1911 "shock buffer" systems....

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Some years ago (many) I took one of my 1911s...a Colt Combat Commander to a well known pistolsmith for a performance/reliability tune. Not that it really needed it. As part of the job, he installed a shock buffer system with little replaceable plastic buffers that, I guess, are supposed to reduce the shock to the frame of the gun during firing. It is still in there. Is it necessary? Should I re-install the original parts? This gun gets very little use.
 
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These were all the rage in the 90s, but like so many other gun 'fads', the whole thing was overblown, IMHO. I haven't used a buffer in decades and haven't had any resultant issues.
 
I’d replace it with original 1911 parts.

Lots of gadgets have been sold for 1911’s that add nothing to the original design. This sounds like another such gadget.
 
The 1911 shock buffs were very popular among IPSC competition shooters that really REALLY shot a lot of rounds. I personally went through over 500 rounds each week on the average and even more right before a sanctioned shoot. My guns lasted much longer using the shock buffs. Those little rubber gizmos were selling for less than a buck per pack in the 1980's.

Wilson Combat still sells them for next to nuthin.

Shok-Buff« Recoil Buffers | 1911-https://shopwilsoncombat.com/
 
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I've used these off and on for years, but I don't know that they serve a useful purpose. Sounds good on paper, but like grip adapters, bobbed hammers, and much other gadgetry of questionable worth, they probably do little or no harm.
 
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I know that many people don’t think the buffers are useful, but I have been using them for about 50 years without any trouble. I use the Wilson buffers now (made of some sort of blue plastic/rubber) and can’t remember the brand I used before, but they were black in color. As to fears that the buffers will fall apart and “jam” the firearm, that has never happened to me. I especially like to use them in older (pre WWII) 1911s with non-hardened slides. Don’t know if they are the reason, but I have never had one of the old slides crack while using them.
 
Rpg said:
I’d replace it with original 1911 parts.

Lots of gadgets have been sold for 1911’s that add nothing to the original design. This sounds like another such gadget.
Click to expand...

So very true. My brother-in-law, a collector of anything/everything, recently bought at auction a lovely 1912-production commercial 1911. As with all his guns, he insisted on shooting it, and he invited me along. Now, I would HAVE to change out the sights, but with that mod (and new springs, just because) I'd carry that gun every day. Things like a modest beavertail grip safety can help some folks in the comfort department, but most other add-on stuff is just gilding the lily, at best. At worst, they're a waste of money, and some can compromise the reliability of your gun.
 
I went through a time in the 70's and 80's when they were the thing so I used them. I still have a couple of Wilson's somewhere. In reference to the above post, I was going to mention that if they get really worn out, they can start coming apart and could come apart and cause issues. they should be inspected and changed out when they start looking worn and flattened out. There is nothing wrong with them. They work just fine.
 
I was told back in the day.. they could be useful for competition / range guns... but not for carry guns... much better off tuning recoil spring to specific load you use for carry...
this was by C&S after having Barsto barrel put in my late father's Combat Commander having sheared off the lug off the Colt barrel after decades of shooting..
 
Back in 80’s-90’s used the Wilsons in 2 1911s that got shot a lot, seemed to help prevent hammering. The buffers did get squished pretty bad so had to change them often. Old armorer friend said if John Browning didn’t put it in the 1911, its not needed.
 
I have one in my 70 Series Gold Cup. From what I remember, they were not recommended for the shorter Commander type guns.
 
Like cstrode, I shot over 500 rounds a week for years when shooting IPSC. I too, had the plastic/rubber bumpers in my pistols. Did they save wear on the pistols? Probably as I went through quite a few of them over time. Just wish that there had been a bumper for my hand! The arthritis in my right thumb and hand tells me about every round I ever shot!!
 
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I use them, they serve a real purpose and keep the slide from battering the frame or the op rod from battering then recvr or gas block in my ruger minis but they don’t last forever and need to be replaced every so often depending on the power of your loads, recoil springs and your round count. Also have a buffer in my 1927A1 Thompson recvr. My uncle once showed me a 1911 magazine that he had used for many years and the front wasn’t smooth anymore as it was dimpled from those 7 hardball rounds slamming into it over and over.
 
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I had them in a 1911 that I hand built. It seemed to be a good idea when I was doing a good deal of IPSC shooting. A couple of years ago l set up a Colt stainless series 80 for 45 Super and dropped a buffer in along with the other mods. They are probably an OK idea as long as you replace them before they begin to break up.
 
I used them in one of my 1911's for awhile then figured they were a waste of time and haven't used them since. All 1911 are designed to run without them. NO factory 1911's come with them. And NO ONE. Me or anyone else used them in 10mm 1911's and 10mm's are a lot rougher on 1911's than 45 acp. One thing users fail to mention is that installed shok-buff will sometimes not allow the slide to fully come to the rear resulting in a jam or the slide failing to pick up another round from the magazine.
 
A while back I spent a few years as the general manager of a small shop that specialized in 1911's. The owner suggested use of shock buffer type products only in 1911's that were being shot with hot bowling pin type loads; I concur. I removed more than a few 'buffs from guns that were in shreds and causing malfunctions. I would never suggest use of a 'buff in a duty or self defense 1911. If you do use a 'buff regularly check them for condition each time pistol is cleaned. Toss when in less than like new condition.
 
I used to use them, then I noticed one day that my favorite 1911 was jamming...after taking it apart, I found pieces of the little neoprene device all over the pistol...so they all came out. I never noticed that they did any good anyhow.
 
Has anyone ever seen or used this type of buffer? I pulled this out of a Union Switch and Signal 1911a1.
 

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