Major revamp possible for M4 carbine (gas piston included)

officer.com ^ | November 22, 2009 | Matthew Cox

[43north]

Just give the troops a couple of million Ruger SR-556 rifles. That’s the ticket!

[The KG9 Kid]

Round counter?

Let me guess: It's rail-mounted and takes CR123 3v batteries.

[Rammer]

"• Adding a heavier barrel for better performance during high rates of fire. • Replacing the direct-impingement gas system with a piston gas system." Bout time.

[randomhero97]

I was going to order an M4 upper for my next build and went with the mid-length instead.

[wally_bert]

[Tallguy]

Would the piston system increase the perceived recoil or muzzle climb? There is some mass traveling back & forth. Anybody fire both?

[Pavegunner72]

They should defund 1ea F22 or F35 fighter and get HK uppers and .45 cal pistols for all services. But I doubt the gound pounders are worth it to the Pentagon.

Round counters are a useless waste. Good PMIs/Armorers will prevent problems early.

[Frantzie]

Wow! When did that come out? Holy smokes!

Old man Ruger was extra careful and product development suffered. Never had a decent carry gun but the SR9 looks pretty good for carry.

I had a Bushie AR until it fell off my boat with my old Ruger P85 9 mm. I miss them. Ruger’s reliability is legendary. Your suggestion is excellent.

The Mini-14 would not win any accuracy prizes. This new SR-556 looks awesome.

[Rodebrecht]

I had a Bushie AR until it fell off my boat

There's a story in there...

[fightin kentuckian]

That is odd, you usually need a .308 cal. for bass.

[Hammerhead]

Bushmaster already has an interchangeable patented AK-47 type gas piston system.

Think the replacement system runs about $300 without looking it up.

[Frantzie]

Yeah I tried to save them but they sank to the bottom of the sea. I no longer own any guns because they can be dangerous. I have a Gun Free Zone sign in front of my house. If it saves just one life.

[killjoy]

Army weapons officials presented the proposed changes to Congress on Oct. 30. They are:

It already exists:

[Frantzie]

LOL! Priceless!

I was thinking about a SA58 FAL from DSA Arms for Bass.

http://www.dsarms.com/SA58-Original-Series/products/35/

Or STG58 Austrian FAL.

http://www.dsarms.com/STG58-Austrian-FAL/products/9/

I need the .308 for bass. I stay away from guns now because they scare me.

[labette]

• Adding a heavier barrel for better performance during high rates of fire. - {Depends on weapon role/application}

• Replacing the direct-impingement gas system with a piston gas system. - {Yes, us redneck gunsmiths have been advocating this for decades. Put a knob on the bolt carrier while we’re at it }

• Improving the trigger pull. {If there is ONE rifle in the cabinet I can’t hit squat with for the first few rounds, it’s the AR. - Need a couple of squeezes to get reacquainted with the trigger }

• Adding an improved rail system for increased strength. {Is this a problem?}

• Adding ambidextrous controls. {Possible}

• Adding a round counter to track the total number of bullets fired over the weapon’s lifetime. - {May God save us from the gadget geeks}

[Mr. Jazzy]

Ohh baby. Come to Papa!

[piytar]

That would be sweet, but I want one and this would drive the price up even more!

Try a DPMS gas piston M4 modded for auto with a bull barrel and add-on round counter, and you’re there. Reasonable price, too.

[HusbandMan]

Army weapons officials presented the proposed changes to Congress

Why does congress have to be involved in this? Do they get a cut from the contractors? Let the men on the ground and their leaders make the decision.

[piytar]

“Would the piston system increase the perceived recoil or muzzle climb? There is some mass traveling back & forth. Anybody fire both?”

I’ve put a lot of rounds through both types. Haven’t noticed any real difference in terms of perceived recoil or muzzle climb. Come cleaning time, though, there is a HUGE difference. The gas piston runs far cleaner. It’s not even close!