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11/29/2015 4:19:29 PM EDT
What's the best buffer weight for a mid length gas system? Thanks.
11/29/2015 4:29:03 PM EDT
[#1]
There is no universal best for ARs, but in my limited experience, H worked best for me.
11/29/2015 4:29:39 PM EDT
[#2]
What gas port size?
What barrel length?
What action spring?
What ammo?
What BCG?
Suppressed?



All that aside...carbine buffer
11/29/2015 4:40:55 PM EDT
[#3]
.750, 16 in, WMD BCG, almost always 556 55 or 62 gr. No suppressor.
11/29/2015 4:48:35 PM EDT
[#4]
Honestly, use the heaviest buffer you can reliably cycle, if you have the cash to buy a couple of them (like an H,and an H2)
Break in the gun with plenty of lube.  You will likely find that you can run an H with good ammo, and it will cycle reliably with full power ammo.  If the barrel is super overgassed, you will be able to run an H2.

Gas port size is not .750, BTW.  That is the journal/barrel diameter at the gas port area/
11/29/2015 4:52:58 PM EDT
[#5]
Got it. The barrel is a PSA premium FN made 16 in mid length 1/7 CMV chrome lined if that helps. Thanks.
11/29/2015 5:20:13 PM EDT
[#6]
a friend and I did independent tests for our 3 gun rifles (compensator type brake rather than a flash hider)... his was18" (not sure of the gas port location) and mine a 16" mid... with 55grain M193 we both found that there was less scope shake with a 4.2oz buffer... my test buffer was a Spikes ST-T2
11/29/2015 7:14:07 PM EDT
[#7]
Depends on alot of things, but are you tuning it for gaming/competition, or is it an SD gun?

Gamer gun you can get it right on the edge of short stroking on the same ammo to minimize recoil impulse for steadier aiming and faster follow up shots.
SD gun you definitely don't want it that close; I lean towards accepting more recoil to ensure that the gun runs reliably on most ammo in any temp.
You can experiment with increasing buffer weights til you get failure to lock back and drop down one weight.

Personally I run H1 buffers on my middy's.
11/29/2015 7:52:03 PM EDT
[#8]
Depending on the length of barrel, twist rate, type of BCG and coating, and gas port size, anything from a standard carbine buffer to an H2. I have used a standard carbine buffer in my 14.5" and 16" mid-lengths and they work great that way.
11/29/2015 9:43:11 PM EDT
[#9]
I currently run a H2 in my 16 inch mid-lenth.  Functions perfectly with crappy Tulammo up and to the hottest  5.56.  I think a H buffer would be a good starting point though, thats what I did.
11/29/2015 9:49:43 PM EDT
[#10]
H2 w/std carbine spring in my BCM 16" middys, H3 w/std carbine spring in my PSA 16" middy. I would use a lighter weight in a 14.5".
Tomac
11/29/2015 9:51:39 PM EDT
[#11]
I am running 16" PSA middies, full M16 profile bcg, and Spikes T2 buffer. Cycles perfectly.
11/29/2015 10:36:39 PM EDT
[#12]
Quote History
Quoted:
I am running 16" PSA middies, full M16 profile bcg, and Spikes T2 buffer. Cycles perfectly.
View Quote



This^^^^
Spikes ST-T2 is all I use anymore.
11/29/2015 10:54:31 PM EDT
[#13]
Most of the cheaper AR's, or more expensive ones from companies with poor practices, will usually over gas their stuff on purpose, so a heavier buffer generally helps make it more optimal.

So assume heavy will actually help.
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