I like this rifle.
Advantages, clean, very very very clean, in fact after a few hundred rounds I pulled the bolt carrier while the barrel and gas piston were smoking hot, and the bolt carrier was normal air temperature, and still wet with oil. The only dry spot was the bolt face, also the only dirty spot on the entire bolt assembly. To make this more fun I used very dirty brass rounds, and cleaner hot loaded steel cased rounds. Even the gas piston was not very dirty.
Things I noticed, the recoil feels a bit different, with the piston faced so that the gases are going through the small ports it has a bit stronger recoil than a DI rifle, and its LOUD. With the piston faced to vent gases through the bigger ports the recoil is very very mild (softer than any 16 inch carbine Ive ever fired), but the noise is directed a bit differently and its louder than a DI rifle.
The sights were easy to set, and required very little adjustment, in fact I was zeroed shooting 3 shot groups with 9 total rounds. I fired 3 rounds, made my left and down adjustment, then verified with 2 groups of 3 rounds.
Next I switched to the Bushnell 1X32 T dot reticle MP scope, 6 or so total adustments at 25, 50, and 100 yards, it was set.
Firing rapid this rifle is easy to control.
Notice, here are pictures from the cleaning session (was having so much fun even though it was raining that we didnt get the camera out at the range), maybe next time.
The bolt face after a few hundred rounds fired.
Chamber and upper receiver after firing.
Next difference in bolt carriers, AR-15 bolt carrier, and gas piston rifle carrier.
Notice, the gas piston carrier is basically an M-16 carrier but more metal yet (its heavy), and the embossment for the operating rod to push against is a solid part of the carrier.
The front sight is lined up with the reticle, convenient.
Of course after cleaning, which was very easy compred to a DI rifle.
Advantages, clean, very very very clean, in fact after a few hundred rounds I pulled the bolt carrier while the barrel and gas piston were smoking hot, and the bolt carrier was normal air temperature, and still wet with oil. The only dry spot was the bolt face, also the only dirty spot on the entire bolt assembly. To make this more fun I used very dirty brass rounds, and cleaner hot loaded steel cased rounds. Even the gas piston was not very dirty.
Things I noticed, the recoil feels a bit different, with the piston faced so that the gases are going through the small ports it has a bit stronger recoil than a DI rifle, and its LOUD. With the piston faced to vent gases through the bigger ports the recoil is very very mild (softer than any 16 inch carbine Ive ever fired), but the noise is directed a bit differently and its louder than a DI rifle.
The sights were easy to set, and required very little adjustment, in fact I was zeroed shooting 3 shot groups with 9 total rounds. I fired 3 rounds, made my left and down adjustment, then verified with 2 groups of 3 rounds.
Next I switched to the Bushnell 1X32 T dot reticle MP scope, 6 or so total adustments at 25, 50, and 100 yards, it was set.
Firing rapid this rifle is easy to control.
Notice, here are pictures from the cleaning session (was having so much fun even though it was raining that we didnt get the camera out at the range), maybe next time.
The bolt face after a few hundred rounds fired.
Chamber and upper receiver after firing.
Next difference in bolt carriers, AR-15 bolt carrier, and gas piston rifle carrier.
Notice, the gas piston carrier is basically an M-16 carrier but more metal yet (its heavy), and the embossment for the operating rod to push against is a solid part of the carrier.
The front sight is lined up with the reticle, convenient.
Of course after cleaning, which was very easy compred to a DI rifle.