LIGHTEST PISTON UPPER EVER

[calgunnerpix]

Please, help me decide on a piston upper that’s super light weight. Not a pistol, but a full length rifle. Not a plastic hand guard, but a free float. I don't think there are parts on the market for a reasonabley priced build - around $1,000 - that can beat this kit. Tell me where I might be going wrong. Should I go middy? All feedback welcome. Here’s what I’m thinking:


$140
Rainier Arms Forged Upper Assembly - Minus FA

http://www.rainierarms.com/?page=shop/detail&product_id=2940

$289
14.5" 5.56MM DD CARBINE, 1:7, LW PROFILE

https://danieldefense.com/cold-hammer-forged-barrels/14-5-inch-chf-barrels/14-5-5-56mm-carbine-1-7-lightweight-profile.html

$377
CARBINE LENGTH PISTON KIT - XLP (Carbine)
w/Low Mass Carrier (I have an extra bolt)

http://www.adamsarms.net/carbine-length-piston-kit-xlp

$249
Noveske NSR Rail (Carbine)

http://shopnoveske.com/products/noveske-nsr-rail

$41.80
Kaw Valley Precision Linear Comp

http://www.joeboboutfitters.com/Kaw_Valley_Precision_22cal_Linear_Comp_1_2x28_Blac_p/kvp-linear223-blk.htm

TOTAL: $1,096.80

Randall at AR15barrels will do the job which may require modification to the barrel nut, and will need the brake pinned and welded including overall assembly.

(Btw) I like piston systems for two key reasons, (1) I'm not getting gas in the face nor am I breathing it, (2) bolt stays clean and lubed at all times.

I am not a fan of the added weight that make up the majority of piston systems, so I'm really excited about the XLP, NSR Pairing. This should and could be the lightest piston upper ever assembled for around $1,000. I'm going with the linear brake to keep from blasting people next to me and for CQB. And this is for a featureless build, so I have to be careful with the muzzle device. And there you have it. Have at it. Thanks-

[pc_load_letter]

Yeah, those parts are surely nice but you should contact AA to be sure the low profile gas block will fit under the noveske handguard. I would bet that it will not.

[goodlookin1]

Mostly good choices.....IF you are dead set on going piston.

But if you truly want to go as light as possible, a piston setup is not the way to go. I used to have an AA piston and while it was certainly reliable, there's really no point of going that route unless you're suppressed, which you pretty much cant be in this state.

Personally, I moved on and went truly light weight: DD 14.5 middy pencil, gas impingement, Spikes pinned dynacomp, NiB BCG (yes, it made a difference), and a Spikes 12" SAR rail. Dang that thing is light! I love it. And I certainly dont miss the harsher recoil impulse that the short stroke piston created. Now I have a smooth running, soft recoiling rifle. I dont have to worry about cleaning it because the NiB BCG helps in that department....it just works.

I'd also suggest a few reliability upgrades: Chrome Silicon extractor springs from David Tubb, Chrome Silicon flatwire buffer spring also from David Tubb, and a Spikes ST-T2 tungsten buffer. Pretty much the ideal weight/poundage combo for my middy that will shoot all ammo without short-stroking, while also not being overgassed which adds to harsher recoil.

[JackRydden224]

If you want to go piston then buying a PWS MK114/116 upper might be the way to go. Those uppers balance better than the AA uppers. OC Armory had one for $1175.

Whatever you do, do not spend too much money on a Christensen like I did. A 6.2lb sub MOA piston gun is great but it's seriously too much money.

[FMJBT]

The latest gen of BCM Gunfighter charging handles have gas busting features built in. What DI setup are you running that sends a lot of gas back towards your face? Carbine gas systems on 16" or longer barrels can often have that issue. Running a midlength (14.5" to 16" barrels) or rifle length (17"-20" barrels) fixes that issue for the most part.

[goodlookin1]

I have absolutely no gas in face issues with my DD 14.5" middy and a BCM medium charging handle. And as you can see, I use an ACOG with basically requires a nose to charging handle head/stock position, so my face is right up on it.

I'd highly recommend going middy over carbine, whether or not you go piston. It will just make for a smoother running gun. Carbines are notoriously overgassed and must be mitigated by other means, such as extra heavy buffer, stiff sprint, full auto bcg....anything to add weight to the moving parts of the action.

[Dhena81]

I'd get a longer rail at least a 10" NSR.

If you really want as light as possible check out the BCM KMR.

I wouldn't go piston either but that's just me.

[whlgun]

I would go pws. My Adams Arms upper was the heaviest of all my piston uppers. Not sure what this new kit weighs but I am also not a fan of piston kits. A lot of the complaints in pistons stem from kits.

My lwrc m6-sl was very light and a great upper.

My next build will be a pws. I hear a lot of good thinks and the ones I have handled didn't seem heavier than a DI comparable upper.

[calgunnerpix]

I will for sure look into PWS and try a mid or rifle length DI.

[jb octane]

A lot of the complaints in pistons stem from kits.

This is very true.
I've seen a few kits that didn't work and they all were installed improperly or left out the bushing.


OP if you want to use the light setup I would recommend going midlength with at least a 10" NSR. You don't want to go too long for two reasons; you won't be able to take out the rod for cleaning, and if the rail goes beyond the front of the gas block you will get carbon build up inside your rail.

[gregshin]

Never liked the recoil impulse of the piston setup. Sold my piston upper and never looked back.

[calgunnerpix]

A quick PWS 14.5 upper search pulled this up, but I need one with a brake and that rail is too much...but the product is interesting - what's up with that carrier?

http://www.weaponoutfitters.com/mk1-mod-1-upper-14-5in-barrel-223-wylde-pinned-triad-556.html

[TheExiled]

Please, help me decide on a piston

See bolded

[JackRydden224]

See bolded

Hmmmm how much does your DI gun weight unloaded with no optics?

[TheExiled]

Hmmmm how much does your DI gun weight unloaded with no optics?

Less than an equivalent with a piston. Not dogging pistons per se, I am going to build one myself some day, but they are heavier