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Posted: 10/28/2008 8:12:49 AM EDT
| What is up with the H type buffer? BRavo Company USA has regular, H2, H3, H4. Why so many and what should I choose?? |
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The CAR buffer was the original (XM177), weight around 3.5oz
I hope I have these rifle models correct: The H1 is a little heavier used in the M4 The H2 is heavier still used in the M4A1 The H3 is heavier still (as heavy as a standard rifle buffer) 5oz, and is used in the very short barrelled carbines such as the Mk18, or at least the 10" barrel carbines. Many people run the heavier buffers in semi-auto guns to keep the action closed a bit longer, especially with a CAR length gas system, to soften the recoil impulse. If you are using something as heavy as an H3 buffer in a semi-auto gun, you don't need the extra reciprocal weight so you can use a 9mm steel buffer which is the same weight but cheaper because it doesn't have the tungsten inside. In an auto gun, the reciprocal weight is needed for reliability to aid in closing the bolt home and fully locking the lugs. The weights inside slide back and forth which is why it rattles when you shake it. Here's a buffer table Slash put together showing the various buffers and their weights 
Here's a pic of disassembled buffers and their internals from Randall at AR15Barrels 
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From what i gather the heavier the better. Unless you are running a border line gas system the heavier buffer reduces felt recoil and reduces wear on internals. If the heaviest doesn't cycle in your gun go lighter until it does; but if that's the case I would look at other areas as the problem  .
Plus any extra weight you can get in the back of the rifle in my opinion is better for balance cause the "junk", as some would say, usually goes on the front. Every ounce counts! 
However, this is just my gathered knowledge and shouldn't be taken as law... wait for the "smart people" to come along to decide... |
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