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Technical Bulletin
2006.03.11:
How to Choose a Cylinder |
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As you may already know, besides the various velocities (M90, M110,
etc.), SYSTEMA also offers two types of cylinders:
M4 type and M16 type. However, as technology progresses these
terms are now obsolete. In this bulletin we will discuss how
to select the correct type of cylinder for your rifle.
 First
there here is a bit of history. When SYSTEMA
originally developed the M4 style rifle, a design decision was made
to move the cylinder locking bearing from the gun to the cylinder.
This is necessary to accommodate the M4's circuitry, which situates
inside the stock tube. Because of that, a new type of cylinder
is born - one that has the locking bearing integrated into the
cylinder (as shown, right). In contrast, the original cylinder
unit (left) does not have a build-in locking bearing and must rely
on the one installed in the gun. Since the new type of
cylinders was designed specifically to fit the M4 style rifles, it
is commonly referred as the "M4 Cylinder Units" whereas the original
cylinders were appropriately named "M16 cylinder Units".
However, as natural progression we decided that the same cylinder
technology can be applied to the M16 style rifles as well - i.e.
move the locking bearing from the gun to the cylinder. This
has one obvious benefit: all M4 and M16 cylinders are now
interchangeable! Plus, on a more global standpoint we can also
reduce our dealer and armorer's logistic cost, as they will no
longer require to stock 7 different cylinder SKUs (M16 type
M90/M110/M130 plus M4 type M90/M110/M130/M150) in the future.
 Therefore,
new SYSTEMA M16 owners please take note: if your
M16 has the new type of stock tube that does not include a locking
bearing (as shown, right), you should order the "M4 Cylinder Unit".
Despite the name, it will fit your M16. Older M16 owners who
has the locking bearing still integrated in the stock tube (left)
should continue to order "M16 Cylinder Units". Finally all M4
users should continue to order M4 cylinder units.
Alternatively, older M16 users can request your local SYSTEMA
armorers to convert your M16 to the new configuration. Your
armorer can acquire the necessary parts to remove the locking
bearing in your M16's stock tube, and convert all of your existing
cylinders to the "M4" type. A separate installation fee (in addition to the parts cost) may also
apply. Once SYSTEMA completely phase out the
"M16 type" cylinders, this method will become the
preferred route for
older M16 owners to use upgraded cylinders.
Update: As of April 2007, all newly shipped PTWs will
now use "M4-type" cylinders exclusively. All 2007
(and forward) M16 models will have the "MAX-style" stock
pipe assembly (without the locking bearing), and be equipped with
"M4-type" cylinders. Right-click here
and save the SYSTEMA Japan press-release to your
local hard drive if you like to read it. |
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