...If the gas piston makes cleaning considerably easier or even lets a guy shoot a bunch more before he has to clean the weapon ... well I am one guy who says RIGHT ON!!!
Somebody educate me if I am too far off base here but is there really that big of a diference between retro fitting a piston kit versus when the manufacturer is putting the weapon together? I seriously doubt it...
... But mark my words they will be standard at some point down the line.
You're right KEVWYO, I would agree that a retrofit isn't really much of a difference on an already modular platform. I was trying to point out that value wise, it might make more sense financially to purchase it while 'building another rifle from parts' or buying a complete rifle that already has a gas piston system, but I'm in no way against them & am always happy to hear I got less to clean. Hell, I have an ACR on order...

Perhaps my wording came across wrong.
Gas Pistons may very well just be the standard in the near future - and that's a good thing for everyone.
I am a left handed shooter, shooting a 10.5 inch SBR, suppressed. This means my face is shotgunned with hot gas and particles....If i even pulled the trigger ONCE without protective glasses, im pretty sure i would be blind in my right eye.
I'm a lefty, too.

Believe me ARin, I can clearly see the benefits of the Piston system & am not trying to downplay them at all, perhaps my writing comes across that way (it's hard to exude proper 'tone' in typing). I was just posting
my opinion in my case of the 'real-world' value I'd get for the $400 based on my shooting habits - in that sense it would only serve to make my AR 'cooler', but not in practice or legitimate need.
I know for a fact I don't have anywhere near respectable experience you have with AR's, based on your various and informative posts here as well m4carbine & arfcom, I'm still much of a newbie when it comes to this - it's simply my personal opinion.
I've only shot my AR on a few occasions without any protective gear; I can't say it's pleasant, but I'd say it depends on the person when it comes to 'blinding' based on many factors (postion relational to body, dominant eye, AR build, etc..) The shorty build would definately add to the blast, for sure. In your case a gas piston would certainly make more sense because of the suppressor and it's ability to easily handle different cycling pressures effectively, plus it would certainly help keeping your shorty's kick in check.