Buffer question

[jonaddis84]

Is there any technical reason that buffers have loose weights in them besides being more cost effective to machine a housing and put high density weights inside?

I needed a heavy buffer for a 9" SBR I just did, and decided to save myself $125 by just machining a solid one out of 416SS, only weighs in at 5.85oz, but was heavy enough and is a lot smoother than a milspec part.

Also, where might be a good source for some 1/2" tungsten bar if I want to make it heavier?

 

[mtrmn]

Re: Buffer question

I'm sure there are smarter people to answer this, but the loose weights provide a second "hit" of forward movement to combat something referred to as "bolt bounce."

Sometimes the bolt carrier will tend to hit the closed position and then bounce back just a little bit and the recoil spring may not overcome that to shove it back forward all the way. The loose weights will move fwd when the buffer body stops and the weights will provide a secondary fwd momentum to assist the spring in holding the bolt carrier fwd.

That's my understanding anyway-YMMV

 

[King]

Re: Buffer question

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mtrmn</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm sure there are smarter people to answer this, but the loose weights provide a second "hit" of forward movement to combat something referred to as "bolt bounce."

Sometimes the bolt carrier will tend to hit the closed position and then bounce back just a little bit and the recoil spring may not overcome that to shove it back forward all the way. The loose weights will move fwd when the buffer body stops and the weights will provide a secondary fwd momentum to assist the spring in holding the bolt carrier fwd.

That's my understanding anyway-YMMV </div></div>

Learning something new every day....

 

[jonaddis84]

Re: Buffer question

That makes sense, never thought about that. Ill see how this one runs being solid, I ran 30rds through it with no issue yet, but thats not to say one wont come up eventually.

 

[smschulz]

Re: Buffer question

I use Tungsten powder from Golfsmith for golf club weighting but that is probably not enough.
A quick Goggle-foo netted > THIS

 

[Beef82]

Re: Buffer question

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: smschulz</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I use Tungsten powder from Golfsmith for golf club weighting but that is probably not enough.
A quick Goggle-foo netted > THIS </div></div>

I dunno, Spikes uses tungsten powder in theirs, and it sure seems to make the gun smooth.