Gas Piston Conversions pros and cons???

[Cutter68CB]

I find myself curious about the many gas piston conversions that have popped up on the market in recent years. Some are rather simple in design with and without one piece bolt carriers , while others are fairly large but have adjustable gas settings and won't fit under most free floating hand guards. I hate the Idea of losing my YHM diamond series hand gaurd and Chrome bolt assm. but love the Idea of gaining an adjustable gas system to go with a supressor? Would welcome any thoughts or opinions and see what other have found on the subject.

[langloisandy]

I find myself curious about the many gas piston conversions that have popped up on the market in recent years. Some are rather simple in design with and without one piece bolt carriers , while others are fairly large but have adjustable gas settings and won't fit under most free floating hand guards. I hate the Idea of losing my YHM diamond series hand gaurd and Chrome bolt assm. but love the Idea of gaining an adjustable gas system to go with a supressor? Would welcome any thoughts or opinions and see what other have found on the subject.

Cutter,

I have seen a few conversions go TangoUniform. Enough of them to say "no" for my go-to guns.


Andy

[billt]

A have a couple of LWRC Piston AR-15's. They are not "conversions", but rather designed and built from the ground up as a piston weapon. While more costly, I think this is a better choice than bolting on some ill conceived "conversion". Many of these have a lot of carrier tilt issues that cause premature wear. The piston AR-15 is gaining in popularity daily. With that said like anything else there are good ones and bad ones. My advise to anyone who wants one is to stick with a purpose built piston gun like the Ruger 556, LWRC, or LMT gas piston weapons. You will pay more, but have fewer headaches, and more shooting joy.  Bill T.

[Solus]

Not being AR knowledgeable, I will ask.

From what I do know, it seems that the Upper is where the piston design would be and that a piston upper would work on a standard lower?

Thanks.

[billt]

You are correct.

[Sponsor]

[Overload]

Gas Piston ARs are heavier then a Gas Direct Impingement AR in the same configuration.
  While piston ARs do keep the breach cleaner, it just moves the dirty area further forward.  I still think this is an advantage over DI as it's easier to clean and easier to run dirty.
  Piston guns generate less heat at the breach and more under the handguards or just forward of the handguards.
  Piston ARs have more parts than DI AR.  In general, more parts equals more chances for something to go wrong.
  Gas Piston guns are generally thought to be less accurate than DI guns (due to more moving parts).
  Piston guns are more expensive currently than DI guns.
  The DI system is basicly the same in all DI guns, while many companies run different piston systems.  Thus, parts replacement will be easy or harder.

I'm sure I'm missing one or two.

[billt]

You can clean this........



Or you can clean this...........

[twyacht]

FWIW, Stick with a designated platform. Avoid the "conversions",....

My Sig556, has very few parts, even for a gas operated piston rifle, it is also has a two stage position adjustment, which I have never had to use even after a 500rd shoot.

If it is for you, get one, the "conversions" seem the fly in the ointment for non gas operated rifles.

from Overlord,
  Piston ARs have more parts than DI AR.  In general, more parts equals more chances for something to go wrong.
  Gas Piston guns are generally thought to be less accurate than DI guns (due to more moving parts).
  Piston guns are more expensive currently than DI guns.

*subject to brand, and opinion, and availability, which is good right now.

The same "opinions" regarding accuracy have been stated about chrome-lined barrels also.