The rifle I use for classes has an A5 in it. I just put it in about a month ago and have yet to run it in a class. I have taken it to the range twice already and put about 200 rounds down range each time. On a 16" BCM middy, it’s a slight improvement over an H buffer with a standard spring. It just feels like the rifle is running smoother. I tested 40 rounds of Tula spread out over 4 mags and each time, it failed to lock the bolt back. It ran flawless with M855 which is what this rifle seen 90% of the time.
That being said, I am a big SHTF guy and I will not be running one on my main SHTF rifle. Instead, I use a H buffer with a Blue Sprinco Spring on a 16" mid. I don’t like relying on unique parts and want a set up hat will run even the weakest ammo reliably.
Yes. Both my standard-length iMod stock and Magpul CTR work great, just leaves a gap between stock and endplate when fully collapsed. Cosmetic issue only. I never use the rifle with stock fully collapsed anyway.
I have put thousands of rounds of Tula and wolf ammo through two Noveske mid length 16" AR’s over the years wothout issue. I ran the standard buffer the A5 kit comes with. I have used pmags with tens of thousands of rounds through them from 2004 which have somehow not worn out either yet.
So far I am sold on the A5 system. I would experiment with different weight buffers on a gun that doesn’t reliably work right with the system until I found a buffer that works consistently.
Yeah, you’ll find that Noveske and Daniel Defense 16" and even 14.5" mid lengths will typically run fine with the a5 in most cases, regardless of ammo, while BCM’s mid lengths might be a little more picky due to smaller gas ports.
One of the reasons I like the Colt 14.5" is that it’s reliable with any ammo but the a5 helps it feel more like a mid length. I really like the BCM. 14.5" mod length and will eventually buy another, but I don’t like pinning my flash hider if I don’t have to, and right now I only have one SBR’d lower. Since I use it for work and it typically has a 9" 300blk attached to it, I don’t want to give up the benefits of the a5 to occasionally use a 14.5" mid length for a less important.
Eventually I’ll SBR another lower or my next BCM mid length will have a pinned flash hider.
I don’t necessarily consider failure to lock back an issue as long as it does lock back with 5.56 and defensive/duty ammo. Going with the lightest a5 buffer should allow the BCM mod lengths to run fine, and you’ll still get the benefit of a rifle action over a carbine action. But if it doesn’t inspire confidence, then like I chose to do with my BCM 14.5", I’d run an H buffer in a carbine RE.
For most everything else, including most other mid lengths, I see the a5 as an enhancement for reliability. It makes the cyclic rate more consistent from shot to shot, more consistent with differnt ammo and suppressors, and you gain a little dwell time.
The DD 16" Middy units run really smoothly with the A5, without any change to the reliability. That upper with my A5 lower has become my favorite rifle, even though it’s one of my cheapest, I shoot just as accurately with that as far more precise barrels, just because that’s already become my favorite rifle to shoot.
Just because you can cycle Tula on your Noveske with an A5 doesn’t mean I can do the same with my BCM.
Lastly, it cycles fine with 556 which is all I care about with that particular rifle. Personally, I think if my buffer is light enough to cycle Tula, then it’s to light for a rifle that’s primarily used to shoot 556.
So, because of the smaller gas port on the BCM upper I purchased I may need to buy a few of the Vltor buffers to find the one that works with my system.
There are other factors that go into it as well. I wouldn’t just assume because my set up won’t cycle Tula, yours won’t. Just try it out and see. I guarantee you will cycle better quality ammo so it’s not like you will have a rifle that doesn’t cycle anything. Also, you gotta figure out, how often do you shoot Tula or PMC Bronze. I never do with my BCM middy so I don’t care that it doesn’t cycle it. If I did then I’d probably get the lighter buffer.
You are gonna get this with the A5 fellas as you may with any other RE setup. Some will cycle ammo with just a primer for propulsion (hyperbole) with the A5 system. Others will not. Different gas lengths, ammo, buffer weights, port sizes, springs, and even bolt carriers can make a difference…again…as in any other setup.
If you are like me you want your rifle to run with the weakest commonly available ammo out there. PMC Bronze is not exactly consistent on the chronograph but it is consistently weak. Have seen it go as low as 2650 fps out of a 16" barrel. My rifles with A5H3s will run it filthy dirty on that stuff and that’s with 14.5 middy barrels. But I am not everyone obviously as some have different results. Buy the A5 system and if you have problems (and want to stick with the A5) with it running your specific ammo chosen then start playing with buffer weights. They will all interchange with standard carbine buffer weights except for the one closet to the front. There isn’t a universally perfect setup for every carbine but the A5 is by far the closest.
You mean the weights right? Some people might read your post and think they can use a standard buffer with a A5 spring and extension… (yes, people are that stupid)
I suggest that for those who are unsure about buffers and ammo and the little variables you should read my posts when I was doing various testing. From my experience a properly sized carbine gas system will function with the -3 when using M193/M855 ammo. There is more to the A5 than just the weight. The fact that it uses a rifle spring is also a plus.
In my opinion, the rifle spring is the biggest plus.
I would hope most of the members here can understand why a longer spring with less resistance is better for the system than a shorter spring with more resistance.
The rifle action system properly weighted and sprung has many advantages over the carbine action system that is properly weighted and sprung. Reliability and durability are first on the list, possible reduced felt recoil and reduced brass stretch are farther down the line. The A5 system uses the rifle action system in a adjustable package. Depending on the application, the A5 can be useful. It really depends on the use of the rifle in question?
For those of you with the A5 tubes, on the inside, is there something that looks like an extrusion line? It is hard to explain without a picture, but on two tubes I have gotten over the past year there have been “lines” on the inside that can be felt with a finger.
Just an example. I have a lower with a -3 buffer and green Sprinco spring. I have tried 3 different uppers on that lower and all of them cycled and functioned correctly. 20" rifle, 16" carbine, 11.5/12.5" SBR, and .300 BO.
