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Old 06-24-2013, 12:14 AM
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Default About to install an Adams Arms Piston Kit

Hi All,

This thread is devoted to those of you who have installed or want to install an Adams Arms Piston Kit. (Those of you with P-Model M&P ARs are welcome to comment, as well.) Please, no insights into the virtues of direct impingement and why I'm an anathema to the true AR community.

Prior to purchasing an M&P Sport, a Saiga/AK-47 conversion has been my favorite battle rifle. Besides being a fun and reliable shooting platform, its gas piston system is a snap to keep clean.

In my Army days, I had opted for an M1 Carbine instead of the new "plastic" rifles arriving in country so I have no prior experience with an AR (M-16). However, after my first AR trip to the range, last week, I was horrified at the sight of all my previously gleaming innards caked with carbon. So, I bought all of the appropriate cleaning tools and went to work on it. (I even bought an Ultrasonic cleaner which I have yet to plug in.)

While scrubbing everything back to as close to gleaming as possible, I couldn't help the constant comparison with my AK.

It's either the ultrasonic cleaner for the BCG (which, in itself, is messy and requires clean-up and re-lubing) or an Adams Arms Piston Kit. To that end, I am looking for feedback and suggestions from any of you who have installed the Adams Kit.

We needn't get into a "solution for a non-existant problem" discussion. There are plenty of those on file. Suffice it to say I am anal about keeping my weapons pristine and in that regard, respectfully, my AK makes my AR look like something from the stone age.

Many thanks in advance!
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Old 06-24-2013, 11:15 AM
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I have owned a M&P 15 PS for over three years. It has the same piston as the Adams Arms setup. The rifle has exceeded my expectations and is not only the most accurate rifle I have ever owned, it is also one of the easiest to clean and maintain. I shoot mostly my own reloads and have never had a malfunction of any kind. It just runs great all the time. One of the complaints I hear is that a piston rifle weighs more, and therefore must be more difficult to shoot. I weighed my end cap, piston rod and spring and it came in at a mere 6 ounces. Some of the lights, lasers, bayonets, etc. that I have seen added on weigh considerably more than that. I recently added a Magpul hand guard and it fit just fine. The downside to the piston rifle is that I have become lazy in cleaning it because frankly the BCG just doesn't get dirty. There is powder residue in the area of the gas block, but it simply wipes clean with a rag and Hoppe's 9. Most people that criticize a piston rifle have never even shot one, mush less cleaned one. Given that almost all AR manufacturers now have a piston rifle in their inventory I am totally satisfied with my choice.

Last edited by Lee in Quartzsite; 06-26-2013 at 03:39 PM.
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Old 06-24-2013, 04:25 PM
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Thanks, Lee!
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Old 06-26-2013, 02:37 PM
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Hi All,

Adams Arms pointed me to a LGS, Adams Arms Dealer. They sold me the Piston Kit for $349.00 and, when I asked if they do installations, they said it would be another $50.00. Figuring I'd have to spend $50.00 for an AR armorer's tool and related stuff, I figured: best let the pros do it for the same money.

They did an excellent install and a trip to the range, today, confirmed it! After 120 rounds I took a serious look at the bolt and carrier and all I could see was a clean, oily surface! My Sport felt like it had a tad more recoil so I'll probably look into upgrading my buffer spring. All in all, everything worked as advertised and my AR is now as easy to keep clean as my AK! Given the obvious virtues of the piston system, I can't imagine why the military hasn't yet converted.
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Old 06-26-2013, 04:27 PM
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Sounds like a winner! Have you looked at the Adams website?? Lots of helpful info:

Adams Arms

Adams Arms

Adams Arms - Downloads
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