Doing too much for a range AR?

[essjay]

Originally, I'd planned on getting a complete AR from Spike's, but now I'm leaning more towards building up a stripped lower (probably Aero Precision) and a 16" mid-length Adam's Arms piston complete upper (probably with a Magpul MOE fore-end eventually). I'm planning on sticking with iron sights for awhile, am not really looking to shoot teeny groups, and don't intend on getting any tactical doodads aside from possibly a gripstop. The AR's probably going to spend most of its time on a hundred-yard range. Any reason that this setup sounds like a terrible idea, and any suggestions on what to change?

Edit: I guess the real questions that I'm asking are:

1. Is the AA piston not even remotely worth the extra cash? Everything that I've read about it says that it's very reliable, and shouldn't make your accuracy any worse unless you're shooting at several hundred yards or going after small groups.

2. Is there any reason that I shouldn't go with a M4, MOE, or equivalent fore-end, given what my intentions are for using this?

[RNE228]

Take it to Appleseed.

[essjay]

Just Googled it, and I'll be at a wedding during this year's event in Piru. Maybe next year. Sounds like a really good course, too! :-/

[RNE228]

Took my son once; want to go again. Training was way better than spending money to tacticool doodads.

[mrc44]

I owned an AA upper. 16 inch carbine length gas system. That gun ran flawlessly. So flawlessly that my friend ended up getting one after shooting with me and seeing how effortless the maintenance was and how smooth it ran.

I would buy another one if I didnt discover PWS, which is now my go to.. that and my bcm pistol.

I highly recommend AA, and wpuld recommend the 14.5 midlength or the 16.5 COR model with rifle length system.

[MrPlink]

1) not needed at all. Especially for a range toy. Even so, most "pros" stick to DI when it comes to the AR.
If you want a piston driven gun, get one designed for it.

2. Nope. Use away.

[Mr.1904]

I recommend piston.

[MauserMike]

i would stay away from piston unless the gun was built around piston operation. which the ar-15 is not.... DI is the way to go.

definitely build your rifle! you'll spend more customising a complete rifle in the long run replacing parts you already paid money for.

[.45 ACP]

I don't understand all the people who poo-poo Piston driven ARs.

Do you actually own an Adam Arms weapon?

The one I own functions flawlessly and IMO cleans far easier than my DI Daniel Defense. Sure it kicks slightly more, but the reliability of the weapon is unquestionable, 2,500+ rounds without a single stove pipe, FTF/FTE.

[MauserMike]

I don't understand all the people who poo-poo Piston driven ARs.

Do you actually own an Adam Arms weapon?

The one I own functions flawlessly and IMO cleans far easier than my DI Daniel Defense. Sure it kicks slightly more, but the reliability of the weapon is unquestionable, 2,500+ rounds without a single stove pipe, FTF/FTE.

just my opinion as the ar style rifle wasnt designed to be piston operated, i have seen tons of things go wrong with piston uppers which is why i dont build them. Harder to get parts proprietary,can ruin other standard parts, much easier to diagnose and fix a DI gun if you have problems IMO and they just have less problems in general from my experience.

and last but not least "If it aint broke, dont fix it" i see no need to change a already great lightweight system. pistons are heavier shoot with more recoil and you still have to clean the gun in one place or the other.

Now a whole gun designed from gas piston operation is a different story.

[Dumas1012]

It's a luxury that is not necessary. But I'm going piston on my next build because I want to. Getting bored of building DIs even though there's nothing wrong with them or piston for that matter.

[Zartan]

Build it OP and don't forget pics/range report.

[.45 ACP]

just my opinion as the ar style rifle wasnt designed to be piston operated, i have seen tons of things go wrong with piston uppers which is why i dont build them. Harder to get parts proprietary,can ruin other standard parts, much easier to diagnose and fix a DI gun if you have problems IMO and they just have less problems in general from my experience.

and last but not least "If it aint broke, dont fix it" i see no need to change a already great lightweight system. pistons are heavier shoot with more recoil and you still have to clean the gun in one place or the other.

Now a whole gun designed from gas piston operation is a different story.

So you don't own an Adams Arms AR?

[machrono]

I was thinking about doing a piston build until I watched the recent interview of Mr. Sullivan. He was one of the AR's original draftsman and engineers. He still tinkers and improves upon the platform to this day. He is all about DI. No pistons.

[essjay]

I'm pretty sure that I'll be getting the AA piston upper at this point. Probably will go with a Spike's lower, though, since I can get one locally for less than shipping and transferring an Aero.

So, a few more questions:

1. I've read (in one article, of many that didn't say this) that putting a plastic front sight (ex: Magpul BUIS) on the piston gas block can cause it to melt? That's pretty unlikely, right?

2. What are some good ergo pistol grips, aside from the Magpul.

3. Are Ace fixed skeleton stocks pretty good? Was thinking about getting a fixed stock rather than a collapsible one, and these looked pretty solid while being lightweight.