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Posted: 4/19/2026 3:09:19 PM EDT
[Last Edit: StealthyBlagga][Edited]
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Which buffer have you found to work best for your FRT-equipped 5.56NATO caliber AR15s? I have included common "MilSpec" type buffers and the option to call out something different. Please limit this to 5.56mm AR15s to avoid muddying the waters. When sharing details, it will be helpful to include which FRT, upper and lower configuration you have. Hopefully this information will help new adopters understand what is likely to work in their chosen configuration. 
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| I have two FRTs currently (will be 3 whenever AS Designs ships me their V2), and run an H2 in one, and an HK Tungsten buffer in an other. (weighs the same as an H3, but is compressed powder. Supposedly has a similar result as using an H2) When I get the third FRT, I plan on running it in an AR pistol with an DD MK 18 upper, which uses an H3 buffer. So I'm solidly in the H2/H3 area. |
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I run an H2 and Damage Industries Enhanced spring in just about everything. Mostly Colt lowers/uppers with Colt or DD barrels. I did testing years ago, and found that while heavier buffers and/or increased power springs lower perceived rearward recoil, they can also negatively affect the speed and accuracy of rapid follow-up shots. Not massively, but enough to notice. Rearward recoil tends to create muzzle rise, while increased reciprocating mass and force returning to battery tends to create muzzle dip. You can compensate for one or the other, but not both. I find muzzle rise much easier and more natural to compensate for than muzzle dip. The same concept applies whether you're doing rapid semi or FRT. If I didn't shoot almost exclusively suppressed, I'd likely go with an H buffer. |
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Well I just popped over to this sub forum to ask about performance variation with different buffers actually. Super safeties and their derivatives like the Arc Fire seem more tolerant than other designs. 11.5” with suppressor ran great with a Hoffman SS and just an H buffer. Lot of rounds thru it, zero issues, everything from mild reloads to hot full power 5.56 loads. Same 11.5 upper and suppressor on a similarly equipped matching lower ran fine using an Arc Fire using the H, H2, and H3. Zero issues at all. Not sure which one I should use actually at this point- I am sure there is some ROF difference, but I sure could not tell while shooting it. Regular carbine spring in use on that 11.5 with both frt types. Hell the Hoffman SS is so good I saw it work great with a 8” .300 BLK with just a carbine weight buffer, and a 16” 5.56 worked great with just the carbine buffer as well. Anyone have any reasons as to which buffer weight I should stick with, if they all seem to work great? |
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Originally Posted By tac556: Well I just popped over to this sub forum to ask about performance variation with different buffers actually. Super safeties and their derivatives like the Arc Fire seem more tolerant than other designs. 11.5” with suppressor ran great with a Hoffman SS and just an H buffer. Lot of rounds thru it, zero issues, everything from mild reloads to hot full power 5.56 loads. Same 11.5 upper and suppressor on a similarly equipped matching lower ran fine using an Arc Fire using the H, H2, and H3. Zero issues at all. Not sure which one I should use actually at this point- I am sure there is some ROF difference, but I sure could not tell while shooting it. Regular carbine spring in use on that 11.5 with both frt types. Hell the Hoffman SS is so good I saw it work great with a 8” .300 BLK with just a carbine weight buffer, and a 16” 5.56 worked great with just the carbine buffer as well. Anyone have any reasons as to which buffer weight I should stick with, if they all seem to work great? If it works, it works. I recommend H3 as a preemptive cure all for most people, but I've tried a 5.5" 5.56 gun work with a Hoffman and a standard Carbine buffer. Successfully. It is astonishingly insensitive to buffer weight. |
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Yeah I agree I would not personally use just a carbine buffer, but it does work with a SS, I was surprised to see it. Did seem like a fairly fast ROF. I am kind of leaning towards going with the H2 on the 11.5” with the suppressor, and just an H on others where I won’t be running a can or where the barrel is a bit longer. |
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Originally Posted By mirion: I selected other because I haven't bought one yet (Soon). Looks like H3 should be a good starting point. Makes good sense. Beware of solid buffers being sold as H3. An actual H3 has 3 sliding tungsten weights. If you were using the mass just to slow the bolt velocity, it would not matter. But, since you are seeking brrrrts, the deadblow effect created by the sliding weights is critical. |
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