I have always wanted one. Does anyone know of a source for a traditional Dissipator upper (preferably reasonably priced)? By that, I mean full A2 style handguards and gas system, 16" barrel.

In lieu of that, what would shortening a 20" upper entail besides the obvious chop and rethread? Is the gas system gtg, or would it need alteration.

I have an orginal 1990s era Bushmaster 16" Dissipator I bought new. I can tell you that orginal Bushmaster Dissipator uses a carbine length gas system and the gas tube does not go to the FSB but rather a low profile gas block under the hand guards. Most mfg of Dissipators styles now days use a mid lengh gas system. That would be the way to go If building a new one. I would not try to build a Dissipator with a rifle length gas system because the gas port would have to be huge if you could get it to work.

PSA sells SS Mid length uppers along with others.

http://palmettostatearmory.com.../?q=DISSIPATOR+UPPER

Spinta Precision offers a rifle gas dissipator barrel in a lightweight profile, but is currently out of stock. I am guessing building your own is gonna be your best bet for a true rifle length gas system.
As stated above, most are running a faux FSB and low profile gas block under the hadguards in either carbine or middy. I have the stainless middy from PSA and I am happy enough with it. Rifle sight radius and middy reliability. YMMV.

I liked the look as well but went with a faux dissy as Jelly did. PSA has had some good sales on these and other uppers lately.

This one with Romeo 7 optics.

Thanks for the replies; I think a middy will be the way to go- I don’t think I want to get into potential issues of dialing in a home grown full length gas tube. PSA is a no brainer for me. I have a good bit of their products floating around and ZERO issues on any front.

I have the same dissy upper as Rinehart from PSA and it's great. All of the good dissy looks with none of the drawbacks of the rifle length gas tube.

Did a PSA build as well, just with a regular barrel, not stainless. Used the same MOE Fixed Carbine stock as Scurvy, just modded my buffer tube for a little more length of pull.

quote:

Originally posted by JonDaddy82:
Did a PSA build as well, just with a regular barrel, not stainless. Used the same MOE Fixed Carbine stock as Scurvy, just modded my buffer tube for a little more length of pull.

I really like the looks of the fixed MOE stock; it looks like one could deliver a serious butt stroke with it if need be without damaging anything but the recipient.

quote:

Originally posted by gearhounds:
I really like the looks of the fixed MOE stock; it looks like one could deliver a serious butt stroke with it if need be without damaging anything but the recipient.

Ever been through a training course where all the students have to clear instructor-induced jams via mortaring? Every buttstock I've seen -- even the lightest ones -- have survived mortaring without issues and placed noticeable dents in wood surfaces and in hard ground.

I did a PSA mock dissipator upper with a midlength gas assembly. I think I would have liked it better if the barrel had been a thinner profile than gov't. It was much more front-heavy than I would have liked and I eventually wound up getting rid of it for a mid-weight barrel midlength gas upper with a full length floated rail and liking the practical outcome of it better.

quote:

Originally posted by gearhounds:

quote:

Originally posted by JonDaddy82:
Did a PSA build as well, just with a regular barrel, not stainless. Used the same MOE Fixed Carbine stock as Scurvy, just modded my buffer tube for a little more length of pull.

I really like the looks of the fixed MOE stock; it looks like one could deliver a serious butt stroke with it if need be without damaging anything but the recipient.

I really enjoy it. I was going for a modded out M16 look.

I have a PSA Dissipator as well. Originally built it with an MOE carbine stock. I later switched to an A2 stock, which I like much better with this upper.