I was thinking of putting a gas piston system in my AR. Just to have one I have the money. Its a norco M4. Has anyone done this already? What did you think? Any recommendations on type of kit or price? Where I would get one? How hard was the conversion? Any input would be helpful. First post ever hope I'm doing this right! lol Thanks in advance.
Gas piston AR?
- Thread starter m14user
- Start date
Wolverine has a retrofit kit. If you do some reading you'll find that retrofit kits aren't worth the money. Even dedicated piston AR's aren't worth the piston. It's your money, it's your choice. If you really want a piston AR get an LMT, HK or something that was redesigned with a piston in mind.
http://www.wolverinesupplies.com/default.asp?Pg=8&do=3&mcid=13&scid=33&pid=475
http://www.wolverinesupplies.com/default.asp?Pg=8&do=3&mcid=13&scid=33&pid=475
I know it is cheaper to try and retrofit a piston onto your existing upper, but you will be much happier with the performance of a purpose-built piston upper from PWS. PWS's long stroke piston system was designed form scratch and is based on the ultra-reliable AK-47 gas system. More money than a retro, but more gun too. 
Check out Questar or PWS's website for more info.
Check out Questar or PWS's website for more info.
blaxsun
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I think you should buy a dedicated piston (the whole rifle - not just the upper) because you'll be further ahead in terms of time, money and potential tolerance issues on your Norc. PWS and LMT would be at the top of my list as well for recommendations.
That's a pretty bold statement and also an uneducated one. If you knew what you were talking about, you would know that H&K is a piston and not DI.
The whole point of a piston in an AR15 is for sub 11" barrels, running full auto and suppressed. Otherwise, you are probably better served with a DI gun.
Proper lubrication and high quality components are more important than a piston kit/gun.
Proper lubrication and high quality components are more important than a piston kit/gun.
Yes you are right. H&K are piston. Sorry for the confusion. There are great piston guns on the market. What I was trying to say is don't fix something that is not broken. Also, don't get offended, I know you have a nice H&K but for this amount of money, I would get a SR15 any day.
I also have a Norinco that i wish to convert to gas piston. I wanna do this mostly to save on cleaning time than anything else. Sometimes the decision to go shooting is based on whether i want to spend 2 - 4 hrs. cleaning the rifle afterwards (kinda anal about keping my gun clean). After some research i settled on the Adams Arms piston kit. My reason for choosing this kit (based on my very limited knowledge) is:
Cost (not to expensive but not the cheapest either)
Quality (from what i can tell from online pictures and testimonials looks like a quality product)
Least reused components (Like some people have said if you want a piston actuated rifle it might make sense to actually buy a rifle or upper that is designed from the ground up to be piston actuated i can understand the logic behind that statement. However dedicated piston uppers and rifles cost a pretty penny compared to a norc [disclaimer "limited research in this area"]. The next best thing in my opinion would be to get a piston system that replaces as many of the DI parts with components that were meant to be used with a piston actuted system. The Adams Arms kit fulfills that requiremnt the best so far according to my research on what is available out there for under $500 bucks.)
I am having trouble sourcing one in Canada however but where there is a will there is a way. Which kits have you looked at? What are your opinions on the different systems?
Cost (not to expensive but not the cheapest either)
Quality (from what i can tell from online pictures and testimonials looks like a quality product)
Least reused components (Like some people have said if you want a piston actuated rifle it might make sense to actually buy a rifle or upper that is designed from the ground up to be piston actuated i can understand the logic behind that statement. However dedicated piston uppers and rifles cost a pretty penny compared to a norc [disclaimer "limited research in this area"]. The next best thing in my opinion would be to get a piston system that replaces as many of the DI parts with components that were meant to be used with a piston actuted system. The Adams Arms kit fulfills that requiremnt the best so far according to my research on what is available out there for under $500 bucks.)
I am having trouble sourcing one in Canada however but where there is a will there is a way. Which kits have you looked at? What are your opinions on the different systems?
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Cleaning isn't as critical as proper lubrication. Cleaning an AR (or any other rifle) to a "white glove" standard every time you shoot it is unnecessary.
http://www.bravocompanymfg.com/v/vspfiles/assets/images/filthy14_oct10.pdf
Piston guns still get dirty; they just dirty in different places.
http://www.bravocompanymfg.com/v/vspfiles/assets/images/filthy14_oct10.pdf
Piston guns still get dirty; they just dirty in different places.
I disagree and agree, they don't get dirty as much as a normal AR, in a different place....yes but most of the crap escapes the gun.
Interesting article guess i won't be as picky about cleaning........ Jus don think i could do that to mine though
