I like DI guns for competition use. Very smooth-shooting and light. I've found them to be primadonas compared to piston guns though (not AR, but SKS and VZ). For a competition gun, that's not a problem as it stays clean and doesn't fire more than 300 or so rds in a range session. Shoot about 500 and the effect of those dirty gasses blowing directly at your BCG will be felt.
Not in my experience and the way I shoot 500 rounds is more brutal and punishing than just about anything else.
The round count required to generate cook offs in piston guns is the same as DI guns which is why according to the US IAR program the number of full auto rounds required to generate a cook off is the same for the M4 as the 416. Bolt face heat is chamber heat. But hey keep the cool running myth alive.
I'd like to hear more about AR's getting hot enough to cook off rounds. I have done a number of 400-500 round FA tests and have never experienced a cook off. We got the gun to the point where the operator had to wear gloves because the forend and upper were too hot to touch. Even the buffer tube would get hot to the touch. We had the gas tube glowing cherry red to the point where I was concerned it would explode. Never experienced a cook off though.
Last edited:


















































