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Ya think? You can begin looking at the current resident of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, Washington, D.C., for a prime example.
That is because it is an HK, the mythical company sprinkled with fairy dust. It is clear that the prevailing anti-piston attitude is ok around here with certain folks as long as you don't discuss the Hk416 and/or the MR556 version in the same breath as other manufacturer’s offerings.
Bottom line is any Stoner type rifle converted to piston operation is a bastardization of an outstanding design. I am still trying to understand why some seem insistent on crapping all over Gene's rifle.
Specific failures of piston AR's.
Well, experience is limited to the hk416
-bolt failures at 12-15K
-hand-guard tightening bolt failing
-cam pin gouging upper receiver (fairly cosmetic after you remove the scrapings)
-failure to feed a broad range of ammo. due to stupid fast cyclic rate and no "m4" feedramps
above failures, below drawbacks:
-heavier than traditional AR
-crappy recoil impulse, much worse than a traditional AR
-heat, the handguards get too hot to hold, fast. Radiating heat from the piston assembly cooks your rail system
-proprietary BS parts
-louder than a DI when suppressed
-a larger visual signature when suppressed
I will say I only shot a LMT piston for a demo. As compared to other piston AR's (HK & LWRC).
-used a regular AR bolt
-softer recoil impulse
-not the visual signature at night
-piston came out front, so no need to screw around with a BS rail system
The 416 is still something of an oddity. Many that choose it can just as easily carry a SCAR or M4, but make a choice to work the 416 instead.
If it was a bad weapon there is no way it would continue to see service with the high speed types after 5 years. If anything, it seems to be more popular because pics of the 416 in American hands was on the rare side, but now they are easy to find. I imagine this is why the 416 is not lumped into the pile of AR15 conversions, and is taken more seriously
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Last edited by variablebinary; 03-02-11 at 17:53.
Kein Mitleid Für Die Mehrheit
What Happened to the American dream? It came true. You're looking at it.
My LWRCi guns were problem free.
I got rid of them mostly due to cost. And because the cost wasn't justified.
Though I must say the 12.7'' A3 was quieter than my KAC 11'' gun. Though still had increased visual signature.
But it's not a fair comparison because of barrel length, and a different suppressor.
It also wasn't enough to matter.
I view DI guns as being superior now.
Last edited by Magic_Salad0892; 03-02-11 at 21:08.
We miss you, AC.
We miss you, ToddG.
My source is I've yet to have anyone that carries a HK416 express anything other than mild ambivalence over it's performance.
"It's okay" is the usual response, not "Damn thing sucks, doesn't work and fell apart on me" in face to face conversations. Granted, the same is true for the M4 where typical feedback is "It never gave me a problem"
I don't have enough rounds through a 416 to make one break, but I am less than enamored with the heat, weight, or recoil.
Last edited by variablebinary; 03-03-11 at 04:55.
Kein Mitleid Für Die Mehrheit
What Happened to the American dream? It came true. You're looking at it.
Our 416's only problems are specifically the Hk "high reliability" magazines.
The springs seem to wear out faster than even the standard GI mags. This usually doesn't result in any FTF's but the bolt fails to lock back on an empty mag.
All that said. I would trade our 416's and LWRC 8'' PSD's tomorrow for simple LMT Mk18 uppers and Colt lowers.
Usually you get what you pay for, that's not the case with piston AR's.
Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle. Psalm 144:1
Owner of MI-TAC, LLC .
@MichiganTactical
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