AR buffer question
- Thread starter Grassman
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Yeah was going to order one today, but they had different weights....3- 3.8- 4.5 and 5.4 I didn't know which.
I have a Spikes ST-T2 buffer in both my 16" middys with carbine buffer tubes. I think they are a bit smoother than a lighter buffer. Does the powdered weight help? Dunno. They are 4.3 ounces, which is between a H and H2 buffer weight. The guns worked just fine with the standard buffers, but ejection and cycling is smoother and not quite as energetic with the Spikes. IMHO.
That's good info.
backbencher
Member
Grassman, there is a minute difference in the weight between a mil-spec tube & a commercial tube. The weight difference is in the buffer weight, which slides back & forth inside the buffer tube. Unless you are doing unusual things to your gas system, a standard carbine weight buffer is fine - going heavier will alter the speed of the bolt carrier, & way too heavy or no buffer @ all will tend to cause jams. The recoil of the .223" is negligible. A standard buffer weight will suffice for shooting commercially available .223" or 5.56x45mm ammo. You can always change it out later if you have problems.
Do you have a thumbhole stock on your R-15 you're selling, or just a standard stock & PG setup?
Do you have a thumbhole stock on your R-15 you're selling, or just a standard stock & PG setup?
Well what is a standard carbine buffer weight? I reload .223 so I can customize the ammo. I generally shoot 55 to 69 gr bullets.
I'm not selling the stock. I found a lower this week, hopefully I can find a 300 blackout upper when the hysteria dies down.
madcratebuilder
Member
AR15 buffer weights
Rifle 5.2 oz
Carbine 3.0 oz -> 3 steel weights
H buffer 3.8 oz -> 1 tungsten weight
H2 buffer 4.6 oz -> 2 tungsten weights
H3 buffer 5.6 oz -> 3 tungsten weights
ST-T2= 4.3oz.
ST-T3= 5.4oz
The T2 and T3 buffers use a powder instead of round weights and the reciprocating effect is much different
Clint at heavybuffers.com can supply buffers up to 11 oz.
Rifle 5.2 oz
Carbine 3.0 oz -> 3 steel weights
H buffer 3.8 oz -> 1 tungsten weight
H2 buffer 4.6 oz -> 2 tungsten weights
H3 buffer 5.6 oz -> 3 tungsten weights
ST-T2= 4.3oz.
ST-T3= 5.4oz
The T2 and T3 buffers use a powder instead of round weights and the reciprocating effect is much different
Clint at heavybuffers.com can supply buffers up to 11 oz.
The spikes T1 & t2 use tungsten powder. The T3 uses 3 tungsten weights.
If you have a standard carbine buffer on hand, you can buy a Spikes T3 & mix components between the two to build H & H2 equivilants if desired. I went this route when tuning the cyclic rate on a 300BLK pistol build and wanted the full range of possible standard weights.
Nick
If you have a standard carbine buffer on hand, you can buy a Spikes T3 & mix components between the two to build H & H2 equivilants if desired. I went this route when tuning the cyclic rate on a 300BLK pistol build and wanted the full range of possible standard weights.
Nick
So what weight would be good for an 18" 1-9 twist barrel?
In a carbine buffer tube? A standard spring & standard carbine buffer...
No reason to do anything else unless the standard items don't work as intended.
In my situation, I had a failure to lock back on empty with magazines larger than 5 rounds. The bolt carrier group was over-running the mag follower's lifting of the bolt release latch on the larger magazines. A heavier buffer slowed it down just enough to allow the catch to catch.
Nick
No reason to do anything else unless the standard items don't work as intended.
In my situation, I had a failure to lock back on empty with magazines larger than 5 rounds. The bolt carrier group was over-running the mag follower's lifting of the bolt release latch on the larger magazines. A heavier buffer slowed it down just enough to allow the catch to catch.
Nick
madcratebuilder
Member
I agree with Nick. Your 18" has a mid length gas system? Even if it's a carbine length I would start with a CARBINE buffer. If you need to slow extraction a bit then move up to the H buffer.
Using heavier buffers had become a fad. It's a method of fine tuning or helping with a over gassed rifle/carbine.
Using heavier buffers had become a fad. It's a method of fine tuning or helping with a over gassed rifle/carbine.
Zak Smith
Member
Heavier buffers do not reduce felt recoil; they also increase the time is takes to regain sight picture. That is why at the top levels of 3Gun competition lightened bolt carrier groups and/or buffers are used.
Heavier buffers are typically a band aid to fix some other malfunction (typically magazines) or to fix an issue related to premature unlocking.
Heavier buffers are typically a band aid to fix some other malfunction (typically magazines) or to fix an issue related to premature unlocking.
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