Is this new buffer design worth the money? It looks like it is actually the answer to all of the carrier tilt arguments just by looking at it. Its almost cave man simple, I am surprised it wasn’t developed years ago? The only down side I can think of is that you would have to break down the gun by using both pins because the rear would be interfaced and not able to pop open normally.
I’m interested in this also; new piston upper on the way for my SBR. here’s a thread where a member writes about notching the carrier to allow normal takedown. Not too keen on that. No photos though.
The F.R.S. (Seth Harness) buffer is well worth the cost for piston ARs. It minimized/eliminates carrier tilt.
What I did to make taking apart my Colt with PWS kit and using the FRS buffer was to push both take down pins completely out and the press on the forward assist and then the carrier would pop off the buffer.
If you know someone who has a milling machine a quick machine job on the rear of your carrier will fix the problem of pushing out both pins to open your upper. Picture is of the carrier in my prototype 308 piston rifle …AD
I don’t doubt that this solution works, but I have a Adam Arms piston kit on my rifle with over 4k through it and there is absolutely no buffer tube wear. The Adams bolt carrier has “ramps” on the back that are supposed to prevent buffer tube wear. I don’t know if it is possible to modify a regular bolt carrier to have these but it seems to be working for me.
I am using Seth’s buffers in my Piston builds. The action is smoother and I also notched out the back of my bolt carrier to facilitate the opening of the Upper and lower like normal.
I HIGHLY recommend these buffers for any piston system.
I don’t think it’s 100% necessary, due to my experience with the LWRCi system, in relation to carrier tilt (there isn’t any). But I think it couldn’t do anything but further improve upon the system.
Principal of redundancy. I don’t like the idea of milling the carrier, I’d be willing to get stuck with a different takedown method.
I don’t think I’ll buy one, but it couldn’t be anything but useful.
I would go ahead and recommend it, from what I’ve heard from individuals whose opinions I value, I’d say take the plunge.
My thoughts are these as to why this is a desirable addition to a piston system.
It seems that the methods to combat carrier tilt i.e. make the front of the carrier larger in certain places and or put ski ramps on the back of the carrier, (just to name a couple) work but they work by decreasing the tolerances between the bolt carrier and the upper receiver. It seems to me that making the tolerances tighter to keep the bolt inline are counter productive to reliability.
The FRS buffer lines things up and keeps them lined up so that the action of the bolt carrier moving back and forth is in a straight line and not under a torquing force down and back while in normal operation.
I have an adam arms upper in 545x39, took it out to day
and it was like a bolt gun. tryed it on all gas setings
the bolt would travle far enough to throw out the case and cock the weapon but not far enough to pick up another round.
can you guy point me in the right direction
i did install the heavy hammer spring provided in the kit.