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Posted: 2/9/2016 11:14:02 PM EDT
| I was watching some videos of a stationary stock being installed and noticed they replaced the buffer tube with a larger one and called it mil spec. I am trying to understand what the purpose is for the two different tubes and what other changes need to be made such as the buffer and spring. And what would be the purpose of installing the larger tube or when would it be required. |
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There are two basic styles of tubes and buffers - rifle length or carbine length.
The carbine tube is shorter, and uses a shorter buffer and spring to achieve a more compact profile in addition to its ability to collapse. Further, among carbine tubes, there are variants; but the rifle length tubes and buffers are basically all the same. |
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There is 2 basic types of buffer tubes Rifle or carbine each have a different size(length) spring and buffer
Either can be used for what ever upper you are using, but rifle buffer tubes go with rifle buffer and spring, and carbine tubes go with carbine buffer and springs Now carbine buffer tubes come in 2 sizes mil spec and commercial the difference is the outside diameter the inside diameter is the same |
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There are rifle receiver extensions, and carbine receiver extensions. Rifle is longer, uses a rifle length spring and buffer. Carbine is shorter, uses a carbine length spring and buffer. These are "Mil-spec" in a general sense.
Some carbine length extensions are "commercial" size, not mil-spec. The threads may be cut instead of rolled, the tube may have a slanted back, and the outer diameter is slightly larger(so you need to use a mil-spec stock on a mil-spec extension and commercial on commercial.) Additionally, mil-spec will be 7075 aluminum, and commercial is often a different type of aluminum. There are some other proprietary length extensions as well. |
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So if I understand correctly, there is really no situation in which you would be required to use the rifle length tube and if I wanted I could use a rifle length tube on my carbine? It more than likely would come with the proper spring and buffer or I Could purchase them for that type of tube?
Are there any advantages to either, besides the adjustability of the carbine? |
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Quoted:
So if I understand correctly, there is really no situation in which you would be required to use the rifle length tube and if I wanted I could use a rifle length tube on my carbine? It more than likely would come with the proper spring and buffer or I Could purchase them for that type of tube? Are there any advantages to either, besides the adjustability of the carbine? No, if you are asking if you can use a rifle receiver extension with a collapsible stock. The rifle extension does not have the alignment rail to keep the collapsible stock in place. A carbine extension requires the use of a collapsible stock, carbine buffer (shorter) and carbine spring (shorter). If you are asking if you can replace the entire carbine stock assembly (the parts noted above) with a fixed buttstock (rifle extension, rifle buffer and rifle spring), then yes. Confused yet? |
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Quoted:
Are there any advantages to either, besides the adjustability of the carbine? Rifle: + consistent cheek weld (no variable LOP or lock-up issues), + strength (arguable, depends on materials & manufacturer) Carbine: + variety of choices, + sling attachment points, + weight Did I forget anything? |
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