I’m going to be buying a 14.5" mid-length upper from BCM and I’m not sure which buffer would be better go with. I know the H buffers cause the bolt to cycle slower, reducing recoil and increasing accuracy. But if the buffer is too heavy, the rifle will have a hard time extracting the spent cartridge or locking the bolt to the rear if shooting weak ammo. I read on “the chart” http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=pwswheghNQsEuEhjFwPrgTA&single=true&gid=5&output=html that the H buffer is best used in carbine length rifles, but what about mid length gas systems? I also hear the Spikes ST-T2 buffer is pretty badass but not much as to why it’s badass, just that it is. Is their buffer meant to work best for carbine length gas systems or mid-length? What would be the better buffer to get for my rifle being the 14.5" middy?
Ideally you should buy the entire range of buffers to test your carbine with, and any future carbines. That means a carbine, H, ST-T2, H2, and H3. Test them all, see what works best.
Now, just thinking what I believe to be logically, I would guess that the ST-T2 is a very reliable buffer for 14.5in middies. It’s SLIGHTLY lighter than an H2, but heavier than a carbine. A carbine would probably be a little too light, an H2 MIGHT be a little too heavy (probably not, but every gun is different).
So, to conclude, an ST-T2 should work very well. An H2 MAY work better.
Having been involved with some testing of the BCM 14.5" mid length along with markm I would go with an H2. We successfully used up to an H3 using a variety of 5.56 ammo. However, it did cycle very slowly.
I am not such a great fan of the Spike’s buffer and I would simply use a quality H2 from BCM.
Non Attorney Disclosure- I don’t get any kick backs or stock options from BCM. I simply like their stuff based upon the many successes I have had with their parts.
If you havent built the lower already or dont mind taking it apart plus some additional costs, I recommend the Vltor A5 kit. IINM, theyre now avalailable separately as a buffer system alone.
If you watch any of 87GN vids you’ll see that the spikes buffers work worse than regular buffers.
I’m using a H2 buffer with my BCM 14.5 Middy and have had no problems what so ever. So far I have only shot Fiocchi 55gr FMJ, and Fed 5.56 and .223 55gr FMJ. I haven’t shot any Hornady Training or other low powered ammo yet. H2 is fine though. H3 may be a bit heavy with the lower powered ammo. Others have said thiers works fine with a H3 and others have had problems.
That’s a pretty broad blanket statement. From what I saw those tests were done with ONE rifle. Each and every single rifle will behave differently with the myiad of different parts combinations.
Carriers, bolts, gas length, buffer springs, receivers etc. all come into play. I consider those videos extremely helpful and insightful concerning bolt bounce in a ceratin rifle using certain buffer combos. By no means do I see that as a global gospel scientific rule for all AR15 platforms.
I’ve had great luck with the ST-T2’s in some of my guns - others I’ve had better luck with H3’s.
Thanks for all the input. Idealy, trying ALL 4 buffers would be the best way to find out which one my rifle likes most. However, I’m not too comfortable throwing down a couple hundred bucks just to find out which works best. If I’m going to spend that kind of money, I’d just be better off getting the VLTOR A5 EMOD kit. Which is another option I’ve been considering.
Don’t take my word for it. Markm and I did quite a bit of testing with the BCM middy last summer (IIRC) and we tried all of the buffers from standard to H3.
There is very little doubt in my mind that if you get an H2 it will work with most ammo. We tried M855, Federal M193, Hornady TAP and a few others (you can search for that thread).
If it doesn’t work then I’ll buy the damn buffer back from you.
I was excited about trying my ST-2. Went back to an H2 on that rifle, but ST2 is still quite happy on my SPR.
Ok, well since you seem to know what you’re talking about, I’ll go ahead and get the H2 buffer and see how it works. Thanks for all the input!!!
That’s a very informative thread. The upper he’s got is the very same upper I’m ordering, only mine will have a pinned A2 flash hider.
That’s the one we tested. 
Didn’t Pat Rogers’ “Filthy 14” use an H buffer?
I thought that the DDM4s came with the unmarked ST-T2 buffers. I believe my black, but unmarked buffer has the sound of “powder” instead of weights in it. The recoil impulse of that gun w/ buffer is much sharper than the gun/H1 combo in another rifle. I’m going to order a H3 and make two H2s, one for each gun. Is there any reason to go with the ST-T2?
When I was checking out buffers and wanted to try different ones, I simply bought an H3. Between the H3 and the standard carbine buffer, you have every possibly combination of buffers available. Just mix and match until you find the one that works best with your rifle. I’ve done it this way on all 3 of my AR’s.
- Standard buffer has 3 steel weights in it.
- H3 buffer has 3 tungsten weights in it.
- H2 has 2 tungsten and 1 steel (Swap 1 tungsten with a steel from the original carbine buffer)
- H (H1) has 1 tungsten and 2 steel. (Swap 2 tungsten with 2 steel from the original buffer).
I’m probably going to try out the ST-T2, only because it sounds intriguing. I’ve read a lot of positive posts on it. However; I’ve also heard some people say that an H2 is “Better”. Not sure how they qualify “Better”. Such a subjective word. I would think that a loose granular weight would shift more cleanly than 3 individual weights separated. Oh well. One of these days I’ll buy one and try it. Currently; I like the H2. It’s much better than the standard carbine buffer. But each person is different. Plus the ammo you shoot becomes a factor.
Did you test any .223 pressure ammo or only 5.56? Did the H2 work for that as well? Thanks.
I am pretty sure that the 55gr. TAP ammo we used was .223 according to the box and product number. 9754EL.
USNSheepdog,
I bought a Bravo H2 to experiment with and wound up going back to an H. It has a small nick on it where it went past the buffer retainer, otherwise it’s pristine. If you’re interested shoot me a PM and we can work something out.
Regards,
Alan