School me on buffer weights

[Wolfshoon]

So is it a safe assumption that running an 18" barrel with a suppressor on a rifle length gas tube and a rifle length extension with an H3 buffer would be the most effective and smoothest option? If I understand that correctly

Almost, there is no H3 buffer for a rifle receiver extension. Rifle buffers are all one weight last I knew(there are custom rifle buffer weight options out there, but that is really getting beyond this thread) . The H series buffers are for carbine length RE's. To answer the question, yes a rifle RE will be the smoothest recoil pulse.

The 3 gun crowd likes to run an 18" barrel as that is the shortest barrel that rifle length gas system works on. Every time I shoot one of my 20 or 18 inch AR's I am always impressed with how much less recoil I get over the carbines and SBR's.

[DenverGP]

The H series buffers are for carbine length RE's. To answer the question, yes a rifle RE will be the smoothest recoil pulse.

I'm currently running a carbine length receiver extension with an H2 buffer on my 18" rifle length gas upper.... Should i look into getting a rifle extension/buffer system instead? Would it be a noticeable upgrade?

[Spdu4ia]

I have even looked at doing the JP SCS or the Armaspec SRS (requires a spacer to fit in a rifle tube). The JP is twice as much as the other one but the plus on the Jp is that it’s tunable.

[KS63]

I'm currently running a carbine length receiver extension with an H2 buffer on my 18" rifle length gas upper.... Should i look into getting a rifle extension/buffer system instead? Would it be a noticeable upgrade?

No. Stick with what you’ve got. Are you trying to reduce muzzle rise or are you having problems with cycling?

[ray1970]

To convolute things even more, I’ve been switching my stuff over to the A5 setup. Basically an intermediate length tube running a rifle spring will a proprietary buffer.

[00tec]

I have even looked at doing the JP SCS or the Armaspec SRS (requires a spacer to fit in a rifle tube). The JP is twice as much as the other one but the plus on the Jp is that it’s tunable.

Im going with the armaspec on my next one. I'll just toss in a buffer, or borrow one from someone, verify the operation, then order that weight.

[DenverGP]

No. Stick with what you’ve got. Are you trying to reduce muzzle rise or are you having problems with cycling?

No cycling issues for me and muzzle rise is pretty well controlled already, just looking for softer/smoother operation. But it's pretty good already.

[Wolfshoon]

I'm currently running a carbine length receiver extension with an H2 buffer on my 18" rifle length gas upper.... Should i look into getting a rifle extension/buffer system instead? Would it be a noticeable upgrade?

If your have $$$ to burn, or just want a fixed stock, sure. Gonna cost about $150-300 to go to a complete fixed rifle stock assembly with new quality parts all around. If the rifle runs reliably then play with a barrel mounted brake for recoil reduction. There are a couple of great brake comparison articles on the web.

Seriously, does the rifle run properly right now? IF it does, leave it alone, if it fails I'd check gasblock alignment first and foremost. I would then play with buffer weights, Then springs (Tubbs flatwire was mentioned, I've had good luck so far with the 2 I have on a carbine and SBR) and then an adjustable gas block. Go see Bowers Tactical, they have all this stuff and the knowledge to pick the right parts for a AR (I have no affiliation with Bowers other than being an occasional customer).

This is starting to stray off the OP's original question of what different buffers do ........