I have a question about two Colt LE6920 models: the LE6920HBPW and the LE6920SOCOM.
As far as I can tell, they are all but identical except for the rollmark and the handguards. They both use a pinned/welded 14.5" SOCOM barrel. However, it seems that the HBPW comes with an H buffer while the SOCOM comes with the H2. The SOCOM coming with the H2 makes sense, that’s what the military uses for their M4A1s. But why does the HBPW come with an H buffer? It is my understanding that the military/Colt puts H2 buffers in their M4A1’s to prevent bolt bounce issues caused by the heavier barrel, so shouldn’t the HBPW have an H2 as well?
If anyone has an LE6920HBPW, can you confirm whether it comes with an H buffer or H2?
Also, can an H2 buffer cause issues cycling low pressure .223?
I see you just got on the boards. H2 should work great. Many of us like the VLTOR A5 , or BCM A5 buffer systems. Very nice not necessary. Read up on them if you have not.
Colt fits their military contract M4A1s with the H2 buffer to reduce bolt bounce during auto fire. The M4A1 SOCOM is the civilian legal version and therefore comes with a H2 buffer.
Civilian M4s and M4A1s are fitted with H buffers because being semi automatic, bolt bounce isn’t as great as problem. The HBPW is a civilian rifle, therefore it’s fitted with an H buffer.
^^^^What this guy said^^^^ I run a H2 on all 3 of my SOCOM barreled rifles, and have never had an issue with .223 spec ammo. That being said, I stick to known good brands, so YMMV.
Is it possible to experience bolt bounce with a SOCOM barrel in semi-auto? If there’s even a chance I’d probably replace the H buffer with an H2.
I’m running an H2 in my SOCOM barreled gun. Flawless function with m193 and Wolf Gold range ammo.
Good to know. I guess I’d just have to try it. I’d be pretty bummed if it couldn’t run .223 with an H2 though, so it’s kind of a gamble.
I see you just got on the boards. H2 should work great. Many of us like the VLTOR A5 , or BCM A5 buffer systems. Very nice not necessary. Read up on them if you have not.
I have a VLTOR A5 extension on my AR15A4. I’m a big fan.
ETA…
^^^^What this guy said^^^^ I run a H2 on all 3 of my SOCOM barreled rifles, and have never had an issue with .223 spec ammo. That being said, I stick to known good brands, so YMMV.
I stick to known good brands as well, though when there was an ammo shortage sometimes I didn’t have much choice. It sounds like I’d probably be GTG with an H2 buffer anyway though.
Any given setup that exhibits bolt bounce will do it in semi or auto. The difference is that it doesn’t affect reliability in semi as it can in auto. Having said that, I prefer an H2 (really an A5H2) over an H1 in just about any AR. You can buy tungsten buffer weights for pretty cheap and modify your H buffer for less than buying a complete H2.
Not this crap again, remember when I said that stupid video will lead people down the wrong road, well here you have it folks. To answer your question, YES an H2 is a more ideal weight for that barrel and gas system combination. Its less about reducing bolt bounce(which it also does) but rather balancing out bolt carrier velocity with extraction timing and ensuring proper feeding/chambering of the next round to achieve more reliability over a wider range of operating conditions, internal and external. It may also decrease the perceived recoil impulse. Bolt bounce is pretty much the last thing on the list of priories that a buffer does in the operation of the gun, since you pretty much eliminate it when running ANYTHING except a CAR buffer or 9mm buffer.
If I’m not mistaken, the M4 has the same gas configuration as the M4A1 but uses an H buffer. Would it not be appropriate to say that the H2 buffer is used in the M4A1 SOCOM carbines due to the likelihood of full-auto fire?
You’re going to get opposing opinions on this, for different reasons.
The M4 shipped with an H buffer. The M4A1 ships with an H2. H is appropriate for M4, though an H2 will run and may feel better to the shooter. There is a long thread on this from earlier this year/late last year that devolved pretty quickly but clearly illustrates where and why people think what they do on the subject.
Partially, it comes down to what works for your semi-auto rifle in mild weather vs what works in all conditions with full auto fire.
Based on information I’ve gotten here I have changed all my buffers to H2, all of these being carbine gas systems. I have a 16" Colt M4 and a 14.5 Colt SOCOM. The SOCOM is using a Geissele super 42 spring with their H2, the M4 is using a BCM H2. Honestly I haven’t noticed any difference in the way they shoot. Contrasting from the standard Geissele H1 and an H in the M4. If they lead to less wear and better than the faultless reliability I previously experienced then I’m happy.
The Geissele spring is noticeably stiffer when charging the weapon and mine is not silent in operation.