9MM Buffer choice and trigger work.
Hey guys and gals, I've got a RRA dedicated 9mm carbine that I'm going to use for the local tac-rifle matches. I've been poking around for a few days here and have not found the info I'm looking for to hope I can test your patience with the following questions. First one is: Which buffer should I buy. I assume it's got the RRA 9mm buffer since it's factory stock. I bought it new and have not used it much until now. I've seen the Spike's Tactical and they have a great reputation but also noticed that someone on this forum makes them as well. Can't find the info though. Any consensus on the best 9mm buffers?
Second question: My bolt is not ramped and I'd like a better trigger than what's in it now. I've got CMC drop-ins in my .223 rifles and love them. I know that if I want to use a drop-in trigger I'll have to have the barrel ramped right? However, what if I just wanna keep the factory trigger and have someone do a trigger job? Any recommendations? Also, should I still have the bolt ramped? I've read that if you are using a 9mm hammer and then ramp the bolt it will not work anymore and start following. Is this right?
Finally, where on this forum is there info for reloading the 9mm AR? I can't find it in this forum. I'm setup to reload and do a lot of USPSA shooting so just need some good recipes for the 9MM ar platform, bullet weights, powders...etec, etc.
I love this forum and appreciate your patience with my lack of "search" skills.
Thanks in advance!
Cheers623
RRA Dedicated lower (not a conversion) 9mm w/ CMMG ramped bolt owner here.
RRA 9mm hammer w/ ramped bolt won't function. My combo wouldn't allow you to manually cycle the bolt at all - bolt hung up on the hammer. REAL glad I didn't touch one off and find this out. Dropped in a hammer out of a parts kit I had and it functioned fine. Trigger still sucks though. Haven't decided on which after-market 2-stage to put in it yet. JSE Surplus has CMMG ramped bolts for $150.00. CMMG gets $199.95, ADCO Firearms sells one they ramp for $195.00 (you could ask what they want to ramp yours). Around here, AR-15 or M-16 hammers are $15.00 at gunshows.
I used RRA's buffer that came with the complete 9mm lower I bought, added enough quarters under the buffer spring so the bolt would come back just far enough to be caught by the bolt stop but not so far as to let the bolt get up a head of steam and smack into the bolt stop (breaking it) when the last round in the mag has been fired. I took over $2.00 in quarters for RRA's 6 position CAR stocks buffer tube.
I shoot USPSA Production. 124gr Montana Gold JHP over 4.1gr VihtaVouri N320 lit by a Winchester small pistol primer in range pickup brass gives me ~130 powerfactor out of my Glock 17 and runs just fine in my AR-9mm (only ammo I've shot in it). People complain how 'dirty' the AR-9s are. I am always amazed at how clean V-V N320 burns.
I'm running a Geissele SSA with no problems thus far; rifle is a Colt and the bolt is stock. Responses to my questions on the subject have left me doubting that there is any need to ramp a bolt on a semi gun, assuming parts in spec. Full disclosure; my round count is still south of 500 rounds.
As regards 9mm reloads, I've been running 4.8 Bullseye behind 115 bullets. Only issue to date was with some Nosler HPs that I no doubt loaded a little too long.
I'm going to experiment with a leather flap hung from the carry handle to bat down the empties; otherwise my gun tosses 'em halfway into next week.
Moon
Regarding buffers, you can add a spacer from Spike's to your existing buffer to reduce the overtravel on your bolt, or go with the Spike's 4 oz buffer & spacer combo. Spike's used to make a longer dedicated 9mm buffer (about 8.5oz versus the RRA 5.4oz) called the ST-9X but it's discontinued, although AIM Surplus still has them in stock for $50 as mine is coming in today. Slash also makes a similar longer dedicated 9mm buffer, not sure of the weight or price but it's more than the 9X. I never had a problem with my RRA buffer in my RRA carbine but I needed a heavy buffer for another build and decided to just steal the 9mm and order a longer dedicated 9mm buffer instead of the buffer & spacer setup. As far as your trigger options it seems you'll have to either ramp your 9mm bolt to work with a drop-in trigger (about $50 from ADCO last time I looked) or swap the stock hammer from the drop-in trigger with your 9mm hammer, unless someone makes a 9mm drop-in setup.
As nearly as I can judge, the FCG that came out of my Colt before the SSA was entirely standard save for the presence of the tail on the hammer. The hammer nose itself was not notched. An older Colt I examined had a hammer with a notch halfway down its face IIRC.
How far back does the bolt/buffer travel in your rifles (w/o the pocket change...)? Mine seems to stop maybe a quarter inch behind the boltstop, tho' I'll measure a little more carefully when I have more time.
Re-visiting the reloads for a moment, my rifle has run 100% on WWB; the only issue I've ever had was the overlong Nosler loads. I'm seating the bullets deeper now; loading for the 9mm ain't rocket science. Stay close to factory and you will be just fine. If you want some really specific info, I'll share.
Moon
Thanks for the replays so far guys. I am setting this up for local run and gun rifle matches. The factory trigger sucks. I'd like to have someone do a trigger job if feasible but if ramping the bolt and using a better drop in trigger will prolong the life of the receiver then I would do that if so. Wanderson, thanks for the heads up on the Spikes Heavy buffer. I ordered one from ADCO yesterday. What the benefit of the heavier buffer? Obviously the longer length helps with over travel of the bolt during the cycling but what's the deal with heavier weight?
As far as reloading, is there a bullet weight that's better than others for a 16 inch barrel? I tried WWB yesterday and it ran well enough, no malfs, as well as my wife's 147 gr reloads I make for her. Furthest shot I'll be making would be 100 yards but would like to use whatever weight bullet (115, 124, 147) that works best in longer barrels. Any further help always appreciated.
Best regards,
Cheers622
Benefits of heavier buffer is less felt recoil.
