AR gassing

ez8

ez8

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My build (built mostly on spare parts) seems to be over gassed. im ejecting @ 2 o'clock.
i read that i can either go to a adjustable gas block or go with a heavy buffer.

so what should i do?
its a 10.5" upper, and i heard i should go to a heavy buffer either way to reduce the wear that you get on the shorter barreled rifles.
 
You can go either or, but depending your buffer weight is going to depend on your ammo.

I haven't gotten into the adjustable gas blocks yet but I think I'm pulling the trigger on one soon to try.

I'm running a 6oz buffer in my 11.5" and it rocks, however, I'm also running a piston conversion on that same system, which leans out the gas a lot to begin with. I have run that barrel DI in a while.

The gas block has the advantage of being adjustable whereas most buffers come as a fixed weight. If you get a heavy buffer and your machine does not cycle with your favorite ammo, you are SOL. Most heavy buffers you can get aren't heavy enough in my opinion. I have an adjustable buffer from heavybuffers dot com if you are curious. I have the A/T adjustable kit to supplement my piston, but I run the same lower on all my uppers so I use it for DI too.

If I recall correctly, my 11.5" had no problems cycling with the 6oz buffer in DI. I'd probably even go heavier for my tastes.
My 16" DI upper is still over gassed even with a 6oz buffer.

If I understand correctly, the Adj gas Block should have the same effect as a heavy buffer as far as wear goes.
 
Heavy buffers are nice. I've switched to the Spike's T2 on all my guns and love it. Definitely softens recoil impulse. You shouldn't really need an adjustable gas block unless you're messing with suppressors. The buffer is a drop in replacement and a monkey can do it, putting a new gas block on is (IMHO unneeded) work.
 
one shot has a knights buffer for $27 but no description on the weight of it.
and then questar has the spikes t2

would i be better to get a adjustable block and the buffer?
and if i go with the gas block, which is the best bang for the buck and how do i know what will fit my barrel? ive got a NEA barrel on the build.


also, my other ar is ejecting at 4 o'clock, if i put a spikes heave t2 in it is that going to mess things up?
 
ok i got a hold of a spikes heavy locally, someone sent me a message.
ill try the heavy and then maybe grab some adjustable gas blocks. i think AGW was going to make some, but i still need to know how to make sure they will fit my barrels.
 
I believe the barrel is .750” at the gas block, most gas blocks are .750”, it should say on the product description.
 
Is it running?

If it is leave the damn thing alone, don't get caught up in the ejection pattern clock bull####, and don't spend money on a fancy gas block. It's an SBR, so it's going to eject stronger to begin with.

If you want to mess with something get an H, H2 or H3 buffer. A 10.5" should have at the very least an H buffer.
 
its running great, we were running it hard last weekend, it had a little break here and there but ide say 200 rounds maybe 300 in the day. and it was really cold out.
no stoppages, 1 mag issue (broken follower...damn lar mags...) did some quick shooting with it too.
im not sure what buffer is in it, it came with the lower from saskatoon gun works...i assume its DPMS.. but the Spikes H2 is coming off a buddy that say my thread.
 
ez8 said:
im not sure what buffer is in it, it came with the lower from saskatoon gun works...
Click to expand...

When you separate the receivers the buffer is marked on the top. No mark means carbine, an "H" is H, an "H2"... well you get the idea... if it doesn't have a marking on it, new buffer it is...
 
Mirk said:
When you separate the receivers the buffer is marked on the top. No mark means carbine, an "H" is H, an "H2"... well you get the idea... if it doesn't have a marking on it, new buffer it is...
Click to expand...

its blank. ill have the spikes heavy soon. not sure if its a Heavy or H2. im sure he will txt me shortly, either way it will be a improvement.
 
The Spike's Tactical buffers are marked "ST-T1", "ST-T2" or "ST-T3" depending on which one you have on the side of the buffer.
 
I don't believe the Spikes buffers are the same as the regular buffers... don't quote me on this but I believe they have a tungsten powder in them instead of the standard weights, and are thus different weights... but I hear they are better than the regular buffers, see post #4...
 
Mirk said:
I don't believe the Spikes buffers are the same as the regular buffers... don't quote me on this but I believe they have a tungsten powder in them instead of the standard weights, and are thus different weights... but I hear they are better than the regular buffers, see post #4...
Click to expand...

This is true except for their T3 buffer, which has weights made of tungsten bar stock in it rather than tungsten powder. Guess it was the only way they could get it heavy enough.

And yes they are better than regular buffers. Less felt recoil due to extra weight, and smoother recoil impulse due to the powder shifting inside. You will notice a difference even compared to a normal heavy carbine buffer. My guns used to have LMT heavy buffers in them and the Spike's made a noticeable improvement.
 
If the gas block you are currently using is a clamp-on, and it has a hole that mates with the gas port (as opposed to a slot), you can often move the gas block forward a skootch (metric skootch) which closes off the gas port. Essentially you are making an adjustable gas block, just with less fine adjustment.
 
good to know about the spikes buffers, looking forward to trying it next weekend.

*MALICE* said:
If the gas block you are currently using is a clamp-on, and it has a hole that mates with the gas port (as opposed to a slot), you can often move the gas block forward a skootch (metric skootch) which closes off the gas port. Essentially you are making an adjustable gas block, just with less fine adjustment.
Click to expand...
that wont work with mine, i was using the NEA standard gas block, it slides on and uses 2 set screws to tighten it against the barrel.
 
Spikes buffers are not better than standard mil-spec (H, H2 or H3) buffers in any way or form.

Most of you don't even know how a buffer is built, how it works, why it works and why it's built that way. Testings have been done and show that the Spikes and other exotic buffers make for a less reliable weapon system. It's not just about recoil.
 
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Dietz said:
Spikes buffers are not better than standard mil-spec (H, H2 or H3) buffers in any way or form.

Most of you don't even know how a buffer is built, how it works, why it works and why it's built that way. Testings have been done and show that the Spikes and other exotic buffers make for a less reliable weapon system. It's not just about recoil.
Click to expand...

Interesting. Haven't read much in the way of the Spikes ST-T2 being unreliable. Most of what I have seen has been exactly the opposite. It is filled with high density tungsten powder instead of tungsten/steel weights in a typical heavy buffer. Does that make it less reliable?
 
themikea said:
Interesting. Haven't read much in the way of the Spikes ST-T2 being unreliable. Most of what I have seen has been exactly the opposite. It is filled with high density tungsten powder instead of tungsten/steel weights in a typical heavy buffer. Does that make it less reliable?
Click to expand...

Reliability wise, the duty of the buffer weights is to prevent bolt bounce. Tungsten granules simply do not have the ability to shift weight inside the buffer at the right time like tungsten slugs do. It doesn't solve any problem and isn't any better than anything, quite like a piston AR. It will run, but it's unnecessary spent money.


 
Last edited:
Dietz said:
Spikes buffers are not better than standard mil-spec (H, H2 or H3) buffers in any way or form.

Most of you don't even know how a buffer is built, how it works, why it works and why it's built that way. Testings have been done and show that the Spikes and other exotic buffers make for a less reliable weapon system. It's not just about recoil.

Reliability wise, the duty of the buffer weights is to prevent bolt bounce. Tungsten granules simply do not have the ability to shift weight inside the buffer at the right time like tungsten slugs do. It doesn't solve any problem and isn't any better than anything, quite like a piston AR. It will run, but it's unnecessary spent money.
Click to expand...

I've heard that too... :p
 
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