The Freedom Ordnance FX-9 OWNERS thread.

[Jems]

With all of the talk about buffers, the stock one needs the pin to be staked to prevent it from coming out, at least that’s what I did to mine and haven’t had it migrate out since.

 

[stormwolf18]

For my Girl

 

[CV32]

For my Girl

Looks like good work. She should love it.

 

[Neutrino]

Because I have access to it, I replaced mine with a Rifle length buffer spring and a HHH buffer. Made the gun just much better from already being amazing.

I've picked up a stock rifle length spring and a carbine length 308 buffer spring as well as an H3 buffer that I can cannibalize as needed to drop to H2, H1, etc. I plan to get out an do a day of testing outdoors in the spring! It's just not as fun doing range science at the indoor range, especially when I like having the room to spread out and tinker. Until then - $1.50 in quarters solved the first-round chambering issue, so that was a cheap fix! Pre-loading the stock spring a bit was all it took. As an added bonus I now have no fear of getting a casing down into the trigger group and it should run easier on the bolt catch. Kind of a moot point now too since I added a Triggertech cartridge-style FX-9 adjustable trigger and WOW that's nice! I've also now tested 115 gr. (reloads, randoms and Winchester White box), 124 gr. (reloads, randoms and PMC Bronze), and 147 gr. (Speer Lawman) and they all worked flawlessly. These rifles are freaking cool.

 

[T-Man_Ink]

I did some further experimenting using a 308 carbine length buffer spring with my H2 buffer.
https://truenortharms.com/ar15_default_store_view/cna-buffer-spring-for-ar-308-carbine.html

It resolved my issues with 147gr Speer Gold-Dot G2 often not chambering when the bolt was paddle released.
(Slingshoting and regular cycling never had a problem.)

I was a little worried that 115gr FMJ might not like the 308 carbine spring, but it ran without issue.

Here's what I tested.
Everything ran well. So, I did not try lower weight buffers.

110 rounds 115gr FMJ,
50 rounds 124gr FMJ,
100 rounds 147gr Speer Gold-Dot G2,
20 rounds 135gr Hornady Critical Duty.

Note: I didn't have any 115gr Hornady Critical Defense to test.
So, I don't know if the extra spring pressure would muscle through its feeding issues.

Note: My findings with Hornady Critical Defense ammo seem to match what was found at Recoil Magazine
https://www.recoilweb.com/freedom-ordnance-fx-9-162939.html
You'll need to scroll down to the 'At the Range' section to find the relevant details.
Note: They did NOT experiment with different buffer weights or springs

I may try repeating this with an H3 buff but I need to restock on the various Hornady hollow-points.
(Which we all know are $$$)


Copied my previous entry about differing buffer weights below for easy reference.

FX-9 and different buffers - My experience

I have played around with different buffer weights.
The H3 buffer lowers felt recoil.
I had one failure to eject out of 50 rounds of 115gr FMJ with this buffer weight.
The H3 may be a little too heavy for 115gr ammo or it may have just been an underpowered cartridge.
I'll never know for sure as I swapped in the H2 buffer at this point.
Honestly, if you're only going to shoot is 115gr or 124gr FMJ ammunition the H2 is the buffer I'd recommend.
The only issues I had with the H2 buffer were getting into battery with 147gr Speers Gold-Dot G2 hollow points when using the bolt release. (This may affect similar weight FMJ ammunition.)
Slingshoting the bolt worked without issue.
147gr Speers Gold-Dot G2 hollow points also cycled without issue.
The H2 buffer does help slow down the bolt after a discharge, but it also slows down the bolt when the bolt release is hit.
This I think it did just enough to impact 147gr Speers Gold-Dot G2 hollow points.

So, I popped in the H buffer. Pretty much everything ran reliably with this.
As well as it runs with the standard buffer the FX-9 comes with.
The H buffer isn’t reducing felt recoil by much.
The following all worked well with the H buffer:
115gr FMJ,
124gr FMJ,
147gr Gold-Dot G2,
135gr Hornady Critical Duty.

115gr Hornady Critical Defense is the exception.
I think the FX-9 simply doesn't like its geometry.
It didn't run well with the standard buffer or the H buffer.
It would fail to feed sporadically during bolt releases and when cycling.
I didn't have enough of it to test with the heavier buffers, but doubt that they'd work better.


Side Note Buffer weights
Standard Carbine Buffer — 3 oz.
H Buffer — 3.8 oz.
H2 Buffer — 4.6–4.7 oz.
H3 Buffer — 5.0–5.4 oz.

I've picked up a stock rifle length spring and a carbine length 308 buffer spring as well as an H3 buffer that I can cannibalize as needed to drop to H2, H1, etc. I plan to get out an do a day of testing outdoors in the spring! It's just not as fun doing range science at the indoor range, especially when I like having the room to spread out and tinker. Until then - $1.50 in quarters solved the first-round chambering issue, so that was a cheap fix! Pre-loading the stock spring a bit was all it took. As an added bonus I now have no fear of getting a casing down into the trigger group and it should run easier on the bolt catch. Kind of a moot point now too since I added a Triggertech cartridge-style FX-9 adjustable trigger and WOW that's nice! I've also now tested 115 gr. (reloads, randoms and Winchester White box), 124 gr. (reloads, randoms and PMC Bronze), and 147 gr. (Speer Lawman) and they all worked flawlessly. These rifles are freaking cool.

 

[ponymusic]

Thank you for posting this T-Man, it's very informative and, interesting to read you results.

Take care,

 

[seamus]

Am I correct that the FX9 comes stock with an H buffer and standard carbine spring?

 

[terBC]

Am I correct that the FX9 comes stock with an H buffer and standard carbine spring?

Mine came with a carbine buffer and spring. Mine was from February 2019 I don’t know if they’ve been changed since then.

 

[T-Man_Ink]

Am I correct that the FX9 comes stock with an H buffer and standard carbine spring?

I'm pretty sure it is a standard AR carbine buffer.

 

[patjohnw]

Pensive of buying one .
Your all putting “ alota”
Parts in something that runs “great”

 

[thegazelle]

Pensive of buying one .
Your all putting “ alota”
Parts in something that runs “great”

Depends on who you talk to. Mine is stock and runs great and except for the periodic bolt lock/release going off by itself, I have no complaints.

Putting in parts to tune is not indicative of a problem. No different than with cars - a number of people own the very reliable Honda Civic but add a bunch of aftermarket parts for additional performance purposes, or for looks or whatever. Doesn't mean there's anything wrong with the car.

 

[Shooter_01]

Pensive of buying one .
Your all putting “ alota”
Parts in something that runs “great”

Mine is stock and has been perfect! Great fun.

 

[Phat Eagle]

Pensive of buying one .
Your all putting “ alota”
Parts in something that runs “great”

Making them "ours" just like we used to do with our ARs...

 

[Canuck44]

Making them "ours" just like we used to do with our ARs...

Spending money as a result of passive advertising is more to the point. This observation from a parts whore, himself.

:>)

Take Care

Bob

 

[trailskinpat]

Making them "ours" just like we used to do with our ARs...

Exactly .

I have a stock 18.6 “ NR that has run pretty much flawlessly since day one . Now I also have an 8” restricted that I am modding to run as a speed steel gun , for fun.

So ya , don’t confuse customization with an inherent “ need “ to replace parts.

Oh and imho swapping out furniture hardly constitutes modding.

 

[TomKazansky]

I contacted Freedom Ordnance via IG and they told me the next shipment to Canada will be next week or the following week (latest). Get your wallets ready....

 

[screws]

Amazing!!!

 

[thegazelle]

Looks like these are coming in again and selling out quickly. Just got a notification G4C got some in.

 

[Ehea]

Hoping someone can help me with an issue I'm having with my new gen 2 fx9. I received it with a SGM 33/10 magazine and the bolt has been locking open with one round left in the magazine. I haven't tried other magazines because I don't own any at this time. Thoughts? Similar experiences?

 

[Jonesyatpl]

Does any retailer sell spare firing pins, extractors, etc?

Nice to have spare parts handy versus the border wait.

Or is this a freedom ordnance only thing?