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Posted: 12/11/2011 4:06:02 PM EDT
| How often does the buffer and spring need to be replaced? How might one know when it is time for replacement? Both items seem cheap and plentiful, just wondering if its something to look into getting. |
| Buffers never need replaced unless the end falls apart (never seen this). Springs are good for tens of thousands of rounders. I have never had to replace one. They are much sturdier by design than an M1 Carbine. (I usually replace an M1 carbine spring when it is less than 10 1/8" long. 10 1/4 is standard.) |
| Properly installed they should last a very long time. I have seen improperly installed buffers due to the tube not being seated right, or possibly out of spec tube threads. You can tell by the buffer detent chewing up the buffer face. It likes to rotate around making little gouge marks. If that happens immediate repair is required. A properly installed buffer is pushed back a cm or so by the rear of the bolt carrier, as the rec's are closed and locked. It should only contact the rear of the bolt carrier from that point. |
| Here's another buffer question. The one that came with my parts kit had the rubber end ate up and spit out (except for a couple of small bits). I got the roll pin out and was wondering if anyone sells just the rubber insert, or does the entire buffer need to be replaced? |
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Quoted:
Buffers never need replaced unless the end falls apart (never seen this). Springs are good for tens of thousands of rounders. I have never had to replace one. They are much sturdier by design than an M1 Carbine. (I usually replace an M1 carbine spring when it is less than 10 1/8" long. 10 1/4 is standard.) Ive had the end peice (aka bumper) break on my canadian a1. happened while shooting at the wilcox AL range. I tossed the rest of it.. that was years ago.. Recently I have to buy a bunch of the internal peices.. Its funny how that works. |
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FWIW, over the weekend I had a buffer spring fail on a rifle with 6600+ documented rounds over a 9 year period. Age / corrosion may have been as much of an issue as number of cycles.
I think 5000 rounds would not be a bad replacement schedule for guns that absolutely have to work when you pick them up. |
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I think 5000 rounds would not be a bad replacement schedule for guns that absolutely have to work when you pick them up.
If it isn't broken might not want to fix it. If replacing be sure to use high quality parts. Lot of Chinese junk floating around out there especially when talking buffer springs. Have I ever had one fail? Nope! How might one know when it is time for replacement? Good question. In reality more effect on a FA. In semi even a broken spring should still function unless a piece of spring or buffer restricts buffer action. At worst a FTFFF or FTE (probably won't go into battery). Would more than likely be looking at the mag and BCG long before the buffer and spring. Pretty sure TM says inspect, lube with CLP on cotton swap and re-install. No further maintenance required. Make sure extension and drain hole screw is clear of debris. Any thing can break and it's obvious they got rid of the edgewater buffers for a reason but definately a part that is made to be abused more than most will ever do firing semi auto and survive. |
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