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Posted: 9/14/2007 2:39:19 PM EDT
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Alrightgy, I'm building up two AR's right now. First one being done by Randall is an XM177E2 clone. What buffer is best for that setup? The other one is a Sabre Middy. Once again, which is best for a 16" middy? Thanks |
| There can be different variables from user to user, especially with regard to builds. A H or H2 works well with most AR's. Some guys use regular carbine buffers, some have to use pistol buffers to get theirs to run or install extractor upgrades. This question appears regularly & it's usually suggested to try them all & see which one works best for your particular set up & ammo choice. You just don't know 'til you get to the range & shoot it the first time. |
| H buffer is pretty standard on 14.5-16" setups. It is suggested to use a heavier buffer with a shorter barrel. This is because the gas has a shorter length to travel when it returns to the BCG through the gas tube. It has more force and will make the BCG recoil into the buffer at a faster speed, throwing off the timing of the whole mechanism. A heavier buffer will slow this down. |
Try the H buffer in the 16". The XM would be a toss-up and could come down to the personality of the weapon. I would have an H and an H2 on hand to try it out. You can always sell or trade the one you don't end up using. |
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To the original poster. You know what?.... just start off with 9mm buffers in everything. They are heavy 5.6 ounces, and INEXPENSIVE as compared to H, H2, H3. AND, think about it like this. If you were running an A2, A1 fixed stock, you wouldn't even be asking this question, because you would have VERY few choices. The original 5+ ounce, rifle length buffer. So you might as well start out with a carbine buffer than weighs the same. That's just my opinion. And yes, i have read all of ZakSmith's postings on ULTRA light buffers and reduced mass bolt carrier groups, and the origins in the Navy Seal world.
Wait. May I ask for clarification here? You are running: an 18" barrel, with a RIFLE length gas port location, and a 9mm buffer? If so, what type of barrel? and who made it? was it a factory 18? did you have a 20" cut down? if you had a 20" cut down, was the gas port enlarged? is so, who did it? the reason i ask is: i want to build something new. A 18" barrel with rifle length gas, but using either a gov profile or at MAX a medium profile barrel, and use it sometimes with just a flash hider, and sometimes a M4-2000 snuffer. But with a telestock, and a red dot. I am not looking for something SPRish, but just like a carbine... but a LITTLE bigger, with longer sight radius. S |
The barrel in question is an 18" Douglas premium recon barrel, from JTAC: link. The gas port is the factory size, although I don't know what that size is. By FAR the best barrel I have, btw. I think CMMG also makes 18" rifle-gas barrels in a variety of profiles, although CMV not stainless IIRC. |
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A carbine buffer spring is much stiffer than a rifle. This is why it's harder to charge. This negates the need for a 5.2 oz buffer; like in a rifle. I'd say go with a heavier(H1or H2) buffer in a carbine with a standard carrier and stick with a carbine buffer with an LMT Enhanced Carrier. |
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BUFFER WEIGHTS Rifle - 5.2oz, made of aluminum CAR - 3.0oz, made of aluminum H - 3.8oz H2 - 4.7oz H3 – 5.6oz 9mm - 5.6oz, made of steel Special purpose buffers designed for suppressed SMG's or 9mm carbines using high pressure (+P+) ammunition 9mm A - 6.3oz CAR style buffer 9mm B - 7.1oz CAR style buffer 9mm X - 7.9oz CAR style buffer |
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