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Posted: 5/7/2026 2:49:01 AM EDT
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Thought it would be nice to have a thread on all of the alternative buffer options out there and how they work with FRT setups compared to the standard H3/H2. Recently built a rifle for a friend and went with the @amphibian style setup: kynshot 5007 hydraulic buffer, Tubbs ar15 buffer spring, griffin "ar10" buffer tube. With the recent explosion in tungsten prices and demand for heavy buffers the hydraulic buffer was only marginally more than an H3 when I ordered the parts. Checked today and prices do seem to be calming down on H3s. Tested it out today and ran great with an Arcfire V1. Need more side by side testing but ROF seemed slower and muzzle rise a touch less than my H3 buffer and the same Tubbs spring, switching the same upper between lowers. What other buffers have you guys found that actually work? I'm very interested in learning about the Griffin SOB and the Surefire OBC. |
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Tromix H2 and H3 two-piece buffers. They use a big cylinder of steel, which floats independent of the bolt carrier to simulate the weight of expensive tungsten. https://tromix.com/product-category/223-5-56-ar-parts/ So far I've tested these buffers in a suppressed 5.56, and a suppressed 458 SOCOM. Perfect function. |
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https://www.ar15.com/forums/AR-15/FRT-5-56-AR15-Buffer-Poll/130-793584/ My 20” M16 clone runs great with AZ Regulator 3-position FRT, a standard rifle buffer (sliding steel weights) and rifle spring. My CMMG RDB 9mm PCCs with plunger ejector runs OK with ARC Fire V1/Atrius Selektor and a regular carbine buffer and carbine spring. My 10” 9mm Colt-type blowback PCC runs OK with a 2-position AZ Regulator, MilSpec trigger, KAK tungsten bolt weight, H3 buffer and worn carbine spring. It’s a weird combination that works, but I’m not sure I’d trust my life to it. My 5.56 carbines in the 7.5-16” barrel length range run great with various FRT and FRS devices and H3 buffers. Some have worked with H2 but at a higher ROF. |
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Originally Posted By Phiers: https://pmtactical.com/mbs-c-magnetic-buffer-system/ Been curious about these. Simple concept. And i like simple. Dont know if it works though High speed video I did below but also bear in mind this is in 9mm with the CMMG RDB system.  Pamax 3 7 26 I know they are still working on getting better FA reliability by switching to the A5 system. But I also tried putting spacers in that milled out rifle length buffer tube to mimic the A5 length and it still didn't work for me. I also tried cutting down a new flat spring to make it stronger and still getting bolt bounce. With this design, I don't see how that last magnet near the carrier can stop bolt bounce. |
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Originally Posted By shenendoah_rifleman: Recently built a rifle for a friend and went with the @amphibian style setup: kynshot 5007 hydraulic buffer, Tubbs ar15 buffer spring, griffin "ar10" buffer tube. I also made my own magnetic buffer which he and I agreed was the best for full auto but not as effective on mitigating gas but I don't notice the difference in gas myself. |
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Originally Posted By amphibian: Just an FYI, that I have been collaborating with Kynshot and testing a new hydraulic prototype. I think it is smoother than the 5007. A little slower cyclic rate and does a better job in spreading the recoil over time which also makes it less gassy. Friend of mine is a recently retired LE firearms instructor who is also a lefty and that was the first thing he said was how less gassy it was over the 5007. I don't notice those things as much. I will be offering them when available. I also made my own magnetic buffer which he and I agreed was the best for full auto but not as effective on mitigating gas but I don't notice the difference in gas myself. Originally Posted By amphibian: Originally Posted By shenendoah_rifleman: Recently built a rifle for a friend and went with the @amphibian style setup: kynshot 5007 hydraulic buffer, Tubbs ar15 buffer spring, griffin "ar10" buffer tube. I also made my own magnetic buffer which he and I agreed was the best for full auto but not as effective on mitigating gas but I don't notice the difference in gas myself. I’ve been running the same “ARS” setup in my well-regulated 5.56 mk18 and it’s been great How much slower is the RoF on the new kynshot, 10rpm or 100? Other data for the thread, I have two 300blk rifles with .125 gas port, Superlative AGB, AZR, and Armaspec SRS H2 in them that run fine as well |
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Originally Posted By stiglitz_actual: I've been running the same "ARS" setup in my well-regulated 5.56 mk18 and it's been great How much slower is the RoF on the new kynshot, 10rpm or 100? Other data for the thread, I have two 300blk rifles with .125 gas port, Superlative AGB, AZR, and Armaspec SRS H2 in them that run fine as well In my tuned MK18 that is documented here: https://c3junkie.com/?page_id=1403 It was only like 1 RPM slower which I think means nothing, you are going to get more variation between tests of the same variables. What is interesting is that even though the cyclic rates were just about the same. It was less gassy. My setup already isn't gassy but I can usually smell the LC M855 doing bursts. I didn't even notice the smell with the new hydraulic. I wouldn't say it is groundbreaking but it is incrementally better than the 5007. Small incremental changes all add up. |
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Bumping my own thread to ask if anyone had feedback on the Griffin SOB? I need a new a new A5 buffer anyway and this looks like an intriguing option. From what I can tell its a heavy brass body so I'm guessing the sliding weights are lighter? Also, anyone know if the A5 version contains a biasing spring like an actual A5 buffer? |
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