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Old November 18, 2012, 12:32 PM   #1
Apom
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When you build your AR.. what gas system do you use?

Just wondering as I'm preparing to start my first build which will be a midlength.
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Old November 18, 2012, 05:11 PM   #2
djcantr
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Many suggest carbine for shorter than 14.5", midlength for 14.5" and 16", and rifle for 18" and 20".

What are you building?
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Old November 18, 2012, 05:18 PM   #3
Quentin2
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djcantr has good advice though there is debate whether carbine length gas or midlength is better for 14.5"

Since you want a midlength I'd recommend a 16" barrel which is perfect for that gas length and will avoid the need to permanently attach the muzzle device.
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Old November 18, 2012, 06:58 PM   #4
Gary L. Griffiths
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Since you want a midlength I'd recommend a 16" barrel which is perfect for that gas length and will avoid the need to permanently attach the muzzle device.
Solid advice. I've never understood why anyone would want a 14.5" bbl with a permanently attached long flash hider when a 16" bbl with a regular flash hider gives about the same overall length.

I have two 16" ARs, one with carbine length gas system, one with midlength. They both function perfectly. IIWY, I'd go with a 16" with midlength gas system.
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Old November 19, 2012, 01:21 AM   #5
Apom
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I meant.. the actual system..

Do you use the Direct Impingement or Gas Piston system?

Im trying decide which I would prefer.
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Old November 19, 2012, 01:58 AM   #6
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Do you use the Direct Impingement or Gas Piston system?
Gas...

Reason 1. There's no real across the board agreement on what GP system is best, so there's no interchangeability. If you need parts, you have to go to the mfg that made your GP upper and hope that, years down the line, they still make those parts.

Reason 2. I don't like GP ARs. I got nothing against GP, just not on an AR.
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Old November 19, 2012, 08:48 AM   #7
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Direct Impingement has been working quite well for over 40 years.

Dont see many piston ARs at High Power Rifle Matches for a reason.
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Old November 19, 2012, 04:10 PM   #8
Quentin2
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I meant.. the actual system..

Do you use the Direct Impingement or Gas Piston system?

Im trying decide which I would prefer.

Then why did you say "I'm preparing to start my first build which will be a midlength"?


That of course implies DI gas system so you lead us down the carbine length, midlength, intermediate length, rifle length pathway.


Anyway, my first answer stands, I'd go with a 16" barrel using a midlength direct impingment gas system. For the same reasons kraigwy and creeper said. And for cost and simplicity over piston.

Last edited by Quentin2; November 19, 2012 at 04:16 PM.
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