Buffer Spring Question?

[gnihcraes]

Here is my question/problem:

Armalite A2

Replaced A2 stock with a collapse-able stock from a new bushmaster.
(bought at Tanner a while ago) Included shorter buffer and spring.

Rifle seems to function fine, spring seems extremely stiff compared to the original A2 spring. Some forum members commented recently on it's lack of kicking the brass, it was only going a foot or so away. Basic Reloads of my own, but I cannot tell you the details since I don't know what that magazine contained from my ammo stock.

I can just put in the original A2 spring without causing any issues right?

I didn't know if the stronger spring was needed with shorter buffer or ?

[ray1970]

I think you'll get "coil bind" if you try to run the rifle spring in the carbine tube.

Can I get some more details? Barrel length? Gas port location?

Thanks.

[gnihcraes]

Ok, sorry:

16 inch barrel
Mid Length gas tube.
Not sure if that answers the gas port location? All stock other than furniture and the adjustable stock.

The spring is noticeably stiffer than the original.

[SideShow Bob]

Does it feed properly and lock the bolt back on an empty mag. ?
Most likely the spring is too stiff (Heavy duty). What color of paint is on the spring ? Or you have a heavy buffer, does it have an H or H2 marking on the buffer face ? Or you have both.
If it runs good , what's the problem ? It dumps the brass in a nice neat little pile instead of slinging brass all over the range.

[gnihcraes]

checking...

Ok, spring is all one color, basic spring color black.
Buffer has no markings, short buffer compared to the original. Buffer appears to have a moving weight inside it or something?

It did keep the bolt open when it emptied the magazine. It ran well for 30 rounds and I put it away.

No particular issue, other than it made me wonder when everyone noticed it wasn't kicking the brass 40 feet down range. They were jealous. haha

thanks for the help. I'll check the markings on the original spring and buffer tomorrow.

[ray1970]

I have(or had) many 16" carbines with the mid-length gas system. The only problem I ever had with any of them was when I tried to run a Tubbs flat-wire spring with a heavy buffer. It would cycle fine but would barely kick the empties out and would occasionally not lock the bolt back on an empty magazine. I took that spring out and installed a standard carbine spring and everything was hunky-dory.

[gnihcraes]

thanks for the tips and info, I'll goof around with it and see what I come up with.