Carbine Buffers

[Ah Pook]

I'm putting together a parts list for a carbine build. Previous ARs have been bought stock. This is a first time build.

The question I have is about buffers. What is the difference between a carbine buffer and a heavy (H, H1, H2, H3) buffer?

[ChunkyMonkey]

Carbine buffer is 18gram... H would be 40gram... H2 has two weighs in it, but I have never weighted it. A Heavier buffer improves extraction and feels smoother to me. I have Spikes ST-T2 buffers on two of mine and I feel the difference in recoil - no necessarily less, just smoother.

[Ah Pook]

Thanks for the info.

[BPTactical]

A heavier buffer will also slow the cyclic rate. Tungsten weighted buffers are the heaviest that I am aware of but I don't know the weight for sure.

[SA Friday]

Carbine buffer is 18gram... H would be 40gram... H2 has two weighs in it, but I have never weighted it. A Heavier buffer improves extraction and feels smoother to me. I have Spikes ST-T2 buffers on two of mine and I feel the difference in recoil - no necessarily less, just smoother.

Agreed it might feel smoother, but I would say it does have more reciprocating mass, therefore more recoil transfer from the gun to the shooter. the other way to go is low mass BCG and low mass buffer, less reciprocating mass. Is relates into a faster cycling gun, less energy transfer and faster sight picture recovery shot to shot. Just don't run low mass with a short gas system.

[Ah Pook]

I got a chance to do some research this morning. There are a lot of "looks and feels" threads out there. The tungsten bearing vs powder debate is interesting.

I'm leaning towards an H2 buffer at the moment.