Posted on Jun 26, 2016
The difference between Gas Piston and Direct Impingement technology for an AR-15
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Do you have a preference of which technology you use, direct impingement or gas piston. Or maybe you were not even aware of the difference.
The difference between Gas Piston and Direct Impingement technology for an AR-15
Posted from info.stagarms.com
AR-15
Weapons
Collecting Guns
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 6
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I have built both and prefer the piston. The biggest argument for it is the cleanliness of the bolt carrier group. MSgt (Join to see)
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MSgt (Join to see)
Agreed, but the biggest downfall is piston system parts are not interchangeable between manufacturers due to there being no set standard and the use of proprietary pistons and bolt carriers.
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LTC (Join to see)
MSgt (Join to see) - Last one I built was with an Adams Arms piston kit. It had an anvil that mounted on the existing bolt carrier. The only down side I have found was the need for special hand-guards, but that's relatively minimal.
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The direct impingement has proven itself through the years on the AR-15 platform and replacement parts are inexpensive, easy to obtain, and generally made to a set “mil-spec” standard. Due to the hot gas from the fired cartridge being redirected into the action it will quickly heat up and become dirty requiring a cool down period before the bolt carrier can be removed from the rifle.
The action of a piston rifle remains cool and clean, even after shooting 100 rounds in rapid succession. The bolt carrier can be removed immediately and held in your hand without burning yourself. The trade off for the action staying cool and clean is that you will experience snappier recoil when shooting which makes the piston rifle a little less accurate, especially for follow up shots. Finally, piston system parts are not interchangeable between manufacturers due to there being no set standard and the use of proprietary pistons and bolt carriers.
The action of a piston rifle remains cool and clean, even after shooting 100 rounds in rapid succession. The bolt carrier can be removed immediately and held in your hand without burning yourself. The trade off for the action staying cool and clean is that you will experience snappier recoil when shooting which makes the piston rifle a little less accurate, especially for follow up shots. Finally, piston system parts are not interchangeable between manufacturers due to there being no set standard and the use of proprietary pistons and bolt carriers.
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SGT William Howell
MSgt (Join to see) Those are very good points. I own a piston and impingement gun. I would use my piston gun for home defense, but only because my impingement gun is tuned as a race gun with a low mass bolt carrier and only likes 62 grain full power rounds. I need to put an adjustable gas block on it before I would use it for anything other than fun.
So here is the thing about my piston gun that I hate. You can hold the bolt after a 100 rounds, but you can't touch the handguards without a glove on. I don't care about carrying a bolt after a 100 rounds, but I do care about carrying the rifle.
So here is the thing about my piston gun that I hate. You can hold the bolt after a 100 rounds, but you can't touch the handguards without a glove on. I don't care about carrying a bolt after a 100 rounds, but I do care about carrying the rifle.
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SGT William Howell
MSgt (Join to see) I wouldn't call it a show stopper. I mean the AK is the same way and we know how many of those are out there still being used.
When I was in Iraq I had this old guy that was in the Republican Guard. He told me when they were fighting Iran that they would shoot their AKs until you could not hold it any more. then they would dunk it in a barrel of water next to them. Then start shooting again.
When I was in Iraq I had this old guy that was in the Republican Guard. He told me when they were fighting Iran that they would shoot their AKs until you could not hold it any more. then they would dunk it in a barrel of water next to them. Then start shooting again.
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MSgt (Join to see)
SGT William Howell -
Always is pros and cons to everything. There is no denying that both systems are proven. Pretty much the choice is personal preference. For me it is direct impingement, but I understand those who choose piston.
Always is pros and cons to everything. There is no denying that both systems are proven. Pretty much the choice is personal preference. For me it is direct impingement, but I understand those who choose piston.
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On a AR I'll take impingement any day. They will last much longer than a short stroke piston on a AR. There is a ton more heat at the handguard and then there is carrier tilt that will wear your upper and buffer tube out. On a SAW, AK, 240 I'll take the long stroke piston system any day. It is much more reliable for sustained fire.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfZcEjdvx8c
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfZcEjdvx8c
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