Gas piston or direct impingement

[erice]

No doubt this will open a can of worms. But, I am still working on what my build is going to be.

Is a gas piston really worth the expense?

 

[rockinbbar]

Your AR will run cooler and cleaner with the piston system for sure.

Personally, you may need to look at the way you use an AR first to see if the piston will really be worth the cost to you....
As a shooter that really likes pulling the trigger in rapid succession, you may want a piston system.

As a hunter that still likes to get out at the range and blast away sometimes, I doubt that it'll be of much benefit...at least to the way I shoot.

Perhaps I'm missing something with the piston system AR's with the above evaluation. If I am, please feel free to inform me as well.

Barry

 

[Mrgunslinger]

From what I have seen the piston guns are louder.
For predator hunting it is not needed.

 

[TnTnTn]

The piston system is undoubtedly better for a heavy use rapid fire or sustained fire situation such as might be seen in a military application. For the vast majority of hunters, target shooters and AR enthusiasts in general the GI system is fine and may be better. It is arguably more accurate as there is less reciprocating mass out on the barrel. And after all the GI system has worked pretty well in tens of 1000s of rifles in use by our and other's military. TnTnTn

 

[GrizleyHunter]

With all the comments above what I would like to know is which system is the lighest.Weight may be a factor to some.

 

[joshua79109]

I have both and like both.

The DI system is lighter if set up correctly in 5.56X45 or 223. Once you step up to the 308 there is some piston guns that are lighter than some of the DI guns. In 308 it can go either way

There is a new piston carbine that is very close in weight to the average AR. It is also balanced well. Most piston guns are front end heavy.

My piston guns aren't any louder than the DI guns. Many folks use a piston carbine if going with a short barrel(under 14.5"), sound suppressor, or full auto. So I can see why some folks would think the piston is louder (shorter barrel). Many of these folks also add a brake which makes the sound louder to the sides.

In my opinion there is no reason to feel either system is superior to the other, they are just different. Many of our past and current military weapons are piston systems. Our regular M4 that is issued is DI. Some of our special ops units are using a new carbine that is piston, but that's very few of the actual number used.

Personally I would not build an AR with a piston system. If a person wants a piston system I believe it best to move away from the AR to get more benefit from the piston. The AR is well proven in DI - it has served well in the past and our military continues to order new DI system M4s.

The intended use will help you determine what system you want.

 

[pyscodog]

A friend of mine has the piston system in his P.O.F. He shoots with a can and claims his rifle is alot cleaner. Not near as much powder smoking of the rifle. Other than that, not much difference.

 

[TxninVA]

It would be my opinion, mostly agreeing with everyone else, that unless your P-dogging and taking so many shots your barrel is heating to the point of effecting accuracy, DI is fine. Or in the military in hostile areas.

Otherwise, for me...less moving parts is better.

 

[erice]

Thanks for the responses. Since there seems to be no huge benefit in my case, DI it is. Worked well for me in another lifetime long ago

 

[NE223]

For me, I'd only go to a piston if I was planning on building a SBR and running it with a can. For normal use on even a carbine I'd stick with DI.