Shock buffs on a S&W 1911 .45 ACP?

[Texcut]

Hi,

Is it recommenable to mount shock buffs on a S&W 1911 .45 ACP. I usually use standard reloading ammo.

Mike
Sweden

 

[Texcut]

Hi,

Is it recommenable to mount shock buffs on a S&W 1911 .45 ACP. I usually use standard reloading ammo.

Mike
Sweden

 

[Bib]

I don't use one in mine. My opinion is that if one belonged in there, Smith & Wesson would have put one in there.

 

[Joni_Lynn]

They're not necessary and I'd recommend against them. It's far more important to have a good recoil spring.

 

[sar4937]

They do fit the S&W pistol, but they are not needed. Some 1911's will not lock back on an empty mag with one installed. I have gone as high as a 20lb spring with standard ammo to keep the brass from launching accross the room. I use a buffer in my Wilson Government model, because they recommend it.

 

[UserName]

I would not use one in a carry pistol. That said, I have one in my S&W 1911 I use at the range, and it works just fine.

 

[BlindJustice]

Imho - No, FYI I have the Wilson COmbat (Recoil) Spring caddy. A tool roll contains recoil spirngs, each pouch labeled with the spring's strentgh 6 from 8# - 18#, and additional slots for a bushing wrench, firing pin spring and 4 Wilson Combat Shok-Buff:s
The Shok-Buff is just a rubber washer - just something more that will wear out.

An answer to a question that didn't need answering.

Randall

 

[Texcut]

Originally posted by Joni_Lynn:
They're not necessary and I'd rec ommend against them. It's far more important to have a good recoil spring.

OK. Thanks for your advice. Is the recoil spring
16lb from the factory?
Mike

 

[sar4937]

In most brands. I've always followed the rule that the brass should land 8-10 feet behind the gun, if it's farther than that up the poundage of the recoil spring until it's there. Inpection should reveal pounding of the slide and frame.

 

[Joni_Lynn]

Most 45acp recoil springs are 16 pound, sometimes 18 or 18.5 pound.
16 will work fine for most loads.

Sometimes the use of a shok buff will alter the gun so that you can't slingshot the slide and MUST use the slide stop.

 

[brantfredrickson]

My SW 1911PC came with a shock buffer on the recoil guide rod. I don't know that it is necessary, but it is there.

 

[shawn mccarver]

Originally posted by Texcut:
Hi,

Is it recommenable to mount shock buffs on a S&W 1911 .45 ACP. I usually use standard reloading ammo.

Mike
Sweden

Do not use "shok buffs" on any 1911. They shorten the length of slide travel and can come apart and tie up the gun. Remove all "shok buffs."

 

[sar4937]

I have been through a couple dozen Wilson shock buffs and never seen one come apart, severely imprinted yes, but general maintenance eliminates them before it's a problem. And I'm pretty sure that Wilson's not worried about the reduced slide travel. I use them solely to keep my warranty in place, and do not use them on my other 1911's. And I usually see those expressing the strongest opinions against them have never used them, or used a different brand, or (most usually) knew someone who did not like them. They will not fit every 1911, My Kimber will lock back with one installed. But I don't think that Wilson Combat installs them just because they sell them. A buffer is included in more than a few pistol designs that are on the market. That said, I don't think they are required for a 1911,

 

[Spotteddog]

JOMO?
A wrist watch for a goat, as long as you keep the proper rate springs in her?

 

[Joni_Lynn]

I use them in my older Colt Gold Cups, the ones made prior to the series 70 that have the lightened slides.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

I used to use them, even in a carry gun, but I kept a close eye on them. The harder semi-translucent off-white ones (don't remember the brand) were MUCH better than the yellow or black ones, which I will not use. As noted above, they restrict function in some guns, which is reason enough not to use them. I finally decided not to use them at all. There's not much they can do that proper spring selection won't do just about as well.

 

[dennis40x]

Like every thing else pro and con applies to the use of shock buffs. I do not know what the compressibility and resilience of the shock buff material is. What also applies is a usable/durable product life span. I believe there is a recommended round count change out specified.

As for springs there is a free length, installed length and compressed/solid length. Among other things there is a rate of deflection. The rate of deflection for constant rate spring becomes as an example 16# at a certain compressed length. I'm not going to go into spring design materials and design variables that apply. The spring has a useful life span also.

Simplistically the same force applied to the base of the bullet is applied to the slide. We realize that the slide has a significant weight ratio advantage over the bullet so the slide velocity is significantly less. There are also other contributing factors. At some point the rearward movement of the slide is arrested and the slide is pushed back into battery by the recoil spring.

Apparent application of the shock buff was to reduce or impede structural battering. I can't say if a shock buff is a looks good feels solution with out merit or has merit. I've used them. Haven't had problems with them on the other hand haven't had problems with out them either. Maybe shock buffs are in the realm of full length guide rods for recoil springs. Who is to say? Me thinks we tinker too much with what works.

 

[sasu]

A friend of mine shoots IPSC/USPSA Open Division with 38 Super Major and equivalent high power cartridges in 1911/2011 style guns with drastically lightened slides and light recoil springs. He shoots a lot. He says there is a definite difference in the useful life of a frame with a buffer or without.

I suspect there is a difference in longevity in standard 45 ACP pistols, too, but the round count to see the difference is so high nobody sees it in practice.

 

[38-44HD45]

Back in my IPSC days (early 80s to early 90s) we almost always used shock buffs in our competition pistols. The purpose was twofold: As Dennis noted, to reduce frame battering, but also to slightly soften felt recoil. The latter was questionable in effect, but it made some of us feel better.

As to the former, I'm not so sure the buffers helped. My original IPSC pistol developed a crack at a stress riser at the back of the dustcover at about 8000 rounds. Of course, I kept right on shooting it, but it had ALWAYS been shot with a buff installed, and 8K rounds is not that many.

I never use them in carry guns, since I have seen them come apart and tie up guns. One other note: The correct way to tune slide velocity in a 1911 is with the mainspring, and if need be, with an EGW flat-bottom firing pin stop. Excessive recoil spring weight (anything above about 18.5 lbs.) in a 5" 1911 .45 is not only unnecessary, it can cause extractor breakage and malfunctions, due to excessive forward velocity of the slide.

 

[H Richard]

I have had a shock buff crack and "mush out", slowing the slide during recoil and causing stove pipes. I will no longer use them. I put 12 lb springs in my gold cup for target loads, and 18.5 lb spring in my Springfield Armory for full loads.
Factory supplied spring in the compact RIA.