Recoil-less AR build? (For the wife)

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Autopistola

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I want to make her shooting experience as pleasurable as possible so she'll join me more often.

I just ordered a BCM middy upper (govt profile) with BCM comp (might snag that for my SPR). What other combinations can I do to minimize recoil?

-heavy buffer
-MGI hydraulic buffer
-Vltor A5
-Mako GL-shock stock (I saw a test of this, it may be nearly worthless on 5.56)
 
Has she expressed that the recoil on an AR is uncomfortable? Short o making the overall rifle heavier to soak up the hat little recoil there is I am unaware of any do dads that will make a major difference. But then I shoot full house loads in my 375H&H for fun so my outlook might be off a tad.
 
You can add a weight to the buttstock as well, but how badly has she complained about .223 recoil? I've seen quite a few slender women shoot ARs without much of a problem when we go & do tin can shoots. If you reduce recoil to the point where the rifle gets too heavy to carry, you may be creating a new issue.
 
Start with a good recoil pad. Is that enough? Change the FS to a break. Is that enough? Increase the non-reciprocating weight of the rifle (within reason). Still not enough? If the gun is over gassed, try increase buffer weight, if that is not enough install an adjustable gas block and minimize the gas, and minimize the reciprocating weight (start free with an empty Carbine buffer but if she needs more get a low mass carrier).

Mike
 
Color me tickled pink. I though the AR was a light recoiling rifle to begin with.
You could always toss in a Ciener .22 chamber adapter. That would reduce the recoil to whatever force she uses to pull the trigger.
 
Battle Comp

A good compensator or muzzle break can further reduce recoil. The one listed above consistently gets good reviews, but there are others that work as well.

A heavy profile barrel would help reduce recoil, as well as a longer barrel. I have an upper with a 24" heavy profile barrel that works well.

Go with a rifle length buffer tube and change buffer weight if necessary. A longer, lighter spring soaks up recoil better that a shorter stiffer spring.

Put a vertical foregrip on the rifle. This can help her manage recoil better.
 
Let's face it, there's just not a lot of recoil in an AR style platform. What I've seen, felt actually, is that the concussion from this round is very high. These things are INCREDABLY NOISY for the most part. Especially with a shorter barrel.

I'd suggest that you find a flash hider or other barrel end that does what it can to reduce the noise and pressure wave at the shooter's head. Likely she'll complement you on how well you've reduced the "recoil".

Also with the AR's I've got to shoot I found that the apparent recoil changed from gun to gun. I'm thinking that if the recoil buffer can be tuned so that it soaks up the recoil more fully but so it still functions at 100% then you'll likely find that she's happier with it.

If that doesn't work out for her then I'm thinking that she really isn't into shooting all the guns that you like.
 
Just reload some mild rounds. Test reduced loads until it stops functioning reliably then up the charge a grain and problem solved.
 
Double up the Ear-pro. Will make a big difference to the shooter, particularly a less experienced one.
 
My wife doesn't like shooting regular carbine length guns in 5.56, something to do with how hard/rough it recoils from the bolt bouncing back and forth making it uncomfortable. She does like shooting my 25x6.8, which is an 18" mid-length with an adjustable gas block, so although the recoil energy is higher it is a smooth movement to it. She's not afraid of the recoil, she shoots slugs through a 5lb 20ga shotgun and my 8mm. Just something to do with the recoil impulse is not fun for her.

My suggestion is to get an adjustable gas block and tune the rifle to run smoothly.
 
Build a 9mm. My wife loves mine. I may need to make myself another one.

For her, it's not the recoil; as mentioned before it is the sound, flash, and concussion that bothers her. The quiet snap of the 9mm is much more enjoyable for her.
 
AR recoil is not what makes shooting them unpleasant, it is putting on a muzzle loudener (brake) on a short rifle in a needless attempt to even further reduce the bump. Something to keep in mind
 
Adjustable gas block, low mass bolt carrier, and appropriate buffer tuned correctly will give you the a good bit less recoil. However, it is also more expensive than the options you have been given.

Adding a brake will reduce the recoil, but it will also add muzzle blast which itself could make your wife shy away from the gun.

Best way to fix it all? Pick a suppressor that you like, fill out a Form 1, pay the $200 tax and wait about 7 months...
 
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Like some have already suggested....... 22 cal version.

can`t get any more "soft" than that........................
 
Increasing the reciprocating mass will not significantly reduce recoil (unless doing so increases the overall mass of the rifle enough that the difference can be felt, but that introduces another set of problems).

Set the AR up with a Syrac or SLR adjustable gas block and an VLTOR A5 receiver extension and tune it to soften recoil. Use an adjustable stock so it's not too long for your wife. Start with an A2 birdcage for a muzzle device.

Much of handling recoil is mental. ARs simply don't have much recoil and what little it does have isn't unpleasant. Just let her shoot and don't make a big deal about it
 
I'm going to chime in the the perception of one gun or another being offensive has a lot to do with the amount of noise it inflicts on the shooter. What little a comp gains in recoil reduction is more than offset with the amount of blast it redirects back to the shooter.

As often as not, people flinch from the blast they feel directed at them as much as the push against their shoulder - or, if badly stocked, how much the gun slaps them in the face.

Another aspect is that some shooters find the noise from the action spring in the buffer tube offensive. Some springs and buffers work to reduce the noise, I've heard a dollop of ball joint grease does the same (if you like cleaning that out on a regular basis.)

It also goes to what kind of hearing protection - I don't mind Surefire inserts, others might prefer muffs. On a muggy day in broad daylight, muffs are no fun, at 45 degrees in shade, they are nice and snuggly.

All of this contributes to the shooting experience overall, if you want her to go and shoot, too, then accommodating her preferences rather than dictating them is where the most success happens.

They want us to listen to them - they don't need us to tell them what to do and give them stuff they don't even know they wanted. Like, a vacuum cleaner for their birthday . . .

don't ask how i know
 
Thanks for the replies.

Tirod, taking your advice I'd guess that she'd want what she asked for and what she used to have. She doesn't know anything technical, just wants 5.56 (presumably), magpul furniture, quad rail, and PINK with purple.

I sprung for a 16" middy because they reportedly shoot soft and are a handy length.

But a 12.5" 9mm pistol with SB15 sounds pretty tempting!
 
I think the BRT covert comp would be great for sending noise downrange. Linear comps, I've read, have a tendency to push rearward more though.

Sounds like the H2 buffer is prefered for a softer shooting carbine.
 
Autopistola said:
I think the BRT covert comp would be great for sending noise downrange. Linear comps, I've read, have a tendency to push rearward more though.

Sounds like the H2 buffer is prefered for a softer shooting carbine.
Click to expand...
According to physics, they have to increase the felt recoil. Gases pushed forward means more force directed backwards.
 
The Troy Industries Claymore Muzzle Brake advertises that it direct the blast forward and controls recoil.
 
Get her a suppressor. It muffles the muzzle blast which is a large part of FELT recoil, just the opposite of a muzzle brake "loudener." It is also a pretty good brake itself.

Not cheap, but her comfort is worth it, isn't it?
 
readyeddy said:
The Troy Industries Claymore Muzzle Brake advertises that it direct the blast forward and controls recoil.
Click to expand...
There are many brakes that make that advertisement. However, not a single one of them can overcome the laws of physics. If any extra energy is directed forward, then more force is directed backwards.

Troy also says regarding the claymore, "directs muzzle blast and sound forward, away from the shooter..."

Sound is energy, and that brake is pushing it away. And directing more recoil to the shooter.
 
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