I'm trying to reduce the felt recoil on a 16" DD (M4V7) as I'm using this rifle mostly for bench shooting. I recently added a Titan compensator which has reduced the felt recoil some however I was hoping to further reduce the recoil by changing the buffer weight. However, I'm at a lose at determining what weight of buffer would reduce the recoil the most and still have it feeding properly. If it matters - I'm shooting 69gr SMK's at +/-2800fps.
Recoil Reduction & Buffer Weight
- Thread starter Cinch
- Start date
Oh, well, I've played with buffer weights and I didn't find they made that big a diff.
What really really did it for me was an adjustable gas block.
I have a scoped 20" I precision shoot with. I decided to go lmos with it. Ran a standard 3oz carbine buffer with a JP Adjustable gas block, and damn, did it smooth the things out.
It's a catch 22, cause adding weight, adds reciprocating mass, which can actually add recoil.
There are 3 phases to AR recoil. 1st is the combustion itself, 2nd is the action flying backwards, 3rd is the action flying back forwards.
All of these add to the recoil in ways. Trick is to find out which phase is offending you.
If you've added a break, that pretty much takes care of the 1st combustion recoil.
Not much you can do about the 3rd that I know of, other then trying different springs.
But buffer weights and and Adj gasblocks can play with the 2nd.
If you increase the buffer weight, you dont' actually reduce recoil, you just slow it down. You can turn it to a push instead of a snap, but that's about it.
In theory, there should be no change in the force being applied to you, it's just a matter of what feel you like.
If you're down for replacing your buffer, check out heavybuffers .com. They have an Adjustable A/T kit you can adj from 4 to 6 oz. It's an anti tilt kit designed for piston systems, but I got one to play with buffer weights and I learned a lot. Or, if you want to save money, you can just take from what I've learned and go ahead and get their 6.5oz HSS buffer and call it a day. I played with my weight a lot, and settled on the max 6.0oz setting.
Heavy buffers are great investments in my opinion, but bare in mind, it may or may not give you the effect you want.
The smoothest feel I was ever able to obtain out of my AR systems, either involved a piston, or an adjustable gas block.
There are not a lot of piston options out there right now, and if you're going for accuracy, it can be a liability.
My 11.5" ran like butter when I had it set up with the piston kit, 6.0oz buffer, and my reloads using CFE223 powder.
If you're reloading you can smooth things out with your powder selection, but that does not always lend well to working up accurate loads.
Meanwhile, going the exact opposite way, as I mentioned, an adjustable gas block, with a semi-auto carrier, and a 3oz buffer, really butters things out too.
I've only tried this on my 20" Rifle system, so I cannot vouch for it on a shorter system. However, it did make a huge difference in the feel of the rifle.
Reduce the mass of your action, and slow it down, and I don't think you can get smoother then that.
Adjustable gas blocks are a bit of a pain tho. For one, you can only get the one model right now, from Crafm, and they don't take EMT. This assumes they still have stock. And you have to monitor the adjustment. The screw can move on you. It'll need loctite, and you'll have to check your adjustment from time to time. Don't go to the range without your allen key. Also, the adjustment will change with different ammo. You'll end up adding gas settings to your dope card.
One ammo might need 6.0 turns, the other might need 5.5. That kind of thing.
Well, that's my 5cents, something to think about.
What really really did it for me was an adjustable gas block.
I have a scoped 20" I precision shoot with. I decided to go lmos with it. Ran a standard 3oz carbine buffer with a JP Adjustable gas block, and damn, did it smooth the things out.
It's a catch 22, cause adding weight, adds reciprocating mass, which can actually add recoil.
There are 3 phases to AR recoil. 1st is the combustion itself, 2nd is the action flying backwards, 3rd is the action flying back forwards.
All of these add to the recoil in ways. Trick is to find out which phase is offending you.
If you've added a break, that pretty much takes care of the 1st combustion recoil.
Not much you can do about the 3rd that I know of, other then trying different springs.
But buffer weights and and Adj gasblocks can play with the 2nd.
If you increase the buffer weight, you dont' actually reduce recoil, you just slow it down. You can turn it to a push instead of a snap, but that's about it.
In theory, there should be no change in the force being applied to you, it's just a matter of what feel you like.
If you're down for replacing your buffer, check out heavybuffers .com. They have an Adjustable A/T kit you can adj from 4 to 6 oz. It's an anti tilt kit designed for piston systems, but I got one to play with buffer weights and I learned a lot. Or, if you want to save money, you can just take from what I've learned and go ahead and get their 6.5oz HSS buffer and call it a day. I played with my weight a lot, and settled on the max 6.0oz setting.
Heavy buffers are great investments in my opinion, but bare in mind, it may or may not give you the effect you want.
The smoothest feel I was ever able to obtain out of my AR systems, either involved a piston, or an adjustable gas block.
There are not a lot of piston options out there right now, and if you're going for accuracy, it can be a liability.
My 11.5" ran like butter when I had it set up with the piston kit, 6.0oz buffer, and my reloads using CFE223 powder.
If you're reloading you can smooth things out with your powder selection, but that does not always lend well to working up accurate loads.
Meanwhile, going the exact opposite way, as I mentioned, an adjustable gas block, with a semi-auto carrier, and a 3oz buffer, really butters things out too.
I've only tried this on my 20" Rifle system, so I cannot vouch for it on a shorter system. However, it did make a huge difference in the feel of the rifle.
Reduce the mass of your action, and slow it down, and I don't think you can get smoother then that.
Adjustable gas blocks are a bit of a pain tho. For one, you can only get the one model right now, from Crafm, and they don't take EMT. This assumes they still have stock. And you have to monitor the adjustment. The screw can move on you. It'll need loctite, and you'll have to check your adjustment from time to time. Don't go to the range without your allen key. Also, the adjustment will change with different ammo. You'll end up adding gas settings to your dope card.
One ammo might need 6.0 turns, the other might need 5.5. That kind of thing.
Well, that's my 5cents, something to think about.
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Here's a thread & cart describing different buffer weights by manufacturer
Buffer weights
In addition to Contes' heavy buffers.com suggestion, you can also source a standard H2 or a Spikes' T2 or T3 buffer to help. An H2 or T2 should run you around the $50-$60 mark
I have a standard H buffer as well as a H2 & Spikes' T2 buffers for my mid-length 14.5". I'm kinda on the fence as to which one will reside permanently. Besides its always good to have spares lying around.
Also If your running a Magpul stock you can always order their enhanced butt-pad to help soften felt recoil as a cheap add-on/alternative in addition to increasing buffer weight.
Buffer weights
In addition to Contes' heavy buffers.com suggestion, you can also source a standard H2 or a Spikes' T2 or T3 buffer to help. An H2 or T2 should run you around the $50-$60 mark
I have a standard H buffer as well as a H2 & Spikes' T2 buffers for my mid-length 14.5". I'm kinda on the fence as to which one will reside permanently. Besides its always good to have spares lying around.
Also If your running a Magpul stock you can always order their enhanced butt-pad to help soften felt recoil as a cheap add-on/alternative in addition to increasing buffer weight.
I run an Enidine hydraulic buffer and find them better than standard buffers.
http://www.enidine-defense.com/Recoilmain.html
http://www.enidine-defense.com/Recoilmain.html
Adjustable gas blocks need a drop or two of blue locktite on the screw. Let it harden then break it loose. The loctite will stiffen up the screw and stop it moving yet allow it to be turned for adjustment.
Spend today applying locktite to my adj. gas block. screw turns shut after 10 shots.
Anyhoo, I have a hunch you are running a carbine stock. Take it off and put it on a rifle length tube/spring/stock. Longer stroke will soften perceived recoil.
This guy seems happy
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/foru...last-page&highlight=light+weight+bolt+carrier
Anyhoo, I have a hunch you are running a carbine stock. Take it off and put it on a rifle length tube/spring/stock. Longer stroke will soften perceived recoil.
This guy seems happy
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/foru...last-page&highlight=light+weight+bolt+carrier
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