Eval: POF Gas Piston, M4 type upper

[SERPENT5XX]

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