Eval: POF Gas Piston, M4 type upper

SERPENT5XX · 07-09-2005, 10:00

Gentlemen,

I had the opportunity to fire a new weapon.

I am sure you have heard about the various gas piston type M4 guns on the market. I had heard about the ones offered by DSA, SOG Armory and HK. After doing some research I found out the DSA and SOG upper is actually made by POF-USA. As luck would have it POF-USA is located in Phoenix Arizona, where I just happened to be visiting family. (How lucky can a guy be?) POF imports HK parts from a HK built factory in Pakistan. POF also builds Aerospace parts. The piston guns are made in the AZ factory NOT in Pakistan as was suggested by some Internet experts.

Long story short, I talked with Frank (the owner) and Chris (2IC) Desomma and they gave me a show and tell and allowed me to test fire some weapons. 1,200 rounds were fired out of three guns, two of which had 9.5 inch barrels. Most rounds were fired full auto. No malfunctions of any kind. The really impressive thing was the lack of heat or fouling on the bolt/bolt carrier. I pulled the carrier group out of the gun after 4 straight mags were fired and I was able to hold it in my hand. In fact I could touch the bolt face to my cheek. In addition to the lack of heat the carrier group was almost clean. Now clean is great but the important thing is the lack of heat. What this means to us Knuckle Draggers is longer firing between cleaning and a longer parts life. I have broken bolts, bolt carriers, sheared locking lugs, and gas keys while firing the M4. Everything made will break, but with less heat it will take longer to break this gun than it will a conventional M4 type weapon.

I ended up buying two of the uppers for my own personal use. One is the standard length rail and one the mid-length rail. I used the standard length for a two-day carbine train-up where I fired about 1500-1700 rounds. The gun ran like a champ. It seems just as accurate if not more than any other M4 I have fired. I have not shot groups other than to zero, but the gun had all the accuracy I could make use of. It also feels like it recoils similar to a conventional M4 but seems to have more of a push “back” than “up” when fired. This is just my observation and not anything scientific. It could be the vortex flash hider or the operating system, who knows.

Anyway, I highly recommend that you try this weapon out when you get a chance. I am very happy with mine so far. Of course the HK gun is beautiful, but currently unavailable for commercial purchase. (I love HK but you gotta wonder if HK really understands profit?)

I will keep you all posted as I shake this weapon out and I will also post some pictures when I have time.

Thanks,

SERPENT5XX

Archangel · 07-11-2005, 08:03

Do you have any pictures?

**The Reaper** · 07-11-2005, 08:25

Pricing?

How does it appear to stack up agaist the HK416?

Thanks for the info!

TR

Achilles · 07-11-2005, 08:36

http://www.pof-usa.com/P-416/P-416pricelist.htm

**Peregrino** · 07-11-2005, 09:10

S5XX - You're the second person I've run into in the last two months that was willing to plunk down real money to own one of these. The first guy spoke well of his too. He uses it as his primary carbine for teaching (a lot - LEO Patrol Carbine classes) with so it gets a lot of rounds put through it. He bought one at the SHOT Show and had some problems with it but Customer Service fixed him up (gave him a new one) and now he talks good about them too. What are you using for a sight system on the mid-length rail? I assume it covers the gas block on the barrel? And keep sending reports, the wife's "to buy for birthdays etc." list keeps getting longer. Wouldn't want her wasting money now, would we? Peregrino

SERPENT5XX · 07-13-2005, 19:09

Peregrino,

The upper with standard length hand-guards come with a front sight that looks much like a standard M4 type sight with the exception being it mounts to the gas block with two screws. The rear sight is a Troy Industries model.

The upper with mid-length hand-guards come from POF with Troy Industries flip up sights front and rear. The rear is in the standard position and the front are on top of the rail toward the front end of the rail approximately just past the gas block position. Prior to this I had no experience with Troy sights mostly using GG&G, KAC or ARMS, but I really like the Troy sights so far. Very well made, they fold down close to the rail and they lock up with a very positive feel. Time will tell but so far I am impressed with the sights that came on it.

I am going out of town for a short time but when I get back I will post some pictures of the weapon.

Good luck with your Birthday buy list!

Take care,

SERPENT5XX