buffer wieght questions
- Thread starter brit84
- Start date
I asked something similar on here when doing a big bore AR. Nobody seems to have a formula to calculate buffer weight without lots trial and error. Or they just said to get an adjustable gas block rather than a properly sized gas port and buffer weight so the rifle gets just enough gas to cycle.
Bigger manufacturers likely do all of this through their own R&D before the rifle hits market so they are not going to share their formula if they have one
Bigger manufacturers likely do all of this through their own R&D before the rifle hits market so they are not going to share their formula if they have one
I wouldn't go with the lightest, my stag 10 after putting in a titanium carrier and Odin works adj block, even on the lowest setting it was not even close. Heavier buffer was required. Similar results with titanium carrier on a big bore ar15. Lots of trial and error to get it right.
If you want the softest shooting rifle, you want the heaviest buffer that still allows function with the adj gas block wide open and then fine tune with the adj block.
If you want the softest shooting rifle, you want the heaviest buffer that still allows function with the adj gas block wide open and then fine tune with the adj block.
So, you spend money on a lightweight carrier, then spend more on a heavy buffer adding weight back in.
It's your money.
I don't think weight savings is the op main goal with an hbar barrel.
It puts the weight further back in the rifle, what else do you suggest to get proper function? Gas block lowest setting was not enough.
If you want a soft shooting rifle with the least amount of recoil impulse transfer to the shooter, give it a try vs your method.
The buffer does nothing but act as a spring guide on semi. The purpose of the buffer is only to prevent bolt bounce back when firing automatic. An empty buffer will work. Some people obsess over buffer weight for semi auto rifles for no good reason. Other people use higher buffer weight to counter having an oversize gas port on a carbine gas system. The best solution would be correctly sized port. On a rifle gas system, the bolt opens exactly when it needs too. The mass of the carrier takes the energy and uses it to ####, load and lock. A heavier buffer will only slow the rearward movement of the carrier and dampen bolt bounce on forward movement - for no benefit to a semi.
rommelrommel
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Add more gas with the light buffer until it cycles, why would you add buffer weight to get it to cycle?
My stag 10 and big bore AR were still getting too much gas with the adj block on it lowest setting. Adding more gas, would just ad to the risk of potential damage from the bolt carrier traveling too far. It also is a much more harsh recoil impulse than a heavier buffer that barely allows operation without an adjustable gas block
The problem is, gas port holes on barrels are far too large when you swap to a lightweight carrier.
Obviously gun manufacturers have a formula they go by when building rifles unlike us at home who just keep throwing parts at it until it works the way we want.
I use to think the same way many people do about the buffer weight making no difference, just ad an adjustable block and call it good. That was until I shot a rifle identical to mine with a heavier buffer and a non adj gas block owned by a friend. It was night and day different in what you feel in regards to recoil.
You actually think changing the location of reciprocating mass in a rifle won’t change the felt recoil impulse? You don’t understand how a light BCG and a heavy buffer may move the balance of the rifle rearward, counteracting the long barrel needed to obtain NR status. Some people are worried about more then just function, some people are looking to improve other aspects you may not find important. I find I learn more when I try and figure out why someone does something differently then I do, instead of simply thinking “I’m right, so you’re wrong”.
Blastattack
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Winnipeg MB
Buffer weight: whatever size is appropriate (carbine or rifle) with all the weights removed.
Im sure he knows a lot, doesn’t mean he knows everything. I wasn’t saying he’s wrong, but people can be concerned with more then just having a rifle function. There’s no need to change any parts from factory milspec, yet we all do change parts out. With his line of thinking he presented in this thread we are all wrong.
Your problem is your gas block isn't doing its job. I would recommend replacing it with an adjustable gas block that allows setting the gas as you desire, not subject to its arbitrary limitations.
It is an adjustable gas block. You will find that aftermarket gas blocks on their lowest setting are still letting some gas through and with a lightweight carrier, it is still too much in many cases.
The heavier buffer also changes the recoil impulse felt by the shooter in my experience, it also moves the weight to the rear of the rifle (out of the carrier) which improves handling with NR barrel lengths.
Recoil impulse is not as much of a concern on a 223/556 rifle, but on larger calibers, it makes a huge difference in target acquisition for follow-up shots.
Blastattack
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Winnipeg MB
If you buy a good gas block, like the SLR, it adjusts in 15 positions from zero to .125 opening. At the lowest setting, it won’t allow enough gas for anything to happen.
