Posted: 6/8/2003 9:03:43 AM EDT
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while shooting my bushy yesterday my recoil buffer retainer broke jamming my bolt carrier. I cleared it and decided to shelve it until i could get a replacement. A comment was made to just leave it out. I know it shouldn't harm function as it's not needed until you seperate the lower. Any suggestions? should i fix it or just leave it out? |
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My mixmaster, built on a Cav lower, has never seen a buffer detent and runs without a problem. All you need to do is remember hold the buffer with your finger when you seperate the upper from the lower. It can rest on the decocked hammer. Either way, make damned sure that you get all the little chunks of the old part out, or it'll make your next several outings miserable. Edit: voted yes, but only for the convenience factor. It has no effect on function either way. |
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my thought was that this seems to be a common failure. Why not eliminate a problem for a part that is not really functional. In my target gun sure it will make things nice for cleaning but in a combat style gun wouldn't it be better to get rid of a point of failure? just wondering. mike |
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As a designated gunsmith, I have never encountered a broken buffer retainer pin. The only way such damage could occur through regular use is due to the incorrect fit of the upper and lower. In an properly functioning gun, the buffer is slightly depressed by the rear of the bolt carrier, thus preventing the any buffer to retainer contact during firing. A more common type of retainer failure occurs with improperly installed collapsible stock tubes. The thread timing is often off, preventing the lip of the buffer tube from covering an adequate amount of the retainer, barely holding it in some cases. The only way to remedy this is to file the edge of the buffer tube down to allow the lip to cover the edge of the retainer up to the raised stem. |
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As an un-designated gunsmith, I've seen broken buffer pins, broken buffer pin springs, missing buffer pins, and other things. Best thing I saw was a wad of rolled up paper inserted in place of the buffer pin. Gun still worked. My advice? Ensure correct fit of the stock to the receiver, and replace the part(s). Buy at least one spare of any part you replace. End. |
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I don't use buffer detents in any of my personal guns. This allows the buffer to have constant positive forward pressure on the bolt carrier, for smoother cycling and longer buffer life. You'll see a lot of competition guys leave it out for this reason. The only reason the detent is there is so GI Joe doesn't hit himself in the face with the the buffer when he field strips his rifle. I drop the hammer on an empty chamber and the hammer catches the buffer assembly when I seperate the upper from the lower. |
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A Colt Armorer's School they said that it wasn't strictly necessary, and was more for ease of takedown than anything else. The weapons should function fine without it. If you find yourself with a need to tear it down quickly, you will probably wish that you had one. I say replace it, but you don't necessarily have to be in a hurry to do so. |
