School me on ARs Buffers

**gijoeflint** · October 24, 2012, 18:36

Hello,
I remenber years ago was only RIFLE, CARBINE and 9MM AR buffer.
Now we have T1, T2, Hydraulic, Etc..., can someone explain to me the
difference??
thanks

**MAINER** · October 25, 2012, 09:47

They are just more options for the AR user, and another widget to sell.

The T1 series are just buffers filled with Tungsten powder rather than the solid tungsten and steel weights used in regular Buffers. Supposed to give a smoother operation of the recoil system. Cost is a little bit more than regular buffers.
The T1 is the lightest, about the same as a "low-mass" buffer for light loads and the T3 is the heaviest for use with 6.5 Grendell, .300 Blackout and others of their sort.

The Hydraulic Buffer is the latest high tech whizzbang for AR shooters and priced accordingly, about $100. Suppose to "dampen Bolt Carrier travel, reduce recoil, increase reliability, reduce wear on parts, reduce shock and vibration to optics".
The Hydraulic is geared to AR competition shooters who shoot a lot of rounds and every fraction of a second counts.

Standard buffers work fine for my tin can plinking and the occasional attack by a mad squirrel.

"You pay your money and take your choice", as they say.

Oh, there's also a "JP Silent Captured Spring" buffer so you don't have to listen to the "Sproooing" anymore.

It's about $125.00.

**W.E.G.** · October 25, 2012, 10:05

[/QUOTE]

kotengu · October 26, 2012, 07:03

So if you're shooting standard 55gr and 62gr 5.56 out of a 14.5" barrel, the standard carbine buffer works fine? The heavier buffers slow the recoil impulse and spread the recoil out over a longer time? Or are they made for heavier/hotter loads?

I've been confused by this too - good info so far.

**W.E.G.** · October 26, 2012, 08:31

http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_7_120/229073_.html

**gijoeflint** · October 26, 2012, 17:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by kotengu

So if you're shooting standard 55gr and 62gr 5.56 out of a 14.5" barrel, the standard carbine buffer works fine? The heavier buffers slow the recoil impulse and spread the recoil out over a longer time? Or are they made for heavier/hotter loads?

I've been confused by this too - good info so far.

First, Thanks to all for the help!!
that was fast and exellent!!
Second, same questions from kotengu.
Also to slow the rate on FA, the heavier the better?
thanks

**MAINER** · October 26, 2012, 19:02

The gas system, pistol, carbine, mid, and rifle along with loads used, plus the weight or mass of the Bolt Carrier either M16 or AR are all considerations for selecting a buffer. Did I mention the Recoil Spring also?

A standard Carbine buffer in a 14.5" or 16" carbine will work fine with 55gr and 62 gr loads. If you have the lighter AR style Bolt Carrier and it seems to have a harsh recoil, you might want to move up to an H buffer.

Some AR shooters like to tinker with "tailoring the rifle to the load". I don't really know what they are talking about, but it keeps them occupied for awhile.
By swapping to a heavier buffer, you can soften the recoil, reduce wear and all that stuff right up to the point when the rifle short-cycles or doesn't lock back on an empty mag.

One guy has a several H3 buffers that he takes apart and swaps the weights around with the standard buffer to get the weight his rifle likes best.

Hot-fal · November 02, 2012, 14:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAINER

The gas system, pistol, carbine, mid, and rifle along with loads used, plus the weight or mass of the Bolt Carrier either M16 or AR are all considerations for selecting a buffer. Did I mention the Recoil Spring also?

A standard Carbine buffer in a 14.5" or 16" carbine will work fine with 55gr and 62 gr loads. If you have the lighter AR style Bolt Carrier and it seems to have a harsh recoil, you might want to move up to an H buffer.

Some AR shooters like to tinker with "tailoring the rifle to the load". I don't really know what they are talking about, but it keeps them occupied for awhile.
By swapping to a heavier buffer, you can soften the recoil, reduce wear and all that stuff right up to the point when the rifle short-cycles or doesn't lock back on an empty mag.

One guy has a several H3 buffers that he takes apart and swaps the weights around with the standard buffer to get the weight his rifle likes best.

I did not ask this question, But it is so nice to see this in print..I was considering the tuning of my new rifle too, in just such a manner..I only dislike the swooush of the rifle.It is a great Light carry rig. THX.

gunnut1 · November 09, 2012, 17:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hot-fal

I did not ask this question, But it is so nice to see this in print..I was considering the tuning of my new rifle too, in just such a manner..I only dislike the swooush of the rifle.It is a great Light carry rig. THX.

Put some grease on the recoil spring and the swooush will go away. Don't use too much though.

**Seaweed** · November 09, 2012, 23:10

I put a light coat of grease in the recoil tube and a light coat of oil on the spring. Makes it very quiet.

keiser · November 14, 2012, 13:18

So what buffer would you use for a Blackout or 7.62x39 upper?

October 24, 2012, 18:36	#1
gijoeflint Member Contributor FALaholic #: 19392 Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Temple, Texas Posts: 332	School me on ARs Buffers Hello, I remenber years ago was only RIFLE, CARBINE and 9MM AR buffer. Now we have T1, T2, Hydraulic, Etc..., can someone explain to me the difference?? thanks

October 25, 2012, 09:47	#2
MAINER Old Fart Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 18465 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Maine Posts: 6,291	They are just more options for the AR user, and another widget to sell. The T1 series are just buffers filled with Tungsten powder rather than the solid tungsten and steel weights used in regular Buffers. Supposed to give a smoother operation of the recoil system. Cost is a little bit more than regular buffers. The T1 is the lightest, about the same as a "low-mass" buffer for light loads and the T3 is the heaviest for use with 6.5 Grendell, .300 Blackout and others of their sort. The Hydraulic Buffer is the latest high tech whizzbang for AR shooters and priced accordingly, about $100. Suppose to "dampen Bolt Carrier travel, reduce recoil, increase reliability, reduce wear on parts, reduce shock and vibration to optics". The Hydraulic is geared to AR competition shooters who shoot a lot of rounds and every fraction of a second counts. Standard buffers work fine for my tin can plinking and the occasional attack by a mad squirrel. "You pay your money and take your choice", as they say. Oh, there's also a "JP Silent Captured Spring" buffer so you don't have to listen to the "Sproooing" anymore. It's about $125.00. __________________ Joe Biden for President.

October 25, 2012, 10:05	#3
W.E.G. Administrator Silver Contributor FALaholic #: 1211 Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Virginia Posts: 31,056	[/QUOTE] __________________ . . . Ask me about the Mason-Dixon FAL Collectors Association.

October 26, 2012, 07:03	#4
kotengu Registered FALaholic #: 1594 Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Baxter, TN, USA Posts: 3,066	So if you're shooting standard 55gr and 62gr 5.56 out of a 14.5" barrel, the standard carbine buffer works fine? The heavier buffers slow the recoil impulse and spread the recoil out over a longer time? Or are they made for heavier/hotter loads? I've been confused by this too - good info so far. __________________ "The way is in training." - Miyamoto Musashi

October 26, 2012, 08:31	#5
W.E.G. Administrator Silver Contributor FALaholic #: 1211 Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Virginia Posts: 31,056	http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_7_120/229073_.html __________________ . . . Ask me about the Mason-Dixon FAL Collectors Association.

October 26, 2012, 19:02	#7
MAINER Old Fart Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 18465 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Maine Posts: 6,291	The gas system, pistol, carbine, mid, and rifle along with loads used, plus the weight or mass of the Bolt Carrier either M16 or AR are all considerations for selecting a buffer. Did I mention the Recoil Spring also? A standard Carbine buffer in a 14.5" or 16" carbine will work fine with 55gr and 62 gr loads. If you have the lighter AR style Bolt Carrier and it seems to have a harsh recoil, you might want to move up to an H buffer. Some AR shooters like to tinker with "tailoring the rifle to the load". I don't really know what they are talking about, but it keeps them occupied for awhile. By swapping to a heavier buffer, you can soften the recoil, reduce wear and all that stuff right up to the point when the rifle short-cycles or doesn't lock back on an empty mag. One guy has a several H3 buffers that he takes apart and swaps the weights around with the standard buffer to get the weight his rifle likes best. __________________ Joe Biden for President.

November 09, 2012, 23:10	#10
Seaweed Veteran Member Silver Contributor FALaholic #: 2736 Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Newport, OR Posts: 1,280	I put a light coat of grease in the recoil tube and a light coat of oil on the spring. Makes it very quiet.

November 14, 2012, 13:18	#11
keiser Registered FALaholic #: 5428 Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: USA Posts: 762	So what buffer would you use for a Blackout or 7.62x39 upper? __________________ "When things look bad and it looks like you're not going to make it, then you've got to get mean. I mean plumb mad dog mean." - Josey Wales

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