Why is there a difference between commercial and mil-spec buffer tubes?
- Thread starter kiltmonkey
- Start date
RememberTheSomme
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nova Scotia
The commercial tube though slightly larger in OD will be weaker.
Those threads are cut into its wall thickness, and you get a notch effect at the last thread plus a thinner wall at that point. Ever break of an NPT fitting thats screwed into a heavy section?
It will always fail at the notch created by the last thread. If the NPT pipe fitting was built like a mil-spec thread, it would merely bend without fracturing at the thread induced notch.
The Mil-Spec tube has its threaded portion cut from a larger original OD and accompanying thicker wall. Then the thicker un-threaded sectioned is turned to a smaller OD than the threaded part. This eliminates the dreaded notch thus making it a stronger design.
As to our commercial AR's and how long they will last with the notch effect in place, I won't comment.
Kevin is right, the Mil-Spec is a superior strength design.
Those threads are cut into its wall thickness, and you get a notch effect at the last thread plus a thinner wall at that point. Ever break of an NPT fitting thats screwed into a heavy section?
It will always fail at the notch created by the last thread. If the NPT pipe fitting was built like a mil-spec thread, it would merely bend without fracturing at the thread induced notch.
The Mil-Spec tube has its threaded portion cut from a larger original OD and accompanying thicker wall. Then the thicker un-threaded sectioned is turned to a smaller OD than the threaded part. This eliminates the dreaded notch thus making it a stronger design.
As to our commercial AR's and how long they will last with the notch effect in place, I won't comment.
Kevin is right, the Mil-Spec is a superior strength design.
