Advantages/Disadvantages of the Gas-Piston Operated Carbine

[RCS]

Help me out, here. I'm hoping to make one of these my next purchase, so are they actually more reliable and cleaner-shooting than the original AR?

I was taking a look at the Robinson Armament XCR, and I really liked it. My father-in-law has one and it felt great in my hands, but I haven't gotten the chance to fire it. After looking up some reviews, I heard a guy said he fired 2,000 rounds of brass-cased through it and didn't need to clean it.

Now, since I'm unfamiliar with this platform in every way, I'm a bit skeptical of this.

[Moebrown20]

I haven't hear anything bad about them.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robinson_Armament_XCR
It has an AK type gas piston, so that a plus with it.

[ready]

The only disadvantages I can think of are cost and parts availability. I don't know what might break in an XCR but it's always one of my considerations before purchasing a new gun.

[Gunreference1]

RCS, you might be interested in the link below.

http://www.fulton-armory.com/WhyNotaGasPistonAR.htm

Steve

[NewbieAKguy]

RCS, you might be interested in the link below.

http://www.fulton-armory.com/WhyNotaGasPistonAR.htm

Steve

He's not a tad biased cuz he doesn't sell piston guns is he?

[RottenII]

I have a LWRC piston rifle. I love the fact that the bolt and carrier stay CLEAN! I have several thousand rounds thru mine with zero issues. Love it. I have not touched my Bushmaster since.

[RCS]

Thanks, guys. I'm thinking the info Fulton is handing out is for the conversion kits and not the actual piston-operated rifles. I could be wrong, of course.

But I suppose I'll just have to buy one and find out. Who makes these?

[NewbieAKguy]

Thanks, guys. I'm thinking the info Fulton is handing out is for the conversion kits and not the actual piston-operated rifles. I could be wrong, of course.

But I suppose I'll just have to buy one and find out. Who makes these?

Who makes piston kits? Quite a few nowadays:

Adams Arms
Osprey
Addax (?)
CMMG
Spike's Tactical

I know there are more, just can't remember.

[Moebrown20]

Looks like I have to make a call to AA soon.
380 bucks seems close to these pistons price range.

[RCS]

Who makes piston kits? Quite a few nowadays:

Adams Arms
Osprey
Addax (?)
CMMG
Spike's Tactical

I know there are more, just can't remember.

Oh, I meant the actual rifles. My bad. I've heard a few quirky things about the kits, and not just from Fulton. I know POF, RobArms, and Stag make them. But other than them, who else?

[NewbieAKguy]

Like you said there's P.O.F., Robarms, and Stag. Plus...

Smith & Wesson (uses Adams Arms pistons)
Ruger, SR-556
CMMG
Spike's Tactical
LWRCI
Para Ordnance
Rock River
SIG's new 516

If you're after a piston rifle, not necessary in AR format there's SIG556 or Kel-tec's SU-16 series of rifles.

[Moebrown20]

I ordered a Adams Arms pistons(carbine) form midway for under 300 bucks.
It will be here on monday, I'll let you know how the install goes after then

[swampdragon]

I like the folding stock ability on the ZM/Para TTR.
But "technically" it's not a piston gun.

[RCS]

"Technically"?

[swampdragon]

"Technically"?

It uses an extra long carrier key and a few other mods in the recoil system.
It's not a piston drive.
It's not DI either.

[NewbieAKguy]

I like the folding stock ability on the ZM/Para TTR.
But "technically" it's not a piston gun.

Correct. Think RRA's new piston might be similar too, hence its folding stock.

[RCS]

Good video, very informative.

But I set my sights on one of those integrally suppressed ARs in 9mm from Red Jacket.

(First pic)
http://www.redstick-firearms.com/sup...ppressors.html

I may get another upper for it that is gas piston operated, though.

[Bluedog]

The primary advantage of the DI system is no reciprocating mass above the barrel, which increases accuracy and full-auto control ability, and the pure straight line action created by using the bolt carrier itself as a gas piston.

The biggest disadvantages of the piston ARs in particular is that they do have reciprocating mass, and they function by pushing on a raised cam on top of the bolt carrier, which does not result in a purely straight line recoil, and leads to carrier tilt. This wears parts, increases recoil, and shortens the life of the weapon. Beyond that, there are about a dozen various piston designs out now, and none are combat proven or have been subjected to 50 years of design refinement like the Stoner system. Also, none have been objectively proven to be any more reliable than the Stoner system.

For those of you have have not heard, SOCOM has dropped the SCAR.

[RCS]

For those of you have have not heard, SOCOM has dropped the SCAR.

Link? Last I heard, the dropped the Mk-16 (for the most part) but decided to keep the Mk-17 on because it carried the .308 cartridge well. That was a few weeks ago.

Edit: As of July 11th (which is the latest info I can find) they have dropped the Mk-16, but not the bigger brother. So, you're half-right. But don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking the originals here. I'm looking for a low-maintenance, gunk-free rifle that I can feed Wolf through and not have to worry about what's going on in the inside.

[Gunreference1]

This is what I have heard about the fate of the SCAR.

http://kitup.military.com/2010/06/so...k-16-scar.html

Steve