Systema polycarbonate pistons SUCK

[Crunchmeister]

Yeah, as the topic says.... I installed this Systema red polycarbonate piston in my CA M15 rifle about a month or so ago. It was test fired a few times to chorny the gun. I ended up using the gun at a game 2 weeks ago, and it probably saw 200-300 rounds at most that day.

Today, I installed a new Deepfire tightbore barrel I ordered, and wanted to chrony the gun. On my second shot in semi-auto, I heard an odd sound. The third shot, I heard a snapping sound, and no shot. Pulling the trigger again, I could hear the motor and gears turning, but no piston action. I had a feeling that the piston had somehow failed on me.

So I opened up the gun to find that the 3 first teeth were already showing significant wear, and a the piston had broken. The gun is loaded with a Prometheus MS110SP spring and fires in the 350-360 fps range, so it's not like it's not like it's got a super-heavy spring or anything like that.

Well, needless to say, I'm disappointed. I fired 20 000+ rounds with the stock CA piston, and it's not showing the slightest bit of wear on its teeth, and this "top-of-the-line" piston wore out and broke in no time at all. Let's just say I won't be buying Systema pistons anymore.

So for now, I replaced the piston with a stock TM piston I had lying around, and the gun works great again, shooting consistently at 360-ish, so it's not a problem (nice to have spare parts lying around). But I won't be making the mistake of buying a Systema piston again.

yep join the club, happend the same thing here. I dont know why T7 swears by them they are junk.

All MY guns have deep fire titanium pistons with a remouved 2 tooth.

[Crunchmeister]

Indeed. Ironically, when I ordered the piston, I was thinking about T7's quote that you have in your sig...

Most of the internal in my rifle are Systema, and seem to work great. But I won't be going for Systema pistons again.

yep systema makes fine internal ( I know I have used just about every one) but the red polycarb piston seems to be a dud.

[Lakonian]

Systema made one thing right. And I'm sure you know what it is....

Everything else is lacking.

[Renegade)]

I am glad then I went with a Prometheus Hard Piston instead.. Ran alot of shots through it with a Systema MS120, not a single problem yet, no wear.

[Amos]

Same thing happened to my old M16.

Modify pistons are really good, so I hear.

[TokyoSeven]

Many thousands of rounds and counting, on both high fps springs (pushing 460) and low FPS springs (300). Maybe I have a magic one. No signs of wear at all after 2 years.

These days my tastes have turned to modify. Im going to try more of their parts, from what Ive seen they do pretty good. Their v2 anti reversal latch is a god send.

Edit: Ive also used an aluminum piston head for the last 2 years to, and no explodey for me yet!

[dodger_me]

Could this be the old ones with the Improperly spaced teeth?

[Crunchmeister]

Originally Posted by dodger_me

Could this be the old ones with the Improperly spaced teeth?

I bought it from Jugglez just over a month ago, so I assumed it was one of the newer 'fixed' models. Perhaps it was old stock he was carrying.

[Gigaknight]

I heard that Systema had modified this one and that they are now colored black, as to differentiate new from old; has anyone heard of this? I recall seeing it in a review of several brand-name pistons but I don't remember the website.

[seabass]

People's experience with airsoft parts vaies a lot, And just because you had one dud I wouldnt swear off systema. IMO they make some really great products, My ak has a system FTK/magnum/TB barrel. (the barrel is not the greatest but the systama magnum is amazing)

You shouldnt get too discouraged over the odd dud. Sometime stuff just shits out on you

[Crunchmeister]

Most of the other internals in that gun are Systema, and they all work great. I'm pretty convinced it's just those red polycarb pistons that are poo. I'll stick with the TM one I have in there now until it dies, then I'll replace it with either a Modify or Deepfire. I'm just glad this happened at home and not on the field.

[Jar|-|ead]

The systema black piston are the same. It was on my Systema Turbo Set Mechbox. Just a few hundred round ALL the teeth's stripped half way.

[TokyoSeven]

Originally Posted by Jar|-|ead

The systema black piston are the same.

I believe you are correct,they are both made of the same material.

Crunch's piston damage really resembles high speed/over spring damage. Perhaps the piston slammed really hard into the spring guide or something, or maybe the piston was not moving while the sector gear attempted to power through and just tore the end off.