you want a piston gun get one built as such from the ground up. I'd avoid the kits. JMHO
Archangel14
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I read a post on an AK forum from a guy who runs a full auto range in Las Vegas. Claims that they runs their rifle very hard. He also claims that every piston AR they've ever ran failed earlier than the DI guns.
tcoz
Member
That post is linked to on post #17 of this thread. It's pretty surprising, but has to be considered since they run their guns harder than most will ever see. It probably doesn't have a lot of every day practicality to most of us but it's interesting nonetheless
Archangel14
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Yeah, I agree. And not to digress, but I was also surprised to read that the more stout AKs were the cheap WASRs. It really got me thinking. I have a cheapo AR build that has been totally reliable and very accurate.
C-grunt
Member
WASRs have good barrels. Their problem is the Century QC.
Welding Rod
Member
I have been shooting my ARs generally 2-4 matches per month, lubing before each match, and it has been years since I "scraped" any carbon or spent more than a few minutes cleaning a rifle. And the scraping wasn't even actually necessary the last time I did it. I only take apart the bcg a few times per year.
Carbon fouling in the lower receiver / trigger group? In the buffer tube? Those parts go years between cleanings for me. I don't see any reason to be bothered by a coat of carbon dust... Removing won't make the gun function better. Seems like washing a car after each drive to me.
Garand and M1A have never seemed hard or labor intensive to clean to me either.
Carbon fouling in the lower receiver / trigger group? In the buffer tube? Those parts go years between cleanings for me. I don't see any reason to be bothered by a coat of carbon dust... Removing won't make the gun function better. Seems like washing a car after each drive to me.
Garand and M1A have never seemed hard or labor intensive to clean to me either.
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