The Down Range Forum

Member Section => Building America's Rifle => Topic started by: Rastus on December 25, 2016, 08:22:55 AM

Title: Piston Build
Post by: Rastus on December 25, 2016, 08:22:55 AM

Eldest son wants to build an AR with piston instead of gas impingement.

I see there is a Superlative Arms piston kit that looks OK and the Osprey which a couple of people have recommended to me.

So...I was going to get him all the parts for an upper for Christmas until this came up...dang pistons are expensive.

So he got a barrel and some misc. parts instead.  His birthday in in February so I'll probably choke up for the piston then. 

One of the issues is handguard...as in I want a "low profile" piston if there is such a thing. 

Any knowledge on this?  Recommendations?  Actual use?

Title: Re: Piston Build
Post by: alfsauve on December 25, 2016, 07:38:33 PM

Pistons run as a minority of the ARs.   The idea was to solve all the problems with the GI (did Stoner intend for that to be a pun?) system.   Of course pistons just bring their own problems, with added cost.   No Free Lunch.   One of the costs, as you're discovering is availability of parts. 

But on the other hand, you and son now can spend many an hour researching and finding parts together.  All isn't lost.

Title: Re: Piston Build
Post by: Rastus on December 25, 2016, 08:05:55 PM

Yeah...I'm not big on it.  He wants one and I'm hoping someone has here has done the work on it already.

Title: Re: Piston Build
Post by: les snyder on December 25, 2016, 10:05:17 PM

has he actually shot one... it has been several years, but the early guns were IMHO fore end heavy and more recoil than my DI carbines... good luck on your decision... for me, as I don't shoot a full auto, it is an answer to an un asked question... my 10.3 and 10.5 barrels both shoot reliably without a piston

Title: Re: Piston Build
Post by: Rastus on December 26, 2016, 02:19:19 AM

No Les, he hasn't shot one. 

He says he wants one because it's quieter suppressed.  I dunno if that's true or not.

I don't see the need for one. 

The quest continues....

Title: Re: Piston Build
Post by: tombogan03884 on December 26, 2016, 06:59:59 AM

I have heard that there is a problem with piston AR's where the bolt batters the buffer retaining pin.

Title: Re: Piston Build
Post by: Big Frank on December 26, 2016, 01:37:13 PM

This is what Stag arms says about pistons. "The action of a piston rifle remains cool and clean, even after shooting 100 rounds in rapid succession. The bolt carrier can be removed immediately and held in your hand without burning yourself. The trade off for the action staying cool and clean is that you will experience snappier recoil when shooting which makes the piston rifle a little less accurate, especially for follow up shots. Finally, piston system parts are not interchangeable between manufacturers due to there being no set standard and the use of proprietary pistons and bolt carriers."