AR Sponsor
Posted: 3/30/2010 11:25:08 PM EDT
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Hi guys,
Id like to upgrade to a piston system. I really want to leave my FSP the way it is with the standard A2 front sight. I beleive, from what Ive been reading, that the Ares system allows you to use the original FSB. Is this correct? If not which was is? If so, is it reliable this way? Thanks. I found em for $300 from PKFirearms which looks like a good deal to me. |
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Quoted:
It's poorly designed and far too many users (myself included) have had the system self destruct. Beyond that, Ares customer service is absolutely nonexistent. Really? Did you send it back for an evaluation and free replacement if defective, because we do stand behind our products? "Self destruct" is a bold statement considering that we've fired over 10,500 rounds consecutively (i.e.: 8 mags in 3 minutes, force-air cool for 7 minutes and repeat) without any malfunctions. More than one PD has converted their SWAT weapons to piston with our GXR-35 and our Black Lightning kits have also been used by spec-ops air crew members in Afghanistan since 2005. BTW 87GN, the offer still stands if you've had a problem with one of our products. You can email the Sales Department at <[email protected]> to arrange a repair. Thank you for your business! |
| And while ARES is here that clamp that Bushmaster uses on your system as an upgrade binds up the push rod if tightened too much.Also with the spring infront of the spigot in the FSB without the clamp the whole system moves a little back and forth.Dont get me started on carrier tilt.No I just sold it off real cheap a few days ago as im on my 3rd Osprey system. |
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I'm personally a fan of AA due to it's simplicity in total design and features. However, if I did want to keep the original gas block/FSB, I'd have to go with the Osprey for the same reason I like AA. It's a simple design. If we were talking about a few years ago, it would be the question about if you want rails or not. Now there are companies that make rails to accommodate both systems. I'm sure ARES is a great system as well, and I intend to try both of their latest designs sometime in the future.
I feel like we're in similar shoes since I don't have experience with either system, but based off what I've seen the Osprey seems to have the edge on design. Funny thing though... I do know a distributor, who will remain nameless, that would not even sell me Osprey system a while ago because he had NO faith in the system based off his and his customer's experiences with it. This was like 2 years ago though, and I think Osprey has changed their design here and there since then. With that in mind, I know ARES has made changes over the years too. Hell, even LWRC's proprietary systems have changed about 3 times. Which ever you decide to get, it doesn't hurt to get a POF roller cam and an AA bolt spring! 
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I have the original Ares system installed in one of my carbines. It does not have the Bushmaster clamp. The kit installed easily over a heavy barrel with no mods required to anything. The piston housing was really close to the top of the barrel but did clear. I have run approximately 2200 rounds of handloads through it with absolutely zero FTF or FTE. the carrier locks back on an empty mag every time. I have a very small amount of buffer tube wear due to the carrier tilt thing, but it is going to be at least 10,000 rounds before I might need to replace it. $20 for a new tube is no big deal as a maintenance expense.
You can use a standard FSB for the installation. Mine was $399 a couple of years ago. $300 would be a good deal. Here's a pic of the installation. 
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I also have the ares from bushmaster, mine has the clamp but on the heavy barrel the clamp goes on the spigot, not on the piston itself so you can tighten it as much as you want.
I have close to 3000 rounds through it with not one malfunction. I also have a colt,an lmt, and a bcm midlength. The bushmaster heavy barrel is my favorite to shoot. I bought the barrel and gas piston from bushmaster and the upper and lower receivers are billet matched pair from sonju defense. |
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