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  #1  
Old 08-06-2017, 03:21 PM
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Default Buffer Springs: Need Help

Has anyone here changed out their buffer spring for a chrome silicon one?
My understanding is that a standard Mil-Spec buffer spring is pretty much done at 5000 rounds, but the chrome silicon spring can run ten times that and they're not that expensive.
Also, flat wound VS round wound springs.
Anyone here have any experience with them? I have a new M&P Sport 2 and thinking of trying one.
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Last edited by agksimon; 08-07-2017 at 11:00 AM.
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Old 08-06-2017, 06:16 PM
Steve912 Steve912 is offline
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Originally Posted by agksimon View Post
My understanding is that a standard Mil-Spec buffer spring is pretty much done at 5000 rounds, but the chrome silicon spring can run ten times that and they're not that expensive..
I wasn't an armorer, but I don't think they were changing our recoil springs out that often (every 5K rounds). Thought the GI spring was chrome silicon, also...no?
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Old 08-06-2017, 06:22 PM
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Thought the GI spring was chrome silicon, also...no?
Maybe they are now, not sure. I've been watching a lot of videos and reading a lot of forums, but everyone has a different opinion.
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Old 08-06-2017, 07:39 PM
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I use a chrome silicon. Damage Industries sells them for $12. LaRue sells one in a fancy tube for twice the price. Damage Industries frequently has them on sale for $5.99.
I purchased one from DI for the heck of it to see if the bold claim was true. It is.
For $5.99 I'd buy one again... big spender that I am!

Constructed from certified USA made chrome silicon spring wire
Heat treated, stress relieved
Provides consistent spring pressure for hundreds of thousands of cycles (estimated 750,000+)
Greater resistance to heat & high stress cyclic rates
Improves operation, long-lasting performance
Consistent pressure reduces bolt bounce
Significantly reduces the perceived "twang" noise which is common during firing

Enhanced Spring, Recoil Buffer, Action, Carbine

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Old 08-06-2017, 10:36 PM
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Quote:
agksimon wrote:
Has anyone here changed out there buffer spring for a chrome silicon one?
No.

After I bought Sport IIs for my sons, I bought a repair parts kit, so if they ever get to 5,000 rounds and the spring breaks, I will have another one on hand for them.

As far as the "twang", I have never heard it (but then my hearing is damaged) but neither have either of my sons. If they do hear it one day and are bothered by it, I would look into ameliorating the problem, but in the meantime I don't see the need to fix what isn't broken.
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Old 08-07-2017, 12:34 AM
Shoo2tr Shoo2tr is offline
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Default JP Tuned and Polished Buffer Springs

The JP tuned and polished springs are all I run in my builds. If you can get them on sale they are well worth the money. Normally they run just south of $20. These springs will last at least as long as your barrel and most likely even longer. They are a tad heavier than stock so they manage recoil better while eliminating the "twang" if it matters to you. JP makes excellent products, I also run their trigger and hammer springs in my non drop-in trigger groups. I find the JP products I use enhance both function and reliability while not breaking the bank.
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Old 08-07-2017, 12:50 AM
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1. GI spring is not chrome silicone, just a standard metal coiled spring.
2. I don't believe flat vs round has any true advantage, just personal preference in how you want it, I'd personally go round for the smoother edges in the mindset that it'd have less wear in the buffer and spring itself.
3. I tried a chrome silicon buffer spring before, but it rattled around in my tube (too narrow I guess even though it was a carbine length milspec size) when I moved the rifle so I returned it.
4. I'm not entirely sure if a chrome silicon buffer spring would really make that much of a difference compared to the music wire (I believe that's the name), both should be an improvement over the GI spring though.
5. If you want a smooth running and quiet rifle (operating wise, not bang bang wise), I can not stress the pleasure of running a JP Silent Captured Spring. I think other companies make a similar product for cheaper as well, but in all honesty, I think the SCS has been the best upgrade I've made on my rifle and everybody has been amazed at how it feels.

Anyways, I'm pretty sure anything is better than the stock spring, especially if you have electronic ear pro. Just do some looking, ask around (the more opinions, the better IMO), and if you get the chance to try some out, do it. I'd wait for a sale and snag one as mentioned for $6ish.
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Old 08-07-2017, 08:59 AM
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I purchased one of the Damage Industries versions per Phil's recommendation a year or two back and have been completely satisfied.

For $6 on sale (plus shipping) how could I say no?
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Old 08-07-2017, 09:42 AM
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I purchased one of the Damage Industries versions per Phil's recommendation a year or two back and have been completely satisfied.

For $6 on sale (plus shipping) how could I say no?
Ditto with this.
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Old 08-07-2017, 05:02 PM
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I have it in my Colt 6920 Socom 1 carbine as well as my two
Colt Vietnam era "retro" rifles. Got them on sale years ago.
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Old 08-07-2017, 05:09 PM
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Originally Posted by blues7 View Post
I purchased one of the Damage Industries versions per Phil's recommendation a year or two back and have been completely satisfied.

For $6 on sale (plus shipping) how could I say no?
I have the same and second this. a smidgen of heavy grease on it will rid you the twang or any noise.

Last edited by Scotiapilot; 08-07-2017 at 10:58 PM.
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Old 08-07-2017, 06:40 PM
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I have the same and second this. a smidgen of hay grease on it will rid you the twang or any noise.
I have to ask....

...hay grease?
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Old 08-07-2017, 10:58 PM
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I have to ask....

...hay grease?



LOL heavy Sorry LOL
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Old 08-08-2017, 06:53 AM
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Ahhh thanks.

Too many autocorrect letters missin to guess that one
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Old 08-08-2017, 10:10 AM
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I don't heavy grease anything in my ARs.
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Old 08-08-2017, 10:41 PM
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Min/max buffer spring lengths.

Sent from my SM-T377V using Tapatalk
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Old 08-09-2017, 06:51 AM
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Let's say the stock spring is only good for 5,000 rounds. 5,000 rounds of 5.56 is going to cost roughly $1,500. If you can afford $1,500 worth of ammunition to wear the buffer spring out then buying a new spring for $10 shouldn't be a big deal.

Sometimes people like to overthink the simple stuff.
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Old 08-09-2017, 11:02 AM
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I've got one of these coming. I figure for $12, I won't be out much, if it doesn't work out.

Chrome Silicon carbine buffer spring (for adjustable stock) made in the U.S.A. | eBay
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Old 08-09-2017, 11:20 AM
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Curious.... Why go to the bother of replacing an original spring with a factory second / defect?


Condition:
New other (see details): A new, unused item with absolutely no signs of wear. The item may be missing the original packaging, or in the original packaging but not sealed. The item may be a factory second or a new, unused item with defects. See the seller’s listing for full details and description of any imperfections. See all condition definitions
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Old 08-09-2017, 11:34 AM
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Curious.... Why go to the bother of replacing an original spring with a factory second / defect?


Condition:
New other (see details): A new, unused item with absolutely no signs of wear. The item may be missing the original packaging, or in the original packaging but not sealed. The item may be a factory second or a new, unused item with defects. See the seller’s listing for full details and description of any imperfections. See all condition definitions
It takes less than a minute to change out and it's only $12, that I can well afford to throw away, if it doesn't work out. If it was twice that cost, I'd look into it a lot more, before buying it. If it doesn't work out, no big deal.
I just wanted to know if anyone has tried them and what their opinion of them was. How any of us spend our money, whether it be gun parts or a Corvette, is up to us.
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Last edited by agksimon; 08-09-2017 at 12:07 PM.
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Old 08-09-2017, 11:37 AM
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Brand new Sport... reads that the factory spring is only good for 5,000 rounds but "chrome silicon spring can run ten times that"...

Seems like something to worry about after 4500 rounds down range...
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Old 08-09-2017, 12:14 PM
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It takes less than a minute to change out and it's only $12, that I can well afford. If it was twice that cost, I'd look into it a lot more, before buying it. If it doesn't work out, no big deal.
Ooooops... sorry. Didn't know you hadn't read it was a factory defect. Now it's gonna bug ya every time you pull the trigger.
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Old 08-09-2017, 12:24 PM
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Brand new Sport... reads that the factory spring is only good for 5,000 rounds but "chrome silicon spring can run ten times that"...
Actually, 100+ times... but who's counting.
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Old 08-09-2017, 12:29 PM
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Ooooops... sorry. Didn't know you hadn't read it was a factory defect. Now it's gonna bug ya every time you pull the trigger.
The ad said it MAY have a factory defect and I really don't care if it does or not. If I don't like how it performs, I'll just throw it away. I'll bring the old one along and re-install it, if the new one doesn't work out. I've wasted money before.
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Last edited by agksimon; 08-09-2017 at 12:31 PM.
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Old 08-09-2017, 01:02 PM
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There is more to buffer springs than what most know or understand. The correct buffer spring and high quality buffer spring, have different seat pressures vs fully compressed pressure etc. The correct blueprint style buffer spring makes your AR shoot amazing. Mass produced cruddy mil buffer springs are junk and can be better.

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Old 08-09-2017, 05:52 PM
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I never thought much about how much difference the buffer spring might make. My rounds are ejecting at 3:00 for now, but I will definitely keep an eye on this and probably go to flat wire spring if I decide to change it. Thanks for sharing! Very informative video!
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Old 08-09-2017, 06:18 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Scotiapilot View Post
There is more to buffer springs than what most know or understand. The correct buffer spring and high quality buffer spring, have different seat pressures vs fully compressed pressure etc. The correct blueprint style buffer spring makes your AR shoot amazing. Mass produced cruddy mil buffer springs are junk and can be better.

Everything You Should Know About AR Buffer Springs - YouTube
JP SCS is a testament to that and the you get what you pay for saying
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Old 08-10-2017, 02:17 PM
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Received my chrome silicon buffer spring from eBay and compared it to the Mil-Spec one that came with my M&P Sport 2, optics ready. The chrome silicon one is 1/8" shorter at 10/58" and .003" smaller in diameter, than the Mil-Spec. Installed it, after lightly wiping it with a very light gun oil, on a rag.

Two things noticed: No "twang" at all, which could be the lube, but the big difference is how it tossed the brass. Both toss the brass, about three feet from the rifle. The original Mil-Spec one would toss the brass anywhere from one to three o'clock at random. The new one throws them into a nice little pile at 2 o'clock, so it's certainly more consistent.
Other than the above, no noticeable difference, including accuracy.
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Old 08-10-2017, 02:50 PM
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That pattern is ok... typical of a 16in barrel with a carbine gas system being overgassed.
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