How Buff Should My Rifle Be?

[Josh Smash]

Will a heavier buffer, in a non adjustable gas system, smooth out a rifle's recoil?

I have a 16" mid length barrel and I am currently using a carbine weight buffer.

My 55g reloads eject at 3ish o'clock and factory 556 at 2ish o'clock.

I don't wish to switch to an adjustable gas block.

Should I stick with the buffer I have or switch to a H or H2?

 

[Tuflehundon]

What comp are you using? I noticed a difference when switching to a low mass system with adjustable gas block, but noticed the most difference running a quality comp.

SJC Titan. Armalite. Rolling Thunder. Etc.

 

[Matt1911]

Putting the Titan comp on my rifle made a very noticeable difference in recoil.

 

[Josh Smash]

I have an off brand muzzle...thing. My recoil is bad enough for me to want to make big investments to correct. I found an H and H2 buffer for 25$(each)and wanted to know if one would be appropriate for my setup.

Or am I on the wrong track and heavier buffer/slower action isn't worth the change?

 

[Wall]

Adding a heavier buffer is simply adding reciprocating mass, just the opposite of what a low mass system does.
A low mass system with tuned gas reduces the amount of reciprocating mass & minimizes the amount the amount of gas used to push it. All working together reducing the amount of force, resulting in reduced muzzle movement.

 

[Josh Smash]

So adding mass to an over gassed rifle will slow the action and increase movement in the rifle?

 

[FortyMikeMike]

I'm with Matt and Rob, the most recoil reduction for your money is a good compensator.

I run a $40 Miculek and its made a big difference.

 

[Josh Smash]

Correction- the recoil is NOT bad

I am not disagreeing that a good comp will reduce the recoil. My question is
specific more towards the proper selection of a buffer in a non adjustable gas system.

 

[mike cyrwus]

Go w standard. A heavy one slows the cycle down, and changes a normal recoil impulse into a softer feeling, rolling recoil. Most shooters react better to faster jabs as opposed to slow but steady pushes that a heavier bc will sometimes give.

 

[Josh Smash]

Go w standard. A heavy one slows the cycle down, and changes a normal recoil impulse into a softer feeling, rolling recoil. Most shooters react better to faster jabs as opposed to slow but steady pushes that a heavier bc will sometimes give.

Sticking with a carbine weight buffer, wouldn't different gas tube lengths change what normal felt like? Or is the difference nominal?

 

[Matt1911]

The longer the gas tube, the softer the felt recoil is.

 

[Josh Smash]

So, changing the buffer will change the feel(snap vs. push), but does not provide a distinct advantage like a comp or an adjustable block with low mass parts.

Is this right or am I still missing something?

 

[Matt1911]

Correct.

 

[dennishoddy]

So, changing the buffer will change the feel(snap vs. push), but does not provide a distinct advantage like a comp or an adjustable block with low mass parts.

Is this right or am I still missing something?

Yes. As an example, the original M-16 had a rate of fire of 900 rounds per minute. That rate along with using the wrong ball powder caused major failure to eject from those rifles.
The fix was to add weight to the buffer, slowing it down to 700 rpm and changing the powder to slow down the impulse, allowing the brass to contract away from the chamber walls and extract. All of this takes place in microseconds, but timing does play a major issue in function.
Trickle this down to the AR-15, the same principles apply.
A comp redirects gas coming out the end of the barrel to counter the recoil, and eliminates barrel rise.
Bushmaster came out with a 3 Gun ready AR that had an issue with the comp actually causing the barrel to dip if I remember right instead of staying horizontal like is preferred.
A low mass BCG needs a tuned gas block to make it right. If I remember correctly, the grumpy ol gunsmith on here said that you open the block up until you get a good cycle, you need to open it up 1/2 more turn to make it reliable. Ammo is never 100% constant in pressure. It varies. The 1/2 turn makes it reliable. Reliable wins matches.