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1/11/2017 9:47:58 PM EDT
So I took this in a trade lot. Seemingly ordinary CAR buffer, other than it's coated black, paint Im guessing.

Here's the odd part, it's heavy. Like 7.0 oz heavy. Wtf? Why so heavy? That's like 1.5 oz more than a std rifle buffer, IIRR?

Any ideas???  Specific application or just a crap made, no specs generic buffer?
1/11/2017 9:53:06 PM EDT
[#1]
Probably a heavy-ish (they run from 5-9+ oz) 9mm buffer.
1/11/2017 9:57:27 PM EDT
[#2]
You can buy other weights to make it lighter if needed. 
1/11/2017 9:57:55 PM EDT
[#3]
Quote History
Quoted:
Probably a heavy-ish (they run from 5-9+ oz) 9mm buffer.
View Quote


Never crossed my mind, 9mm.

All mine are 5.56. Makes sense though.  Thanks
1/11/2017 9:59:48 PM EDT
[#4]
I run std or H in mine. Just never held one that heavy. I dont know much 9mm specific in ARs.
1/11/2017 10:12:28 PM EDT
[#5]
Take it apart and see what kind of weights it has in it.
1/11/2017 10:16:52 PM EDT
[#6]
Quote History
Quoted:
Take it apart and see what kind of weights it has in it.
View Quote


Gonna try tomorrow. It's in my bench at the shop. I'm guessing  tungsten. But I have no real idea  yet.
1/11/2017 10:22:24 PM EDT
[#7]
Do the weights slide back and forth when you shake it or are they fixed in place?
1/11/2017 10:23:19 PM EDT
[#8]
boring but https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8boc8aFgfT8&t=67s
1/11/2017 10:25:53 PM EDT
[#9]
Quote History
Quoted:
Do the weights slide back and forth when you shake it or are they fixed in place?
View Quote


They slide back and forth.
1/11/2017 10:32:58 PM EDT
[#10]
I just discovered I got a 5oz buffer with a PSA kit I bought a while back
looks just like the one in the pic
1/11/2017 10:55:18 PM EDT
[#11]
Quote History
Quoted:
I just discovered I got a 5oz buffer with a PSA kit I bought a while back
looks just like the one in the pic
View Quote


Even for an overgassed carbine or middy, I would think that it would not run reliably in 5.56?

Have you fired yours?
1/12/2017 1:13:01 AM EDT
[#12]
I was having some feeding issues and bolt wouldn't lock open on last round with cheap ammo
it worked great with my reloaded ammo.
only shot it once about 100 rounds or so
I just discovered this buffer a couple days ago, I haven't been back to the range since

just one more reason to be disappointed with PSA
1/12/2017 2:17:35 AM EDT
[#13]
Maybe the heavy buffer is keeping the BCG from traveling backwards enough to catch bolt catch after your last round. It can also prevent it from picking up a fresh round I believe. Maybe a standard weight buffer will fix those issues or at least improve them.
1/12/2017 2:39:34 AM EDT
[#14]
Put it in your cheapest 16" carbine gas gun and give it a try.

9mm buffers have been known to work in 5.56
1/12/2017 8:18:50 AM EDT
[#15]
Quote History
Quoted:
Take it apart and see what kind of weights it has in it.
View Quote


Update: 2 weights. Appear to be  steel (slight flash rusting) seperated by  a thin plastic disc.
1/12/2017 9:08:33 AM EDT
[#16]
Quote History
Quoted:


Even for an overgassed carbine or middy, I would think that it would not run reliably in 5.56?

Have you fired yours?
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Quote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
I just discovered I got a 5oz buffer with a PSA kit I bought a while back
looks just like the one in the pic


Even for an overgassed carbine or middy, I would think that it would not run reliably in 5.56?

Have you fired yours?

The rifle buffer is around 5 oz., quite reliable.
1/12/2017 3:49:03 PM EDT
[#17]
Quote History
Quoted:

The rifle buffer is around 5 oz., quite reliable.
View Quote


In a rifle gas system.

This is carbine, 5.56 mm. One member above says no, I would think the same. I have not tried any heavier than a H buffer tho.
1/12/2017 3:59:47 PM EDT
[#18]
Quote History
Quoted:


In a rifle gas system.

This is carbine, 5.56 mm. One member above says no, I would think the same. I have not tried any heavier than a H buffer tho.
View Quote
I run H2 in my 16" carbines. (BCM and Colt) They are 4.6 ounce. 

Plenty of people are running rifle buffers with carbine uppers. 
1/12/2017 8:24:59 PM EDT
[#19]
Quote History
Quoted:
I run H2 in my 16" carbines. (BCM and Colt) They are 4.6 ounce. 

Plenty of people are running rifle buffers with carbine uppers. 
View Quote


In carbine receiver extensions, though?

I agree about H2 in carbine gas that's what I use too.

OP there's an article I've posted on Arfcom a bazillion times about Mike Pannone in which he uses a DPMS extra heavy (5.3oz?) in his personal carbines.

Nobody seems to read it but it's got a ton of good data in it.

Heavy ass buffers+XP extractor/buffer springs turn these rifles into sewing machines. They just seem to never quit.
1/12/2017 8:35:18 PM EDT
[#20]
Quote History
Quoted:


In carbine receiver extensions, though?

I agree about H2 in carbine gas that's what I use too.

OP there's an article I've posted on Arfcom a bazillion times about Mike Pannone in which he uses a DPMS extra heavy (5.3oz?) in his personal carbines.

Nobody seems to read it but it's got a ton of good data in it.

Heavy ass buffers+XP extractor/buffer springs turn these rifles into sewing machines. They just seem to never quit.
View Quote


I'll have to check that out.

But, as I said...this weighs 7 oz.
Lotta weight in a small package. Next range trip I am going to throw it in one of my 14.5s and see how it does. For shits n grins.
1/12/2017 8:41:28 PM EDT
[#21]
[Plenty of people are running rifle buffers with carbine uppers.]

Guess your right there. This just threw me, being so heavy in a carbine buffer.  I would have thought it would not allow the bcg to fully travel rearward.

Are spring tensions similar in rifle / carbine?
1/12/2017 9:35:32 PM EDT
[#22]
http://www.defensereview.com/the-big-m4-myth-fouling-caused-by-the-direct-impingement-gas-system-makes-the-m4-unreliable/

There's a companion article that's good too.

I guess he uses a 5.7oz buffer, either way I'm interested to see if your 7oz works.

I think it will with 5.56
1/12/2017 9:38:15 PM EDT
[#23]
As it seems most every AR is way overgassed, you may be right.

I'll give it a whirl
1/12/2017 9:43:57 PM EDT
[#24]
Quote History
Quoted:
As it seems most every AR is way overgassed, you may be right.

I'll give it a whirl
View Quote


Agreed, in my experience at least. Someone posted a video awhile back of one of the M16 designers and in it he was talking about how important it was in the design for the reciprocating parts to have a lot of mass.

My personal belief is you should run the heaviest you can while locking back your target ammo. A gun cycling too fast may or may not be technically reliable but it could be running better.
1/12/2017 10:06:56 PM EDT
[#25]
Quote History
Quoted:


In carbine receiver extensions, though?

I agree about H2 in carbine gas that's what I use too.

OP there's an article I've posted on Arfcom a bazillion times about Mike Pannone in which he uses a DPMS extra heavy (5.3oz?) in his personal carbines.

Nobody seems to read it but it's got a ton of good data in it.

Heavy ass buffers+XP extractor/buffer springs turn these rifles into sewing machines. They just seem to never quit.
View Quote
 No they are in rifle stocks like the A2. 

I have an H3 as well, but plan to use that when I have a Suppressor on a 16" carbine. 
1/16/2017 11:19:20 PM EDT
[#26]
Update :
Soooo....I ran one of my 14.5" carbines today with the fat buffer (7.0 oz),  120 rds of M855 ball. Hummed through it like an electric fillet knife.

I gotta say I'm still surprised. H buffers are my standard, I'd say this felt nicer? I was sure it wouldnt work, guess I was wrong. Now we know.

Fwiw, I just changed to Damage Ind enhanced springs too. Man I gotta say I like those!
1/16/2017 11:33:28 PM EDT
[#27]
I run a 9mm buffer in mine right now because a long time ago someone around here said they used one.  I wanted to see what would happen.  My M4gery is pretty overgassed, I think.  Well, overgassed in the sense that it's probably has a generous gas port.  I really have no clue what it is, but so far I've run this carbine with that 9mm buffer, and it locked back just fine with wolf.  I plan to try some Tula at some point.   But walmart was out of it the last time I went.  (as a side note, that's about as cheap as .223 has been anywhere around here, but now I don't remember what it was.  I think it was 5.99 a box of 20).  My guess is it'll run just fine.  Not sure.  

But it ran fine with wolf.  It was the first load in that carbine to eject past 3 oclock.  And it has less felt recoil with the heavier buffer.  Although I know that doesn't make a lot of sense, since there is more mass being thrown back at my shoulder.  It still fires more comfortably.  

I wouldn't mind trying a regular type buffer that has reciprocating weights in a similar weight.  I've yet to have it choke on anything though.  I should get out there and shoot it in super duper cold with wolf and see if that's the case still.

I'm really not surprise that yours ran with M855.  I am a little confused as to what exactly it is.  What H buffer.  I remember CD saying they came out with an H6 for 20"ers with carbine stocks and I think it's heavier than a rifle buffer.  Or maybe I just assumed it was heavier....  I forget now.
1/16/2017 11:53:35 PM EDT
[#28]
Yeah, I'm not sure, as I took in in trade. No markings whatsoever.
I may just keep it in for now.

I was always told that too much weight will keep it from locking back and too little will allow it to cycle way too fast. Thus the reason I went with H buffers.

Anyhow, thanks for the input.
Nice to hear what others are running and how it works or don't for them. I am learning all the time.
1/16/2017 11:57:37 PM EDT
[#29]
I think I found out that an H6 is 5.15 ounces, right between an H2 and H3.
1/17/2017 12:03:33 AM EDT
[#30]
Wonder what mine is considered @7.0oz?
1/17/2017 12:05:53 AM EDT
[#31]
Quote History
Quoted:
My M4gery is pretty overgassed, I think.  Well, overgassed in the sense that it's probably has a generous gas port.
View Quote


I think you are spot on.
The heavier buffer is going to slow things down a bit and help there.
But, once that thing gets moving, is the same buffer spring going to be able to control the heavier buffer?
A heavier buffer is often treating a symptom, and not necessarily the problem. It is easy to play with and see results though.

Gas port is where it is at, but that can be difficult to adjust without a fancy gas block.
Obviously, they build some overhead into the port for reliability. It will still run with too much, but not with too little.
If I were a mfg, I'd play it safe and error on the high side so I didn't have to listen to the bitchin when somebody couldn't dial in some crazy ass basket case

Can tune them to be a sewing machine, or a jackhammer. Sewing machine is sweet, but jackhammer will be less finicky when it comes to ammo and neglect/abuse.
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