Best Piston-Driven AR style weapon

[NickEllis]

I've moved into the market for a piston-driven AR-15. What are the options, and the pros/cons, of the new piston guns that are coming out?

A few of those I have heard mention:

P.O.F
Leitner-Wise
SIG's 556
HK 416 (not on the civilian market yet, I believe... if ever?)
Colt has a piston upper out as well, I believe.

Opinions?

I've looked long and hard at the P.O.F, and am tempted. Any reasons not to go with it?

Thanks,

Nick

 

[Bailey Guns]

I own a Bushmaster gas piston upper. I've only put about 300 rounds through it so far but I absolutely love it. It's worked perfectly and makes cleaning the gun a breeze.

Don't have any experience with any of the others.

The Bushmaster is also easy to get.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

You might want to do a search over on Arfcom.

Also, the SIG 556 is not an AR design. It's a highly refined Kalashnikov.

 

[TalonArms_R]

Bushmaster should be on your list.


Here are a few things I can weigh in on.

First, you can forget the HK. Even on LE letterhead they take a year to get.

Second, don't touch a SIG 556 until they fix the issues plauguing the first generation. The top rails are out of spec on most units.

Colt may end up like the HK. Tough to get because of high demand low build quantity.

POF has gotten better recently. The first ones they released were hit or miss. We are considering bringing them online.

L.W. I have not seen. They have had a lot of problems over the last two years, but they may be getting things together now.

I also know that LMT is working on something but they are at least another 6 months out.


Of everything on the market right now, Bushmaster would be my first choice. We have one on the way for evaluation and I am hoping they are as good as I hear. My question will be what railed handguard I can get to fit it!

http://www.bushmaster.com/shopping/uppers/pre-ban/bura3b16m4-gp.asp

 

[NickEllis]

Thanks for the detailed responses, guys.

I thought the 556 was AR.... perhaps it merely uses AR mags? Must have crossed my wires somewhere.

Thanks again, I'll keep researching. Its good to know the Bushy is available, I hadn't heard from anyone using one before. I continue to be interested in th P.O.F, but at this point know jack about their QC or other related long-term issues.


Nick

 

[Langenator]

The Sig556 uses AR mags, and I believe it has an AR-style collapsable stock and possibly an AR pistol grip.

 

[rangerruck]

one of two, either Patriot arms (patriot ordinance factory), or MGI military sales.

 

[DMK]

Doesn't DSA make one too?

 

[NickEllis]

I like what I am seeing from POF. Which brings two more questions:

I definately prefer the terminal ballistics of the 6.5 Grendel over the 5.56, and even over the 6.8. I have heard POF has plans of releasing a 6.5 and also a 7.62 Nato. I would like this to be my number one carbine.

Do the superior ballistics of the 6.5 offer sufficient motivation to forego the tremendous supply availability of the 5.56? Perhaps this is guilty of taking my topic too far off topic.

Man, the choices....

Nick

 

[Click Click Boom]

Doesnt a company called ZM make a gas piston upper with a folding stock option?

 

[BrennanKG]

-DSA's piston AR is a POF upper.
-I believe POF has recently released their 308s.
-the ZM rifle (LR 300) can be found here: http://www.yankeehillmachine.com/store/lr.html

Although it's no more an AR15 than the Sig 556, my money is going toward a RA XCR.


Cheers,
B.

 

[WeedWhacker]

While I have no references to offer for proof, it is my understanding that Bushmaster, DSA, et al's gas piston uppers are all made and supplied by POF.

 

[possum]

lwrc and pof are on the top of the list for me. they are sweet weapons. i like the idea, and just goes to show how the gun makers keep improving a great design. and yes over at ar15.com you will get more info than you will probally ever need.

 

[rangerruck]

You know what?If it doesn't have to be the 100% ar look, get a nice keltec, in b or c model. I have a PLR from them , and it is Fabulous!!! I have put about 600 rounds through it, and you can still wipe your finger on the inside of the receiver, and not have a bit of crud on it!!!!

 

[TOU]

There are also Daewoo DR-200's available.

 

[qbpc]

ZM is the original and low on the radar. Special ops uses his stuff.
http://www.zmweapons.com/

 

[BADUNAME13]

Had a Guy with a Piston driven AR at one of the 5 day Tactical Response classes.

James told him at the beginning he had never had one get through the class without breaking.

I think it lasted till day 3 until the piston broke into several pieces.

IIRC it was a POF.

 

[Reginhild]

The Magpul Masada's design looks like it may be a contender but I havn't seen any reviews yet as it was just announced.

 

[10-Ring]

From what I've read, the HK will end up being the holy grail of piston uppers, but I would go w/ the Bushmaster...from my experience w/ this set up & w/ the company's customer svc, should be a good one to have.

 

[chris in va]

FWIW I spied a 556 at the local gun store and was quite suprised how hefty the gun is compared to an AR. Considerably heavier.

 

[foob]

What about robinson arms XCR?

 

[Ethereal]

I was all set to pick one of their 9 1/4 pistol uppers until I talked to Chris @P.O.F. and he said their rifles/uppers are 14 weeks out minimum. Go for it if you can spare the change and you're better off than me.

 

[Number 6]

Ares Defense makes a drop in piston unit that has gotten good reviews over on ar15.com.

http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=118&t=316338
http://www.aresdefense.com/product.html

 

[LittleLebowski]

"ZM is the original and low on the radar. Special ops uses his stuff."

Care to back that up with some facts? I can't find out much on this system.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

ZM is the original and low on the radar.

ZM didn't even exist when the first piston ARs came out; but they have been one of the first to bring a gas piston to the civilian market and have been around about nine years now.