Will changing AR stocks/buffers affect function?

[Newbie22]

Hi all,

So far all the ARs I own have 20" barrels, rifle length gas systems, and A2 stocks. I've recently been looking into getting a shorter carbine. I live in Connecticut, and therefore all my rifles have to have fixed stocks to comply with the CT assault weapons ban. My question is: if I put a rifle length buffer tube and a rifle buffer on a gun with a carbine or mid length gas system, will I run into problems?

For example, I think the rifle I'm going to buy is a BCM Recce 14. From the factory it has a 14.5" barrel, a mid length gas system, a carbine buffer tube, and an H buffer. If I put a fixed stock on it with a rifle length buffer tube and a rifle buffer, am I going to run into any reliability issues?

What if this was taken to the extreme, and a gun with a 10.5" barrel was run with a rifle length buffer tube and rifle buffer?

Thanks in advance for your insight. I'm new to the world of carbine ARs, and I wanted to make sure I wouldn't run into any problems.

Newbie

 

[1KPerDay]

I have a PSA mock dissipator with a mid-length gas system and a rifle tube/buffer and it runs fine, FWIW.

However, I was stupid enough to try a carbine buffer in this rifle so take my advice with a grain of salt. Don't worry, the correct buffer is back in.

 

[taliv]

it's not a problem. you can mix any length gas system with any length stock

as you noted, you must match stock length with buffer length and spring length.

 

[AK103K]

Just make sure that if you go from an A2 stock, to an A1, you also use an A1 stock screw (upper screw with the hole through it). There is only a slight difference in the length of the screws, but the longer screw in the shorter stock, will poke through into the buffer tube and interfere with the buffer, and will drive you mad with intermittent malfunctions.

 

[briansmithwins]

If an AR is one the edge of functionality changing the buffer weight can make a difference in function. Fortunately, buffers are easy to swap and can even be tuned by swapping the internal weights.

BSW

 

[d2wing]

It depends on the components. It should work but due to the more rapid action due to shorter gas tube, you may need a heavier buffer for proper cycling. You may want to consider an upgrade to the extractor and spring if you have trouble.
Try it as is. Any problems go to an H2 buffer.

 

[MachIVshooter]

It should work but due to the more rapid action due to shorter gas tube, you may need a heavier buffer for proper cycling.

He's looking at a 14.5" middy; It'll have less dwell time than a 16" middy or a 20" rifle length system.

 

[ugaarguy]

For example, I think the rifle I'm going to buy is a BCM Recce 14. From the factory it has a 14.5" barrel, a mid length gas system, a carbine buffer tube, and an H buffer. If I put a fixed stock on it with a rifle length buffer tube and a rifle buffer, am I going to run into any reliability issues?

That bbl and gas system length was originally chosen to reduce recoil impulse and lessen wear on carbines that are intended to be fed a steady diet of full 5.56 NATO pressure ammo. If you feed it standard pressure .223 ammo you may run into short stroking regardless of the buffer you use.

What if this was taken to the extreme, and a gun with a 10.5" barrel was run with a rifle length buffer tube and rifle buffer?

As long as it had a carbine length or shorter gas tube (and correct size gas port) it wouldn't matter if you were running a rifle or CAR buffer system.