I have a few ARs, most of which have cheap/generic buffers and springs, as I didn’t initially realize that they were all that important. They all work fairly well, but I’d like to try playing around with different buffers to see if I prefer the recoil that way. I’d be happy to try new springs too. All of them have quality barrels/BCGs/triggers, but most have cheap/generic LPKs (other than FCG), buffers, and springs.
I don’t want to use a longer buffer tube, so they’ll need to be stock length.
H2 buffers and Colt USGI springs are the starting point for almost any Carbine stock system. BCM usually has the buffers, and I get the Colt springs from Brownells.
I’d like to pick up a few different weights so I can play around with them and see what works well for me. I guess I’ll pick up an H2 and an H3 and see how they do… is Colt the go-to brand for buffers?
And wow, prices sure skyrocket with weight. On BCM’s web site, a Carbine buffer is $11, H Carbine $23, H2 Carbine $30, H3 Carbine $38. Tungsten sure is expensive.
There’s many cheap buffers with lower density tungsten weights floating around. I was able to source a quantity of cheap underweight H3s and use the weights for testing. There’s more to buffers than weight, there can be differences in internal free space, and dimensional accuracy of the components that pose a variable to how they function. For the OP, use Colt parts as a baseline, the H2 carbine action is about as good as that action system gets when compared to the preferred rifle like action system. If the gas port of the system will not support the preferred action system, then the weight will need to be adjusted, but use Colt parts as the baseline.
Similar to Iraggunz, pretty much my starting point on any build is an BCM/Colt H2 and Springco Blue Spring. Has worked in everything I;ve tried so far from 11.5 - 18" non-suppressed, and even a pistol lower I use occasionally.
If H2s are a recommended starting point for a carbine length gas system, I’m guessing my DD V1 came with an H buffer less because it’s ideal but because it increases reliability with commonly used cream puff .223 loads?
If I’m only running NATO spec 5.56 like XM193 or Hornady TAP, would switching to an H2 maintain reliable function while better tamping recoil?
Ideally, if a manufacturers design intent included mimicking carrier velocities of an A2 20" on a rifle action lower when that upper is installed on a rifle lower would get them close to the “sweet spot” to utilize the H2 carbine action with a wide range of function.
Unfortunately, most manufacturers do not practice this. Many are under gassed and over gassed. If under gassed, my preferred option is to open the port. If over gassed, then more action mass or other barrels are my preference.
The properly gassed barrel with an H2 carbine action system should have a wide range of operation. A wider range of operation could be had with by utilizing a properly gassed barrel on a rifle or rifle like action system.