my cheap attempt at making an AR more pleasant to shoot

[greyling22]

In the theme of putting part of a fun-noodle on the back of a 30-06 as a poor man's recoil pad, here is my latest tinkering.

So some people hate the AR "sproing", and I personally am bothered by the buffer slamming into the rear of the tube and sending the jarring concussion through my ear muffs where it feels like somebody is boxing my on the ear. I tried laying a bit of my shooting towel over the stock to pad where my muff contacts it and lo and behold: no ear boxing! no sproing! It was super pleasant. So I tried something a little more permanent: 3/4" hot water pipe insulation. It is not a cheek rest. Keep it further back on the stock where your ear muff would rest and it works even better than the corner of towel. but Really it is too thick and I had to play with size and position to make it work. It is not a permanent solution, but for something cheap and easy to make a day at the range more enjoyable it works pretty well.

I would love to hear suggestions for something a little thinner and more durable that I could glue on there more or less permanently. Any ideas?

It is an idea for casual shooters only. 3 gun guys, swat guys, military guys, deaf guys, mall ninja guys or anybody else who is or thinks of themselves as a hardcore shooter need not make fun of it.

 

[Owen]

I like the sproing. No sproing = empty mag

 

[dprice3844444]

http://vtsupply.com/ar-15-recoil-reducer-ar-restor-enidine-hydraulic-buffer-ar15.html
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/314371/mgi-rate-and-recoil-reducing-buffer-ar-15-carbine
http://www.amazon.com/LimbSaver-AR-15-Snap-On-Recoil-Black/dp/B0044XE6J0

 

[desidog]

That looks too spongy to get consistent cheek weld.

Take a look at the ACE stocks, similar idea and more streamlined.

 

[greyling22]

It's purpose is not a cheek weld. it is shoved way to the back so as not to be a cheek weld. All it is is something to keep between your earmuff and the stock to dampen noise and shock. The ace stock intrigued me, but this was free, and they are not. I thought about maybe trying to find a bit of old mouse pad or triple up some tire inner tube

 

[Monkeybear]

Why not put it on your muffs? Maybe an oval of old mouse pad glued in the right place.

 

[back40]

I like the sproing. No sproing = empty mag

this^

 

[greyling22]

Why not put it on your muffs? Maybe an oval of old mouse pad glued in the right place.

now that's a thought.

 

[Mike1234567]

Nice.

 

[torqem]

I'd get some muffs that don't make contact with the gun. If you think that this helps, wait until you go to Knob Creek machinegun shoot and try an AR with a really efficient sound suppressor. Wow, man. Such a .223, using full power ammo, sounds and handles like a .22lr that is firing CCI Stingers. Check for it on youtube.

 

[sappyg]

That's a pretty cool idea. I like it.

I use to notice the 'sproing'... Now, not so much but, these days I wear molded ear plugs and ear muffs while shooting.

 

[Caliper_Mi]

Grease on the action spring will also stop the sproing. Beware, the grease is messy though.

Be careful that doesn't push the muffs off your ear. I can't hardly wear over the ear muffs while shooting rifles. The stock pushes my trigger side muff off my ear unless I am very careful. It's in the ear for me.

 

[greyling22]

Grease on the action spring will also stop the sproing. Beware, the grease is messy though.

Be careful that doesn't push the muffs off your ear. I can't hardly wear over the ear muffs while shooting rifles. The stock pushes my trigger side muff off my ear unless I am very careful. It's in the ear for me.

I run both in and over the ear on an AR. They are stupid loud.

 

[Blade First]

Two suggestions:

1. Twang Buster;
2. Frog Lube on the buffer spring.

Guaranteed satisfaction...

 

[MrCleanOK]

Neoprene foam (mouse pad, waders). I'm a deaf military guy, I embrace the sproing.

 

[itsa pain]

In the theme of putting part of a fun-noodle on the back of a 30-06 as a poor man's recoil pad, here is my latest tinkering.

So some people hate the AR "sproing", and I personally am bothered by the buffer slamming into the rear of the tube and sending the jarring concussion through my ear muffs where it feels like somebody is boxing my on the ear. I tried laying a bit of my shooting towel over the stock to pad where my muff contacts it and lo and behold: no ear boxing! no sproing! It was super pleasant. So I tried something a little more permanent: 3/4" hot water pipe insulation. It is not a cheek rest. Keep it further back on the stock where your ear muff would rest and it works even better than the corner of towel. but Really it is too thick and I had to play with size and position to make it work. It is not a permanent solution, but for something cheap and easy to make a day at the range more enjoyable it works pretty well.

I would love to hear suggestions for something a little thinner and more durable that I could glue on there more or less permanently. Any ideas?

It is an idea for casual shooters only. 3 gun guys, swat guys, military guys, deaf guys, mall ninja guys or anybody else who is or thinks of themselves as a hardcore shooter need not make fun of it.

The AR has to be one of the most pleasant rifles to shoot. Feels like you are getting boxed in the ear? You might have to take up shooting a slingshot lol. I did use that pipe insulation to raise the comb for some scope use. It is very comfortable and sticks good to your face

 

[Nanook]

I like how you used black material, it's more tactical. LOL

Seriously, whatever works for you. Many a great idea came from somebody meeting a personal need.

How well does it work for you?

 

[greyling22]

works great as far as cutting down noise and concussion, but it is bulky and ugly as sin

 

[chris in va]

Huh. I don't hear the SHINGG in my M&P Sport. I did hear it quite well in the M16 the USAF had me train with.

 

[jogar80]

how about using a strip of Dynamat in place of the noodle. That material is specifically intended to dampen noise and vibration, AND its pretty thin.

 

[Fishbed77]

A Spikes ST-T2 buffer will eliminate much of the SPROING sound, but you will still be able to tell when the mag is empty.

 

[mac66]

Pipe insulation for hot water lines works well.

 

[greyling22]

I have an st-t2 that came with an upper I no longer have. I have run it since the beginning and have not noticed any comparable decrease in sproing. but sproing doesn't bother me near as much was the thwack of the buffer being transmitted through my muffs.

Dynamat might be something to look in to, but I still like the bit of rubber mousepad or something on the muff idea. I wish there were still all over the place. I can't seem to find one amongst my family and friends.

 

[Tirod]

The issue is having big muffs, I guess. What kind are you using? My preferred muffs are Peltor Shotgunners that are cut away to clear the stock. Had some for twenty years or more.

 

[itsa pain]

The issue is having big muffs, I guess. What kind are you using? My preferred muffs are Peltor Shotgunners that are cut away to clear the stock. Had some for twenty years or more.

That is a good idea I never knew about the peltor muffs I will have to look at a pair