User Panel
User Panel
User Panel
AZ, USA
|
Posted: 3/6/2024 10:33:55 AM EDT
I built a carbine (16" barrel) with a mid-length gas system several years ago. I robbed an H3 buffer out of another mediocre rifle that I have. I'm concerned about potential reliability issues. For comparison, my Colt 6920 comes supplied with an H2 buffer.
Is it foolhardy to depend on this rifle in, say, cold weather, or when using .223 ammunition? I looked up buffer weights, and it's hard to believe that the small amount of difference in mass between an H2 and an H3 could turn a rifle into a jammomatic, but I want to hear the group's opinions. |
|
|
GA, USA
|
Posted: 3/6/2024 10:57:33 AM EDT
[#1]
Have you noticed any issues so far? What direction is the brass ejected on weaker rounds?
|
|
|
|
Posted: 3/6/2024 11:00:28 AM EDT
[#2]
A 16" mid-length shouldn't need a H3, but it's going to depend on your gas port size. What barrel are we talking about? It might function beautifully with a H1. No way of knowing without more information.
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: 3/6/2024 11:08:27 AM EDT
[#3]
No way for us to know. You should take the rifle out on a cold day and shoot some weak .223 ammo through it and report back.
Personally, I would just slap an H buffer in there and not worry about it. People are too wrapped up in ejection patterns and fine tuning a rifle. So what if it ejects at 2 o'clock with pissin hot M193 in August? It will run anytime and anywhere on pretty much anything. |
|
|
|
AZ, USA
|
Posted: 3/6/2024 11:15:01 AM EDT
[#4]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By gtsteve03: Have you noticed any issues so far? What direction is the brass ejected on weaker rounds? No issues with 400rds or so through it, but that is under ideal range conditions is sunny, warm Arizona. |
|
|
AZ, USA
|
Posted: 3/6/2024 11:15:48 AM EDT
[#5]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Stowe: A 16" mid-length shouldn't need a H3, but it's going to depend on your gas port size. What barrel are we talking about? It might function beautifully with a H1. No way of knowing without more information. It's a Daniel Defense lightweight barrel. I wrote the gas port size down in my build journal, but can't remember what it is off-hand. |
|
|
MN, USA
|
Posted: 3/6/2024 11:15:54 AM EDT
[#6]
Why jump to an H3 right off the bat? This falls under the heading of fixing shit that ain't broke.
|
|
|
AZ, USA
|
Posted: 3/6/2024 11:18:49 AM EDT
[#7]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By JBecker_72: No way for us to know. You should take the rifle out on a cold day and shoot some weak .223 ammo through it and report back. Personally, I would just slap an H buffer in there and not worry about it. People are too wrapped up in ejection patterns and fine tuning a rifle. So what if it ejects at 2 o'clock with pissin hot M193 in August? It will run anytime and anywhere on pretty much anything. I'll admit that I was hoping for "It's totally fine, nothing to worry about, an H3 buffer is about ideal anyway," but I think this is probably the next best answer, lol. I conform to the GD stereotype in that I don't shoot much, and am leary about depleting my ammunition stores during a time of relative scarcity. |
|
|
AZ, USA
|
Posted: 3/6/2024 11:20:23 AM EDT
[#8]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By s4s4u: Why jump to an H3 right off the bat? This falls under the heading of fixing shit that ain't broke. I robbed that buffer out of a Rock River carbine that I have. I don't recall there being any reason other than that is what I had, at the time. |
|
|
MN, USA
|
Posted: 3/6/2024 1:24:27 PM EDT
[#9]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By brownbomber: I robbed that buffer out of a Rock River carbine that I have. I don't recall there being any reason other than that is what I had, at the time. If you have a standard carbine buffer in a gun you can swap a steel weight with a tungsten weight from the H3 and have an H1 and an H2, respectively. |
|
|
MI, USA
|
Posted: 3/6/2024 1:29:14 PM EDT
[#10]
Are you suppressing this? If not, H3 seems excessive unless you’re exclusively running hot ammo.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 3/6/2024 3:07:06 PM EDT
[Last Edit: TGWLDR]
[#11]
GP diameter and ammo type are key factors as well as the action spring.
No way should an H3 be needed and it'll most likely cause you issues with cold weather, weak ammo, and/or a dirty gun. |
|
|
|
AZ, USA
|
Posted: 3/6/2024 3:18:55 PM EDT
[#12]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By TGWLDR: GP diameter and ammo type are key factors as well as the action spring. No way should an H3 be needed and it'll most likely cause you issues with cold weather, weak ammo, and/or a dirty gun. What do you recommend? An H buffer? |
|
|
AZ, USA
|
Posted: 3/6/2024 3:19:27 PM EDT
[#13]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By bluedog82: Are you suppressing this? If not, H3 seems excessive unless you’re exclusively running hot ammo. No, no suppressor unfortunately. |
|
|
|
Posted: 3/6/2024 3:26:58 PM EDT
[#14]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By brownbomber: What do you recommend? An H buffer? |
|
|
|
|
Posted: 3/6/2024 4:11:08 PM EDT
[#15]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By brownbomber: What do you recommend? An H buffer? Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By brownbomber: Originally Posted By TGWLDR: GP diameter and ammo type are key factors as well as the action spring. No way should an H3 be needed and it'll most likely cause you issues with cold weather, weak ammo, and/or a dirty gun. What do you recommend? An H buffer? H1 and USGI spring. You may even be fine with an H2, but why add more reciprocating weight than necessary ? DD barrel should have an appropriately sized GP diameter. |
|
|
|
|
Posted: 3/6/2024 5:01:56 PM EDT
[#16]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By JBecker_72: No way for us to know. You should take the rifle out on a cold day and shoot some weak .223 ammo through it and report back. Personally, I would just slap an H buffer in there and not worry about it. People are too wrapped up in ejection patterns and fine tuning a rifle. So what if it ejects at 2 o'clock with pissin hot M193 in August? It will run anytime and anywhere on pretty much anything. Optimum ejection pattern evaluation: does the brass come out of the gun? No = bad, yes = good. DPMS (might be Armalite) has a great article on how to (not) tune ejection patterns. |
|
|
|
TX, USA
|
Posted: 3/6/2024 5:30:42 PM EDT
[Last Edit: AR-Admirer]
[#17]
H1 is generally recommended for midlength gas systems. H1 buffers are inexpensive. MidwayUSA sells a Noveske H1 at a good price.
You could use a heavier buffer (H2-H3) at the range to use with hotter ammo if you want... but put in a lower weight buffer (H1) in it for potential self defense use. I would definitely not use a H3 with a midlength for potential reliability unless I had an overgassed situation. |
|
|
|
Posted: 3/6/2024 7:28:46 PM EDT
[#18]
I run a standard buffer and a GI spring in a 16" midi. In fairness, I have a Superlative Arms AGB but it's not tuned down much. The goal was something that would eat anything and to date it has, from 90 degree summer heat to 10 degree Maine winters. I don't know if you can extrapolate much from that but I would probably back down on the buffer weight were it my rifle.
|
|
|
|
AZ, USA
|
Posted: 3/6/2024 9:53:56 PM EDT
[#19]
I ordered a Noveske H-buffer.
Thank you all for your help. |
|
|
|
Posted: 3/6/2024 9:55:33 PM EDT
[#20]
I really think the H (same thing as H1, just different terminology) will do you right.
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: 3/6/2024 11:54:09 PM EDT
[#21]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By TGWLDR: H1 and USGI spring. You may even be fine with an H2, but why add more reciprocating weight than necessary ? DD barrel should have an appropriately sized GP diameter. Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By TGWLDR: Originally Posted By brownbomber: Originally Posted By TGWLDR: GP diameter and ammo type are key factors as well as the action spring. No way should an H3 be needed and it'll most likely cause you issues with cold weather, weak ammo, and/or a dirty gun. What do you recommend? An H buffer? H1 and USGI spring. You may even be fine with an H2, but why add more reciprocating weight than necessary ? DD barrel should have an appropriately sized GP diameter. |
|
|
|
Win a FREE Membership!
Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. One new winner* is announced every week!
You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers.
AR15.COM is the world's largest firearm community and is a gathering place for firearm enthusiasts of all types.
From hunters and military members, to competition shooters and general firearm enthusiasts, we welcome anyone who values and respects the way of the firearm.
Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter to receive firearm news, product discounts from your favorite Industry Partners, and more.
Copyright © 1996-2024 AR15.COM LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Any use of this content without express written consent is prohibited.
AR15.Com reserves the right to overwrite or replace any affiliate, commercial, or monetizable links, posted by users, with our own.
