[Wingy]

I asked pretty much the same question a few months ago, and got hammered. And true, after much more research, I discovered that the advantages of a piston system were overblown and the disadvantages of a DI were also overblown. The best advice was to buy a complete upper already converted or convert yourself then you have both types to judge.

As to what brand to use, since I abandoned the idea, your own research awaits.

[Red Steel]

I discovered that the advantages of a piston system were overblown and the disadvantages of a DI were also overblown.

Agree.

[ChildOfThe60s]

Get an AK & an AR, then you can have what you want on any given day at the range.

My favorite is the one I happen to be using that day.

[RC one]

I bought a stag model 8 a while back. Looking forward to shooting it this summer. I own several DI weapons too and used them exclusively in the service of course. They would get dirty. They would jam up from time to time. That's what we had S.P.O.R.T.S. for. Occasionally, that wouldn't even clear it. Cleaning that chamber out after a lengthy field training exercise was always a PIA. I think DI is not well suited for certain applications. For others situations, it works better than a piston or so we're told so it depends on what you want to do I guess.

All that being said, I have moved beyond the DI vs. gas piston dilemma to the PTR91 versus DSA FNFAL dilemma because after much deliberation on the matter I have come to the conclusion that DI versus Gas piston is irrelevant because, either way, the weapon is still chambered in 5.56 mm and 5.56 mm sucks as a combat round. There's just no getting around it.