Hello,

I'm weeks if not days away from buying my first AR - which will be one of the M&P 15 variants. I'm stuck on whether I want a direct impingement or piston operated AR. I understand how they differ in function, but I don't know why I want one over the other.

The gun will be for target shooting only. Rarely will I have a target at a greater distance than 100 yards.

My understanding is piston ARs are "more reliable", in that they require less maintenance and experience less jams. I've also heard that DGI ARs are "more accurate", though I'd like some feedback if it's something an amateur shooter would notice.

Looking forward to joining the M&P 15 crowd. I purchased an M&P 40c handgun about six months ago and couldn't be happier.

Thanks in advance for the feedback.

Noff

Me personally; I'd rather have a weapon of the standard configuration. It's been around for more than 40 years. Considering that the only differences can be covered simply by keeping the weapon clean; I don't see any real advantage to going to a different configuration. Then again; that's just me.

The reliability issue is a moot point since this will be for civilian ownership, and you don't mention using it for any serious competition or training. The accuracy issue is a moot point at your stated max range of 100 yards. Anyway, both are very reliable systems and can be very accurate if built well, just like anything else.

Direct gas impingement IS the AR-15, it has been around for decades now. Piston ARs on the other hand are kind of the current fad. I would recommend going with a direct gas for your first AR. Learn the operation, breakdown, cleaning, maintenance, etc. Learn everything about it. Then if a piston AR interests you down the road, so be it, but at least you learned the right way on the original platform.

Piston Driven is the current rage with people who like to empty 30rd mags as fast as possible or have full auto rifles and carbines. The action cycles a bit faster and does not dump gas and residue into the receiver. I have two DGI rifles (.223 and 6.8) and have no complaints about reliability or accuracy. Piston guns are superior if you are firing in a harsh or dirty environment, large volumes of ammo. JMHO

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Revolver luvin' Mountaineer

Something to consider. If you get a traditional gas, you can upgrade it yourself to piston for about $200. "I've seen kits for about that". It's not rocket science. So; save the money now, and get traditional. If later you want to go piston, upgrade it for about the same difference in price. Better than spending the extra money now on a piston and realizing that it was a waste of money because of the number of rounds and environment that you shoot the gun in.

Piston rifles CAN meet specific needs. Especially with very short bbl.s or when using suppressors that can foul gas systems. For normal use with a 16" Carbine they are superfluous, IMHO.

IF supressing the report of the rifle is planned, maybe consider it,otherwise you are adding complexity to a weapon whose beauty , for some, lies in it's simplicity.

Another factor is added weight of the system which is substantial and can negatively effect enjoyment and/or efficiency in a long range session (or any situation where carrying the rifle for a long distance or time).

I like this answer the best.

Thanks for all the replies!

Good luck with your purchase. Also remember that buying the rifle is only the first step. After that comes accessorizing. $$$

I use both type of ARs. My primary hog hunting rifle is a LWRC 6.8 piston with a 10.5" barrel. I always use a suppressor with it. I've had no issues with accuracy.

I'm currently building a .308 SBR piston AR to be my primary home defense rifle.

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Smith & Wesson beat four aces

I have both an M&P15 and an M&P15ps. One thing I really like with the piston M&P is that it definately runs cleaner. I really like the fact that S&W somehow kept the weight down, the gun is really light and doesn't exhibit the muzzle heavy feel of so many other piston ARs. Whatever system you decide on S&W makes a quality AR.

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