Well here soon I will be finishing the build for my wife’s AR. It’s a basic Geissele build with a 13.5 MK8 handguard. I haven’t decided on barrel but it will probably be a lightweight barrel, more than likely a BCM 14.5 EWL (or something better).
The point of this thread is I want to focus on the force to pull back on the charging handle. The Geissele Super 42 braided recoil spring and H2 buffer seems too hard for her to pull back fully.
My question is I fully know that not enough force on the return to battery could result in not chambering a round. I was thinking a Brownells lightweight BCG as they seem proven. But what about the recoil spring, buffer, and gas system? Torn on adjustable vs non…
The rifle or A5 always feels slightly easier to start charging, to me. The action spring and the charging handle being easy to grasp are the two things that matter. I’m not a fan of lighter action springs for reliability, but there is probably a slightly lighter option that is reasonably vetted.
I would not use a LW carrier or adjustable gas. The weight you need to focus on is the front, a pencil barrel and lighter handguard that isn’t longer than necessary for her grip position.
Totally didn’t think about rifle length buffer system or A5! Being longer I would imagine they would be easier to charge. I don’t want to get into another pistol with what currently is going on.
****Edit: Sounds dumb, but I can’t do this idea because her setup has the anodized green carbine length buffer tube from Geissele.
I don’t know… the most I would do is downgrade to a standard carbine spring. You don’t want to mess with actual function.
Maybe try a JP Polished spring for extra smoothness.
Beyond that…maybe an H1 buffer.
I’m trying to remember if the Kynshot buffers made the initial pull easier, but that’s a lot of money to throw at a muscle problem.
The JP Tuned and Polished carbine spring is easier to pull back than a mil-spec carbine spring despite being rated (I think) 7% stronger, because it is considerably smoother. It is being used in combination with the Brownells lightweight BCG in nitride for what it’s worth.
Something else to consider, an MK8 13.5” is a pretty heavy handguard, you are all ready going to pin your muzzle device unless going NFA so look at something like a 13.9 Criterion Core barrel with a shorter/lighter handguard like BCM MCMR with V7 titanium barrel nut. I’ve found by decreasing forward weight and balance more towards the shooter can make huge difference in handling capability.
Do they not make a shorter handguard in the right color? The handguard and barrel weight is where it matters.
I wouldn’t worry about the buffer, normal weight from the receiver to the rear doesn’t bother my wife at all. CAR or H1 won’t really matter if you use a decent middy barrel.