Do All AR15 Lowers Accept Both Commercial and Mil Spec Buffer Tubes?

[CanPopper]

Hi, I was reading that the Commercial and Mil Spec Buffer tubes have different diameters. So I was wondering, do the AR lowers accept both kinds of buffer tubes? Looking at the various manufacturer websites doesn't seem to provide me any clue on what kind of buffer tube do the lowers accept. Below is a lower I ordered:

Lightweight Gen 4 AR15 Lower, Black : AR15 Lightweight Lower Receiver | Brownells

I can't find any information describing the buffer tube needed.

 

[Archer762]

they accept both. You have to make sure the tube and the stock are the same though.

 

[Muskyjerk]

the od of the tube changes.

commercial being a little larger

threads are the same, mil spec is a rolled thread and commercial is generally a cut thread.
good luck on your build

 

[SomeOtherGuy]

All of the above - and get a mil-spec tube unless there is a compelling reason not to. It might be harder to find but is worth it. I like LMT. Some other companies making mil-spec tubes are Colt (of course), BCM, Daniel Defense, and Spike's.

 

[timjoebobbradley]

someotherguy- What reasons are there for getting a mil-spec tube?

 

[tackleberry2000]

More stock options for mil-spec tubes

 

[SomeOtherGuy]

someotherguy- What reasons are there for getting a mil-spec tube?

1) A few more stock options, although most aftermarket companies now offer both (B5 Systems is the only one I can think of that doesn't offer their stocks in commercial size - VLTOR used to only offer mil-spec-size, but now offers both).

2) If it's a properly made mil-spec tube, and not merely the diameter of a mil-spec tube, it is made of a stronger material (7075 aluminum instead of 6061) than commercial, AND it's made better in two ways - the tube itself is impact extruded (similar to forging, and often referred to as a forged tube) and the threads are rolled instead of cut. All this makes it much less likely to break than a 6061 commercial tube if you drop the rifle or use the buttstock to slow your fall.

(Wonky note - commercial tubes are usually extruded, but that's not the same process as the impact extrusion for mil-spec)

 

[BERTMAN77MK2]

definitely stick with true MIL-SPEC! I have had commercial tubes from several makers that are over 3/4" difference in length---never had a problem with any true mil-spec
tube (good brands already listed above)

 

[rukwikenuf]

another vote for MilSpec. i'm a cheap-o and i can always find used MilSpec stocks for good prices. commercial, however, not so much