So confused

[Miss Debbie]

Hi everyone I purchased a LMT AR rifle a couple of months ago and wanted to get another lower and my friend had a piston AR and was saying that they are better and cleaner, is this true? I don't know too much about rifles so any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Anteater1717]

They are usually cleaner, but less accurate.

 

[blackhawk2000]

Cleaner? Yes. Better? No. As dirty as DI is, I have done my own long term, high round count testing. I have had very minor problems, and none since I polished my chamber. Even when the gun was filthy. I find that if I keep it lubed it runs like a top. Plus I gather that they are not as durable as the standard AR's, based on comments made by reputable trainers. See if your friend will be up for a heads up torture test.

 

[Miss Debbie]

OK thanks for replys the way they were talking about there new rifles that piston AR's are the wave of the future, I am going to take a carbine course called CAST http://www.combatshootingandtactics.com/

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

The piston ARs are real handy if you want to run a very short barrel with occasional suppressor use (Suppressors increase both dwell time and backpressure which affects the cycling of direct impingement ARs). Pistons also run cleaner (or at least move the filth to a different location).

On the downside, you can get carrier key shear, heavier rifles (usually nose heavy) and many pistons often show less accuracy. Those are broad generalizations as there are a lot of different piston systems of various quality and some are better than others.

As to reliability, depends on the rifle. The LMT is a top notch rifle and I think it would run most production AR pistons into the ground. It will be a bit dirtier though.

 

[HOLY DIVER]

Bartholomew Roberts i agree %100
infact if it was my rifle i'd LEAVE IT ALONE lol

 

[P-32]

I've not been around a piston AR but I do own several Service rifles which are piston driven. I work my AR harder than most as I shoot High Power out to 600 yards. I took a well used M-16A1 to patrol rifle inst class and it ran just fine. That was 750 rounds in 2 days. It shot a lot better than I expected a well. I got bloody hands loading mags. I have never had or seen a stoppage because of gas system failure in the AR. Some people don't like 1911's either. All I can say is the rifle you have now will do what you need it to do any time any place. Have fun in the class.