AR-15 Carbine Buffers

[M1key]

I am wanting to upgrade my AR buffers. What weight buffers are you folks running in your AR carbines?

Several shooters on the M4Carbine forum recommend the heaviest buffer that still ensures reliable functioning. Some even run the 9mm buffer. I've watched the bolt/carrier bounce video, but can barely tell the difference between the H and the H2 and remain unconvinced.

This is where I am now:

Colt 6920 = H buffer
Stag Arms = H buffer
Spikes = carbine buffer
BCM middie = carbine buffer

Apparently manufacturers have different opinions.

I have no issues to date and was wondering if I should just leave well enough alone. What say you?

M

 

[Blade First]

Evening, Mikey...

"I have no issues to date..."

If it works...

When diagnosing/fixing problems, I'm as likely to fiddle with springs as to change buffers, but sometimes a combo change is a necessity.

 

[wally]

I have no issues to date and was wondering if I should just leave well enough alone. What say you?

If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

 

[M1key]

Never say that to a compulsive tinkerer. LOL

Plenty of people have an opinions on the subject. Components like bolts, BCGs, barrels, CHF vs. button rifling, etc, etc. Guess none of them are online tonight.

M

 

[Arizona_Mike]

I use adjustable gas blocks and run a C for lower recoil.. In my piston gun I run a low mass carrier and it has very low recoil. I think many commercial ARs are overgassed and can use more weight.

Mike

 

[gotigers]

It depends on what you are wanting to do. Reduce recoil, stop bolt bounce, get faster follow up shots, etc.

I run H2's in 2 ARs: 16" and 10.5", both carbine gas. Simply to keep a longer lock up time, reduce bolt bounce and reduce the jerky impulse recoil of a carbine gas system.

My 3 gun are has a rifle buffer with the weights removed and an aluminum bar in it. Its weight is 2.3oz. This AR also has a JP low mass carrier and a Tubbs flat wire spring. This set up is to get faster out of lock up and faster recoil for faster follow ups shots. The Tubbs springs prevents bolt bounce. Very light buffer systems can have bolt bounce.

However, unless you are having issues, I would leave it alone.

 

[Tirod]

Don't run carbine gas on 16" barrels, there shouldn't be issues.

The ideal system has the right gas, first, that matches the barrel length. Gas isn't determined by how close it is to the chamber, it's sited by how close to the muzzle, and that sets the correct timing, gas pressure, etc.

What started the whole mess of cycling issues was when the aftermarket chose to use carbine gas on 16" barrels to sell to the public who wanted M4geries without the SBR stamp. And within a short time, a lot of CS departments got a lot more complaints about the higher pressures battering the actions. The aftermarket responded with non GI spec mid length gas - which was the correct way to do it.

Once that is fixed, then fine tuning the buffer is a lot less problematic.

 

[Tomac]

I recently purchased several 6920's. I've experimented w/the H, H2 & H3 buffers in combination w/the std carbine & Sprinco Blue heavier buffer spring.

I discovered that the H2 & Sprinco heavier spring made for smoother recoil and faster followup shots as commented by other shooters who also used my rifle. The H2 & std spring didn't help as much.
When shooting PMC .223 I couldn't tell any difference between the H2 & H3. However, I did find 5.56 slightly more controllable when using the H3.
All ejection patterns were right at the 4 to 4:30 position and bolt lockback was 100% w/all buffer/spring combos.
Unless I start using .223 so weak that the bolt won't lock back on an empty mag, I see no reason for me not to use my current H3/Sprinco Blue combo.
Tomac

 

[skywalkrNCSU]

What is wrong with your current setup?

 

[M1key]

Let me put this question another way. Does carrier bounce (per video) increase wear, decrease reliability, or have any other deleterious affect on a carbine's service life?

M

 

[Ibmikey]

Unless you are shooting many thousands of rounds through the rifle it is a non issue. If you do wear something, replace it, parts are cheap.

 

[Warp]

Let me put this question another way. Does carrier bounce (per video) increase wear, decrease reliability, or have any other deleterious affect on a carbine's service life?

M

I think carrier bounce is best avoided if possible.

Generically 16" carbine or mid length seem to run well on H buffers

 

[Revoliver]

If your ARs are working just fine as is, then I suggest you focus your tinkering obsessiveness on something else that actually could benefit from it.

Do you have an EDC bag? When's the last time you checked or updated it?

Have you cleaned your guns recently?

Hunt for more desiccant packets to toss in the back of your safe(s)? Try your wife's shoe boxes for starters.


ETA: I get the tinkiering itch real bad sometimes too, those are some ways I get rid of it while keeping from messing things up instead of 'fixing' them.

 

[M1key]

If your ARs are working just fine as is, then I suggest you focus your tinkering obsessiveness on something else that actually could benefit from it.

Do you have an EDC bag? When's the last time you checked or updated it?

Have you cleaned your guns recently?

Hunt for more desiccant packets to toss in the back of your safe(s)? Try your wife's shoe boxes for starters.


ETA: I get the tinkiering itch real bad sometimes too, those are some ways I get rid of it while keeping from messing things up instead of 'fixing' them.

At the retired age of 65, I will choose my own level of obsessiveness, thank you.

As an instructor and armorer, I'm trying to stimulant intelligent discussion. In your case, I struck out.

M

 

[Revoliver]

At the retired age of 65, I will choose my own level of obsessiveness, thank you.

Probably shouldn't have posted a thread asking for advise about whether to mess with buffer weights in your non-malfunctioning ARs to begin then huh?

As an instructor and armorer, I'm trying to stimulant intelligent discussion. In your case, I struck out.

No, you did not fully read the threads on m4c regarding bolt bounce and instead of actually doing research, you posted a thread about what you should tinker with.....



Instead of what the causes and problems stemming from bolt bounce could be.



I leave you to your 'age', 'wisdom' and 'experience'...

 

[M1key]

I read about all of them I had patience for. None really reached a consensus.

Kinda like these threads...

Oh well, thought I would see if anyone here could make the case for heavier buffers.

Thanks to everyone else who contributed.

M

 

[Revoliver]

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[Dr.Zubrato]

I run an H2 buffer in a middie BCM. Recoils a bit softer, but i sort of wish I bought an H3, that way I could tinker with all the combos from carbine to H3 by removing the roll pin. I'm happy where im at, even though in the future I;d like to exchange my carbine spring for a CS spring.