TPH 180: Building the Ultimate AR | PWS Innovation & the Suppressor Trends

This episode welcomes Justin Rainey (VP of Sales, PWS and Lone Wolf Arms) and Jose Oñate (Sales Coordination, PWS/Lone Wolf Arms) for a wide-ranging conversation about the evolution of AR platforms, the design logic behind mod 1 vs. mod 2, and how PWS balances industry innovation with consumer confusion. The session covers:​

• The history and technical details of piston-driven AR-15s and buffer systems

• Differences between mod 1 and mod 2, and why forward assist matters for users

• The importance of tuning rifles for suppressor use, and what buffer weights work for newer cartridges like 6 ARC

• Insights into PWS product lines: Including the new UXR modular rifle, caliber conversion kits, and suppressor-ready hardware

• Conversation about maintaining ARs for hunting (and why quick maintenance pays off)

• The "hub mount" trend for suppressor compatibility, industry efforts to standardize muzzle device footprints, and the economic realities impacting manufacturers and small dealers

• Reflections on customer service, warranty policies, and the pros/cons of lifetime electronics coverage

Listeners will appreciate candid talk on product development, technical troubleshooting, and why “any suppressor is better than none”. There’s a mix of practical advice for users, honest critiques of the industry, and insights on how new laws and tax proposals could dramatically reshape the suppressor market in the U.S.​

• PWS modular rifle innovation and claims to fame

• Buffer systems, tuning, and suppressor optimization

• Maintenance routines for AR-based platforms

• Pros and cons of current suppressor and mounting system designs

• Industry challenges from conglomerates and shifting regulations

• Customer feedback, warranty, and service expectations

This episode is essential listening for users interested in precision AR builds, suppressor systems, and the realities facing both manufacturers and shooters in a fast-evolving firearms landscape.

Website:

www.allymunitions.com

www.primaryweapons.com