Heavy Carbine buffers?

[ray1970]

Dang. Now I am going to need a high speed camera to check the function of my action.

If your buffer doesn't rattle when you shake it, it can lead to "bolt bounce". That's why you won't find the Spike's buffers in my rifles.

The little weights rattling around in the buffer serve a purpose. It's sort of a "dead blow hammer" effect. As the spring pushes the buffer and BCG forward, the weights inside the buffer are shoved to the back of the buffer. When the bolt gets all of the way forward and stops, those little weights fly forward inside the buffer to counteract the bolt wanting to bounce back.

You can see the bolt bounce I am talking about in the video linked to above.

The big difference between a standard carbine buffer, an "H" buffer, and the "H2" and "H3" is the materials used for the little discs rattling around inside the buffer.

A standard buffer has three steel discs inside. The "H" buffer is slightly heavier because one of the steel discs is replaced with a tungsten disc. The "H2" has two tungsten discs, and the "H3" has all of the discs inside made from tungsten.

[TheBelly]

Dang. Now I am going to need a high speed camera to check the function of my action.

If your buffer doesn't rattle when you shake it, it can lead to "bolt bounce". That's why you won't find the Spike's buffers in my rifles.

The little weights rattling around in the buffer serve a purpose. It's sort of a "dead blow hammer" effect. As the spring pushes the buffer and BCG forward, the weights inside the buffer are shoved to the back of the buffer. When the bolt gets all of the way forward and stops, those little weights fly forward inside the buffer to counteract the bolt wanting to bounce back.

You can see the bolt bounce I am talking about in the video linked to above.

The big difference between a standard carbine buffer, an "H" buffer, and the "H2" and "H3" is the materials used for the little discs rattling around inside the buffer.

A standard buffer has three steel discs inside. The "H" buffer is slightly heavier because one of the steel discs is replaced with a tungsten disc. The "H2" has two tungsten discs, and the "H3" has all of the discs inside made from tungsten.

My spikes st-t2 buffer has a little cartridge filled with what sounds like powder. It still has the dead blow effect. Try shaking it again and listen close.

[Dunecrazzy]

I have seen the heavy recoil spring short cycle a feed using 55gr. Took the gun to BP changed the spring fixed.

[Bill]

Spikes Tactical Battle Trigger Set

So I put in a 4.5oz buffer nice hardly any jump/recoil to it. put a Spikes tactical battle trigger set in with a 3.5lb spring kit. now its a sweet shooter. Thank to the people that gave me a helping hand.

[MarkCO]

Heavy buffers will lengthen the recoil impulse some, but they will increase the total movement, albeit very minimally. Yes, a better muzzle device is a better choice.

The majority of 3Gunners use reduced weight buffers and reduced weight carriers with good comps to keep the rifle flat and fast. The next step is to look at gas volume and pressure. An adjustable gasblock to reduce the excessive amount of gas delivered will help. A rifle length gas system with a smaller than mil-spec hole and a solid gas block is a better more reliable solution.

[muddywings]

Heavy buffers will lengthen the recoil impulse some, but they will increase the total movement, albeit very minimally. Yes, a better muzzle device is a better choice.

The majority of 3Gunners use reduced weight buffers and reduced weight carriers with good comps to keep the rifle flat and fast. The next step is to look at gas volume and pressure. An adjustable gasblock to reduce the excessive amount of gas delivered will help. A rifle length gas system with a smaller than mil-spec hole and a solid gas block is a better more reliable solution.

Mark,
Per what I asked you on Friday at the very end about my two buffers, I went ahead and pulled apart the standard carbine buffer I had and found that it had 3 weights. I had a 1/2" pine dowel lying around so I cut three 'blanks' and was figuring I would throw one in at a time and shoot a few rounds to see the difference. (The thinner round ones are just rubber spacers)
I can't imagine it making much of a difference for someone as inexperienced as myself but just want to verify what I should be experiencing/looking for.
I also ASSUME that this will be harder on the internals such as BCG ect?

Pic below is with the Spikes T2 on top and the other disassembled below.
(I'm a tinker-er at heart so I just like pulling things apart and figuring how they work)

[IMG][/IMG]

PS to anybody: I shook the Spikes and sure enough the powder slides inside and dead blows.

[MarkCO]

Yes, you can certainly try the wood plugs. Eventually, they will crack and splinter, but a good test procedure however. Put in a stock one then two of the wood ones last. The wear might go up a slight amount, but mostly insignificant. Did you weigh the original config?

I run two stock weights and one polymer, but I also run a low mass carrier so I am cutting out about 4 ounces from the total system.

Some guys run a low mass system with an XP spring...but that is also the set-up prone to slam fires due to the floating firing pin, so a Titanimum pin is also needed. That is adding almost $250, so make sure it is somthing you need before you go there.

[muddywings]

Yes, you can certainly try the wood plugs. Eventually, they will crack and splinter, but a good test procedure however. Put in a stock one then two of the wood ones last. The wear might go up a slight amount, but mostly insignificant. Did you weigh the original config?

I run two stock weights and one polymer, but I also run a low mass carrier so I am cutting out about 4 ounces from the total system.

Some guys run a low mass system with an XP spring...but that is also the set-up prone to slam fires due to the floating firing pin, so a Titanimum pin is also needed. That is adding almost $250, so make sure it is somthing you need before you go there.

Thanks for your time. Good point about the wood crack/splintering.
I need $250 ammo out the gun at targets more than I need the fancy stuff!

I'll have to ask around for a scale that small.

[muddywings]

because i have to tinker with everything, for those who run a google search for the ultimate buffer question, here is my test with different buffers, see picture above for more details. (watch your sound settings)

I put 3-4 coats of a spray on laquer on the dowels to prevent them from splintering/cracking.

[MarkCO]

Nice work Brian. Could you feel the differences?