I want to maximize the life of my buffer tube and spring by reducing friction. The problem is that I’ve read about how a wet lube will attract dirt that will actually cause more friction, and that certain other types of lube react badly to aluminum. So I’m wondering if Mag Slick, a dry lube, will do the trick.
I’ve had great success with Mag Slick on my mag springs. Not only does it reduce friction, but it seems to repel moisture: The C-S springs in my AR-15 mags don’t have the surface rust that I’ve read is common for C-S springs.
Is there any downside to using Mag Slick on the buffer spring and inside of the buffer tube?
Buffer springs wear out from use not friction. Normal CLP or other gun oil is more than sufficient for the spring as a lube. You can use your drylube and a regular gun oil on it without harm. I use Hornady One-Shot on/in my mag tubes, followers and springs on my competition guns (AR, S&W M&P9, Glock 17, STI, Benelli M1) on my buffer spring on my competition AR and on the bolt carrier rails of my Benelli I use a tiny bit of Militec grease along with Militec-1 oil or Machine Gunners Lube/10-8 lube.
Spring length is how wear is measured to the buffer spring.
For stock rate springs these are what they should measure:
Yeah, I should have been clearer. As far as wear goes, my concern would be to reduce scratching on the inside of the buffer tube. I was also hoping to get smoother performance, but I still wonder if an oil would collect dirt and crud but the Mag Slick wouldn’t. I figure a light coat of oil would work, but would Mag Slick work better? I figure that I have Mag Slick anyway for my mags, and I could spare a blast or two for the buffer tube and spring.