question for the gun guys.

if I'm getting it right red jackets ar is still gas operated but re-directs the gas somehow to make it run cleaner and more accurate/reliable.

yea this PISTON thing is what he mentioned.. and im like.. man a regular ar will work just as fine..

Here's one for $850 that will do more than he needs to do
http://floridaguntrader.com/index.php?a=2&b=108890

for normal hunting/target use you are correct. if you want to be able to shoot 1,000's of rounds without stopping for maint or cleaning( like an AK ) then you could go that way. ? for the military guys, how many fired rounds with an AR before cleaning is needed/recommended? (I never owned one) and I realize weather sand and ammo type/powder used has a lot to do with it, just an app #.

how about this one..

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=lmt+308+mws&hl=en&client=safari&rls=en&prmd=ivns&resnum=4&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=7477557600389738307&sa=X&ei=OotATubTMMK_tgeppIHvBg&ved=0CD4Q8gIwAA

ive been telling him this.. but he just likes to spend money.. but im gonna tell him not to spend that much.. i told hi to buy a ar of his choice, put a trijicon scope on it and put some mods on it and it will LOOK just as cool at the big dollar ones..