question about: Patriot Ordnance Factory Uppers

[piepaned]

I have  a CMMG AR15 lower, and I am having trouble deciding what to install.  I'm thinking of POF 16" Upper.  What I like of about the POF upper is the gas piston system and the CROS coating.  I am looking for gas piston system for this project. Any help will be appreciated.  And thanks for your help in advance.

http://www.pof-usa.com/upper/upper415-616BP.htm

What I heard the POF uppers run great.  I read reviews that the uppers don't need cleaning after xxx,000 rounds, and they don't need cleaning. not that shooter neglect their weapons. 

From what I gather from this forum the POF upper are liked by:
    Erik Lund (Moderator USSA-1) [thread: "I have a ? for (Moderator: USSA-1) and members"]
    Michael B (who is this guy?) [thread: "H&k 416"]

What i would like to know about the POF upper is:
   1.  Dose the gas from the gas piston vent under the hand guards? who like cleaning under there anyway?
   2.  Can you use the gas system with a suppressor with out major modification to the gas piston system?
   3.  Is a POF upper a good buy? I like things that last.

From a cost perspective, A POF Upper will run 1050 w/o rails (cause i don't need them).  A complete "m4" upper will run you about 500-600 dollars rough. An retro fit gas piston system like the GSR35 = 400, the PWS = 425 or the OPS 416 = 300 (last I heard not for civilian sale) and etc.  In this cost analysis a upper with a retro fit is about 900 minus chrome plated bolt / bolt carrier and CROS coating. last i checked a LWRC upper is 1200 plus/minus 100.  Just from this i feel the POF upper is a better deal.  I would like to hear what other have to say about this. 

thanks again ~ pie

oh by the way MB did POF ever send you that test rifle?

[Pathfinder]

I have  a CMMG AR15 lower, and I am having trouble deciding what to install.  I'm thinking of POF 16" Upper.  What I like of about the POF upper is the gas piston system and the CROS coating.  I am looking for gas piston system for this project. Any help will be appreciated.  And thanks for your help in advance.

http://www.pof-usa.com/upper/upper415-616BP.htm

What I heard the POF uppers run great.  I read reviews that the uppers don't need cleaning after xxx,000 rounds, and they don't need cleaning. not that shooter neglect their weapons. 

From what I gather from this forum the POF upper are liked by:
    Erik Lund (Moderator USSA-1) [thread: "I have a ? for (Moderator: USSA-1) and members"]
    Michael B (who is this guy?) [thread: "H&k 416"]

What i would like to know about the POF upper is:
   1.  Dose the gas from the gas piston vent under the hand guards? who like cleaning under there anyway?
   2.  Can you use the gas system with a suppressor with out major modification to the gas piston system?
   3.  Is a POF upper a good buy? I like things that last.

From a cost perspective, A POF Upper will run 1050 w/o rails (cause i don't need them).  A complete "m4" upper will run you about 500-600 dollars rough. An retro fit gas piston system like the GSR35 = 400, the PWS = 425 or the OPS 416 = 300 (last I heard not for civilian sale) and etc.  In this cost analysis a upper with a retro fit is about 900 minus chrome plated bolt / bolt carrier and CROS coating. last i checked a LWRC upper is 1200 plus/minus 100.  Just from this i feel the POF upper is a better deal.  I would like to hear what other have to say about this. 

thanks again ~ pie

oh by the way MB did POF ever send you that test rifle?

Can't help you on the POF, although I have drooled looked them over myself. A tad too pricey for me though. But, that said, welcome to the site.

[USSA-1]

Piepaned,

Well, you pretty much know my feelings about POF's product.  I'm a big fan of their systems and I completely agree that when you consider the hardchromed bolt, carrier, gas block plug, and the entire plated upper receiver, I think they are the best value for the money.  In fact, the M4 that is pictured in my avatar and on the Downrange TV video section is my POF M4 Upper with the standard handguards.  It served me very well.

What I will say about Piston driven systems in general is that I would stick with a dedicated system (POF, LWRC, etc.)  and not a retro-fit kit.  I have no experiences with the retro-fit kits so this is purely my uneducated opinion, but I would wait for a while before I paid money for a retro-fit kit.  I want to see how some of them perform over the long haul.  I would like to see how the kits are holding up after 10,000 rds. of hard use, etc.  I'm sure the various companies do extensive testing, but I put my faith in the bubba brigade method of testing.  If the system can survive a couple of years with Bubba, then I'll start the looking into purchasing one.

USSA-1