01-01-2024, 07:37 PM
grayfox Wrote:Having a negligible effect seems reasonable, at least for the unlocking: as I understand it, unlocking is primarily a rotational motion/operation, which some extra mass in the buffer would not have any impact on. As for rearward motion, seems possible that an increase of ounces compared with the thousands ksi pressure acting upon it (the cross sectional area being the same) so the force/acceleration, F=m*a, might get slowed a bit by having to accelerate a heavier mass... but it could also be a negligible impact. I haven't run any numbers personally, but it doesn't defy logic either.
edit to add.
I went back to listen to the video, it started for me (in the link) about 14:00 into the run. His discussion revealed a couple things that might have a bearing on this discussion here, as what I would call clarifications.
1. His discussion of bolts and buffers in this part of the vid seems to revolve around shooting suppressed/unsuppr., as well as he mentions that some might be using "boutique" really heavy buffers (beyond the H1-H3 range) -- of which boutiques I don't have any knowledge-- as compared to H1-H3 buffers. In discussing bolt movement, he says a heavier buffer (implying mostly the H1-H3 range) will slow down buffer movement and make it run "smoother" - a rather unscientific term imo, but probably referring to a more or less lack of "crashing" into the back of the buffer track at the end of the rearward movement... He does also say that there is a delay in buffer opening, but it is of the order of 0.5-1.0 millisec, which to him was a negligible timeframe.
2. I didn't see parts where any graphics of bolt motion or high-speed vid segments, so I'll leave that discussion to others. Maybe those were at a different point in the vid.
This all may or may not impact our discussion here, but for someone shooting only unsuppressed, and thinking of whether to use carbine, H1, 2, or 3, the "slower opening" may not be perceptible but a slower buffer velocity and "not-so-crashing-into" the far back travel stop, may be perceptible, and useful. Any "slowing" of the opening cycle is probably not detectable to the avg user.
Go back and watch the video..The graphs are plainly shown and the time the bolt unlocks and the velocity/time frame of the carriers..In one of the graphs, the lighter buffer actual unlocked later than some of the heavier ones..The point was the difference in the unlocking time frame using different buffer weight is insignificant, which was my point from the start..Heavier buffers do slow the carrier velocity consistently.
52 is correct that the heavier buffers were used to prevent bolt/carrier bounce..The heavier the barrel the more carrier bounce occurs..
What I consistently here/read is that many people think the heavier buffers will delay the bolt from unlocking and improve dwell time which is not true..
Heavier recoil springs and buffers will also slow the carrier velocity which will prevent feeding and recoil problems ( it allows more time for the magazine spring to push the next cartridge in the magazine in the proper position for the carrier to grab) if the rifle is over gassed..
I have always advocated mitigating the gas if possible, but like I stated earlier it is a topic with many different opinions....