Accurate, reliable, gas piston AR-15 .223?

[Creature]

So I started shooting suppressed with my 10.5in LMT AR and gas blow back is unbearable. I'm thinking gas piston is going to be the way to go. My friend has a Noveske switchblock(and similar SBR setup) and while it helps a lot, it's still not enough for high volume fire.

I'm trying to decide on a gas piston SBR upper. I want something that is accurate. I'd prefer to be able to shoot 60gr vmax bullets for hunting and 77gr SMKs for match load. I would love to get an LWRC but don't have the coin to do so. I'm aware of issues such as carrier tilt(hence "reliable" in thread title) and want to avoid it.

What is my best option for a .223/5.56 SBR upper with a 10.5in or 11.5in barrel that is accurate? i'm not exactly sure what would be appropriate to expect in terms of accuracy with a setup like this. I hear Noveske has 7.5in uppers that shoot sub-MOA...

 

[B4forever]

Re: Accurate, reliable, gas piston AR-15 .223?

I bought a 11.5" POF about two years ago for many of the same reasons you stated. I wanted a shorty that would be reliable suppressed, and not throw gas back in my face. I have since sold the POF in favor of a 11.5" BCM for these reasons:
Reliability: My POF would never run 100%. I routinely got stuck cases in the chamber with factory ammunition. I also saw another POF shoot the OP rod out the front end. To me guns are like girls...once they cheat there is no trust.
Weight: The POF was much heavier than most DI guns in the same length. The extra parts and large rail are the main factor.
Rail: I don't like the POF tall rail. Many of the gas-piston carbines have a taller rail to clear the piston system. I like to be able to choose any rail I want.
Gas: There did not seem to be an appreciable difference in gas blowback between my POF and BCM, I beleive this is primarily because a large portion of gas is coming back through the chamber. When shooting my POF on a cold day I discovered that I was still standing in a cloud of gas. This is just the nature of shooting suppressed SBR's.

So my opinion would be to just buy a quality DI gun such as the Noveske w/switchblock that you already mentioned. And even if you don't run a switchblock just get a gas buster charging handle and run a Vltor A5 buffer. Good luck!

 

[problemchild]

Re: Accurate, reliable, gas piston AR-15 .223?

Switchblocks are on/off type answer. I would try a 50 dollar adjustable gas block first and see if you can dial the gas waaaaay down and also run a gasbuster charge handle. Between the two it might solve your problem. Also I saw some home remedy for leaking gas posted somewhere.

 

[Creature]

Re: Accurate, reliable, gas piston AR-15 .223?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: B4forever</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I bought a 11.5" POF about two years ago for many of the same reasons you stated. I wanted a shorty that would be reliable suppressed, and not throw gas back in my face. I have since sold the POF in favor of a 11.5" BCM for these reasons:
Reliability: My POF would never run 100%. I routinely got stuck cases in the chamber with factory ammunition. I also saw another POF shoot the OP rod out the front end. To me guns are like girls...once they cheat there is no trust.
Weight: The POF was much heavier than most DI guns in the same length. The extra parts and large rail are the main factor.
Rail: I don't like the POF tall rail. Many of the gas-piston carbines have a taller rail to clear the piston system. I like to be able to choose any rail I want.
Gas: There did not seem to be an appreciable difference in gas blowback between my POF and BCM, I beleive this is primarily because a large portion of gas is coming back through the chamber. When shooting my POF on a cold day I discovered that I was still standing in a cloud of gas. This is just the nature of shooting suppressed SBR's.

So my opinion would be to just buy a quality DI gun such as the Noveske w/switchblock that you already mentioned. And even if you don't run a switchblock just get a gas buster charging handle and run a Vltor A5 buffer. Good luck! </div></div>

I have tried the adjustable gas block and use a pri gasbuster CH already. No luck. The LMT is one of the highest end uppers I've used. It runs great unsuppressed.

Thanks for the info about POF

 

[jonthomps]

Re: Accurate, reliable, gas piston AR-15 .223?

I'd try an LMT SBR piston upper. I've got a 16" MRP piston and love it.

 

[B4forever]

Re: Accurate, reliable, gas piston AR-15 .223?

I don't believe a piston gun will solve your problem. Excessive gas is just a part of shooting suppressed AR's, piston or DI.

 

[Creature]

Re: Accurate, reliable, gas piston AR-15 .223?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: B4forever</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I don't believe a piston gun will solve your problem. Excessive gas is just a part of shooting suppressed AR's, piston or DI. </div></div>

So you don't think a piston gas system reduces the amount of powder blow back into the upper receiver?

I'm trying to save up for a LWRC SBR. I've called and spoke with them and they were very helpful. The only thing I'm worried about is that they told me their rifles are mainly accurate with heavier bullets. I prefer to shoot 77gr match bullets but like to use the 60 gr vmax for hunting. Hopefully it will shoot those.

No I need to sell my LMT DI 10.5...

 

[frankythefly]

Re: Accurate, reliable, gas piston AR-15 .223?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: B4forever</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I don't believe a piston gun will solve your problem. Excessive gas is just a part of shooting suppressed AR's, piston or DI. </div></div>

This is what my experience is as I have both and shoot both suppressed. I don't notice a bunch of gas blowing into my face with the piston one but it doesn't run any cleaner.

 

[Mike_in_FL]

Re: Accurate, reliable, gas piston AR-15 .223?

May I suggest you read through the thread here on the PWS Mk114? Then check out some of the other posts by DMack or PM him. He runs a 107 and 110 suppressed. Those are piston uppers and he would be the person to give you a first hand accuracy report with no BS.

 

[Creature]

Re: Accurate, reliable, gas piston AR-15 .223?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: fngmike</div><div class="ubbcode-body">May I suggest you read through the thread here on the PWS Mk114? Then check out some of the other posts by DMack or PM him. He runs a 107 and 110 suppressed. Those are piston uppers and he would be the person to give you a first hand accuracy report with no BS. </div></div>

Hmmm... lot of good info in there. Thanks. I'm looking at the PWS MK110 10.5 now.

 

[kimberseries1]

Re: Accurate, reliable, gas piston AR-15 .223?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: problemchild</div><div class="ubbcode-body">and also run a gasbuster charge handle. Between the two it might solve your problem. Also I saw some home remedy for leaking gas posted somewhere. </div></div>

The new BCM gunfighter charging handles with a raised area in a half moon shape on top, just behind the receiver. Supposed to vent gas away from your face. I've read too many problems with the pri gasbuster to use myself.

 

[Creature]

Re: Accurate, reliable, gas piston AR-15 .223?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: kimberseries1</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: problemchild</div><div class="ubbcode-body">and also run a gasbuster charge handle. Between the two it might solve your problem. Also I saw some home remedy for leaking gas posted somewhere. </div></div>

The new BCM gunfighter charging handles with a raised area in a half moon shape on top, just behind the receiver. Supposed to vent gas away from your face. I've read too many problems with the pri gasbuster to use myself. </div></div>

I have been using the PRI gasbuster and it functions fine. Still have gas blowback into my face. It just doesn't block enough of the gas.

It's between the LWRC and the PWS at the moment. PWS has better pricing.