16" AR-15 w/ M16A1 stock: which buffer?

[MatthewVanitas]

Greetings,
Ran a search, couldn't find what I'm looking for.

I just got a Bushmaster Dissipator (A1 upper, M4 barrel, sweetness), and am unsure as to stock for the lower. I have a ACE Entry skeleton stock, but that might end up being too short. I'm thinking I might get an M16A1 stock and see how that fits.

When I put an A1 stock onto a 16" rifle, do I use the A1-length buffer and spring, or do I put in a carbine buffer/spring and put in some filler at the end of the carbine-length lower receiver extension (buffer tube)?

Either way, I need to find a buffer tube (the ACE is built in). Any tips on where to get the best prices on buffer tube, buffer, spring? Any brands to avoid?

If I put a rifle-length buffer in, are all buffer extensions still A1 length with a little rubber filler piece, or are most buffers A2 length now? Do I have to buy an A1-specific buffer extension?

Thanks for your help, will post pics once I get this piece together.

-MV

 

[Kharn]

The A1 and A2 fixed stocks use the same buffer, tube and spring.
They use different stocks and screws, and the A2 stock includes a 1" spacer to make up the difference between the (A1-length) tube and the length of the stock.

If in doubt, to test for fit, remove the buffer spring, place the buffer and the bolt carrier in the tube. If the bolt carrier key touches the lower reciever at the top, the buffer is too short and must be changed or you will damage the rifle. The proper tube and buffer combo will place about 1/4" between the bolt carrier key and lower reciever.

So, to answer your question: You use the same rifle-length buffer for the A1 and A2 stocks..

Kharn

 

[MatthewVanitas]

Good deal, that clears up the A1 issue.

Still leaves the question: is the choice of buffer determined by:

a) Barrel length (16" carbine barrel = carbine buffer)
b) Stock lengthy (rifle stock = rifle buffer)

Which is right?

-MV

 

[DMK]

Stock length. You can swap uppers with different barrel lengths, no matter what stock and buffer you have.


BTW: a really nice A1 length stock is the Cavalry Arms C1 stock.

 

[1911user]

Buffer choice depends on the type of stock installed NOT the barrel length. The fixed rifle stock uses the long buffer and the collapsable stock uses the short buffer.