Added to the bang list. Sorry I can’t help. I have never tried what you’re asking about. Good luck.
Unless you plan on firing it in full auto or dragging it in the mud , I would keep the DI system, the AR piston systems are highly over rated.
If you decide to convert, buy an entire dedicated gas piston upper so when you discover that it’s heavier, more complex and less accurate you can sell it to some one else.
Pinging the Gun Talk List to the discussion.
Some piston ARs have trouble running steel cased ammo.
I wouldn’t convert. Conversions are expensive.
Like the other guy said, get a dedicated upper and run them both. That way you don’t lose anything.
Unless you will be operating in dusty Iraq, why convert?
Even then, why convert?
I have one too.If it Ain’t Broke;Don’t”Fix”it!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think as other posters have said, buy a complete upper. I am a big fan of piston driven systems from the AK to FAL to my latest project where I swaped the 10” 5.56 barrel of a Sig p556 to a 300BLK. I do live in a very dusty environment and have yet to experience any failure on any of the piston systems. Accuracy is not reduced. Good luck!
I think humblegunner has one of those kits for sale.
Ar15.com
My first experience with the AR15 platform was in the Army with a M16 in 1970. We had problems with fouling then, but the military was using ball type powder them and discouraged the use of lubricants.
Since that time I have done a lot of shooting with AR15’s and I have had no problems with jamming or fouling. I have had a problem with Russian steel ammo ejecting properly.
The gas impingement system works fine with little cleaning if you are using clean burning modern rifle ammo and properly apply the correct lubricant at regular intervals.
I’m not an AR aficionado but I took an AR armorer’s class in August. The instructor was Front Sight’s armorer who has been working on all the firearms they rent out for several years.
He said there is no advantage to changing what has been field tested to be a good system since the 1960’s. Trying to improve on Eugene Stoner’s AR design is like trying to improve on John Browning’s 1911.
There’s nothing wrong with the gas system. The piston system is a fad. If you want a piston system, buy a new upper or trade guns.
I have an Adams Arms upper contracted by Smith and Wesson. It’s a good rifle. It has some advantages.
The good: Bolt and chamber require just a light lube and stay very clean even after firing a couple hundred rounds.
The bad: More parts, more parts to break. Incompatible with other AR-15 parts
Mine shoots steel case fine.
Anyhow, if you have a Colt, you have a fine weapon. Don’t alter it. If you want to try gas piston, get a complete upper.
Adams Arms make complete uppers.
http://www.adamsarms.net/products/uppers
The other gas piston system that I hear is very good is the Osprey. I don’t know if anyone makes complete uppers using the Osprey. If they don’t you could get a solid lower priced upper like Wyndam Weaponry, Stag Arms, Smith and Wesson and then convert it yourself. Here is a review of the Osprey system.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STpLZwQ7Qyg
Yeah, if you're going to change it, change it to a FAL! (jk) I didn't realize you could convert AR's to piston.
He told me that when his competition rifle started losing its accuracy (between 8,000 to 10,000 rounds), he would make it his practice rifle. He would then take his practice rifle and change the barrel and bolt (just the bolt- not the bolt carrier group) and make it his competition rifle. He didn't do anything else. He had one rifle with over a 100,000 rounds on it. So I think a properly maintained AR-15 will last a long time without modification.
(Sorry if someone's already said this; too busy to read the whole thread.)
Get a Fail Zero BCG instead.
http://www.failzero.com/buynow/ar-15-products/ar-15-bolt-carrier-group-complete-kit-detail.html