AR-15 BS Thread

Nobody should overlook the AK47
Where the AR-15 has finesse, the AK-47 makes up the difference with its sheer simplicity, ruggedness and affordability. Despite, the accuracy and recoil disadvantages, the AK-47 will still deliver lead on the target almost as fast as the AR-15. The reason is that most firefight scenarios happen within the effective range of the AK-47. (This will be especially true for home defense or SHTF situations.)

The AK-47 also has a significant ballistic advantage over the AR-15 (at the cost of slightly increased recoil). The advantage is the 7.62x39mm round which can penetrate soft-to-medium barriers with less deflection than the 5.56. This is important in an urban environment as you may be required to shoot at adversaries in vehicles, behind brush, fences and etc. Basically, in close range firefights between the AK-47 and AR-15 you will be on equal terms with the "trump card" being training & marksmanship skills. However, the greater the distance the greater the advantage will be for an adversary armed with an AR-15.

Nevertheless, the biggest advantage the AK-47 has is that the ammunition, magazines and rifle are significantly cheaper than a “quality” AR. (A year ago a good AK could be purchased for about $250 - $300 now they are around $450 - $600 due to a spike in demand based on the election). Despite the spike in price I don’t think there are many firearms that can compare to the amount of firepower per dollar that the AK delivers.

What is my choice for a go-to rifle? That would be my AR-10 which is chambered for 7.62 x 51mm NATO and set me back just over $3,500 for my configuration. (Sticker shock is the price you pay for quality optics!)

 

You realize this is the ar15 bs thread not the ak thread right lol? This debate has been going on for decades now and will never be resolved. Everyone has their reason for a specific platform. Toyota vs Nissan, ar vs ak, at the end of the day they both do the same thing, one just excels while one falls short in their respective fields.

You can't say one is better than the other though. Ar is dgi, while ak is piston. Ar gets dirtier and runs hotter but is more accurate, ak runs longer with less maintenance but can't reach out and touch someone like an ar can. Apples to oranges IMO...

(I'm talking about your average run of the mill guns, not purpose built platforms)

 

You should check out the B5 Systems SOPMOD Bravo. Similar cheek weld to the Magpul but cheaper and lighter (iirc)

 

Yea the magpul acs is slightly on the beefy side, but I wanted the storage options. Plus from my own personal preference, I like a rifle to be slightly rear heavy. Helps me with follow up shots because it isn't a feather and doesn't jump around the shoulder when doing double or triple taps

I think it weighs .88lbs. Someone correct me if I'm wrong

 

Thanks for the feedback. I've had an AK for years and never experienced any problems with the piston system. I wasn't hesitant to get the Adams piston rifle because it was a piston gun but just wanted to understand the differences between carbine, mid and rifle length operating systems. I have zero experience with AR's so was looking for advice from those in the know.

 

Roger that! Good to know!

 

It really isn't.

 

Too bad the last two LWRC piston guns I shot were unreliable as F. They both started out factory new and had FTF and FTE issues and and in one of them the piston system even failed after about 100 rounds. Based on my experience and other with LWRC, I would never buy one.

Probably the reason Paul Leitner-Wise moved on and started Leitner-Wise manufacturing last year.

IMO PWS has a superior piston platform and they never cease to amaze me. Even their DI bcg is amazing.

 

No it doesn't. You moved the location of the heat and dirt from the bolt carrier group to the piston assembly. Moving it doesn't make it any more reliable or create any less heat buildup. Actually it does the opposite since the piston is closer to the gas port. Also consider that you've added more weight, more moving parts and more barrel harmonics. I have yet to hear a sound arguement for the piston driven AR.

To add a degree of irony all ARs are truly a gas piston design. Look at the bolt on a standard gas impingement AR. The piston is the bolt with gas rings to create a seal against the cylinder which is the bolt carrier.

There is a reason 3-gunners all run gas impingement ARs. If there was an advantage to a piston driven AR believe me they would be the first to exploit it.

 

Sorry for the poor photo, but here's my carbine with the Stoner 16" fluted barrel on it. 8.5" SBR next to it for size reference.

 

Leitner Wise was the problem. Last I checked colt wasn't trying to buy PWS or Leitner Wise for their patents. If its reliable enough for 7th and 3rd group I will just trust their word over yours.

It moves the carbon and heat from the action and moves it to under your handguards. Which place is more important to the operation of the rifle? I measured the gas block of an LWRC plus its piston components including the BCG compared to a DI gun and guess what, two ounce difference, and if you include the gas key and the two screws the parts count on the non adjustable systems is two more parts for the piston system. Most of the added weight of LWRCIs comes from the heavier contour barrels compared to what most people are shooting. They also exhibit less verticle stringing than even my BCM BFH and even my 8" gun was a fucking sub MOA rifle.

Again, most people won't see the benefit, but I shoot suppressed heavily and the difference between the two systems is night and day. My BCM BFH is no where near as accurate, clean running, or reliable as my 10.5" A5. Both great guns but if I had to carry one into hell, its the LWRCI. My BCM can go MAYBE 100-150 rounds before I have to start being concerned about relubing my gun. Part of the problem with the DI system, when they are over gassed, like they are when they are suppressed, they tend to blow all the lube from between your bolt and BCG into your receiver and out of your reciever in the form of blow back. My piston gun does experience blow back but since it isn't dumping a ton of gas into the actual bolt and BCG it tends to not need much extra attention for keeping it wet and running. Again most people won't see the benefit from a piston gun, but just because YOU don't notice it, doesn't mean there isn't one and its a lot more than a negligible. Both yall need to get off M4C. Those people are biased because DI rifle companies are pulling the strings over there.

My DI SBR with my Piston SBR

 

Is anyone running a VLTOR A-5 EMOD stock? I put one on my 14.5" alond with a Surefire MB556 brake and it is just about the flattest recoil I've felt save for my 10/22.

 

Isn't the AR Stoner just MidwayUSA whatever they can get brand? How you like it?

 

Haven't ran the EMOD yet, but I love my MB556K. The recoil, or lack thereof, is awesome.

 

Dunno - I'll let you know after I shoot it. Installed it on Friday. I'm expecting it to shoot pretty well. I liked the fluting & 5R rifling. Listed weight is about even with an M4 barrel. I don't know if I believe that, but it doesn't seem any more front heavy with the Stoner barrel than it was before.

 

..the magpul STR buttstock also has a friction lock, ...I put one on my latest build, and it doesn't have the annoying "rattle" like most collapsible stocks... also had integral QD attachments which is nice...

http://store.magpul.com/product/MAG470/180

 

I ran the A5 on my MSTN SPR before switching out to an A2 with a Magpul PRS. I now run the A5 in my MSTN dedicated suppressed 8" Noveske barreled SBR.

The recoil with the A5 was pretty smooth when I ran it on my SPR and it's still pretty smooth in the suppressed Noveske; however, the 5.56 is such a light recoil round already...I don't feel too much of a difference.

- Mark

 

Gonna throw some Dissipator porn in here!

 

Yeah, because 3 gunners are the group of guys that are pushing rifles to the limits in the harshest environments

There are plenty of piston rifles being used overseas by smaller units where guys have the flexibility of running what they want. And although I hated the decision to semi-replace the SAW, the rifle that won the contract was a piston rifle.

Disclaimer: I absolutely loved my issued M4 and never had a single malfunction with it in country or stateside. But then again, I never ran it suppressed or on full auto (where piston rifles shine).

 

Got my limited edition Gonzalez Pmags in!