1911 slide buffers who is using them?

they save your frame, to a degree. for guns that will see 5-6k a year round count, benefits are negligible.

add high volume shooting and lighter recoil springs to the equation - they are an absolute necessity
 
I used a Wilson Combat 2 piece FLGR and the blue WC Shok Buffers with a 16# recoil spring in my stainless Colt Gold Cup National Match for years and never had any problems. Saves wear and tear on the frame IMO.
 
I'm a believer.....

But it's kinda like (insert religion of choice here). Some do some don't.....

If all else they will ease the wear and tear on your guide rod and your barrel link.... It's supposed to protect the frame....

I usually replace my recoil spring when the buffer starts to wear through.
 
Yes's and no's will probably be about equal.
For me it's a creative solution to a non-existent problem. Industry Kool-Aid. A properly sprung gun with standard loads should last many 1000’s of rounds without one. If you decide to use one, check it often. They deteriorate fast once the spring starts to punch thru and that can lead to a host of malfunctions. Limiting the slide travel by the thickness of the buffer can also lead to ejection problems.
 
M77 said:
As the title says. Is there a difference? Pro's and con's? Chime in members. I'm thinking of ordering them for my SR1911.
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the recoil spring IS the impact buffer - and the Ruger has a strong spring anyways so it's incredibly unlikely that your slide is impacting when fully back. if your spring is too light, then yeah impacts will happen and then you'd need the buffer (or just use a progressive-wound spring)
 
BP7 said:
the recoil spring IS the impact buffer - and the Ruger has a strong spring anyways so it's incredibly unlikely that your slide is impacting when fully back. if your spring is too light, then yeah impacts will happen and then you'd need the buffer (or just use a progressive-wound spring)
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A spring that is too strong is not that good for the gun either because it slams the slide closed with more force.
 
I have one gun that function fine with one in and one will not run with it in.
Try one and see if it works in your gun and that it is not dumping pieces of the buffer into the gun.

I have a few blue ones and will send you one regular post in an envelope, no charge, so you can decide if it works for you or not.
PM me and let me know.
 
Everything has been said, but I add a vote for no, don't use it.
My opinion on them:
How many frames have you heard broke? Protecting the frame is not necessary. The slide sometimes crack in very high round count pistols (50000+ rounds) (something around one slide in 200+ pistols).
I add strongly to the opinion that it reduces the recoil length, affecting ejection.
It adds more problems than it can potentially solve
 
I picked up a Nighthawk GRP on the EE a few years ago with a Shok-Buff already installed. It jammed up the pistol during a match (yeah, I know not life and death but still) so I emailed Nighthawk to find out if they'd recommend either replacing or ditching it, and unequivocally they did not recommend their use.
 
Negative for me too....all the mentioned problems are not worth the benefits. Spring your gun properly and there shouldn't be an issue.
That being said, I have used them in the past and they functioned fine in a Colt and a Springfield, however you need to replace them often to prevent problems.
 
Through the magic of Facebook I was able to ask 2 people whose 1911 knowledge I value (Hilton Yam and Larry Vickers) about using buffs in 1911s and both said the same thing. It was along the lines of "In a recreational range gun, it's not a requirement and there isn't too much of a benefit unless you are talking high round count. However, using one doesn't hurt but just be aware you need to keep track because they can break apart and jam the gun up [which to them could be life or death]"

I personally do feel a difference when I use them so I tend to, though lately I haven't because after the last one broke apart, I haven't yet bothered getting some replacements.
 
if you don't mind me asking, what was the round count that your buff broke up?

i know WC recommends changing them every so many rounds (forget the actual count) but after just over 10k mine seems to be holding up just fine. reason i ask is it has to do alot with the recoil spring as well - both coil count and strength for the power factor you are using. get it right and yes the spring should be taking most of the impact the buffer really only helps soften the contact.
 
mshundal said:
if you don't mind me asking, what was the round count that your buff broke up?
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Mine was about 1800 rounds...it didn't break up, but the end of the recoil spring plug embedded itself in the shok-buff enough to lock the pistol up tight.
 
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