buffer weight

[v4lu3s]

The heavier buffers were developed to slow carrier velocity and prevent bolt bounce on full auto..The H 1 was developed to slow carrier velocity on the M4 platform ( allowed more time for the magazine to push the next cartridge into place) and the H2 was developed to stop full auto bolt bounce on the heavier barreled M4A1..The H3 buffer was developed for the now defunct firing port weapon..

With an adj gas block, heavier buffers are completely unnecessary in any semi auto carbine AR if the rifle is well maintained..

Heavier buffers on an over gassed semi auto AR rifle is a band aid and not a cure..Even with heavier buffers, the over gassed system will pound on the firing pin retaining pin and is hard on gas rings..

If the rifle is not going to have an adj gas block, then I will use a heavier spring with a lighter buffer and will only use the heavier buffers as a last resort..

The more reciprocating mass, the more felt recoil..

I personally don't care for the Vltor A5 system and use only the standard carbine length system..

A lot of different opinions in AR world..

The lighter buffers were developed as a cost-cutting measure for the civilian Market. And heavier buffers do not create or have anything to do with heavier recoil they reduce recoil by having more mass because it slows the cyclic rate, and the buffer weight moves slower because the laws of physics. When you impart the same energy to a heavyweight versus a lightweight the lightweight always moves much faster. A standard spring and a 3 oz buffer is far more likely to bottom out in a Carbine length receiver extension and that is where you will definitely feel more recoil.

An adjustable gas block is also a Band-Aid for a poorly balanced system. The system was designed to be over gassed for reliability, but the system was also designed around a four to five and a half ounce of buffer from the get-go.

If you look at a military M4 they run a heavier buffer than the 3-oz civilian buffer. With a carbine length gas system with a heavy bolt carrier group. They are over gas but they are reliable.

Obviously it's the internet but I've spent 15 years building ARs as a hobby. The only thing I've learned through that is the more I learn the more there is to know so I finally recently went and took a certified armorers course from Sons of Liberty Gun Works and learned more in the first 4 hours that I had in the past 15 years.