Homebrew "Vltor A5"

[Drago6]

I've never used an A5 system, but based on all the threads/research i've found it seems to be the best(?) setup for a smoother carbine.

I've been shopping around for months and all the Vltor A5 stuff is permanently sold out, so i'm hoping to piece together my own setup

1.) Receiver extension: these are easy to find as numerous companies make intermediate length tubes (i'm a fan of the LMT mws one)
2.) Spring: endless options, cheap to swap out, not really a huge concern

3.) Buffer: This where i'm hung up, i assumed it was just about the weight (H1, H2, etc) but the "official A5 buffer" is slightly longer than a standard carbine buffer.
Is it really going to make any difference if i'm using the same weight as an A5 H2 buffer just in a standard length? (which is like 1/2" shorter or something minor).

 

[TacticalPlinker]

I've never used an A5 system, but based on all the threads/research i've found it seems to be the best(?) setup for a smoother carbine.

I've been shopping around for months and all the Vltor A5 stuff is permanently sold out, so i'm hoping to piece together my own setup

1.) Receiver extension: these are easy to find as numerous companies make intermediate length tubes (i'm a fan of the LMT mws one)
2.) Spring: endless options, cheap to swap out, not really a huge concern

3.) Buffer: This where i'm hung up, i assumed it was just about the weight (H1, H2, etc) but the "official A5 buffer" is slightly longer than a standard carbine buffer.
Is it really going to make any difference if i'm using the same weight as an A5 H2 buffer just in a standard length? (which is like 1/2" shorter or something minor).

I own four builds with the A5 system. Word on the street says production will resume on the A5 components shortly. I would get on the lists of the vendors for email notifications..

 

[TacticalPlinker]

 

[lennyo3034]

DO NOT use a standard buffer in an A5 extension. You will damage your carrier and/or lower.

 

[Drago6]

I own four builds with the A5 system. Word on the street says production will resume on the A5 components shortly. I would get on the lists of the vendors for email notifications..

Good to know, i'll sign up for the alerts and cross the fingers

DO NOT use a standard buffer in an A5 extension. You will damage your carrier and/or lower.

Thanks for the heads up

 

[WDE6mmShooter]

I feel your pain on finding an A5 buffer. I had two ordered from Midway about a month ago, but they got lost in the mail. They were the only parts that I needed to finish my two lower receiver builds. Sucks!

 

[Trigger Monkey]

BCM has their A5 compatible intermediate buffer tube in stock.

 

[CrabsandFootball]

The A5 was a solution to a problem that has been mostly fixed.

At the time, gas system tuning most notably with gas port sizing relating to gas system length was still not dialed in. It was a way to counteract guns not built correctly or massively overgassed to ensure reliable function and manage dwell. KAC had already figured this demon out with their SR15 gas system but everyone was far behind.

Today, with options like the bootleg adjustable carrier, custom buffer weights, ect' there is no reason to run the A5 system.

 

[corey4]

I run the a5 and tubbs flatware on all of my builds. Suppressed MK18, suppressed and unsuppressed 12.5s, and 16.

Now, im just some schmuck and don't have a shooting resume to wave in people's faces. I just know what I have experienced in my testing that I prefer the a5 with a tubbs. My testing was focused on feel of the recoil impulses (reward and forward) and times with a shot timer along with some long range bench work on reticle movement.

There's no reason to not go with the a5, but there are reasons to go with an a5.

 

[powdahound76]

Im contemplating ordering one to try. Reading this is kinda pushing that a bit more.

MSTN believes they still have benefit, especially in shorter builds it seems.

While I dont have one of his rifles, I do know his work enough to value his thoughts on it.

 

[ssc45]

You can check with these folks about the A5 buffers.

Heavy Buffers | Products | VLTOR A5

I believe they are in stock.

Cheers, Steve

 

[RyanScott]

The advantage of the A5 isn’t a heavier buffer, it’s a longer spring.

 

[TacticalPlinker]

THIS ^^^^
IMO - All systems feel better with the longer spring

 

[Merle]

V Seven also sells A5 length buffers.

V Seven Enhanced Buffer - A5(5.3 oz)

www.rogtac.com

 

[jasonfaz]

I agree that A5 buffer systems make a noticeable difference in felt recoil. I run them on every semi-auto i have. heavybuffers.com has them in stock as of 7/23. their quality is just as good if not better than others...

 

[TheOE800]

VLTOR is the only manufacturer of buffers that legally uses the spring inside the buffer, due their patent, and can therefore be called A5 buffers. Anything else is just a long buffer.

 

[Sincerd]

Get a kynshot (5007 only) and tubs flatwire for a intermediate buffer tube.

My 9mm CMMG RDB Setup,

In my testing I have found that the best buffer, tube and spring combo for the CMMG RDB to be: A5 or equivalent buffer tube Kynshot 5007 hydraulic buffer -...

www.c3junkie.com

The videos are pretty telling

I wasn't the one that came up with it but it really is the best, rather unknown advice I can give anyone. People that shoot it, always ask what I did to that gun to make it shoot that way?!?! Must be weak ammo, rifle length gas, ect

 

[Dracca85]

I ordered the A5 system with the H3 buffer back a month ago from US Tactical Supply. The way it was annotated on there website made it seem like they had it in stock. They currently have no idea when they will be able to obtain the order. If you know where I can buy the system let me know

 

[Drago6]

Get a kynshot (5007 only) and tubs flatwire for a intermediate buffer tube.

Why the 5007 (9mm) and not the 5000(5.56)?

 

[Trigger Monkey]

BCM has their A5 receiver extensions in stock and it appears that heavybuffers.com has compatible buffers ready to go, could be worth a shot.

BCM® MK2 Receiver Extension

BCM MK2 8-position receiver extension (buffer tube) machined to Mil-Spec dimensions with a slightly smaller dimension where the stock slides on.

bravocompanyusa.com

Heavy Buffers | Products | VLTOR A5

 

[Sincerd]

Why the 5007 (9mm) and not the 5000(5.56)?

I think it was too stiff.

I just spent 20 minutes looking for this info so I hope you watch it. Look at the two videos about halfway down and read the rest of the shit if you really care. It shows exactly why this system works better and provide softer recoil than anything else out there. It's used with a radial delayed blowback cmmg but the buffer system itself still applies for 223 or 9mm, has been tested with such and provided identical results.

My 9mm CMMG RDB Setup,

In my testing I have found that the best buffer, tube and spring combo for the CMMG RDB to be: A5 or equivalent buffer tube Kynshot 5007 hydraulic buffer -...

www.c3junkie.com

Thank amphibian on arfcom. He's actually a wealth of knowledge.