Dmented:
I'm certainly not the first to do it; the internet is full of information!
Danny, if the rifle is short stroking, the first and last item you list would compound the problem, effectively turning the rifle into a single-shot, and the second wouldn't make a difference.
I agree that there are other methods of fixing problems, but the best method, the most effective and efficient method of fixing SHORT STROKING (The most common problem plaguing short-barrelled AR15's, due to a lack of gas), is to drill the gas port to a larger dimension.
You know how I know this? Because there's a range in diameters. Colt uses this range. Diemaco used this range. Goddamned DPMS uses this range. I'm sure you can too.
Instead of wasting $200 on an FA Carrier, $70 on a heavier buffer, or $20 on a D-Fender, why not spend $8 on a #42 Carbide drill bit?
But we're getting off topic here.