Best $2000 Piston Ar-15

I have a PWS Mk112 that I have about 4000-5000 rounds through. This thing is an all conditions rifle. I have been checking reliability on this rifle and only clean it every 2000rds or so. At this point I have had zero stoppages. This is not just a range toy, but a training tool that has hit the dirt, fired from the dust and in the rain.

I have used it to bang a 500m gong with boring regularity.

This rifle is a top notch buy. I have put a 416 through its paces, and while I thought it a good rifle, I personally feel that the PWS is a better buy for your money.
 
So what do you like best about your PWS? (and which model did you get)

I love the long-stoke piston system. I have ZERO carrier tilt (unlike the Adams Arms kit on the wife's rifle) and it is 100% reliable. Add to the fact that after sighting in I was shooting some tiny little groups and experiencing very little recoil (thanks to the FSC556 brake) I was very impressed.

Even more impressive was the fact I had the rifle apart and fully cleaned after my range visit(s) in less than 5 minutes. I mean totally clean! Not like "It's a AR and I'll never be able to get it 100% clean", but I could have eaten off that rifle.

My model of choice was the MK114...
MK114.jpg
 
There seems to be two types of PWS uppers. One more closely resembles a VLTOR or Hera with some angled cuts on the FA (and also has the PWS logo), and the others are more traditional. Are these Gen I vs. Gen II, or...?

I think are thinking of a conversion kit they once produced....
PWS_PS_1.jpg


Now they all pretty much look the same...

mk1_banner.jpg
 
I have no idea where Questar took that pic from but the ones on the PWS site look like this...



And to top it all off... the "Features" on the Questar site say "Mil Spec Upper Receiver" NOT Vltor
MK107_556_L_1.jpg
 
Thats the Diablo....

Same concept... 7" barrel with a CQB Muzzle Device

The longer rifles have the same rail system (just much longer), same bolt, same gasblock, same piston assembly (longer connecting rod).

The CQB "Brake" was just designed to help make the 7" AR less "Annoying" to shoot.

I was just curious about the aesthetic difference with the uppers (the Diablo seems more angular, etc.)
 

This from the PWS FAQs:

Why are you no longer using the VLTOR MUR-1 Receivers?
With the expansion of the product line and the introduction of the complete rifles we decided to streamline the amount of separate skus needed to build our line of weapons. This included removing the VLTOR MUR-1 upper from the MK107 and adding the enhanced charging handle to the entire line of uppers and rifles
 
This from the PWS FAQs:

Why are you no longer using the VLTOR MUR-1 Receivers?
With the expansion of the product line and the introduction of the complete rifles we decided to streamline the amount of separate skus needed to build our line of weapons. This included removing the VLTOR MUR-1 upper from the MK107 and adding the enhanced charging handle to the entire line of uppers and rifles

Cool, interesting - thanks. I personally like the look of the VLTOR MUR-1 better - but there's certainly nothing wrong with the new one, either.
 
The Cerakote FDE is really nice, looks and feels great but isn't the most durable finish out there. It does mark fairly easily but I still think it was worth the extra cash.

How do you like the colour/finish on the FDE version? Looks like a nice contrast with all the black components.
 
Thats is insteresting, was your 14.5" an FDE version? I always thought the cerakote added the extra tightness in fit. I really have to hammer to get the pins out of 14.5 FDE but my 12.5 BLK just push right through. The play is very very minor on the 12.5 BLK, I purchased an accu-wedge for it but haven't really had the need/urge to put it in.

Interesting... I had a 14.5" in the past and the fit was very tight; essentially no play. I have a 12.5" atm and there is some play between the upper and lower. Not a lot, but some.
 
I contacted Stacey at PWS about this awhile ago.. The original MK1 uppers for the PWS diablo were the VLTOR MUR-1, but they haven't been producing them with those uppers since 2010.

There seems to be two types of PWS uppers. One more closely resembles a VLTOR or Hera with some angled cuts on the FA (and also has the PWS logo), and the others are more traditional. Are these Gen I vs. Gen II, or...?
 
Thats is insteresting, was your 14.5" an FDE version? I always thought the cerakote added the extra tightness in fit. I really have to hammer to get the pins out of 14.5 FDE but my 12.5 BLK just push right through. The play is very very minor on the 12.5 BLK, I purchased an accu-wedge for it but haven't really had the need/urge to put it in.
Both my rifles were black. I also had to hammer out the pins on my 14.5". I can thumb out the 12.5" pins no prob. I was considering buying an accu-wedge myself, but never did. The play bugged me at first, but now I don't even notice it.
 
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