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Best piston ar for $1500?

Wat50

Private
Minuteman
Feb 7, 2014
3
0
I am looking to by my first ar15 in a month or too and I really want a position driven system to go with my suppressor. I really love the LWRC but I really don't want to spend $2100 on the gun. I was looking at maybe Adcore Defense or Adams Arms they both are more in my price range. I don't know much about tilt which is mentioned a lot so I don't know if it is worth spending the extra $ or not. I just want a very dependable gun to do everything from plinking up close to maybe getting 400 yards out and rugged enough to go rough the woods on hunting trips. Sorry guys I'm new to Ar's. Thanks for the advice!!!!
 
Not sure if you have a lower yet, but used LWRC uppers can be had for 1500 all day. Or if you want a complete new LWRC, the M6SL is a good option at around the price you are looking to spend.
 
I am looking to by my first ar15 in a month or too and I really want a position driven system to go with my suppressor. I really love the LWRC but I really don't want to spend $2100 on the gun. I was looking at maybe Adcore Defense or Adams Arms they both are more in my price range. I don't know much about tilt which is mentioned a lot so I don't know if it is worth spending the extra $ or not. I just want a very dependable gun to do everything from plinking up close to maybe getting 400 yards out and rugged enough to go rough the woods on hunting trips. Sorry guys I'm new to Ar's. Thanks for the advice!!!!
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I shot a Faxon Firearms ARAK-21 'piston' Upper the other day . Think (complete uppers) are going from about 1100-$ range on the retail cost .

It comes with adjustable gas-block also, that would go good with your Suppressor .
Also like the (left-side) non-reciprocating charging handle on it also . also they offer switch-barrel/cal. sets for it .
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Yeah I'm looking for upper and lower to be around the $1500 for complete build. But I could justify going a little high if absolutely needed. The M6SL is nice but I think it is direct gas and the piston is a must. I will look at the sigs though. Any feedback on Adams or Adcore? Are the Sigs better???
 
The M6SL is nice but I think it is direct gas and the piston is a must.
Negative. The M6SL is in fact a piston gun. For your price point that is probably the best piston gun you can buy.
 
Sig and Ruger both make fine examples that fit in your price range.
 
This Adams Arms/ Rainier Arms combo has had my attention recently, looks very nice for the money:


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https://www.rainierarms.com/?page=shop/detail&product_id=4194
 
You are right I miss read, the m6sl is piston. The only thing I don't like is the front sight. I do really like the Sig patrol too now and also the Rainer..... As far as quality goes how do Sig, Adcore, Adams, & Rainer compare? All have guns I like in the price range so I guess quality will be the deciding factor. I just don't know enough to know which to go with
 
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My SIG 556 SWAT in .223 has never missed a beat. My SIG 556R ( 7.62x39) is at SIG being replaced.


 
I'm about to sell a used LWRC M6A2 for $1500 shipped. PM me if you want details and pics. I haven't had a chance to put it up on the "for sale" section.
 
I'm about to sell a used LWRC M6A2 for $1500 shipped. PM me if you want details and pics. I haven't had a chance to put it up on the "for sale" section.

Well, there you have it. The best piston you can buy for $1500. If I didn't have two LWRCs myself, I would buy it.
 
Yup, at $1500 bucks that's a tough deal to beat. POF used to make a good rifle but their QAQC hasn't been great, and their customer service is all over the place. LWRC makes an awesome product, and has consistent service throughout. I traded my M6 mod 0 SPR last year and I sure miss it. I think one of the new IC models is in my future.
 
Whats wrong with the Sig 556R that it's back at sig?



Its never been 100% reliable.

Its one of the 1st generation guns that went back and had the Gen 2 mods done to it. Its had repeated failures to feed , extract & eject which the feeding and extraction problems were solved but still has a random issue with ejection. Its been back and forth to the factory a few times and Sig is now replacing it with a new rifle. I like the 556 platform and hopefully the replacement rifle runs correctly. Having something in an AK caliber that fits an adult frame ( 6' 2" ) that has a good trigger and accuracy is a nice idea.
 
I have a RRA PDS Carbine. 'bout that price range, two front charging levers, no buffer tube, folding stock, shoots 'bout MOA. I've never had any issues with it.
 
I've been supremely pleased with the performance of my lmt mrp cqb piston. My only real issue with the platform is the weight due to the monolithic upper. I believe it might be slightly over your budget but definitely worthy of consideration
 
Am I missing something with a piston gas system? I run an LWRC M6A2 suppressed and have yet to notice anything it does over a DI unit. I would gladly sell my lwrc and build a seekins di setup all day.
 
Yup, at $1500 bucks that's a tough deal to beat. POF used to make a good rifle but their QAQC hasn't been great, and their customer service is all over the place. LWRC makes an awesome product, and has consistent service throughout. I traded my M6 mod 0 SPR last year and I sure miss it. I think one of the new IC models is in my future.

I've had nothing but great experiences with POF over the past year and my POF P308 has been flawless. I even called POF asking what buffer and spring to use with my new UBR stock and they sent me the spring and buffer because they said they wanted my P308 to run flawlessly with the new stock.

I read about POF's QC/CS issues but never experienced them myself. From reading other posts from POF owners, it appears those issues are a thing of the past.
 
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Its never been 100% reliable.

Its one of the 1st generation guns that went back and had the Gen 2 mods done to it. Its had repeated failures to feed , extract & eject which the feeding and extraction problems were solved but still has a random issue with ejection. Its been back and forth to the factory a few times and Sig is now replacing it with a new rifle. I like the 556 platform and hopefully the replacement rifle runs correctly. Having something in an AK caliber that fits an adult frame ( 6' 2" ) that has a good trigger and accuracy is a nice idea.

I was going to ask if yours was Gen1 or Gen2. I heard about the many issues of Gen1 556R's. I own (2) 556R Gen2 Classics and (1) 556R Gen2 SWAT and all three of mine have been 100% reliable and extremely accurate. I've got 3500 rds through one of the 556R classics without issue. At 100yds they are sub moa with Lapua ammo, are just over an inch with Arsenal brass ammo and chew through any surplus steel ammo you feed it without any FTE/FTF. Gen1 vs Gen2 are 2 complete different guns and you can't go wrong with a Gen2 556R. They will take any standard AK magazines including the new Magpul PMAG AK 30 and only mag that doesn't work with it is US Palms. US Palm is just about to release a newly revised AK mag that will now fit the 556R. You could pick up Gen2 556R's for $997.00 a month ago which is when I picked up a few more. Right now they are going for $1149.99 and I wouldn't hesitate to buy one if you didnt have one.

Wait another 2 months and the Gen3 556R's should be out with updated features as displayed at SHOT.

Here's mine with the Browe BCO LED 7.62x39 optic.

 
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I was going to ask if yours was Gen1 or Gen2. I heard about the many issues of Gen1 556R's. I own (2) 556R Gen2 Classics and (1) 556R Gen2 SWAT and all three of mine have been 100% reliable and extremely accurate. I've got 3500 rds through one of the 556R classics without issue. At 100yds they are sub moa with Lapua ammo, are just over an inch with Arsenal brass ammo and chew through any surplus steel ammo you feed it without any FTE/FTF. Gen1 vs Gen2 are 2 complete different guns and you can't go wrong with a Gen2 556R. They will take any standard AK magazines including the new Magpul PMAG AK 30 and only mag that doesn't work with it is US Palms. US Palm is just about to release a newly revised AK mag that will now fit the 556R. You could pick up Gen2 556R's for $997.00 a month ago which is when I picked up a few more. Right now they are going for $1149.99 and I wouldn't hesitate to buy one if you didnt have one.

Wait another 2 months and the Gen3 556R's should be out with updated features as displayed at SHOT.

Here's mine with the Browe BCO LED 7.62x39 optic.




I really like the 556 platform. My 556 SWAT in .223 is accurate and has never missed a beat in a couple thousand rounds. I run it with my AAC M4-2000 can and have zero complaints. I wanted a similar platform for the 7.62 X 39 for accuracy and being able to set it up the way I like. I got my 445R when the panic buying was in effect so it was slim pickings and ended up with a Gen 1 rifle NIB. It was REALLY bad out of the box. Failures to fire and extract / eject. SIG did the Gen 2 mods and it was returned to me. It fed and fired but I always had a few jams per 100 rounds or about 5% or more failure rate. It want back to Sig , they worked on it , returned it and its better but still has a few jams per 100 rounds or about 3%. I returned it and noted the steel cases are making several ding marks inside the receiver ejection port area. I believe the failure to eject jams are from the fired case NOT clearing the receiver.
My 556 SWAT / .223 does not have a single mark inside the receiver around the ejection port by comparison. Something is definitely wrong with the geometry in my 556R and I am pleased SIG is sending me a brand new rifle.

The new or current manufactured 556R rifles do run well and that is what I want so I am waiting on my replacement.

The brand new "XI" rifles feature modular construction and swappable barrels and if someone wants those features its a better choice. I like the 556R as it is , IF it works lol!
Sig REALLY did a horrible launch and build on the 556R and hopefully they replace any "bad" ones still floating around.