heavier buffer & compensator

[garfy]

I've been reading various forums and such about ARs in general and talk of how to make it "smoother" and less snappy. Most center around using a heavier buffer, namely an H2. Besides this, I'm curious if a compensator helps much in settling down after firing that improves reacquisition of the target, etc. I'm very new to the AR platform (only had handguns previously) and have a stock M&P15 and don't mind spending a few extra dollars to improve it's function and make it more pleasant to shoot a lot. Thanks in advance!

 

[TangoFoxtrot]

First off welcome to the forum. Sir my suggestion to you is to first spend your money on ammo and a good optic (if you need one) first. Get use to the AR platform. Fire a lot of rounds and get use to the trigger, sights, and optic. Even go a take a training course.

Do your research and ask questions on this forum there are a lot knowledgable people here who would be glad to help you.

 

[storeyteller]

I have a muzzle brake on my sport and it has really helped alot. Prices and styles are all over the map. I went with a Smith Enterprise M14 DC Muzzle Brake and it really works well. I have not used the H2 buffer, but instead have replaced the collapsible stock with an A2 stock which has improved my long-range shooting. With this set-up, I can see about 50% of my shots hit the target on 20x at around 300yds. With a 3x optic I can see 100% of the hits.
Good luck, stay safe, and happy hunting.

 

[oneyeopn]

I agree with TangoFoxtrot, my experience is such that I tried a few different brakes and flash suppresors, after a while I havent noticed that the brake helped in my accuracy and some did hurt my accuracy. The Spikes H2 buffer did smooth my action up but I would shoot the rifle and get used to its idiosyncrasies before I went to changing those components, Everyone will go "What Grover Saying this" from my experience it is better to learn the rifle and then decide what is important to you than to have a box of parts left over that you may never use.
Welcome to the Club as Joe Walsh would say~!!~

 

[Gunslinger808]

The only rifles I use a heavier buffer in are my pistol caliber ones.
As to muzzle breaks/flash hiders, to me they only really work right when used on select fire rifles.
I run a Primary Weapons on one of my M4s, and it does maker a difference over the other M4 with standard flash suppressor in full auto.
In semi auto, not so much.
I mean really, it's not like the 5.56 is a round that has vicious recoil.

 

[storeyteller]

I forget that not everyone is using their weapons for the same things as me. I'm a hunter and everything that I do for, or with my weapons is geared to that end. That being said, for me, with varmit rifles (of which IMO the .223 is king), it's not about the recoil, but what the rifle does when it recoils. If it goes straight back, I can stay on target and see my shots hit (or where they hit), but if the muzzle jumps skyward, forget about it. This may not make a difference if your shooting man size targets at 50-100yds, but shooting little vermin (2" wide and 10" tall) at 300-500 yds with a high power scope in windy conditions...trust me, it really helps to see where the rounds hit so corrections can be made, if necessary (and they usually are), not to mention the cool factor of seeing a prarie dog vaporized into a fine pink mist! The set-up I'm using has helped me to do this, but it still needs some tweaking.
People on this forum use their weapons for different purposes, so we get to hear different experiences as well as different opinions, and that's what's so awesome about this forum as opposed to those that ONLY talk tactical or hunting.

 

[Gunslinger808]

On my hunting ARs I don't have any muzzle attachments.
11 degree target crowns.

 

[storeyteller]

I like the target crowned barrels as well, actually have a couple, but they are all custom bull barrels that are HEAVY, especially on the front end. My sport shoots ALMOST as well and is alot more pleasurable to carry around. For a stock 16" barrel, with a carbine length gas system, the muzzle brake that I'm using exceeded my expectations and almost has me where I want to be. I've been throwing around the idea of adding an adjustable gas block so I can tune it to my specific reloads as a next measure. Got some questions about that, but should probalby start a new thread.

 

[garfy]

Thanks everyone, for your comments. I'm currently waiting for my new Nikon scope to arrive as the standard aperture sights don't work well for me even at a mere 50 yards (the front sight is about as large as 1/4 of my target). I guess I'll take it from there and see if I can see my hits through the scope without it going off target much after the shot. This AR platform has a fairly good learning curve compared to my handguns (not as many parts and almost nothing is interchangeable). Having so many different companies making parts that will fit it almost makes you feel like a "kid in the candy store". No wonder someone told me that the gun could end up being the cheapest part of my expenditures.

 

[MichiganScott]

Garfy, you simply need more practice with open sights. The guys I compete with regularly shoot MOA with open sights. My competition gun shoots well under 1" at 100 yards off the bench. Unfortunately, I can't come close to that once I'm off the bench.

 

[oneyeopn]

Scott..I totally understand that statement, thats why I shoot off of a bipod on the hood of my truck or my camouflaged predator shooting table by MTM/CaseGuard. If I am shooting offhand I have to have a coyote or larger target. Sometimes I use a window rest I bought from JoeBob's Outfitters, I got my Dad one also. They are really handy when you can drive up to the PDog town and shoot from inside your truck. Dont forget the ear protection in the truck though!!

 

[garfy]

Garfy, you simply need more practice with open sights. The guys I compete with regularly shoot MOA with open sights. My competition gun shoots well under 1" at 100 yards off the bench. Unfortunately, I can't come close to that once I'm off the bench.

Could be... I've got a new Geissle SSA which is really, really smooth and nice compared to my stock trigger. I suspect that may have contributed to my shots not being close to each other. Perhaps I'll try and make it to the range for another test/practice session, along with trying my heavier recoil buffer and see how that affects it. Since my scope is backordered until well after the New Year, I'm apt to go soon (over 200 orders waiting). At my age, my eyes are getting bad so we'll see how it goes. I doubt I can get anywhere near 1 MOA at 100 yards 'cause I couldn't even do 2" groups at 50. Thanks for your encouragement though. Now, I'm also looking at a .50 Beowulf upper and a generic lower (since I won't shoot much with the cost of that ammo)... just thought that would be the way to go instead of swapping uppers alone.