Confused MATEN .308 and Vltor A5 tube

SDLocal76

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Minuteman
Jan 14, 2011
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Need some help. I putting together my build list for a maten and I thought I had this figured out but now I am not sure:

For the Vltor 6 position receiver ext which I believe is 7 3/4 inches long
https://www.rainierarms.com/?page=shop/detail&product_id=1638

Do you I use this spring and buffer combo:
XH Carbine Buffer - 8.5 ounces - $125
Heavy Buffers | Products | AR15 Carbine

It seems to be what Slash recommends for the VLTOR extended length tubes per his feedback here:
Heavy Buffers | Products | .308 Carbine

Appreciate any help you can lend...
 
My understanding is that with a maten you can use a standard 223 length collapsible tube with a shorter than standard 223 length buffer (offered by slash). Or, you can use the longer vltor tube with a standard length buffer. On my 6.5cm maten I'm running the longer vltor tube with an h3 buffer. No issues.
 
Yes. Vltor describes their RE-10/A5 in the context of Armalite buffer tubes and carbine buffers when using on 308. Armalite carbine buffer tubes are 7 3/4" and buffers are 3 1/4". So you are good with the XH and Slash's spring. The JP SCS won't work in an A5 length buffer tube. JP should come out with some longer rods for that set up. I'd buy one just to try it out.
 
The JP SCS will work in an A5 tube. You just have to add a spacer like you do with the rifle receiver extensions. I agree though, it would be nice to have a longer SCS to get the same benefit that the A5 offers with standard buffers.
 
The spacer is for rifle length receiver extensions. You would have to cut 1.95" off of the spacer for the SCS to work as designed in a 7.75" tube. And like you said, upon doing so you'd loose most the benefit of an A5 length tube anyway by reducing length of travel. I've used it in an A5 and don't feel it's the best option by any means. JP specifically states that the SCS can not be used in the longer A5-length tubes....at least not without chopping up the supplied spacer or coming up with something on your own.

With JP Spacer in A5:


Without JP Spacer in A5:


With custom Spacer in A5:


All lengths compared:
 
Thank you kind sir's this is all coming together. Now if I could just decide on a muzzle device for 16 inch .308 that won't sound and feel like a bomb going off!
 
I've used it on a couple of my rigs and a bunch of builds for others. Blast isn't bad at all for a brake and it isn't nearly as loud as your traditional single/double chamber brake. They have another version that you might have seen on their site (the M11) that performs like a classic brake - very loud, heavy blast - but the M41 is a different story. I can't count how many brakes I've gone through, but this one fits the bill for me as it reduces muzzle rise as well as the best brakes I've used, but does it without all of the negative aspects you see from using brakes.

The pics don't do it justice either. The machining PA does is f'in beautiful on these things. They're definitely priced right as well. I use them exclusively now on all non-suppressed builds, and I've never once had anyone dissatisfied with the M41.
 
Jason

I am sold. My rig will have 14 rail, 16 barrel and m41. By chance do you have a pic of something like that? No big deal if not just curious. Thanks again for all the guidance!