AR15 buffer weight

Geezerbiker · May 8, 2019, 01:02 AM

Please forgive all my dumb beginner questions... Anyway awhile back someone here mentioned that a heavier buffer weight would slow case ejection so the spent cases do fly into the next county.

I've been looking at different buffers and some run up to around 50 bucks but don't weigh any more than the A2 buffer that came with my A2 style stock. My kitchen scale has it weighing in at a touch more than 5.1 ounces.

Are the so called heavy buffers not worth the money or am I missing something?

I'm also considering a Wolf heavy recoil spring since it's cheap and I wouldn't feel bad if it didn't work right or if I ruined it by cutting it down...

Tony

Nathan · May 8, 2019, 03:48 AM

If you have the A2 stock, it should be fitted with a rifle buffer. Those are normally a little heavy...

The heavy buffer question comes from adjustable stocks that come with the 3 oz carbine buffer.

Mobuck · May 8, 2019, 02:38 PM

AR;s don't normally throw cases into the next county(at least not like the AK or Mini 14 do). An "over gassed" AR will toss cases vigorously toward the right front of the ejection port but not usually a great distance.
As mentioned, the A-2 rifle buffer is already fairly heavy vs the standard carbine buffer. Now, if you happen to have the incorrect spring or buffer in an A-2 stock bad stuff happens quickly.

rickyrick · May 8, 2019, 04:10 PM

What’s the upper configuration, ie barrel length and gas system length

DnPRK · May 9, 2019, 12:22 AM

Make sure you use a long buffer with an A2 rifle buffer tube (aka receiver extension). The shorter carbine buffers only go with collapsible stock (carbine) buffer tubes.

I saw a case where a guy used a short carbine buffer in a rifle length buffer tube. Each time the bolt carrier recoiled, the carrier key hit the lower receiver ring until it cracked.

Geezerbiker · May 9, 2019, 12:39 AM

Thanx guys. I'm sure I'll have a few more dumb beginner questions before I complete this project.

It's not done yet. I'm going on what I remember from shooting AR's that belonged to friends from many years ago. Back then I didn't mind searching for and picking up brass. Not so much these days...

Tony

Mobuck · May 9, 2019, 08:10 AM

When shooting from the bench, I use a Caldwell net type brrass collector.
Otherwise, a clip on brass catcher attached to the side of the rifle works sort of OK.

FrankenMauser · May 9, 2019, 10:34 AM

Ejection distance on an AR is determined by ejector spring force and extractor shape.
The gas system has nothing to do with it.

The ejection pattern is influenced by how quickly (or slowly) the action is cycling, but not the distance that the cases get chucked.

Buffer weight is use to time the action, not to control ejection.
If the bolt isn't locking open on the last round, the buffer may be too heavy.
If the action is cycling so quickly that you're getting feeding and ejection failures, the buffer may be too light.
Etc...

Geezerbiker · May 10, 2019, 05:14 PM

I'll get back to you guys after I get it together. I don't want to do anything excessively creative until I know more about what I'm doing...

I'm planning to finish it up with mostly AR Stoner parts. I understand they are made by Remington or so I've heard...

Tony

bfoosh006 · May 11, 2019, 07:47 AM

Rifle length buffers are pretty much limited to 5.4ish oz.

Consider a "stiffer" recoil spring... a Tubbs AR15 recoil spring adds "load" with the bolt locked closed.. and slightly more function load.

It is an easy way to "slow" the cyclic speed.. and lessen the case flinging.

https://www.brownells.com/rifle-part...prod22336.aspx

And if you have a scope mounted... a baseball cap hung of of the top scope turret, will help quite a bit in capturing your ejecting brass.. ( it will make the inside of the cap FILTHY )

zukiphile · May 12, 2019, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Rifle length buffers are pretty much limited to 5.4ish oz.

Unless you are willing to knock out the bumper pin, remove the spacer and add some weight. A buffer with seven steel weights rather than five has a much gentler impulse.

May 8, 2019, 01:02 AM	#1
Geezerbiker Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2011 Location: Willamina, OR Posts: 1,908	AR15 buffer weight Please forgive all my dumb beginner questions... Anyway awhile back someone here mentioned that a heavier buffer weight would slow case ejection so the spent cases do fly into the next county. I've been looking at different buffers and some run up to around 50 bucks but don't weigh any more than the A2 buffer that came with my A2 style stock. My kitchen scale has it weighing in at a touch more than 5.1 ounces. Are the so called heavy buffers not worth the money or am I missing something? I'm also considering a Wolf heavy recoil spring since it's cheap and I wouldn't feel bad if it didn't work right or if I ruined it by cutting it down... Tony

May 9, 2019, 12:39 AM	#6
Geezerbiker Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2011 Location: Willamina, OR Posts: 1,908	Thanx guys. I'm sure I'll have a few more dumb beginner questions before I complete this project. It's not done yet. I'm going on what I remember from shooting AR's that belonged to friends from many years ago. Back then I didn't mind searching for and picking up brass. Not so much these days... Tony Last edited by Geezerbiker; May 9, 2019 at 09:01 AM.

May 9, 2019, 10:34 AM	#8
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	Ejection distance on an AR is determined by ejector spring force and extractor shape. The gas system has nothing to do with it. The ejection pattern is influenced by how quickly (or slowly) the action is cycling, but not the distance that the cases get chucked. Buffer weight is use to time the action, not to control ejection. If the bolt isn't locking open on the last round, the buffer may be too heavy. If the action is cycling so quickly that you're getting feeding and ejection failures, the buffer may be too light. Etc... __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

May 8, 2019, 03:48 AM	#2
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,331	If you have the A2 stock, it should be fitted with a rifle buffer. Those are normally a little heavy... The heavy buffer question comes from adjustable stocks that come with the 3 oz carbine buffer.

May 8, 2019, 02:38 PM	#3
Mobuck Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2010 Posts: 6,846	AR;s don't normally throw cases into the next county(at least not like the AK or Mini 14 do). An "over gassed" AR will toss cases vigorously toward the right front of the ejection port but not usually a great distance. As mentioned, the A-2 rifle buffer is already fairly heavy vs the standard carbine buffer. Now, if you happen to have the incorrect spring or buffer in an A-2 stock bad stuff happens quickly.

May 8, 2019, 04:10 PM	#4
rickyrick Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2010 Posts: 8,237	What’s the upper configuration, ie barrel length and gas system length

May 9, 2019, 12:22 AM	#5
DnPRK Senior Member Join Date: August 24, 2001 Location: LC, Ca Posts: 1,917	Make sure you use a long buffer with an A2 rifle buffer tube (aka receiver extension). The shorter carbine buffers only go with collapsible stock (carbine) buffer tubes. I saw a case where a guy used a short carbine buffer in a rifle length buffer tube. Each time the bolt carrier recoiled, the carrier key hit the lower receiver ring until it cracked.

May 9, 2019, 08:10 AM	#7
Mobuck Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2010 Posts: 6,846	When shooting from the bench, I use a Caldwell net type brrass collector. Otherwise, a clip on brass catcher attached to the side of the rifle works sort of OK.

May 10, 2019, 05:14 PM	#9
Geezerbiker Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2011 Location: Willamina, OR Posts: 1,908	I'll get back to you guys after I get it together. I don't want to do anything excessively creative until I know more about what I'm doing... I'm planning to finish it up with mostly AR Stoner parts. I understand they are made by Remington or so I've heard... Tony

May 11, 2019, 07:47 AM	#10
bfoosh006 Senior Member Join Date: February 17, 2009 Posts: 1,089	Rifle length buffers are pretty much limited to 5.4ish oz. Consider a "stiffer" recoil spring... a Tubbs AR15 recoil spring adds "load" with the bolt locked closed.. and slightly more function load. It is an easy way to "slow" the cyclic speed.. and lessen the case flinging. https://www.brownells.com/rifle-part...prod22336.aspx And if you have a scope mounted... a baseball cap hung of of the top scope turret, will help quite a bit in capturing your ejecting brass.. ( it will make the inside of the cap FILTHY )