Dual Piston System (PDW)
Knight’s Armament Company’s PDW is unique for many
reasons but it is singular in that it utilizes a Dual Piston System as opposed to a
gas-impingement system like all of our other platforms. In this design, we kept the
receiver height equal to that of an M4/M16 in order to easily assimilate this
platform in regards to muscle memory and interoperability.
The bolt carrier is operated by two small dual short-stroke gas pistons. Each
is actuated by dual gas cylinders located on either side of the gas block. This
original piston design was utilized in order to accommodate the extremely compact
size and folding stock featured on the PDW. The compact design has since been
translated to a direct impingement system for the SR635.