I have been researching each part to build my first AR and decided to go with BCM for most of the parts. I have an upper on the way from BCM 16" ELW 13" KMR. I have plans on using a BCM lower also and find that they are sold with the receiver extension already attached. I am trying to build this right the first time even though more builds may follow. Should I use the BCM tube or upgrade to the Vltor A5 system from the start?
My intentions for the rifle are to use for classes and range use.
I have researched the A5 system and realize the benefits. I am looking for current opinions from those that have experience with and without it to guide me.
The only conceivable negative about the VLTOR A5 that I can think of would be if you shoot with armor and like a short LOP to begin with as it will add about an inch to your shortest LOP and you must research what stocks will be compatible with it. I don’t think it’s ever been a “must have”, but it almost undeniably smooths recoil out along with increasing reliability. Worth the money? That is for you to decide.
I think they are well worth it. I started with one just on a rifle I used for competition and since put one on my SBR as well. I find that recoil is significantly affected, I had H2s in both rifles prior to the switch. I hadn’t had much in terms of reliability issues (in fact I don’t think I had any outside of magazine issues from overuse) prior to installing the A5 and after about 1.5 years of use I haven’t had any problems (I am also better about tossing a mag after it fails me once). Every time I appreciate the recoil impulse decrease I am also comforted by the fact I have increased the rifle’s reliability. Again, I would say that it is worth the investment.
After installing one, it will be on every rifle I build in the future. I’ve even debated disassembling others just to add the A5. It’s as good as advertised and then some.
Well from the feedback I have heard so far I will be getting one. How many buffers do you keep on hand for your rifles? I assume at least two depending on ammo.
With the A5, just the standard A5 buffers… I have not had to change to anything else.
As far as carbine extension buffers, I have an H, H2, and H3 all in my rifle bin. The H buffer replaces the H3 in my beater carbine if I bring out the Russian steel case stuff to shoot.
The A5 is one of those items when assembling a new rifle that is factored in. There is no other RE I want. Like deciding on what kind of light. No debate, just a Surefire.
I’m also curious about this. Do you guys just find whichever buffer will work with the lowest pressure ammo you run and keep that in there, or do you all stock multiple buffers for different ammo? And how does it increase reliability?
Honestly, in the A5 system I have yet to have an issue with everything from Wolf, up to Mk262 with the standard buffer. As such, I just run the thing.
On my carbine extension rifles, I felt had issues with some over gassing, and bought both the H3 and and H2 (good deal on them, figured spares would be nice to have) to swap out the H buffer and see if there was a noticeable improvement. There was, but the rifle would sometimes short stroke on lower power ammo, so I kept the H buffer to mitigate that issue, as the swap is easy. I should honestly just move that buffer into the can where the .223 is kept so that the two will just travel to the range together.
I had to change to a two or a three on an SBR’d lower. Had more to do with making it work with different calibers(pressures), and barrel lengths. RE springs also figure in with this.
I’ve been using the A5 since the beginning. The only rifle I prefer a carbine RE is the BCM 14.5" midlength. Though it still runs fine with a lighter a5 buffer and 5.56 ammo, it’s a little sluggish with weaker 223.
While the smoothness is a nice bonus, the real benefit for me is consistency between uppers and ammo. I’ve been running a Colt 14.5", a BCM 11.5" and an AAC 9" 300blk on the same lower with the same a5 buffer. A while back, I was running an SR15, an LMT 10.5", a Colt 16" and a couple others here and there. I’d occasionally suppress them with either the KAC NT4 or gemtech G5 and would use any ammo in a pinch, but mostly m855 with some TSX or Gold Dot when hunting, etc.
I’ve never had to worry about buffer weight when switching between all the uppers, ammo and suppressing them or not.
I could probably benefit from a higher weight a5 buffer, but I’m still using the standard a5 buffer that was the only option when I bought them.
I only have the original a5 RE’s, and haven’t really used the ones with the repositioned notches. I mainly use a CTR or SOPMOD. My stock is typically at the 2nd or 3rd position out (3rd or 4th position, technically), regardless of what I’m wearing, so I’ve never had an issue with it not collapsing against the end plate.
Though I’ve only done this a few times, my 9" 300blk locks back with subs and no suppressor using the a5. Not that I’ll be shooting subs unsuppressed, just figured if mention it.
Yes, I’m glad you mentioned that as I had forgot. I had two SR15’s. One was a very early model with the smaller gas port and the other had the larger gas port. The earlier model I remember had a couple failures to lock back with the standard a5 buffer and weaker 223 ammo like Tula. It ran fine with 5.56. I eventually lightened the buffer. They weren’t yet available from Vltor, so I just removed one then both tungsten weights and replaced them with steel from a carbine buffer.
If I’m not mistaken, I went back to the carbine RE with a carbine buffer for the earlier sr15 and continued to use the lightened a5 with the newer production SR15. Like the BCM 14.5" midlength, I tried to stick to 5.56 ammo when possible.
I really wish I’d have kept notes on this kind of stuff over the years. Trying to go off of memory is sketchy at best.
The A5 is a no brainer in my mind for all the reasons above, the only down side is compatibility with stocks.
I would like Magpul to come out with an extended length CTR to fit the 7position A5 RE like the STR, ACS and E-mod do.