Grendel as a Universal Infantry Cartridge

[LRRPF52]

Dumb question, has ADCORs system been evaluated?

http://www.adcordefense.com

Seems pretty elegant.

The problems I see with all op-rod driven systems are that you now have more weight in the front of the gun, which affects center of balance and how a soldier or user interfaces with the weapon's center of gravity. Next, you now have a critical moving part that is no longer contained or shielded within the receiver, but quite exposed to the elements, to include large sand particles and debris.

Every external piston system I have used and carried in the field requires pretty attentive maintenance to prevent rust and carbon residue from affecting operation of the weapon. In recoil, any external piston system will present off-bore axis reciprocating mass that usually induces muzzle rise and pronounced felt recoil.

The genius in Stoner's design is that the center of balance is above your hand, recoil is straight from muzzle to shoulder, and there are absolutely zero moving parts of the action outside the receiver. He basically took the piston, and combined it with the bolt inside the bolt carrier to reduce weight, protect the mechanism, and make recoiling parts move in-axis with the bore. No other operating system that I know of handles as well, unless you use a constant recoil principle.

My opinion is that the external op-rod systems for the AR15 are a fad that several people have chosen to jump onto due to market demand, which has been fueled by various gun rags claiming the inferiority of the direct impingement system crapping on itself. Carbon fouling is not an issue with DI AR's, but lack of lubrication is. It's basically a single piston combustion engine. Use quality engine components, good lubrication, and the correct gas, and it will run fine.