
Originally Posted by
snakyjake
My advice is to watch some videos on how they are assembled. Each manufacturer has pros/cons, and I'm a huge critic. I'll trying listing what I see and doubtedly understand...
Do you want consumable gas rings?
Do you want rod springs that will wear out?
Do you want to accidentally leave the gas block in the "non-cycle" mode so the action won't cycle?
Do you think you'll wear out the gas block detent?
Of course not, but someone at LMT doesn't think they need to change that.
Or maybe you want keylock/mlok...sorry, that won't be for you either.
The big thing going for LMT is changing barrels and can alter between piston and DI. This is probably more important if you are LEM and you have 1000's of rifles to support.
LWRC I believe is self regulated so you don't need to move the gas block setting. I presume this means I don't have to tune the piston to whatever ammo, barrel, or suppressor I'm using (operator error).
But it still uses a rod spring that will eventually need replacement. When? They may last many years, but hopefully I can find the part after the system becomes obsolete (which is a big disadvantage for any piston design right now).
You want MLOK or Keymod? LWRC doesn't think you should have an option.
LWRC has the spiral barrel. No has proven it has much of an advantage. I won't believe the cooler barrel until I see thermal imaging.
POF has no rod spring, maybe no gas rings, no need to remove the rail...but their proprietary rail is very tall and there's nothing great about it. It doesn't look like POF is that easy to thoroughly clean, but then again, you shouldn't have to thoroughly clean. But still, I like the option of removing the rail to clean and investigate.
POF also has a better bolt with the roller bearing.
POF also has that interesting E2 design which is supposed to reduce extractor breakage.
PWS is another system I've been interested in. If long stroke pistons were so good, wouldn't others being doing the same??
So POF seems to have the better gas system, followed by LWRC, and then LMT. But POF might have too many negatives, which puts LWRC in the #1 spot. But I value full (mirror) ambidextrous, and I think LMT's MARS might get the #1 spot. Why mirror ambidextrous? It isn't just for LEM's that have a variety of left and right handed shooters so want a operating system to fit the general population. Becoming ambidextrous gives me advantage.
So as you can see, there a bunch of pros/cons to weigh out and decide what is most important to you, and which ones will annoy the heck out of you. For the price these manufacturers are charging, I won't pay their prices for their mediocrity.
I want:
LMT's monolithic rail, but MLOK.
LMT's MARS mirror lower/upper controls.
POF's piston system.
POF's bolt.
POF's E2 chamber.
LWRCI's self regulating gas block (presuming this is an advantage).
The best metal treatment (nitride barrel, N3, etc).
Why can't manufactures build it?
Jake
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