Been reading some stuff here and there and one thing I see being pushed is heavy recoil buffers (usually 4oz plus). Lot's of claims regarding less cycling noise, less muzzle climb, less felt recoil etc as compared to the standard carbine buffer. Do these things actually accomplish all of that? If they do then what's the down side?

Most of us use "H" marked buffers in SBR configuration that use a pistol length gas system. This is because the supersonic loads tend to be over gased, and cause the buffer to actually blow all the way back and bottom out in the buffer tube. So we add a heavy buffer to solve this problem. Beings we run a pistol gas system, we still have plenty of blow back to cycle a heavy buffer even running subsonics. Now when we run supersonics the buffer no longer bottoms out in the back of the tube.

An adjustable gas system is THE way to go, IMO. You dont have to worry about all the BS, and u can set it up to run which ever way u want it to run. Not really a need to worry about buffers then.

So, no real purpose would be served installed in a standard carbine firing NATO or equivelant ammo?

I believe u would get a little less "bolt slap" from a heavy buffer in a standard 5.56. Which would probably be why it may be considered a bit more quiet. But I honestly dont see it being that much more quiet (that u can tell).

If u were running it suppressed then I could see u being able to tell a difference. Other then that, i'd say they are both fairly equal. I'm sure both will run just fine in a standard 16" 5.56.

I built an AR lower with a Spikes ST-T2 buffer and tested it out with the upper from my M&P15MOE (mid-length gas system) earlier this month. The ST-T2 weighs 4.05 to 4.3 oz. (Spikes says 4.05, Bravo Company USA says it is 4.3) so it would be in the middle between the H and H2 on the chart below. I had no issues with the function and did notice it felt like there was less recoil - but the mid-length gas system already makes the M&P15 MOE a smooth shooter anyways.


(Not my table and I'm not vouching for the seller. It is just a helpful chart comparing buffer weights.)

WOW, what an excellent answer. I was wondering the same thing, but I never thought to ask.

Thanks, Smitty, that was incredibly helpful.

Blessings,

Steve

The only time I've really found a heavy buffer to be better is in a suppressed, pistol caliber, or short barreled rifle, which all have harder recoil pulses.
I guess it'd help slow down the cycle rate in a full auto too, but I haven't tried it.

__________________
Hold my beer and watch this!

By short barreled rifle i'm guessing you mean shorter than standard carbine length?

Jerry Miculek's compensator will remove 40% of felt recoil and helps prevent muzzle climb on quick shots.

Not a buffer, I know but for $39 I figured it was worth a try.

It works as advertised.

AR-15 MICULEK COMP | Brownells

Jerry Miculek Practical Rifle DVD Segment, D1S3s2 | World's Largest Supplier of Firearm Accessories, Gun Parts and Gunsmithing Tools - BROWNELLS

Anything having less than a 16" barrel with a Stock. Also known as SBR. It still runs under the Class 3 as does the suppressor. So a tax stamp is needed to own either.