Buffer weight?

[skyfish]

I know this gets asked a lot, but have yet to see anyone using a Magpul UBR stock. I have a 18" barrel, AA, and a mid-length gas system. I also use a BCM m-16 carrier.

When using factory ammo, Hornady or AA, 115 or 123. Occasionally the charging handle pops back. I do believe it is bottoming out hard, enough to unseat the charging handle. I have a carbine spring and buffer, would a heavier weight help? Or possibly a pig tail in the gas line?

Thanks

[LRRPF52]

Look at the charge handle latch recess on your upper. Is it worn to the point that the edge is gone, and exposed aluminum is visible? Do you karate-chop your charge handle or use the handle a lot for reloading?

This is one of the design weaknesses in the AR15, and I'm not really fond of it. It does facilitate a receiver that is enclosed to help keep out debris, but isn't the greatest ergonomically. If your upper sees a lot of use with harsh manipulation of the charge handle, especially on uppers that don't have a true Milspec Type III hard coat anodizing, you run into a charge handle that will pop loose and whack you in the nose.

The original charge handle design was like this, taken from the original AR10 design:



The problems with it were that it had an open slot on top of the receiver that debris could enter through, was difficult to manipulate with winter mittens on, and became hot under high-volume fire if not wearing gloves.

It also wasn't the best upper for mounting optics on, although there were AR10 models with this charge handle design that did have an optics mount on the protective cover that is often referred to as a "carrying handle".

[vanguard138]

Skyfish,

My Grendel has a Magpul UBR stock and a ss 18" barrel. I tried to upload a photo awhile back but could not get it to go. No doibt operator error. I got the buffer from WCI and it is.balanced to the Grendel. Works great with my rig.

[jwilson1985]

cheapest and the most effective that we have used is the wolf power springs

[rasp65]

Try an H2 buffer, its increased weight will slow down the carrier also prevent bolt bounce.

[jwilson1985]

http://www.jprifles.com/buy.php?item=JPS-OSR
i forgot to add that jp also makes the buffer springs.

[LRRPF52]

Guys, read his symptoms and then ask if this is a recoil system issue, or a worn out upper charge handle latch recess issue. The charge handle pops out on the initial recoil impulse when the bolt is still locked on the guns I've seen it do it on, so it wouldn't matter if you had every buffer known to man. It usually happens on 6061 uppers with a sub-standard anodizing.

The anodizing acts as a case-hardening of sorts for the aluminum. 7075 is the way to go for a harder upper, as is a Mil-spec Type III hard-coat anodized finish, which penetrates deeper into the aluminum. I've never seen a military M16 or M4 with this problem, but have seen it on a few civvy guns, and the actions get worked a lot on military guns.