Saw this while browsing SHOT Show coverage. Looks like PWS has released a budget version of their long-stroke piston rifles, coming in at $995 MSRP. Uppers going for about $700 MSRP. Looks like a really solid option for someone looking at a good mid tier AR. Link below:

https://www.primaryweapons.com/firearms/mk1-pro/

Pass.....dont look back

Why anyone would buy a piston upper is beyond me.   But, to each his own.

Hey, I have 3 piston guns:

An AK 

An SKS

An MSAR (AUG clone)

All my ARs are D.I. just like God and Eugene untended!

  

AR is actually piston...cmon guys...

5 minutes ago, Ray Ray said:

Why anyone would buy a piston upper is beyond me.   But, to each his own.

Different strokes for different folks, no pun intended. I own both piston and DI. Both run fine. PWS makes a good rifle, piston, DI, or otherwise.

The determining factor seems to be manufacturing quality more than operating system. There are piss poor DI and Piston ARs. There are also great DI and Piston ARs. You get what you pay for. Most people won't shoot their rifles enough to know regardless.

PWS makes nice stuff. I’d love to have one of their standard (non piston) guns.

1 hour ago, High Exposure said:

PWS makes nice stuff. I’d love to have one of their standard (non piston) guns.

If you want to try one of their piston guns let me know. I'm pretty close to TTC.

Unless you’re shooting suppressed and FA, I just don’t see the need for piston AR’s. 

DI does the job quite nicely, thank you. Mr. Stoner knew what he was doing. 

 a couple of things here. First of all, our beloved a couple of things here. First of all, our beloved Stoner design is in fact a piston per his own patent. Secondly, do not dismiss a piston system because parts do run cooler there is no fouling and they have been proven in combat. While it does add more parts and while it does add more weight, they still work. The way our current AR, and 4 is designed we really do not have a need for the added Short Stroke piston design

 bear in mind, a piston system is allowing you to shoot more rounds more accurately as a barrel heats up because the barrel is not getting as hot as quickly. Also and tests have shown this, with short Stroke piston designs you can exceed the seven hundred round approximation before you get catastrophic failure. The Piston Cup, made of stainless steel, it's good for over a thousand rounds of sustained fire and everything on the firearm can be quickly disassembled and fixed with a new cup very rapidly and you can stay in the fight. You do not see a gas tube or melting of other items. There are absolute benefits to a piston system very rapidly and you can stay in the fight. You do not see a gas to or melting of other items. There are salute benefits to a piston system on a combat rifle

 

There used to be a couple videos with thermal imaging and heat barometer showing the difference between the stoner design and a short stroke piston with respect and catastrophic failure and dissipation of heat.

Let's not forget that Eugene Stoner also designed the AR-18, a short stroke piston rifle, after designing the AR-15.

I think we often get caught up in a team mentality when talking about these things, but the reality is that both are different means to accomplish the same task. I'm not on team piston or team DI. I'm on team quality and if someone is in the market for a <$1000 AR, they should give this rifle some consideration. I've had good experience with my PWS and find it a pleasure to shoot.

 

24 minutes ago, SgtToadette said:

Let's not forget that Eugene Stoner also designed the AR-18, a short stroke piston rifle, after designing the AR-15.

I think we often get caught up in a team mentality when talking about these things, but the reality is that both are different means to accomplish the same task. I'm not on team piston or team DI. I'm on team quality and if someone is in the market for a <$1000 AR, they should give this rifle some consideration. I've had good experience with my PWS and find it a pleasure to shoot.

 

Good advice!! Well said.