Buffer Life Expectancy

[oneyeopn]

I am building another 16" AR off of my left over parts from all the changes I made in my Sport to begin with. Today I received my Magpul CTR stock assembly. tube and buffer and all. I had decided to put the CTR on my CyberSport when I ordered it and to put the original S&W Stock on my new build. I should have ordered a CTR with a Military Tube instead of a Commercial tube but it was no problem because i have the tools and the vise blocks. It had been a while since I had removed my buffer but I had to today to swap things around. Well to my surprise this is what I found. . I had saved the original buffer and it had what appears to be a polyurethane buffer end. So I removed the buffer ends and swapped them around putting the heaviest weights and the heaviest body together with the poly buffer. Just thought I would pass the information on so that if someone like me has replaced the buffer it is something to keep an eye on..yeah I shoot a lot but I wanted to spread the information before someone has an accident plus...the CTR stock rocks...

[TangoFoxtrot]

Grover, my service weapon M4 buffer never even looked like that. BTW I just got the CTR and your gonna like it. I got mine in OD green.

[oneyeopn]

TangoF-- Yeah this concerned me, I am thinking I need a heavier spring, but I am not sure. I am going to keep a close eye on this new Poly end and see what happens. If I need to I will buy a Heavier Spring and maybe a "Spikes Tactical T-2" buffer. I am just wondering if when you put a heavier buffer in you should replace the spring also?

[Kodiakco]

On my OR I currently run a H2 buffer with a stock spring. After talking with Springco, I plan on switching to their "Blue" spring. From what I understand, a lot of AR's are over gassed. To combat this problem you can either install a adjustable gas block or increase buffer weight, action spring strength and bolt carrier weight. An over gassed AR is harder on the components of the rifle.

CARBINE SPRING: 10 1/16 inches (25.56 cm)
minimum to 11 1/4 inches (28.58 cm)
maximum.

[storeyteller]

New spring sounds like a good idea. Looks like yours may have not been performing its job. Kodiakco gave the measurements, if yours is not within those parameters then replace it no questions asked. I would probably replace it anyway, they don't cost that much and it should at least give some peace of mind.

[oneyeopn]

Yep I put a new heavier one in when I put the rebuilt buffer in. I probably should have done it when I put in the heavier buffer, but we do live and learn...My old spring still falls in the correct range but maybe the heavier buffer caused it to weaken. That I dont know.

[storeyteller]

Looks like it did weaken....that end cap had to be striking the buttplate mighty hard to do that kinda damage

[BHarada]

Hey Grover,
I bought the same buffer as you probably only a few days after you got yours. This is what mine looks like today...





The roll pin that was installed in the heavy buffer was short and only went through one of the holes. And when I tried to install the stock buffer plug onto the heavy buffer I found that the pin hole is off-centered in the buffer so I couldn't get the stock (longer) roll pin completely through the tube and plug.

Also not impressed with whatever coating was used on the buffer. Almost looks like it was dipped into lacquer and has started to peel.

When I disassembled the stock and heavy buffer I found that the only weight difference was in the buffer case itself. The internal weights were almost identical in total weight.

So for now I have reinstalled the stock buffer. I was about to pull the trigger on an Enidine AR-Restor but read some accounts that it can cause cycling problems with anything but mil-spec ammo and can also make it difficult to manually lock the bolt back.

[oneyeopn]

Bill I contacted the seller and he is willing to do whatever to make it right. I sent you his email so contact him and see what he will do for you. Also like you I discovered the case was the heavier part. But the weights in the original are heavier but a couple of tenths of an ounce each. My finish didnt have a blem on it. But I too am now looking for a better quality buffer and Spring arrangement.

[BHarada]

I got a Spikes T2 buffer and a JP carbine spring from Brownells today. The buffer is a nice piece of black anodized aluminum and the spring is, well, a spring. haha.

But seriously, the spring is made of flat music wire and polished to reduce the raspy noise during cycling. I'll find out if it true or marketing BS on Friday.

[oneyeopn]

Originally Posted by BHarada

I got a Spikes T2 buffer and a JP carbine spring from Brownells today. The buffer is a nice piece of black anodized aluminum and the spring is, well, a spring. haha.

But seriously, the spring is made of flat music wire and polished to reduce the raspy noise during cycling. I'll find out if it true or marketing BS on Friday.

Bill
Let me know cause I will order one as soon as I hear how it works out
Grover

[Hoosier45]

I just saw you mentioned JP, they look pretty nice but would like to know how strong/smooth their entire setup is, not just their springs. I'm waiting to receive my first AR I just purchased and am curious to check out the buffer setup. Please keep us posted on your results.
JP - Buffer Springs and Silent Captured Springs

[BHarada]

Originally Posted by huelsterb

I just saw you mentioned JP, they look pretty nice but would like to know how strong/smooth their entire setup is, not just their springs. I'm waiting to receive my first AR I just purchased and am curious to check out the buffer setup. Please keep us posted on your results.
JP - Buffer Springs and Silent Captured Springs

Rats. Now I guess I'll have to bring the old buffer setup to run A-B comparisons with. hahaha.

I'll post results back here after my range trip tomorrow.

[oneyeopn]

Bill a good man's work is never done!! LOL

[isaidme1]

I went with the Spikes H2 buffer as well. I have not replaced the spring yet but just the heavier buffer made a huge difference. I was having falures to extract and heavy recoil. This is the exact reason manufactures are going to mid length gas tubes on carbines. You get a rifle that stays cleaner and wears slower. But Im with you on Magpul stuff, I wouldnt do without my STR stock now!

[BHarada]

Okay. The results of the buffer testing was less than overwhelming. I shot video of me shooting six combos: Stock spring+stock buffer; stock spring+eBay buffer; stock spring+Spikes buffer; JP spring+stock buffer; JP spring+eBay buffer; JP spring+Spikes buffer.

Here's a composite picture showing the max recoil using each combo. The yellow line shows the pre-shot position and the red the point of maximum recoil.



The picture shows what I felt--no difference in recoil with any of the combos.

What was different was the sound of the JP spring. The polishing really does eliminate the raspy sound that the stock spring makes. It no longer sounds like changing the size of a spring-loaded curtain rod, but more pneumatic-like. It's hard to describe, but it definitely sounds less toy-like. haha.