Hi everyone, I just fulfilled a lifelong goal and bought an Colt M16 (sorry for no pics, I don’t have possession yet). It is currently wearing an A2 buttstock. I would like to eventually run 10.5”, 14.5”, 16” and a 9mm SMG uppers on it, both suppressed and not. Does anyone know if there is a buffer weight (or system - A5 or hydraulic) that might work with most or all of these setups? I’m hoping to not be exchanging buffers during range trips. Appreciate the advice and excited to post pics once I have them.

The A5 will work with 5.56 uppers from 10.5 to 20".  Not sure about the 9mm though.

I use an H1 Buffer in mine, it runs most of the uppers just fine. On the few I have issues with such as a lightweight BCG setup I use an adjustable gas blocks on the upper to reduce the gas.

If you're willing to keep the full length A2 buttstock on it, that'll run pretty much anything, except the open-bolt LMG system. It's only on telestocks with the shorter carbine buffer tube and spring that I've ever had to juggle buffer weights to keep things running.

If you must have a shorter buffer and stock, the A5 reportedly is almost as solid across calibers as the rifle stock.

Wow. Thanks for the quick replies everyone. I’ll looking at the vltor A5 seriously - I don’t think I want the A2 on it forever.

An H2 buffer should work with all 5.56 uppers but the 9mm upper will need a 9mm-specific buffer.

I love the Enidine hydraulic units, I've run both their CAR & full rifle buffer.

Functions great with 5.56, 7.62x39 and 9mm with a noticeable improvement in smoothness and a slight reduction in ROF.