midlength buffer?

AR/M4 AR Technical Discussion
1

Just waiting for the rest of my parts to arrive, so I figured I would ask for some opinions on whether the buffer with be fine with my new build. I have a 14.5" lightweight middy upper (BCM), and since I have a stripped lower (Spikes), I ordered the MOE complete lower build kit from PSA, which includes the milspec carbine buffer tube, spring, and (I think) “H” buffer. Will this upper function properly with the “H”, or should I order a heavier weight buffer for it?

2

Why do you think a heavier buffer would help the situation?

3

its a carbine buffer in the lower build kits. The H and H2 buffers have an H or H2 printed on the buffer face. The PSA lower build kits I’ve bought dont have an H or H2 printed, so its a carbine buffer

http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/palmetto-state-armory-carbine-buffer.html

http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/palmetto-state-armory-h-heavy-buffer.html

4

OP,

I wouldn’t use anything heavier than an H buffer on you setup. I have a 14.5 mid-length and used an H2 for sometime. It ran great as long as the action was wet, but once it started to dry up it would short stroke [using 64 grain Speer].

I’m using the standard carbine buffer in mine for the time being.

5

I have the same upper as you and I have been running an H buffer. Works perfect with both 5.56 and .223

6

Both their standard and MOE parts kit include an H buffer according to their website
http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/ar-15-05/lower-parts/pistol-moe-lower-build-kit.html

7

I think when new(er) shooters see some of the more seasoned forum members talk about using heavier buffers (H2 and up) they think that their gun won’t be reliable without a heavy buffer too. Meanwhile, any of “the chart” guns will more likely than not be dead nuts reliable as delivered, standard H buffer and all. My personal experience has been that the more I train, and the more I shoot, the more I realize that all the fucking doodads and whizbang shit wasn’t necessary to shoot well (groundbreaking discovery, I know…).

8

thats a pistol MOE kit, pistols need heavier buffers

9

Agreed on the H being the max.

10

You are correct, I didn’t even see that it said pistol. All the other kits don’t tell you what buffer they have. Just look at what you got. Like mentioned earlier it will have an H on it. I would try out the buffer that came with your kit and maybe pick up an H and see which one works better for you.

11

Thanks for the help so far. I haven’t received the parts yet, so I’m not positive if it’s just the standard carbine weight, or the “H” that will be included. I have read (as someone else mentioned) where a lot of more experienced guys were recommending heavier buffers, which was why I am asking. I obviously can’t try it out yet to check function with the supplied buffer since I don’t have all the parts to complete the rifle as of yet. I was just seeing what the consensus was regarding the buffer weight for the middy so that I could order a heavier one (if necessary) without delaying the build any further.:wink: I will see if I can find the link to the exact kit I ordered and see which buffer it was. I believe it was the “H”, just not positive.

12

Ok, I just went to their site, and it has changed since I ordered. Now there doesn’t seem to be as much descriptive info on the individual components as there was. Previously, as I mentioned, I think it was listed as an “H” buffer, but going by this new description on the site, I would assume it was standard carbine weight. Guess it will be a mystery until it actually arrives. If they did send me the standard carbine buffer, would that be too light for proper function, or will it work until I could get an “H”?

here is the kit I ordered:
http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/ar-15-05/lower-parts/build-kits/moe-lower-build-kit.html

13

For future reference, you can request an H buffer in the remarks section of the order page, and they will include one, but will add the appropriate price difference.

14

Thanks. I wish I had known that when I placed the order. I actually did via mail after printing out my “shopping cart”, so I’m not sure how it would work. They are tough to reach as they never answer the phone, and rarely respond to emails unfortunately, so I couldn’t even ask questions.

15

I have a 16" midlength upper. I have a H2 buffer I use. It just happened to be what IHad in my parts box when I built it. It has been very reliable with everything.

16

Noveske uses a “H” buffer on their 14.5 middies

17

I just received a couple of those same LBKs and they came with carbine buffers.

In the description they note that the kit includes their “Mil spec buffer tube assembly”, which is here, and is described as having the carbine buffer.

18

Thanks guys, it looks as though the consensus is that the “H” is what I will need to get, and that most likely my lpk will have the carbine one. Hopefully it will work at least until I can pick up the “H”.

19

A carbine buffer will work, it just won’t be as optimal.

20

That’s good to know. I guess I will just run it for awhile to see how it works, and in the meantime try to find an H also.