1911 - use of shock buffers

I use one on my commander length para with no issues. I'm not sure if it helps anything, but it still functions fine with the factory spring.
 
Cerdan said:
So the consensus seems to be "it isn't necessary but there's no harm in trying".
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And for another opinion:

http://www.snubnose.info/wordpress/reviews/the-failure-of-recoil-buffers-by-john-farnam/

The Failure of Recoil Buffers by John Farnam
February 14th, 2008 by Syd

After-market, recoil buffers
Now and then, students bring 1911 pistols with after-market, recoil buffers, sometimes installed by a custom gunsmith, sometimes installed by the owner himself. We had such a custom 1911 in a course in CA last weekend. The pistol was beautiful, but it gave us nothing but trouble!
Normally, with bitter experience as my guide, I remove all such recoil buffers when I inspect guns at the start of the Course. However, this particular 1911 had a full-length (guide) rod, and I calculated that getting rid of the buffer would be more trouble than it was worth. I told the student to shoot the pistol as it was. A mistake, as it turns out! Failures to feed and eject were rampant. The student waxed frustrated, to say the least!
During the first break, I recanted, and the student and I conspired to remove the buffer. It was a pain in the ass getting it out, but, once we did, we were rewarded with a pistol that functioned normally! Feeding and ejection problems instantly disappeared, and the gun ran fine for the duration.
The foregoing scenario is all too common. Rubber/plastic recoil buffers, usually consisting of a “doughnut” that fits over the recoil-spring guide-rod, prevent the slide from going all the way backwards, resulting in forward movement of the slide that is weak and ineffective. In addition, buffers often make it impossible to send the slide forward by pulling it all the way to the rear and subsequently releasing it, because the slide can’t move far enough to the rear to cam down the slide lock lever.
As if that weren’t enough, buffers, in my experience, typically fall apart and break in half, usually within two hundred rounds. The halves then fall off the recoil rod, and the slide subsequently seizes completely, rendering the pistol useless!
Recoil buffers are seen mostly on 1911 pistols, although they can be made for others. Per the foregoing, none are recommended on any serious pistol.
As Kipling put it, “With all the pain and sorrow in store, why do we always arrange for more?”
/John

Visit John’s Site
http://www.defense-training.com/

http://www.snubnose.info/wordpress/reviews/the-failure-of-recoil-buffers-by-john-farnam/
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Wally said:
hmmm, so apparently my 1911 has a buffer. I'm having some cycling problems but I think it may have to do with WinClean.... :( Unfortunately, winclean is all that's available to me here.
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Could very well be. Winclean is garbage. Still, no harm in testing the gun with the buffer removed.
 
capp325 said:
Winclean is garbage.
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Pretty broad statement, inasmuch as loads of people are using it without problems. Could this simply be a compatibility issue? Some models prefer some brands of ammo, etc?

Wendell, thanks for the article. I still haven't tried my 1911 (ATT should come in any day now...), but one thing's for sure, I have no problem pulling the slide back far enough to release it. This suggests, to me, that I shouldn't have any cycling issues. We'll see soon enough!!
 
Cerdan said:
Pretty broad statement, inasmuch as loads of people are using it without problems. Could this simply be a compatibility issue? Some models prefer some brands of ammo, etc.
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There area lot of reports of people having problems with Winclean ammo; just do a search on this forum. I personally shot Winclean rounds that were so underpowered that the empty casings were barely falling out of the ejection port (and produced next to no recoil). If I wasn't shooting a USP, I'm sure I'd be getting jams.

Older Winclean ammo was perfectly fine. However, stuff manufactured within the last year or so seems to be of very inconsistent quality. I hope this is a temporary issue.
 
capp325 said:
Could very well be. Winclean is garbage. Still, no harm in testing the gun with the buffer removed.
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Meh, I cleaned the thing the other day and ran some plain old winchester FMJ through it and it ran like a champ. I'll never buy winclean again :rolleyes:
 
OneBarfly said:
What people are saying is that IF you have no cycling issues, then go ahead and use them. On one of my .45's, the slide stop does not engage as designed - No big deal for me as I feel that they do help prevent the slide from battering the frame. Worth it in my opinion.
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The one that came with my Trojan 9mm would not allow me to drop the slide by pulling it back as I prefer that method. The slide stop would not disengage. I removed it and no further issues.

PS I just read Wendell's post # 23 re The failure of recoil buffers and agree that on a serious pistol the benefit versus possible problems isn't worth it. My Kimber and Colts didn't come with them and sure they may be a bit more worn after 20,000 rounds but so what?
 
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Gentlemen, it really comes down to the fact that:
A) the guns were designed to function without buffers
B) their benefit ( saves wear on the components) has never been proven.
C) they can be a PITA to make work in any given pistol
And that it why none of my firearms have them in situ.
 
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