AR extractor/buffer question

**GunsRBadMMMMKay** · 04-13-2016, 18:54

Not sure if I should put this in gun-smithing or ar section. I've got a carbine (16" HBAR/carbine length gas tube) that I installed a tungsten heavy buffer and a +P recoil spring in (one of those piano wire jobs). I trimmed the buffer spring down until I could get it to feed the weakest ammo I shoot (not to mention any names but its Tula) and it's still a little more then plus p tension imo. Feed reliability is great, maybe a little too forceful...it puts them in the chamber even if they are a little crooked/bent...but Ive noticed the brass from my last shoot has some damage specifically from this firearm. The rim of the brass is quite noticeably bent back where the extractor is holding the shell. My question is can running this strong of a spring and the extra heavy buffer damage my rifle? Felt recoil is pretty minimal with this set up but I'm worried that energy is being transferred to parts of the firearm not designed to absorb it. I still have the milspec spring and buffer, I figured i would take them on my next outing and try getting samples of brass from running both setups. I don't reload currently so the brass isn't an issue, I just don't want another gun coming apart in my hands

**Great-Kazoo** · 04-13-2016, 19:02

Picture of brass, bolt face etc.

Curious why you felt the need to run a heavy (weight?) buffer and +P recoil spring, prior to seeing if there were any issues. You went with a +P spring then cut the spring down? Not sure i follow why you went >this way then < that.
I would have went with an adj gas block , keeping recoil items stock. Then try tuning from there.

**KS63** · 04-13-2016, 19:23

Put the carbine spring and buffer in it. Go shoot. Take note of were you brass is ejecting. Post up results.

**SA Friday** · 04-13-2016, 20:01

I like to start out 16" barrels with carbine length gas systems with an H buffer and a Tubbs flat wire spring and time from there. It's a pretty standard set up and the majority of the gas ports are within range to time correctly with this set up. Carbine length gas systems can be really rough on brass, but shouldn't be ripping the rims during normal operations. The heavy spring (questionable if you had to cut it down to get it to run with a carbine gas system) and H buffer shouldn't cause the issues you are describing. Too little weight or spring or possibly a bolt/barrel not headspace, too loose, could cause these issues. Who made the barrel? HBAR, Colt? Chrome lined? Was the barrel and bolt every headspaced? Where is it ejecting the brass, 2, 3, 4 o'clock? Pics of the brass and video of ejection would be good info.

**GunsRBadMMMMKay** · 04-13-2016, 20:31

Originally Posted by Great-Kazoo

Picture of brass, bolt face etc.

Curious why you felt the need to run a heavy (weight?) buffer and +P recoil spring, prior to seeing if there were any issues. You went with a +P spring then cut the spring down? Not sure i follow why you went >this way then < that.
I would have went with an adj gas block , keeping recoil items stock. Then try tuning from there.

It ran with the stock weight spring and buffer, I installed the buffer for an attempt at recoil control and the heavier spring to ensure feed and lockup with cheap/dirty ammo.... and it seems smoother (in line) and quieter(in my ear) with the heavy wound spring and heavy buffer installed. trimming the spring was more an impulse response to an immediate problem after installing said spring, I never really considered the gas impulse affecting recoil (guess i didn't learn anything from those old guns lol). I'll see if i can dig out some of the brass (I save a lot of it even though i don't reload).

**GunsRBadMMMMKay** · 04-13-2016, 20:47

Originally Posted by SA Friday

I like to start out 16" barrels with carbine length gas systems with an H buffer and a Tubbs flat wire spring and time from there. It's a pretty standard set up and the majority of the gas ports are within range to time correctly with this set up. Carbine length gas systems can be really rough on brass, but shouldn't be ripping the rims during normal operations. The heavy spring (questionable if you had to cut it down to get it to run with a carbine gas system) and H buffer shouldn't cause the issues you are describing. Too little weight or spring or possibly a bolt/barrel not headspace, too loose, could cause these issues. Who made the barrel? HBAR, Colt? Chrome lined? Was the barrel and bolt every headspaced? Where is it ejecting the brass, 2, 3, 4 o'clock? Pics of the brass and video of ejection would be good info.

I might be able to get a video next time out.....the barrel is a heavy profile 1/9 twist melonite finish in and out, i forget the seller name - omega maybe ( it is marked ARD 5.56x45 1/9) was the only hbar melonite carbine barrel i could find in 5.56 at the time). I piece mailed the upper and got it assembled by one of the locals, I would assume he headspaced it I've never shot a gun that was out of spec and not had it kick like a mother. and side note the buffer is one of the 5 oz ones so more h3. The thing is pretty damn accurate and I've yet to have a misfeed or jam, but the brass caught my attention when i was sorting it. (hopefully it was from my gun....LOL)