AR15 Direct Gas Impingement or Gas Piston?

[Bttbbob]

I have read some great articles on this dilemma. I have owned both. The four things I have found with DI driven guns, they are more accurate due to the harmonic imbalance of the hammering of a piston gun. I have yet to see a piston driven gun shot in a national competition. And piston guns are never milspec so your parts can be a mixed bag of well built to pure trash, especially in aftermarket uppers. The weight of piston driven guns are heavier. Also the price is higher. But the actual use of a M4 style gun comes into play when shooting and scooting, because piston guns are forward heavy, the gun is imbalanced in CQB style shooting, especially in a single point sling.
But here are a few articles for you to peruse.

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[Jetcat60]

Gas impingement,

 

[wolf_fire]

You ask a question in your title but seem to answer it in your post. Are you just providing us info for our own use or do you have a question about the two styles?

 

[dave606]

I have both types. When i am going to the range i always take one of my piston guns. I am a fanatic when it comes keeping my guns clean, and the piston rifles are much easier to clean. I also like the ability to tune them. When i purchased my first piston rifle i was one of the few at the range. I now see a lot more of them. I don't know about winning any national competitions but i do know the best performers at the range are the guys with piston rifles. You seem to be asking a question about which is better and than give us all the benefits of GI. Do you own or have you ever used a piston drive?

 

[gunnerbob]

If you want a GP carbine, go get an AK... As much as I prefer AKs for gun fights, the AR was intended to be GI... Stoner made it that way on purpose. If you keep it clean and lubed properly for the area of operations (whatever it may be), they'll usually run fine. If this is a CQB carbine, y'know... one not to be used, dropped and beaten to death in mud, sand, dust or snow then get the AR if you prefer what it offers.

Me, I'm a GP kinda guy... always. I buy carbines from a combat-arm mindset anyway, ultimate reliability is more important to me than 1 MOA at 100yds...

Happy hunting

 

[SR40c]

Have a Colt AR15 Carbine, an SR556 with an EOTECH and G33, and a couple AKs. Like all them for different reasons. Like the Saiga the best, the SR is a little heavy, and the WASR AK needs some work (canted FSB). Other than that, no complaints. I think the piston vs direct impingement is way over played.

 

[snatale42]

I think the piston vs direct impingement is way over played.

For civilians using them at the range, I agree. No real advantage to going piston. In the hell of war I'd feel alot better with a piston, but I'd also rather a mil spec AK-74 over an M16/AR as well.