Just finished building a 20" A2 gun, it’s all Colt with an off brand lightweight 20" barrel. The only recoil spring that I have is a Wolff XP rifle length spring.
Now, I haven’t shot it yet, but what’s the thinking behind these heavier recoil springs, instead of standard springs, with rifle length gas systems? Any problems that I should look out for?
Just want to know if I should plan on needing a standard spring, or if this Wolff will be good.
I will be shooting it Tuesday.
Thanks guys
Im in for an answer to this myself…please let us know how it goes Tuesday.
I run a Sprinco spring in my 20" rifle. It works just fine. The rifle is a lot more forgiving than the other gas systems.
Any idea if the sprinco green is comparable to the Wolff XP?
No idea to be honest.
Not that there’s anything wrong with upgrading the buffer spring, but on a 20" rifle it shouldn’t be necessary.
I have an A1 clone built with a CMMG 20", A1 profile, chrome lined, 1:7 twist barrel. CMMG doesn’t make those barrels anymore (I built this around 2009). It has a standard rifle spring and rifle buffer, with a semi bolt carrier. It won’t function properly with PMC, which isn’t surprising. Full-power 5.56mm? No problem. Quality .223 like Gold Dot 64gr? Again, no problem. However, it only locks back on the last round about 50% of the time even with those loads. I wouldn’t put a FA bolt carrier in it let alone a higher-powered spring. I suspect the gas port may be a little on the smaller side but I’m okay with that over time. Function is fine with the ammo I use but lock-back would turn some folks off.
I’m also watching this thread, for slightly different but related reasons. I’m curious to see what the advice is about recoil springs because…
I just finished assembling an Aero Precision 20-inch A2 clone. The lower was purchased from Aero, the Aero upper was purchased from Brownells. Bolt is a black nitride Aero.
During my first test session (about 20 rounds of 223 ammo), the gun short stroked (was not always striping rounds from the magazine) a few times. I cannot remember if the bolt ever failed to lock back during the session.
I plan to also retest the same 223 ammo with another rifle (not carbine) lower I have. I also plan to retest with some 5.56 ammo. I have read somewhere that the rifle might need 100 or so rounds to “break in.”
Sprinco green in both my fixed restock rifles and A5 kits
A standard spring allows the bolt carrier group to recoil in proper timing and, once compressed, NOT slam the bolt carrier group back into battery so fast that the magazine spring can’t push the next cartridge up, disrupting the feed step in the cycle of operation. Some stiff springs may prevent the bolt carrier group from moving far enough to the rear for the bolt catch to rise and stop in its proper position on the bolt face, preventing lock-back.
Sounds like I probably need to buy a regular spring!
Well, I shot today, and didn’t have a single issue, from 5.56 M855 to .223 Federal T223F
So I’d say that my spring is probably good to go.
When I had a buffer/spring question, I called Sprinco and they fell all over themselves to answer my questions and give me recommendations. All their buffer springs are the same price so they have no dog in the fight as to spring recommendations. Do yourself a big favor and call them: (512) 331-8797
Their web page:
http://www.sprinco.com/tactical.html
The Wolf spring should be good to go as long as it’s not an extremely heavier spring. If it’s around 10% you should be OK. I think some of these heavier springs are coming out due to the faster triggers on the market now, IMHO.
Try it and see. If nothing else there should be plenty of sales this weekend to get a good new standard rifle-length spring.
If your building a true A2 with a 1:8 twist to handle the heavier loads IE 68gr which the 1:8 is designed for, then go with a OEM Colt Buffer Tube Spring. My suggestion is to stay as OEM as possible. Personally shoot heavier loads then that and use the Flat Spring from a manufacture in DFW, Texas and run it with a Magpul M4 H2 buffer in my full length with a 1:9 twist. Have had issues with firing cheap WOLF 55gr. ammo thru it. Never a issue with federal 55gr. on up 72 gr.
I think there is way tooooooo much thought being put into this. A USGI spring works fine, a Sprinco spring will work fine as well. Myself and numerous others have thousands upon thousands of round through various configurations using them.