how to fix the springy sound and feel?

[CORNfedREBEL]

i love my 15x but hate the spring feeling and sound when i fire it, is there anything i can do to remedy this and make it run smoother?

 

[christcorp]

Swap out the buffer for a Spike's Tactical ST-T2. It's costs about $29.95. Instead of 3 individual weights in the buffer, it's tungsten powder and shifts more smoothly and absorbs the vibrations better. You'll love it.

 

[FTG-05]

What I've always done is just coat the spring with a good axle grease. Not a lot, just enough to quiet it down.

I've done this on three AR-15s and one AR-10.

I wouldn't do it you lived in AK though, it probably freeze up solid.

Good luck.

 

[CORNfedREBEL]

what exactly is a buffer? also how hard is it to swap? i was looking on spikes tactical couldnt find it even in the search bar. if i can get rid of this sound and feel it will be a dam near perfect rifle.

 

[CORNfedREBEL]

finally find the st t2 after 2 pages of unrelated stuff, now what is the plug that comes with it and do i need to get a different spring or just lube up the one i have?

 

[Foxtrot]

some of our guys use a thin delrin plastic "liner shield" in the buffer tubes to take up the small space between the buffer and spring. The sound and general feel you are referencing is mostly a result of the spring and buffer moving in that space as it travels back and forth during firing. The delrin spacer eliminates that. Costs about $10.00 for a suitable piece of delrin or less and sometimes nothing if you can find it in scrap some place.

 

[christcorp]

The buffer is the piece that fits in the stock. It it a piece of weight, between 2.7 and 5 ounces. (Depending on the model). It sits against the buffer spring which is in the stock. The weight of the buffer provides additional RESISTANCE so that when the bolt recoils back after a shot, you have proper resistance. With just a spring, the recoil would be too harsh, and the bolt would get beat up slamming back so hard. If the buffer has too much resistance (Too heavy), then the bolt isn't allowed to go back far enough. Then you get what is called short stroking. That's when the bolt doesn't go back far enough to eject the old case or far enough to grab the new round. Or far enough back to lock open on the last round.

You would love to have the perfect weight for your gun, because that would be the ultimate resistance on the bolt. Unfortunately, no 2 rounds of ammo, let alone brands, weights, etc... of ammo are the same. So, you go for an average. That's why there are many different weight buffers. Carbine, "H", "ST-T2", "H2", and "H3".

M&P15 are generally OVERGASSED. Meaning, they have more gas pushing the bolt back than normally expected. The reason for this, is because MIL-SPEC AR's would be using 5.56 ammo. However; most people use .223 ammo because it's cheaper. But .223 ammo creates LESS GAS PRESSURE. So, by having the M&P15 "Overgassed" it make it work with just about any and all ammo. If you shoot higher pressure ammo, it sometimes sounds rougher. Almost like it's being beat up. So, some people change out the buffer. Some go to the "H" buffer which is the norm for most AR's. Some go with the ST-T2 because it's smoother. Some go heavier because they always shoot hotter ammo.

Swapping out the buffer takes about 37 seconds. LITERALLY!!! Push the pin that opens up your AR so you can see the bolt and charging handle. On the STOCK side, you'll see a round metal that is spring loaded. This is the buffer. It's what the bolt carrier group pushes again. At the bottom of the buffer, you'll see a push pin. Push the pin down, and the buffer will spring out. When you put the new one in, push the pin down as you're putting in the spring and the buffer. good luck.

 

[CORNfedREBEL]

definitly ordering the st t2 now what should i do with the spring lube it, leave it, or get a different one, or will the new buffer remove the springy noise and feel.

 

[arizona98tj]

How about this.....when your new buffer comes, install it. Take the AR to the range and give it a try. If the spring sound is still to much for you, then focus on quieting it up....perhaps try the grease on it as was suggested.

It is OK to do this one step at a time....make a change, evaluate it.....repeat if necessary.

 

[CORNfedREBEL]

ya but it would make more sense to order a new spring at the same time if needed right so i take it if i change the spring it wont make a difference?

 

[arizona98tj]

I don't see how putting a different spring in the same receiver extension, without doing anything to the spring or extension, will make any difference what so ever. I could be wrong.

 

[CORNfedREBEL]

ya i wasnt sure if maybe an aftermarket spring would have different tension or be made out of something different. spikes is on the way and ill prob put some synthetic grease on the spring see what happens

 

[fastsw]

Swap out the buffer for a Spike's Tactical ST-T2. It's costs about $29.95. Instead of 3 individual weights in the buffer, it's tungsten powder and shifts more smoothly and absorbs the vibrations better. You'll love it.

Does Spikes make this buffer in a model that will fit the tube for an A2 stock? I believe my buffer is a bit longer than carbine length.

 

[christcorp]

Does Spikes make this buffer in a model that will fit the tube for an A2 stock? I believe my buffer is a bit longer than carbine length.

I don't think the ST-T2 is available for the A2 stock. (I could be wrong). But there are a lot of different pneumatic type buffers available also. Some with some very good reviews. Especially on the full size stocks.

On one of my older AR's I build years back, I tamed the "twang" sound by doing 2 things.

1)I made a thin absorber out of neoprene that I put between the buffer and the spring. Companies actually make something similar to it today. (Not sure how effective it is). DOUBLE STAR : AR-15/M16 TWANG BUSTER - World's Largest Supplier of Firearm Accessories, Gun Parts and Gunsmithing Tools - BROWNELLS

2. I used a 12 gauge shotgun cleaning bore mop. (Looks like a tampon). And I put lithium grease on it, and lightly lined the buffer tube before putting the spring back in. This two things virtually eliminated any noise or spring bounce. And because the stock rarely gets any real dirt or anything inside, I only had to clean it out and redo the lithium grease, make once in 4 years.

Just a suggestion.....

 

[Pisgah]

The "twang" is characteristic of the design. The cure is a bit of grease on the spring. Nothing more is needed.