buffer weight

[LRRPF52]

I ONLY run H2 or heavier buffers in all AR platform. The 2.9-3 oz buffer is less reliable all around and is not used im any military specification. These days I am doing new builds with Vltor A5/BCM Mk2/SOLGW Loyal/Forward Controls length systems. Most every AR is overgassed and I have had what looked like short strokes actually be under sprung under buffer systems where the bolt was slamming back bottoming out and then bouncing so hard that the catch is not getting it nor was it stripping the next round. I only see you then out when the bolt catch got broken off.

The XM177E2, Colt 653 M16A1 Carbine, Colt 723 M16A2 Carbine, Colt 727 M16A2 Carbine, and early M4A1 and M4 Carbines all had 2.9oz to 3.0oz buffers up through about 1996.

I’ve done CQM ranges where I burned through 1100rds in maybe 4 hours with the earlier M4 pre-SOPMOD barrels and buffers.

The primary purpose of the different buffer weights are to correspond with the barrel mass to counter carrier-bounce in FULL or BURST Automatic fire modes.

M16A1 and M16A2 have heavier barrel mass than the early Commandos.

The 653 had the lowest mass of all the 14.5” guns because it was pencil profile.

Early 723s had the same profile, but 1/7 twist to fire M855.

727 had the XM4 barrel profile with the M203 step cut and heavy forend, which was eventually used on M4/M4A1 production from 1994-2003.

The M4 carbines used all of the different buffer weights, depending on year of manufacture or update.

It started with standard buffers 2.9-3.0oz 1993-1997.
Then went to H in 1997, and H2 in 2003.

If you have a heavy barrel profile like on the SOCOM M4A1 pipes, the H2 buffer is meant to counter carrier bounce. Carrier bounce is primarily a full auto concern.

You can run 2.9oz buffers with extra power action springs and they run great in 6.5 Grendel. That’s what is in my 12” Grendel right now, which I’ve been shooting regularly since 2017 as my primary choice of my 7 Grendels.

I spent several years prior to that focusing on the 17.6” Lilja barrel build, and from 2009-2014 focusing on the 16” AA Grendel build.

I did use a Spike’s ST-T2 buffer in the 16” MLGS Grendel, which worked very well.

I’ve tried a lot of different combinations in 16” MLGS Grendels from AA and Lilja, and all were pussycats with a standard carbine and spring set-up.

I do like the ArmaLite/Vltor A5 RET system as well.