AK recoil buffers

[Silent-Snail]

I saw an ad in an old Shotgun News for these. At the moment all I remember is what they are, so here is what I waht to know.

1) What do they do?

2) How do they do it?

3) Has anyone here had any experience with them good or bad?

 

[hayseed]

Snail-

These are a small chunk of urethane type rubbery plastic, maybe 1/4-1/2" thick that fit over the recoil spring. They absorb the shock from the bolt slamming back when the ak is fired, and this reduces the beating on your receiver, and reduces recoil somewhat. I plan to get one myself. They come in at least a couple of different hardnesses. Check out blackjackbuffers.com.

 

[DMK]

1) It acts as a buffer at the end of the recoil stroke, preventing the bolt from slamming into the back of the receiver.

2) It's a little rubber piece that slips over the recoil spring and sits aganst the back of the receiver.

3) I have one. I tried it a while, but took it out as it didn't seem to make any noticable improvement. In fact, the point has been raised that it could come apart and jam the weapon. Mine didn't cause any problems.

Some guns with aluminum receivers are designed with recoil pads. However, steel receivered firearms probably don't need them.

 

[MTMilitiaman]

Snail-

These are a small chunk of urethane type rubbery plastic, maybe 1/4-1/2" thick that fit over the recoil spring. They absorb the shock from the bolt slamming back when the ak is fired, and this reduces the beating on your receiver, and reduces recoil somewhat. I plan to get one myself. They come in at least a couple of different hardnesses. Check out blackjackbuffers.com.

The Blackjack is, IMO, a total POS. The Buffer Tech is worlds above it.

My brother had a Blackjack in his rifle but it was causing bind with the bolt carrier. Sometimes it would grab the bolt carrier so securely it would stick but more often than not it would just slow it down enough that it couldn't chamber a round and would fail to go into battery by about an inch to an inch and a half. I have a pic of it if you don't believe me.

Both my rifle and my brother's rifle run 100% without buffers and with the Buffer Tech.

 

[RangerHAAF]

I've used them on two AK-47's that I have, they work well enough for me. I've not had any malfunctions or any drop off in performance with them. They reduce metal to metal contact with the bolt and the receiver, which is suppose to extend the life of the rifle. I use my AK as an all around rifle for hunting, target practice, etc., so anything that will protect or enhance its performance I'm in favor of.

 

[mndfusion]

this is funny and i am quoting a buddy ((the only thing I ever hear about a buffer in an AK is "I have one in mine and my rifle doesnt jam with it")))

 

[Shear_stress]

I've been running a Blackjack Buffer in my Saiga-12 and it seems to do a great job reducing felt recoil. I bought the buffer so I can run heavy buck loads without damaging the rear trunnion, as reportedly can happen. Seems like something to avoid. So far no ill effects.

 

[Murphster]

I had one that came on an AK from Global/Arsenal USA. I presume it was there to add to the U.S. parts total. Anyway, the gun never functioned reliably. Only AK I ever saw that wouldn't. Finally diagnosed the problem to the buffer retarding movement/speed of the bolt carrier. Removed the buffer and the gun immediately became 100 percent reliable as per most/all AK's. Lot of people like them in various weapons. I've never seen the need. But to each their own.

 

[BBstacker]

I have a buffer in my arsenal AKM and my FAL with no malfunctions.

 

[RomanKnight]

I have Wilson buffers for 1911, Blackjack for Vepr and Buffer Tech for M1A. No problems. Period. The only buffer that ever broke was a green (softer) on Vepr, and it continued to work as reliably as before.

 

[beerslurpy]

Definitely seems like a bright idea in the AK pattern guns that use rounds heavier than 7.62x39. Saiga 12 and 308 come to mind. I have buffertech buffers in all my AKs.

The saiga-12s supposedly die if you use heavy loads on the light gas setting without a buffer.

 

[JohnKSa]

I presume it was there to add to the U.S. parts total.

The list of parts that adds to the official U.S. parts total is very well defined. A buffer isn't on the list, so it won't add to the official total.

 

[TIMC]

I have a couple from Buffer Technology installed on a 1911A1 and my AK. I have not noticed any real difference in how they shoot. They are in there so I guess I'll leave them, can't hurt.

 

[MTMilitiaman]

TIMC, I didn't think there was a real difference either until I used the Buffer Tech for a case or two then took it out. Once you get used to having it, you certainly notice when it is not there--at least I did.

 

[clange]

I had one in a MAK-90 for awhile until I sold it. I never put it in anything else after reading about people having problems with some.

IMO the AK wasnt designed with one so it doesnt need one. In fact it can even hurt reliability, as others have said. Things may be different for saigas and veprs shooting .308 or more, but there are boat loads of 7.62 AKs out there that have seen WAY more rounds than any of ours will, and they're still going strong.

If you want to use one, cool, but I dont think its really needed.