The present disclosure describes composite actuator piston rods and methods for making such rods. Composite actuator piston rods of the present disclosure may include a composite actuator rod tube having a flared end, an insert, wherein the insert has a complementary shape to the flared end, a piston head concentrically surrounding the flared end of the composite actuator rod tube, and a piston head nut configured to threadingly attach to the piston head.