AR bolt/gas-key question.
 

Can you use the bolt from a piston AR in a DGI gun?

I know that a common problem with DGI ARs is that the gas key can shoot loose. I see that the piston ARs have that part machined into the bolt as a single piece, and are therefore much more durable to endure the stresses of repeated piston strikes. Can I buy a piston style one-piece bolt and use it in a DGI gun?

Best asked here: http://www.ar15.com/

If your rifle is DGI, you need to stick to DGI parts. The piston ARs I've handled are absolutely not compatible in terms of the bolt carrier with the bolt carrier your DGI system requires.

If you swap your DGI bolt and bolt carrier with one from a piston AR, you're most likely going to find immediately that it won't fit. If it does, you're more likely going to have quite a mess to deal with once you fire the first round, which - more likely than not - has little hope of actually cycling the action.

Not a good idea to attempt something in defiance of engineering.

It won't work. The gas key on an impingement rifle is meant to capture gas long enough to build momentum. The flat face of a piston bolt will smash into the gas tube, and won't capture the gas well enough to properly cycle.

Here's the deal man, you're making an issue out of nothing. Gas keys are more than plenty durable, and will not be the problem for your AR's action wearing out.

Thanks everybody.
I figured there was a good reason it wouldnt work.
Seemed too simple.