A Tale of 4 Piston Rifles

[@BrassFacts]

This video took so long to get out of youtube purgatory. That I forgot about it. It's now 4months later. (hence the ammo sponsor comments)

[@NickBlazer-cf1vs]

YT Commies… Pound sand. Great Video!

[@dar5647]

I saw the vid saying it was posted an hour ago, but comments from months ago lol.

[@BravoJulietAlpha]

🖕🏼 For the first minutes comment.

[@jediyodac3po]

Did you delete the other video I saw something about an acog posted at 6am

[@BrassFacts]

@@jediyodac3po nope?

[@travisolexa3074]

I feel with more and more western militaries adopting piston guns as their new combat rifle, the piston is still very relevant. And I'm not just saying that as copium to justify my SCAR purchase.

[@felixonline1825]

Imo piston has more merit than people give it, or the ar15 crowd wants to give. It also gives you the ability to have smaller rifles when needed, and everyone wants smaller lighter guns for backpacks or vehicles

[@boygonewhoopdataZZ]

Piston is catered towards the military by offering the indestructible gas system that won't blow up like a DI if you had to fend off a wave of enemies with just one gun and thousands of ammo.

[@Dj1DurBreD]

How did you make this comment 3 months ago?!

[@Enjoyer.762]

The feelz

[@felixonline1825]

@@Dj1DurBreD I thought people would have figured it out by now but its probably the early access for paying channel supporters

[@nickdesautels108]

For the BRN-180 people concerned about the rubber bumper becoming a problem, OTDefense makes a replacement that is solid, and should prevent any issues.

[@Regular_Guy_Training_LLC]

Appreciate the shout out, not sure how i feel about being called an OG, but i still appreciate it lol.

[@skillercruz5539]

You're an OG of the "regular guy training" archetype. Literally.

[@Hoplopfheil]

Piston? More like pissed on! Hahaha (I don't care about folding stocks at all)

[@Weaksauce730]

Asking here because I'm shameless. What's the song that you had as a running joke on your B-roll video from yesterday?

[@Matt-xc6sp]

On a long enough timeline, everything comes back around to AR-18

[@joelapplin88]

How much you paying per round for 5.56?

[@TheDiameter]

@@Matt-xc6sp Exactly. Almost every intermediate rifle we currently have is at some point in its development arc of being an AR-18

[@mabs9503]

Haha yea I only care about _you!_ 🥰

[@mikelastname3498]

Thanks for shouting out Regular Guy, he's really putting in the work and has some insanely high round counts on most of his firearms.

[@err1c991]

True OG

[@ElevatedAgenda]

His classes are awesome. Go to them if you can.

[@kimbroslic3]

Brass Facts x Regular Guy collab when?

[@overlordisgoogle8431]

Hell yeah that dude doesn't get enough credit. He's a mother trucking OG.

[@overlordisgoogle8431]

@@kimbroslic3 yes

[@VincitOmniaVeritas7]

If Stoner had designed the AR with an adjustable gas block, you bet it would require just the tip of a 5.56 round to adjust it.

[@illestdomer2005]

FM15 FTW!

[@redfoot7951]

BRN 180 has entered the chat.

[@mynamejef7963]

WHAT THE FUCK IS A CASTLE NUT

[@save2a4all]

14:45 related comment, nice!

[@edwardebroome8]

AR 18

[@Diablo6552]

PWS checks the boxes for me. Long stroke, fully ambi lower, soft shooting, reliable. I love my PWS setups.

[@JohnLocke1776]

Yup. Most reliable, balanced AR

[@themastermason1]

My youngest brother has one. I feel he's gone overboard when it comes to the peq, grip, light and flash can. The rifle weighs 11.2 lbs loaded compared to my A1 at 7.2 lbs.

[@andrewmohs4734]

PWS has treated me very well. The Mk114 is 👌

[@PurpleIsALetter]

Except it has the god awful AR-15 charging handle

[@JohnLocke1776]

​@@PurpleIsALetter it comes with Radian Raptor

[@rocketman7774]

PWS all the way. By far the best AR platform I’ve used. Super clean running, lightest piston gun available, though pricey - worth every penny. Just a solid platform and really accurate.

[@justinkase1360]

Agreed. I run my 11" mk1 on a full ambi lower and I love it. I might be changing lowers soon, though.

[@patriotgunner]

I have 2 PWS mk111's and you're wrong they're not the lightest available piston ar15 on the market. They're good guns but definately not the lightest.. I've owned almost all the top piston brands at one point or another and I know first hand.

[@justinkase1360]

@@patriotgunner Yeah, there is no way it's the lightest. I mean, one could just visually compare it to something like an Adams Arms piston setup and it's obvious. It might be the lightest LONG STROKE piston gun, IDK.

[@patriotgunner]

@justinkase1360 actually the Adams Arms is a tad lighter than the PWS comparing 11.85" vs 11.5". The PWS isn't really "heavy" but there are a few out there lighter. I actually own an Adams Arms P2 11.5", 2 PWS mk111's and a POF P415 10.5" currently and I've owned in the past an LMT mrp Piston 16, Barret rec-7 11.5", POF P415 12.5" & Sword International mk15 11.5". So I've got quite a bit of experience with piston systems. Lol. (Also I have a Sig Spear LT 11.5" and a Sig Rattler Canebrake 300 blk but they're not AR15's so that doesn't count) I absolutely love my PWS guns but no they aren't the lightest.

[@justinkase1360]

@@patriotgunner Right, I was saying the AA guns were lighter. You can just look at the piston design and it's obvious. You are agreeing with me here, but there must have been a misunderstanding. I see why, because I say "it" when talking about the PWS, rather than naming it.

[@VB6000.]

Glad I bought the CZ Bren 2. Soft and reliable.

[@Myrcene]

The Nova + Hop footage was truly heartwarming.

[@torranceparsons5216]

I love my PWS long stroke goodness, great suppressor host, awesome company and great people

[@XDWX]

Adams Arms Piston add-on kits are probably one of the better options. Keep the standard charging handle. Soft shooting, easy to adjust.

[@SolidSnake_1776]

PWS MK114 mod 2 owner here. The Mod 2s have a really nice rail with pic-mod. Shoots super well with my sandman. I will say it's a little heavy with the suppressor but it's because that suppressor is a tank and I have a Cloud light up front. Love the adjustable gas block and i'll never buy another rifle without it.

[@pfknob]

Wow. I have had a completely difference experience. All of my AR's (5.56, .308, etc.) are piston and I LOVE them. I do not notice the weight and it is awesome. (POF-USA). All the best.

[@TheWatchMker]

Pof kicks ass

[@welderdude1]

I have a gen1 P415 that has a Mike Rock fluted barrel. I love that gun. Frank was a great designer. RIP.

[@pfknob]

@@welderdude1 I personally met Frank at Shot Show a year before he passed. Very kind and humble man. Miss him.

[@welderdude1]

@@pfknob pretty cool. He is missed.

[@maj.kamper9314]

My pof 417 I think it’s called is the lightest piston rifle I own. It’s a 16” and it’s lighter than my 11.5 virtus.

[@Anthony-ng5pq]

I own 2 PWS piston guns, the 9" 300 BLK and a 12.5" 5.56mm. Both have performed very well with no malfunctions for over 1000 rds even while suppressed (though I don't go out in the desert and run drills with them). They are accurate and comfortable to shoot for me and do at least as well if not better than my equivalently priced DI guns.

[@flopus7]

Brass facts: wants an acr, lives in Utah, wants a easily adjustable gas block, likes a monolithic upper and folding stock Also brass facts: doesn't review the XCR

[@felixonline1825]

XCR needs to be reviewed by Brassfacts for sure

[@HotelBravo556]

Seriously 😂

[@DD-hz3ts]

XCR is junk lol Robinson QC is horrendous and you can't even send it in for warranty work because they make batches of guns and parts alternating

[@tfwwhennofitlitgf3300]

no XCR or POF. smh my head

[@lysergicaciddiethylamide6127]

I’m and XCR owner as of early 2022 and could be more happy with my purchase

[@blackmesaboy]

My first AR was a Wolf T91 piston upper on an Aero lower. It's been great so far and I love the unique flavor of it

[@adamk897]

Taiwan strong

[@sebleonard8273]

Does anyone in the USA make a rail for it?

[@bronzeguy9839]

⁠@@sebleonard8273T91 Tactical does. They also make a lightweight BCG.

[@ssnerd583]

I have both the 16" and the 12.5" Wolf piston uppers and....kinda hate to say it...but they are my fav. The 16" is amazingly accurate and its never had a malf that wasnt either the mag or the ammo and it has eaten everything from junk Wolf ammo to IMI77gr and mk318 and just about everything in between. THE ONLY ISSUE is the lack of a case deflector as I shoot lefty and....yeah. I have a field 'fix' for this that is un-glamorous but works.... The 12.5" is awesome shooting some low flash, fast burn powder ammo like the mk318. NO personal suppressed experience, but seems they suppress well.

[@texaspatriot9159]

​@@ssnerd583 I'm about to order a 14.5 t91 upper But I can't get a response from the vendor on their return policy just in case I get a lemon

[@_vanquishings]

Legitimately the first person I've ever seen running the Geissele LVPO. Thank you for your service.

[@BrassFacts]

it's so meh haha

[@30wrdy]

Ahh, the LVPO a retarded cousin of the LPVO. But still miles ahead of the PLVO.

[@joshoelrich1982]

LWRC piston enjoyer here. Mine has been great so far with about 2.5k through it. Build quality is good, and the ambi controls are fantastic. Can’t complain (yet)

[@Enjoyer.762]

LWRC DI > LWRC Piston lol. But seriously it is.

[@J.Young808]

I went wit the M6IC DI because it was $1600 (2018 in Hawai’i). I like the ambidextrous lower as I’m cross eye dominant (L 👁 R ✋🏽 ) and didn’t know if I’d shoot rifle lefty or righty. I’ve gone with righty. Really like my LWRCi just wish they didn’t have heavy profile barrel and proprietary handguard (at least I got all the furniture for the price).

[@john.pado2336]

It's an LWRC. Don't look for problems hahahahaaaa LWRC REPR Gen I, Rnd count: 3,348 Fed 175 SMK & Handloads 175 SMK *Bad primers, perfect rifle. 'Nuff said

[@TerminalM193]

I own 2 piston and a DI from LWRC. They've served me so well that I don't even consider any other brand. Love their newer mlok rails. Kind of like a better bcm mlok rails.

[@The_kookclub]

People really don’t understand how important nutnfancy and Yeager are to the history of this thing we got.

[@sleigh4019]

Nutn is the OG .. Saw that guy in what 2008?

[@mynamejef7963]

Except watchable, nutn was too boring for my zoomer brain

[@bronzeguy9839]

Yeah, no. Nutn talks too much and his videos are long and boring. He could make a 45 min video on the smell of his own farts.

[@Enjoyer.762]

Nutn' hates piston ARs so there's that as well lol. There's always the issue of unbalanced ergonomics (muzzle heavy) and BCG tilt damage with every external piston adaption of the AR15 / AR10.

[@austenzacca2878]

​@@Enjoyer.762POF has an anti-tilt buffer tube that fixes that

[@macbrown7689]

Have several PWS and LWRCI! Both are fantastic, and run cooler and cleaner with no gassing issues! But, then again, I don’t put them through torture tests!

[@Kross8761]

The JAKL seems very much like a "we have ACR at home" type rifle. Ive seen the new charging handle sleds and they're noticeably more beefy than the originals, I'm hoping to grab one of the 16" rifles soon.

[@PurpleIsALetter]

I have a BRN-180 in 5.56 and I love it. Glad to see it did well for you

[@frankkiri398]

Pws mk114 mod2. 3k rounds, 1/3 suppressed. Havent cleaned it yet. Not one issue. It eats steel and brass without problem. Has Adj gas. Way more reliable than my DIs. Light and soft shooting. If it had side charging instead of the t., it would be the perfect rifle.

[@Stoney_AKA_James]

I like my POF-USA P415 Edge Pistol and Rifle, both use short stroked pistons

[@allegedwriter]

In Canada, piston guns are pretty much the only way to get a decent semi-automatic rifle chambered in 5.56. Hoping to get one soon to see how I do with it 🤷‍♂

[@apocalypse1175]

A PWS MK111 Mod 1 is possibly one of the softest shooting rifles when shot suppressed with an RC2 on setting 3. It’s an amazing experience.

[@dar5647]

DI guns may poop where they eat, but they also pressurize the chamber and blow crap out. I saw a vid of a guy testing dumping snow in his ak and ar. I was down right amazed at the amount of snow he packed in his ar, and it kept working like nothing. The ak he was testing against, jammed right away. Now im not one for mud tests and that crap, but it was a very interesting point.

[@dar5647]

@@westhompson574 ak most reliable gun on planet is a myth.

[@charlesm.2756]

Excellent video! I own 2 PWS rifles...love them dearly. However, at the end of the day, the only meaningful difference between them and my DI rifles is that they stay cleaner for a little bit longer. And yes, they're a little front heavy, but very smooth shooters. I will say that my 7.62x39 PWS is, by far, the best AR-type platform in that caliber. It's a special day when you have steel-case 7.62x39 shooting 1.5 - 2 MOA groups. Lastly, and most important, the good old fashioned AR-15 is still king! The genius of Stoner has persevered despite endless challenges throughout the decades.

[@roberttaylor7451]

I own and love my PWS mk111 mod 2. I also own 2 LWRC ARs and they are also great guns. I recently figured out a nifty thing for my pws, I welded an Allen type bolt head to the front of the gas block. I always had to remove my laser aiming module to do this and it was a pain. I totally think pws should incorporate this change into their design as it works flawlessly. Keep up the content

[@wyattweiman9103]

Can you give more info on how you did this with the PWS? This is the only issue i have with mine as well and would love to incorporate this into my mk111

[@roberttaylor7451]

Sorry I just saw your message. It was really easy for me being that I am very handy and have a mug welder. It would have looked better being rig welded but I work with what I have. It was super easy, I simply flush cut an eight mm socket head bolt off flat so that it was completely flat on the backside. I used a large pair of vice grips to clamp in on the muzzle end of gas adjustment plug and welded it around one little tack at a time as too not distort the part or loose heat treatment. It worked like a charm. Before I would be forced to remove my dbal for any adjustment. Let me know if I can help further, I would send a picture but it can’t be done on comment section.

[@justinkase1360]

@@roberttaylor7451 So now you use a standard allen wrench?

[@BloodEagle.]

Absolutely love my BRN-180 .300blk, side charger master race! Edit: I've had zero issues running 220 subs through mine. It's also a 10" barrel with 5/8x24 threads. Not sure what you ended up getting from them.

[@Tritan3]

Well it was free

[@BigChavezChavez]

I’ve had a MCX, PWS, and Tavor. The PWS is a solid performer and is actually my go to over my DI gun. The MCX is very soft and flat shooting but obnoxiously front heavy with a can. DI guns from my experience are more gassy when shooting faster. Both are great as long as you train and maintain your equipment.

[@illestdomer2005]

The MCX is definitely front-heavy. Is the PWS better? I dunno - it's on my list, but trying to follow all of the different models is dizzying.

[@BigChavezChavez]

@@illestdomer2005 I agree on the model numbers but pick your barrel length and give it a go. If money is tight, buy ammo and training. That’s always the thing that you will get bigger gains from than gear.

[@bronzeguy9839]

@@illestdomer2005PWS model numbers are easier than you think. Pro is their more budget friendly with less features line. Mod 1 is classic AR upper and lower and Mod 2 is their high end builds. The MK numbers are the barrel length (ie. MK116 = 16 inch, MK111 = 11 inch, etc).

[@jeremynicholson2138]

I also run an MCX, and it is front heavy w a can, dbal, and light. I found that by using a heavier stock on it helps balancing it more rearward and doesn't feel as heavy over all. Fully loaded, with xps3 in a unity w g33 on a unity it's at around 11 lbs. Not too bad

[@illestdomer2005]

@@jeremynicholson2138 what do you use? I am trying to decide on a 1913 with buffer tube or MCX stock.

[@tacticalmattfoley]

I've owned three LWRC piston guns since they were introduced and haven't had any issues going back to 2009. They eat whatever I feed them and just work. From my experience, I'd say everyone needs a piston driven gun even if it's an SKS which is vastly underrated in my humble opinion. The humble SKS was THE FIRST SHTF rifle. When it's TEOTWAWKI, we aren't going to have an armorer who can fix and replace parts designed to fail like the gas tube. We cannot count on having the resources to make complex repairs in the field.

[@WilleyMedia]

Any piston AR conversation HAS to include LWRC

[@YouveBeenMiddled]

Anytime I hear folks dismiss piston ARs, I know they've never experienced a good one. Often, when they finally do it's only for a couple of mags and they don't notice. Which is exactly the point... But oh boy, when it comes times to PMCS it only takes one round to _really_ appreciate the design.

[@Amatugold]

Based LWRCI enjoyer. Seriously though, that self cleaning scraping piston cup design is something else.

[@J.Young808]

I have a Galil Ace in 7.62x39.

[@Enjoyer.762]

Just get an AK lol.

[@BrapBang]

Excellent comparison! Thoughts on the MCX? Would be great if you added it to the comparison.

[@BrassFacts]

if they send me one, sure.

[@That_Guy5575]

@@BrassFacts ​ Assuming you’d say the same thing about the CMMG Dissent? Looks like yet another competitor

[@BrassFacts]

@@That_Guy5575 yeah. More or less. I might buy the cmmg dissent with my own money since that aligns with my current interests more.

[@doublepiedavid8908]

⁠@@BrassFacts I’ll be buying one in a couple months and would be willing to loan it to you before I use it.

[@hitman19971]

@@doublepiedavid8908 legend!

[@I32-JK]

I have a 12.5 FM15 with the non-adjustable gas block. Runs like a champ. Have to agree about the charging handle, and I brought up that same issue when I ran into the FM crew at an event a couple months ago. They told me they have a folding handle version that gives you some more leverage on it to help. If I remember correctly they called it their paratrooper handle. I'm also planning on just 3d printing a big knob at some point to put on it for the memes.

[@illestdomer2005]

I have the 9", and I am glad I strength train.

[@mattyfz496]

Acr owner here. My piston assembly has been broken for over a year and I have a expensive paper weight in my safe. Waiting on Templar precision and going to sbr it. But it is heavy. I preferred my lwrc m6a2 over it untill I sent it back for a 12.7 barrel and added a 9007 and vampire light. Now it’s heavy… I feel like there’s always pros and cons and weight battles. Solid video as always 👌

[@joshlee7935]

Mine’s been very overgassed when firing. I love the gun but it’s fixing to be retired because of how difficult it is to find parts for it

[@BasnettJames]

I had the same issue with my little rubber bumper/washer on my first gen BRN-180. I removed it and stacked two small washers in there and locktite and tightened it down. It hasn't been an issue since. Since it's a steel insert, steel bolt, and the bolts interfacing with the washers not the frame I wasn't afraid to really snug it down.

[@jaeger8652]

I have an 11" PWS that I only shoot suppressed and I've been really happy with it.

[@kylebradley3]

LWRC makes an impossibly light piston carbine, but again you pay for it.

[@danielprice777]

I own a 10.3 556 brn180. I also have a hx-qd556 can and the gun runs great on the unsuppressed setting with the can on or off. So I think running any of those piston guns for thousands of rounds wouldn't cake up the gas block nearly as much with the Hux cans.

[@JohnZ556]

I was thinking the same thing, Hux(OSS) really is a cheat card on the backpressure/reliability front. It pretty much eliminates all complications on config related to the suppressor besides just mounting the muzzle. I just hate how big and ugly their muzzle devices are. And the flash suppression is not good esp on the older design, in which there isn't an option to upgrade an existing can. Their new flow762ti looked cool but I saw it spit sparks during mag dump, so maybe not as tough as they claimed due to it's still only grade 5 Ti. For a total of ~$1500 I'm gonna wait and see.

[@Trad-Am]

I've still got my PWS Mk114 Mod 0, bought in 2011. Although not as fancy as the new stuff, with adjustable gas block, and free float handguards, it's damn near bomb proof, with the quad rails bolted, to the very overbuilt gas block. Geissele SSA, from when geissele just made triggers, and not rebrand magazines with 100% markup. Eothech exps3-0, and primary arms 3x with ADM swing to side mount. Naked 6.9lbs, and surprisingly accurate for not being a few float handguard.

[@kenjamincollins]

If you are interested in the ACR, look at Templar Precision, he makes really nice ACR parts, and has an ACR-esque up, called the Tempest

[@zimbo9087]

I have been waiting forever for someone to make this video! Thank you!

[@K0gashuk0]

This is why I love my 9mm MPX firearms suppressed. The thing runs very clean but probably because the delay is so long before in chunks out the spent brass. Very nice surprise as opposed to my old issued MP5 with KAC can or my personal MP5 SBR with my 9mm can.

[@ericb.4358]

My personal piston driven rifle is a Steyr AUG. NEVER fails as long as I clean the piston area every 500 rounds OR turn the gas block to max. Do note that NO other major military uses DI operated actions for their main battle/assault rifles. Do note that the new US Army M4 replacement, the M7, DOES use a gas piston action.

[@duneregent1033]

I have a PWS Mk 111 Pro that has a Midwest rail, so that solves your main complaint. I agree with your experience, it's a good upper. Ironically, I ended up going with OSS cans, so the adjustable gas didn't end up mattering for me, but I decided to just run what I brung instead of selling/trading and the PWS still serving well.

[@haruthewhiteninja]

This is a good setup. I don't think you can do better for the money. MCX is heavier too.

[@JayyBird93]

What benefits do you get from the Midwest rail? I have a MK114 MOD2 with the PICLOK rail

[@FDCNC]

One of my speculations on why the BRN 180 did not function on the suppressed setting with 300BLK is because the suppressor does not generate enough back pressure to move the piston.

[@gulkash1188]

Personally would like to see two other setups included at some point, the Bren 2, and the LWRC piston setup.

[@JohnZ556]

That way 11"(or 14") Bren2 wins most categories if fully upgraded(HBI parts and OEM stock). I know the US commercial market version comes with that POS buffer tube end plate, and the 16" version is just ugly and the barrel is way too thick - super front-heavy. It is the only real battle-proven military rifle on this list(also 9" 7.62*39 version used by GIGN). Only PWS(being requested and tested by small parts of the LE community for years) may come close in terms of reliability but it lacks folding stock as a key feature to many piston designs.

[@highdesertdrew1844]

I've often considered piston ARs a bit passe, even when they were in their prime. That said, the AR platform I had back in the late 1990's was good, but feels like it required more maintenance than what you can buy for $300 from PSA today. Generally though, the rifles shown while they share some AR parts, are almost enough to be new rifles in their own regard, and that is what I think is interesting about them. Especially in .300BLK.

[@jonn8163]

I don’t have extensive experience with piston firearms but my favorite is the PWS long stroke. 11.85” 7.62X39

[@Sinisterkid5R4]

I have an FM15 13.9 p+w(non adjustable gas), Where brass facts reviewed it as an adjustable gas suppressor host, mine was intended to be a unsuppressed and folding AR alternative with a better (IMO) charging handle position. The only issues it has had after about 500 rounds is a few double feeds when I gave it brand new and lubeless lancer mags. After working on the mags a bit that has been solved. I'm a righty and run the folding/extended "para" charging handle which goes a long way for sure, the stock one is too small for the force needed to charge the rifle. Between that and mine being gassed suitably, I'd recommend it but can't say anything about it as a suppressor host.

[@andrewgreaves2687]

...dear brass facts, can we please have a volume 2 of this? Perhaps with a BRN4 and/or any other new flavors of pistons you'd like to educate us on.

[@bmunat]

I have a 13.7 inch JAKL in 5.56 and a 10 inch BRN-180 in 300 BLK and have not gotten into suppressors yet. Both guns have run great but I was frustrated to find that the BRN piston can't be removed for cleaning without removing the gas block! This was a trade off to get the spring weight they wanted. I'm on the list to get an upgrade they're working on. Hopefully that will happen soon. The dust cover is also plastic and quickly fell off the gun. It's also annoying that the dual op rod and spring assembly doesn't have a more positive lock up inside the receiver as it can easily shoot out the back of the upper when you open the gun. The JAKL did a great job here with a solid detent in the roof of the receiver that the AK-like op rod/captive spring hooks into. I think with a few minor tweaks, the next generation of the BRN could be really great. Oh and note that only the shorty 300 BLK has the issue with not being able to easily remove the piston.

[@Megames2012]

Compared to most other pistol guns, 7 pounds ain't bad. Yes, it's more than the 5 pound AR, but as you stated, it has more refined features (folding stock, adjustable gas block).

[@Fadaar]

Ruger SR556 is an absolute tank but they never made a short barrel version, unless you count the SR556C with a 14.5" w/ permanent A2 flash hider. I own the 556C and I absolutely love that gun, probably my favorite rifle of the 20+ I own.

[@williambasilone]

SR556 was actually my first AR and it's still one of my faves. I find the adjustable gas port design is the best of all the piston guns I've tried, including the Caracal CAR816A2 and HK416.

[@Fadaar]

@@williambasilone Adams Arms is the easiest of the adjustable ones i've fiddled with but the Ruger one is nice too

[@bronzeguy9839]

@@Fadaar#GKCO

[@1AbominAble1]

Had an ACR, loved it. Probably a better gun than an AR- just an front heavy design though. If you delete the quick change barrel assembly and chase lightweight aftermarket parts it’d be fine, especially as an SBR. That said, I have 5 different PWS rifles that I run and I’m very happy with all of them. My favorite is the MK111 MK1 Mod2 in 7.62x39- BEAST! Weight, balance, recoil are really not noticeably different than a very well tuned DI gun.

[@timsmith6479]

Excellent video. For me the two piston rifles that are at the top of my list for testing are the Wolf A1 and Robinson Arms XCR. The XCR should be the most versatile.

[@fn45tac1]

I wanted to love my 180 but I've hade an issue that I've not seen any where else. After a few mags it started to have premature lock back on a loaded mag. This would occur every 3-4 rounds. I swapped ammo, mags, lower receiver parts, complete lower receivers. Happened Supressed and Unsuppressed regardless of gas block setting. I eventually tore the piston system down and saw that the recoil return spring was all mashed up on the receiver end. I ordered a new spring kit from Brownells, swapped all the springs and went back at it. It worked! For a while anyway. For maybe another several hundred rounds the rifle functioned great. But as of about three weeks ago the same problem started to occur. I went right to inspecting the return spring to find it in perfectly good condition. I honestly don't know what to do with it now. I should add that I did reach out to Brownells but got no reply. Maybe I'll try again.

[@BB-yh5rd]

I'm $7k into two ARs, PWS and Nemo in 223 Wylde, with optics, have a 1970 AK Romanian underfolder and a cobbled together AK74 that has parts from 5 different countries. They're all pretty cool and I like them all for various different reasons. I'm pretty non-opinionated about guns in general but I've noticed that the 74 is the least reliable but when it is functioning properly depending on the weather the easiest rifle to shoot in terms of recoil, cleaning, take down, accuracy etc.for me personally. I'd love to get feedback from more technically knowledgable people on why I should like one better than the other. For popping through barriers, nothing comes close to the 7.62x39 within 200 yards, I know people will yell at me for saying that but I shoot for fun and find all kinds of stupid testing materials from junkyards and construction sites and it's just kind of how it is.

[@DJTheMetalheadMercenary]

Something with the Piston platforms you chose is the less than optimal placement of the gas adjustment. There are several other manufacturers that put the adjust at the very front of the fore-end with varying frontal and more open or top adjustment that are waaaayyy better. I run a sadly now discontinued SR556 Piston AR and I love it, super easy with the frontal access gas adjust and is dead nuts reliable, and doesn't get hot nearly as quick as other stuff I've used to include AK's and general D.I. platforms-- and when it does get hot, it's really only the very front-most block, which is still out of the way of my hands. I would really like to get my hands on one of the new Polish Grot (in AR/ M4/ ACR style configuration) Piston Service Rifles, me gusta. Regarding lubricant-- use Grease, it doesn't burn off like looser wet lubes as it's generally higher (and lower) temperature-rated, and stays where you need it to. Switching to White Lithium and Weapons-specific Greases over CLP in Iraq while Contracting was a lifesaver in the sandy and moon-dust conditions, give it a try. And for a little comedic/ sarcast and slightly facetious quip-- if rifle too heavy, get stronger lol.

[@TerminalM193]

It's insane what a good grease can do for a weapon system. Since switching over to mil-comm I literally put it on EVERYTHING now... ALL rifles, ALL pistols nomatter the design. One would think that come time for cleanup it would be a nasty mess.... Nope, I now use a fraction of solvent when cleaning because the grease acts like a dry lubricant already baked into the system.

[@DJTheMetalheadMercenary]

@@TerminalM193 TW-25b is phenomenal, I use it on everything too, the bonding and protective coating is excellent-- and its super easy to clean. Good stuff!

[@climbhigh3094]

My 2 cents - inflation = worthless. I enjoy the ability to change from piston & DI on my LMT. 12.5" piston is good to go but can tinker/adjust a DI with Rifelspeed adjustable gas, SpringCo springs, different buffers and/or A5 tube; to make it softer shooting. I would say it is a toss up, so just train with what you have and spend money on training class 1-2 times per year and the rest on ammo, IMO.

[@newerest1]

Actually his 2 cents - inflation means he owes us money

[@whippedflame8484]

The only piston rifle I like is the SCAR and AK platform.

[@Civiliansoldier762]

The new JAKL with the extended handguard 13.7” or 14.5” barrel and F5 (ACR) stock is basically like an upgraded ACR.

[@Zel_eo]

I tossed a Superlative Arms Piston kit on my suppressed 10.3 and that thing is Gucci. I adjusted it for unsuppressed and it's a workhorse. Made it around 1,200 round no stoppages. I tossed a vented forward assist on to deal with the extra gas blow off from only staying on one setting for both suppressed and not. If you only run suppressed, you can set it in bleed mode and really fine tune it to perfection. Would love to see you try one of them out, maybe ask nice and see if they will send on to ya.

[@thebarefootadventurer8467]

This video is very informative, hit all the points perfectly, and came full circle at the end. Great work!

[@agenttexx]

I want a piston gun but realistically, I don't run a suppressor can, I don't train, I don't hunt, I don't plan on hunting terrorists, and I use my AR as mostly a range toy. I would still buy the BRN-180, but right now I don't see the point of spending money on something that doesn't see much use. Maybe when I get back into shooting on a more regular basis.

[@RP-ks6ly]

The rant that ends with " you f@cking poor" was pretty damn good....love the channel and the content, good stuff.

[@anawood3338]

I use a 5.56x45/.223 round on my PWS to adjust gas settings, the gas adjustment tool is cool but not required to cycle through the gas settings/adjustments.

[@RoninSkye24]

It's weird that he made such a specific fuss about the tool, but ignored the fact that any solid piece of steel can fit into the adjustment holes to move the block. Also, having shot thousands of rounds through mine I've yet to see it even remotely seize up from carbon buildup. I haven't been shooting suppressed, so I will assume that's making the difference, but even then the PWS was designed with suppressed shooting in mind.

[@jonn8163]

I love my 11.85 PWS in 7.62X39

[@kamikazekunze]

What magnifier mount is that behind the eotech? And….BCA side charger DI upper for the win! 😂

[@luckyomen]

You tend to post videos on topics I think about within a week of when I consider them. This is one of those times.

[@awsomedude9111]

I think the Superlative Arms Piston, or any type of aftermarket mod to a stock AR15 would be the most ideal for not having Proprietary parts, for me this is the biggest downside. PWS is probably the best piston rifle from what I have heard. RifleSpeed adjustable gas block might make having a piston rifle less of a necessity.

[@rjperez2617]

The Virtus my guy! Superior upper for a true folder/piston upper. I have a 16” but I think this might be my favorite rifle setup so far. Have a Razor G2E 1-6 in 1.93” scalar mount and a Cloud Rein 3.0 so far. Super nice

[@illestdomer2005]

I have an 11.5" 5.56 barrel and 6.75" 300blk barrel for my Virtus. Built like a rock and heavy as one too.

[@rjperez2617]

@@illestdomer2005 weight is up there yah, but in the wise words of Father Thumb, lift weights😂

[@fa-ajn9881]

Someone get this man some POF and Robinson Arms rifles. Almost painful to watch.

[@maker_greg]

I own a brn180 and a pws mk116 pro. I like them both quite a bit. They are definitely more front heavy than my di gun but the only issues I've ever had have been ammo related. I kinda prefer the recoil impulse of my 180 over my friend's mcx.

[@URBANAMERICANTAC]

I remember when the comment sections were filled with the “if it’s not a piston AR it’s not any good”. Typical internet clown show. I still get the most hateful comments from a. Video I did where I have my front sight on backwards. It’s called necessity. My Mawl needed to be where I keep it and some people just can’t handle thinking outside the box.

[@jonathanmantilla7455]

Great video would be interesting to see how clean the bcg would be on these piston rifles with a flow through can compared to a conventional can and how much longer they can run before cleaning.

[@haruthewhiteninja]

I posted above but I did 800+ on my pws with a 556k flow and it wasn't really that dirty. I just wiped it down and kept going.

[@ja0298]

9-10 years ago my first AR out of high school was a 14.7” IC-A5 LWRC. I bought into the piston hype, but man the ambi lower was well worth it. I did take it to a carbine class and it did great. But if I could do it over again I would have gotten just a LWRC lower and assembled a nice suppressed upper or get a KAC out of the gate.

[@brianzimmerman4837]

I'd love to see Regular guy training take an FM15 and a 16" CMMG Dissent through their courses.

[@Scott079]

You should try out the wolf T91 uppers, only drawback is no adjustable gas, and a proprietary handguard

[@rescuetree]

Totally agree, I have two T91’s (12.5 & 16) They are rock solid reliable accurate rifles.

[@Scott079]

@@rescuetree yeah I have the same 2 uppers,16” is on a What would stoner do lower, with optic and mag it under 7 lbs

[@KRYPTOSPOLLARD]

I maintain that piston designs lend themselves very well to 300blk. Adjustments for supers and subs, shorter effective barrel length means lighter overall and less nose heavy. That Short barrel really makes it. Then you can potentially do things like bag gun because of the folding stock. A good lpvo, a QD suppressor if you wanna do bag gun stuff, and you have a solid solid theoretical do everything gun. This will be my next build.

[@Enjoyer.762]

The rate of twist and barrel length does matter in .300blk. To optimize subs, you end up needing a build just for subs. The same applies if you want to optimize performance with supers. You end up having to build a specific upper for that purpose. .300blk isn't a do-all with one configuration.

[@KRYPTOSPOLLARD]

@@Enjoyer.762 Yes, to optimize, that's true. But there's a very fair middle ground to be had around 9-10 inches and around 1:5 twist. I mean, even this channel has a video of the efficacy of 300blk, and places like Alabama Arsenal have done good twist rate comparisons. There's absolutely a middle ground that does everything acceptably. But inherent in that is that it'll do nothing great, except doing everything ok.

[@Enjoyer.762]

@jaron pollard The "middle ground" was the original AAC upper with either a 10" or 16" barrel that ran a 1:7 twist. Then people found out that wasn't optimal for running both supers & subs. Just like running 5.56 magazines wasn't reliable nor optimal so we now have .300blk specific mags despite that mag commonality was one of .300blk's original marketing points. You even brought up how gas piston designs might better optimize .300blk performance and tuning over DI - recall how .300blk was based entirely upon the DI (internal piston) gas system. So, really over the years, people have found out there's no middle ground with .300blk. The 9-10" 1:6 is the optimal configuration specifically for subs lol. A 14.5 - 16" 1:9.5 or 1:10 is optimal for supers. There are no free lunches only tradeoffs - no one-size-do-all. The reality of it is one has to have dedicated .300 uppers for specific purposes. You will need one for stealth (subs) and another general purposes rifle (supers).

[@chuckclark6162]

PWS all day for piston guns. Their Bootleg adjustable carrier for DI guns is the shizzle too. My DD & Noveske run them without issues.

[@scottie876]

Just to add another data point, I have a decent suppressed AR SBR and it starts to choke up around 600-700 rounds without cleaning, similar to what you’ve experienced.

[@ethanlorton8568]

What’s the deets on that guy? Mfg and barrel and all that?

[@scottie876]

@@ethanlorton8568 Criterion barrel on an Aero receiver/BCG with an A5 buffer system.

[@almaadams3631]

11" PWS 762X39. Best platform for the cartridge. Deadfoot makes great short buff tube folding stock/ brace setups and you still save money over the Sig( which is pretty damn front heavy)

[@loarmistead]

Piston guns have aged well in the era of proliferated suppressors. I pulled my old RUGER SR-556 out of the closet - the piston gun, a solution seeking a problem - mounted the Saker 556 to it, set the gas block to setting '1', and it's a super smooth suppressed shooter!

[@loarmistead]

Ruger SR-556 (2010-era!) gas block can also be changed by hand, or anything else - a 5.56 cartridge, screwdriver, leatherman, whatever. Very easy to access and gain leverage.

[@stephenbramel9395]

I think we need a Brass Facts word of the day, hyperbolic is my new one ! Fantastic Man

[@rsxr22]

This is a great video. Why not have any POF’s in the video though? They are the OG of the system

[@dylanrearick6227]

Id like to throw in and also rep the pws system. I had a mk111 11.8 5.56 upper that i ran with a k can on the lowest setting with no cleaning. Like Brass says, once I got past 1k rounds with mo cleaning, it started having issues, and I ended up running a match stage bolt action after i left my dust cover open in the rain. After the stage, i upper the gas block one setting, lubed it, and swapped from wolf to brass 855 and it had no issues cycling. Any suppressed rifle needs much more attention to keep it running reliably

[@ladymushroom9485]

It seems that new designs are likely to be at an inherit disadvantage, because a good gun requires both solid design and years of testing and iteration in varied conditions.

[@marcmmclellan]

I run the BRN-180 gen 2. I use the OTDefense nylon bumper which doesn’t compress. I also run a straight charging handle. I have an Adcor piston gun setup as a SPR. Wonder what you’d think of it…

[@waywardmarine-0]

Piston guns are awesome but DI is tried and true . Carried one through 2 tours to Iraq and Afghanistan and hardly ever had any major issues. Now my current DI platform is completely adjustable from the gas block and bcg and running a pdw scw4. I've never had a jam or issue but I didn't use trash parts either.

[@jackjmaheriii]

For what it’s worth… I have 2 Virtuses and I like them, but I spent all the money upgrading my nitpicks. If I had to do it over again, I would have done a custom DI gun to replace my 5.56, and got a Banshee 9mm (which I now own anyway) to replace my .300 blk gun.

[@BrassFacts]

interesting, thanks for the feedback

[@AlexLee-dc2vb]

In case you haven't looked at them, another company is making Law Tactical folding adapters for oer $100 cheaper and out of aluminum instead of steal, so it should only be 6 oz instead of a pound

[@BikesandBlickeys]

Love my 2 pws 11.8 556 uppers. Slightly heavier than a di gun but checks all the other boxes.

[@haruthewhiteninja]

If you have the mk2, it would be lighter than most DI guns. Mk111 mk2 is lighter than a mk18.

[@jasongaudreau2075]

You gotta get your hands on an mcx spear lt. 300 & 556. Living in New Hampshire , factory workers get 1/2 price for a few purchases per year and how I got my poor hands on mine. Even then….they were EXPENSIVE! It’s better/different than the pws. Hard to explain….. it just feels and looks premium. Like closing the door in a Cadillac vs a Toyota Corolla.

[@TheBradyrulez]

Brock, I've got a Sig 516 that was designed by the same dude who designed the HK 416. It's still pretty front heavy, but the gas block is rather intuitive. You use a 5.56 round or can just stick a small tool to select between full gas, normal, suppressed, and a gas cut off. I've got a Silencerco Velos LBP in jail and I'm interested to see how my piston system will function with a flow through type can. I'm very disheartened that Sig discontinued it and the piston version of the 716. Rumor has it that LMT piston parts are compatible with the 516, but I've yet to see any evidence either proving or disproving that.

[@DD-hz3ts]

It's just speculation The parts are similar but won't work

[@DanDannyDanielleBob]

At the psa event I got to put a few rounds through the PWS mk111, sig mcx spear LT, and galil ace gen 2 back to back. I think if you need it to fold then the sig, if not then the pws. The galil was insanely violent in its operation with awkward ergonomics.

[@bronzeguy9839]

The Galil Ace operates like an AK. It’s the farthest thing from shooting buttery smooth unless you throw in a KNS adjustable piston and dial it back.

[@gypsonny2]

I've had an LWRC M6A1S (mid length with quad rail) with 14.5 pinned and it is amazing. I can fire 1k rounds through it and wipe the bolt carrier with a paper towel and its clean again. No lube necessary, no junk, no gunk. The front end is very heavy though

[@hansshaffer3788]

great video! thank you for not sugarcoating anything!

[@JG_1998]

Good video, but it's a shame that you didn't test the HK 416. I'm not a huge fan of it (especially on full auto), but it's used by militaries and LEOs around the world. For better or worse, the 416 most popular piston AR of all time.