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Posted: 7/2/2010 9:20:18 AM EDT
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How hard could it be???
Everyone claims that their gas piston system is a drop-in. That it will work IF you use this handguard or that rail system. Why can't we lose the if? What is the minimum acceptable bore size of the piston that will still do the job if the gas port orifice is large enough. How far does the piston assembly need to travel? I have read here on this forum that the some of the current piston conversions increase wear (buffer tube and carrier) and some have a little more recoil than a normal DI system gun. So, how about a true drop-in conversion (thinner profile) that will work with any handguard or rail system because it is not much larger than gas tube. Is it possible to build a micro system that will have enough power to get the job done? Thoughts? |
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No.
A straight line cannot come from point of contact on the BCG through the gas tube hole all the way through to the gas block. Your standard handguard will prevent this which is why even your gas tube is bent. Even aside from this detail, not all handguards are made the same way under their candy coated shell. Their inside diameters all differ not to mention the thicknesss of the upper portion of their walls. And probably the last reason is that a particularly large and sudden amount of stress is placed on the components of a gas piston system requiring the components to have a certain level of strength. That strength equals reliability and with our current technology, that strength equals size. The best bet would be a single design that would work within free float tubes...but even that would be difficult. Don't get me wrong, it would be really sweet. But you're talking about something that each manufacturer has already tried. There are trade-offs within each design and EVERY manufacturer wants their design to work in EVERY handguard. If they didn't, they are just stupid faces. Unfortunately, each designer made compromises and design alterations to accomodate as much of the market as they could. The manufacturer that can work with the greatest number of handguards probably lists this as a big selling point over the competition....if they don't....they are, again, stupid faces. As a manufacturer, forcing my customers to purchase a new handguard increases the cost for my system over my competition's more flexible system that works with an existing handguard. User installed kits are also indicative of the manufacturer's desire to provide a flexible quality system at a low total cost of ownership to allow their customers to install the system without paying a gunsmith or paying S&H charges to the manufacturer to install (even if this service is free). Don't get me wrong, it would be sweet to have a system that would work with all handguards. But again, every manu has tried this and did the best they could to accomodate our obsession with these beautiful sexy black rifles. If they didn't try to make a system that would be the most flexible and work under every handguard, they are just stupid faces. Happy 4th of July!! Let's all go shoot some stuff! Random thought....since our rifles are nicknamed "The black rifle," does the phrase "Once you go black you won't ever go back" apply? :) |
   
So now I gotta order a gas tube for my 7.5" heavy barreled monolithic pistola. bummer.
edit: Since the mailman just dropped off my approved form 4 for my piston actuated 11" OSW fal, I think I'll go shooting after all. 
I still want a micro piston for my pistola tho. 
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