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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Broken Buffer Tube (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 5/24/2012 7:46:50 AM EDT
| So, has anyone ever come across, or have seen a broken buffer tube before? Yesterday I went out shooting, and I shot about half a mag threw my weapon when it stopped cycling. I tried pulling the charging handle back when I saw the bolt was only going about half way back. I then looked down towards my stock, and saw that the buffer tube had broke literally in half. The weapon was maintained properly, and the only thing I can think of possibly happening was the other day I took a hard fall with it while we were shooting. So, possibly I landed on it weird. Has anyone ever seen, or even heard of this happening before? I've looked all over the internet, and I can't find anything on a buffer tube breaking. |
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So, has anyone ever come across, or have seen a broken buffer tube before? Yesterday I went out shooting, and I shot about half a mag threw my weapon when it stopped cycling. I tried pulling the charging handle back when I saw the bolt was only going about half way back. I then looked down towards my stock, and saw that the buffer tube had broke literally in half. The weapon was maintained properly, and the only thing I can think of possibly happening was the other day I took a hard fall with it while we were shooting. So, possibly I landed on it weird. Has anyone ever seen, or even heard of this happening before? I've looked all over the internet, and I can't find anything on a buffer tube breaking. It's amazing what breaks when you throw it around. Try being a bit more gentle with your posessions. |
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So, has anyone ever come across, or have seen a broken buffer tube before? Yesterday I went out shooting, and I shot about half a mag threw my weapon when it stopped cycling. I tried pulling the charging handle back when I saw the bolt was only going about half way back. I then looked down towards my stock, and saw that the buffer tube had broke literally in half. The weapon was maintained properly, and the only thing I can think of possibly happening was the other day I took a hard fall with it while we were shooting. So, possibly I landed on it weird. Has anyone ever seen, or even heard of this happening before? I've looked all over the internet, and I can't find anything on a buffer tube breaking. It's amazing what breaks when you throw it around. Try being a bit more gentle with your posessions. he didnt throw his weapon, he put 1.5 mags through it when it stopped working |
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So, has anyone ever come across, or have seen a broken buffer tube before? Yesterday I went out shooting, and I shot about half a mag threw my weapon when it stopped cycling. I tried pulling the charging handle back when I saw the bolt was only going about half way back. I then looked down towards my stock, and saw that the buffer tube had broke literally in half. The weapon was maintained properly, and the only thing I can think of possibly happening was the other day I took a hard fall with it while we were shooting. So, possibly I landed on it weird. Has anyone ever seen, or even heard of this happening before? I've looked all over the internet, and I can't find anything on a buffer tube breaking. It's one of the reasons why we don't teach the bayonet in the Army anymore, b/c if you butt stroke someone, you're liable to bend the buffer tube & take the weapon out of action. Gig 'em, backbencher |
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So, has anyone ever come across, or have seen a broken buffer tube before? Yesterday I went out shooting, and I shot about half a mag threw my weapon when it stopped cycling. I tried pulling the charging handle back when I saw the bolt was only going about half way back. I then looked down towards my stock, and saw that the buffer tube had broke literally in half. The weapon was maintained properly, and the only thing I can think of possibly happening was the other day I took a hard fall with it while we were shooting. So, possibly I landed on it weird. Has anyone ever seen, or even heard of this happening before? I've looked all over the internet, and I can't find anything on a buffer tube breaking. It's amazing what breaks when you throw it around. Try being a bit more gentle with your posessions. he didnt throw his weapon, he put 1.5 mags through it when it stopped working Hey, I'm a firm believer that people need to respect their possessions more than they do. The same goes for words. 
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So, has anyone ever come across, or have seen a broken buffer tube before? Yesterday I went out shooting, and I shot about half a mag threw my weapon when it stopped cycling. I tried pulling the charging handle back when I saw the bolt was only going about half way back. I then looked down towards my stock, and saw that the buffer tube had broke literally in half. The weapon was maintained properly, and the only thing I can think of possibly happening was the other day I took a hard fall with it while we were shooting. So, possibly I landed on it weird. Has anyone ever seen, or even heard of this happening before? I've looked all over the internet, and I can't find anything on a buffer tube breaking. It's amazing what breaks when you throw it around. Try being a bit more gentle with your posessions. he didnt throw his weapon, he put 1.5 mags through it when it stopped working Hey, I'm a firm believer that people need to respect their possessions more than they do. The same goes for words.
Sounds like he through caution to the wind. 
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| Quick question. I've always wondered why, if it is such a structurally weak piece on the rifle (in terms of military use for hand to hand combat), why don't they just make the buffer tube out of a stronger material? I realize that that would likely add weight, but wouldn't that be an example of "good weight"? |
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Quick question. I've always wondered why, if it is such a structurally weak piece on the rifle (in terms of military use for hand to hand combat), why don't they just make the buffer tube out of a stronger material? I realize that that would likely add weight, but wouldn't that be an example of "good weight"? Its not often that you see or hear of a good buffer tube breaking or deforming. Although I'm sure its happened, its not something I've seen. |
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Quick question. I've always wondered why, if it is such a structurally weak piece on the rifle (in terms of military use for hand to hand combat), why don't they just make the buffer tube out of a stronger material? I realize that that would likely add weight, but wouldn't that be an example of "good weight"? Its not often that you see or hear of a good buffer tube breaking or deforming. Although I'm sure its happened, its not something I've seen. I'm just talking about military use. Its not often youre gonna see civilians smacking each other in the face with the butts of their rifles. As far as I know, they stopped teaching soldiers to use their rifle butts for hand to hand because it could break the buffer tube, so I'm just wondering why they didn't just make it stronger? |
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I am almost positive a buffer tube would just bend before it would break.
Then the carrier would get stuck and the weapon would stop. I am eagerly awaiting pictures of this broken tube. I hope it doesn't end like the two Smith and Wesson hammers bigdrink saw break in half a year or two back. 
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Quick question. I've always wondered why, if it is such a structurally weak piece on the rifle (in terms of military use for hand to hand combat), why don't they just make the buffer tube out of a stronger material? I realize that that would likely add weight, but wouldn't that be an example of "good weight"? Its not often that you see or hear of a good buffer tube breaking or deforming. Although I'm sure its happened, its not something I've seen. I'm just talking about military use. Its not often youre gonna see civilians smacking each other in the face with the butts of their rifles. As far as I know, they stopped teaching soldiers to use their rifle butts for hand to hand because it could break the buffer tube, so I'm just wondering why they didn't just make it stronger? Why would you hit someone in the face with a stock wieldin a 1" rubber butt pad? A knife or a bullt would work better. Honeslty i havent heard of to many encounters in modern wars that became hand to hand combat, seems kind of like a thing of the past. We are no loger engaging in trench warfare. |
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Quick question. I've always wondered why, if it is such a structurally weak piece on the rifle (in terms of military use for hand to hand combat), why don't they just make the buffer tube out of a stronger material? I realize that that would likely add weight, but wouldn't that be an example of "good weight"? Its not often that you see or hear of a good buffer tube breaking or deforming. Although I'm sure its happened, its not something I've seen. I'm just talking about military use. Its not often youre gonna see civilians smacking each other in the face with the butts of their rifles. As far as I know, they stopped teaching soldiers to use their rifle butts for hand to hand because it could break the buffer tube, so I'm just wondering why they didn't just make it stronger? Why would you hit someone in the face with a stock wieldin a 1" rubber butt pad? A knife or a bullt would work better. Honeslty i havent heard of to many encounters in modern wars that became hand to hand combat, seems kind of like a thing of the past. We are no loger engaging in trench warfare. I can see a situation developing when your position is overrun. You would probably use anything at that point. I haven't been in combat but I've been in some pretty good knock down drag out fights. It's not always a what you want to do but what you're able to do. |
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http://store.magpul.com/product/MAG330/86
The UBR is designed to help overcome this weak point of the AR as a weapon. A couple of other designs have tried to fix this as well. As far as close combat, the Brits have had 1 or 2 bayonet charges since the invasion of Afghanistan. Gig 'em, backbencher |
| Well the break is right below the threads. It's a New Advanced Technology Buffer New Advanced Technology that I bought off of Amazon. I'll put pictures up of it once I figure out how to post pictures on here from my phone. |
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So, has anyone ever come across, or have seen a broken buffer tube before? Yesterday I went out shooting, and I shot about half a mag threw my weapon when it stopped cycling. I tried pulling the charging handle back when I saw the bolt was only going about half way back. I then looked down towards my stock, and saw that the buffer tube had broke literally in half. The weapon was maintained properly, and the only thing I can think of possibly happening was the other day I took a hard fall with it while we were shooting. So, possibly I landed on it weird. Has anyone ever seen, or even heard of this happening before? I've looked all over the internet, and I can't find anything on a buffer tube breaking. It's amazing what breaks when you throw it around. Try being a bit more gentle with your posessions. he didnt throw his weapon, he put 1.5 mags through it when it stopped working he said he "threw" it. guess English class was not his best subject. |
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The problem is you bought an ATI receiver extension. Those are known for poor quality. Been issues with crappy threading, rough ID's, insufficient depth, and off center ones. I'm not surprised that yours broke.
Post pictures for future reference for others, buy a new extension from a reputable company, carry on. |
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So, how about instead of correcting my grammar; we go back to the original question I posted. If someone would just tell me how to post a picture that I took with my phone then I can show you all. Im not a grammr nazi, hell look at half of my posts and you will see my horrible sentence structure. That said when it comes to words that sound the same, just spelled different you should spell them correctly to help get across what you are trying to say. Also get a new RE you got one of the crappiest brands there are |
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So, how about instead of correcting my grammar; we go back to the original question I posted. If someone would just tell me how to post a picture that I took with my phone then I can show you all. For what its worth, I had to reread the original post a few times because I thought you threw it. Lay off the attitude, laugh it off, and carry on - it'll cut down on 90% of the comments. Getting pissy with people only invites more grief. Why did you decide on the ATI? Is this your first AR? Here's how you post pictures - http://www.ar15.com/content/help/help.html?id=6 |
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Thanks OP for the post. If nothing else, it gives me a mild smug justification at paying the small premium I paid to get a mil-spec buffer tube from Bravo Company. (though, I don't think that helps you very much!)
In all honesty, buying a lowest cost buffer tube from Amazon.com is probably the root cause of this problem. Coupled with it's a commercial specification tube. There's a reason they are the low cost provider. Again, this probably isn't helping you feel a whole lot better. I'm sure the manufacturer will replace it, which wouldn't do me great comfort, in having a part I don't really trust anymore. I'd write this one off as a learning experience, and invest in a higher end tube. The only downer is, your stock is sized for commercial spec, so you can't just upgrade to military spec, without also replacing your stock. If it were me, I'd get a replacement tube from Amazon, sell it new in box on an auction (stating manufacture of course). And then purchase a new commercial spec tube from a more reputable supplier. It'll cost about twice as much by the time your done buying all the other parts with it (no way would I trust any of the parts in that kit anymore). There's a reason for that. By the way, the spelling didn't throw me off one bit. 
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So, how about instead of correcting my grammar; we go back to the original question I posted. If someone would just tell me how to post a picture that I took with my phone then I can show you all. If you have an iPhone they make a Photobucket app you can upload your pics to. |
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Here's the least expensive, good kit that I could find for you...
PSA M4 stock kit (PSA also has Magpul kits if you want to step up from the M4 stock) I'd get rid of that Amazon.com endplate as well, replace it with the PSA endplate and then stake it. |
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I'd like to point out something that has been overlooked. In the OP, he says he "took a hard fall", which says to me he fell down. An accident. That's what broke the tube. I don't buy it. I've seen a rfile tossed out of a helicopter, ran over by a truck and get tossed by an explosion. That milspec receiver extension didn't break. The OP just has a piece of crap ATI commercial tube. You think RE's should break after a single fall? |
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I'd like to point out something that has been overlooked. In the OP, he says he "took a hard fall", which says to me he fell down. An accident. That's what broke the tube. I don't buy it. I've seen a rfile tossed out of a helicopter, ran over by a truck and get tossed by an explosion. That milspec receiver extension didn't break. The OP just has a piece of crap ATI commercial tube. You think RE's should break after a single fall? He didn't say that. He said a fall is what likely broke this tube and he is most likely correct. Of course it being a cheap commercial RE played a part in its inability to withstand a shock. Don't go looking for zebras.... |
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So, has anyone ever come across, or have seen a broken buffer tube before? Yesterday I went out shooting, and I shot about half a mag threw my weapon when it stopped cycling. I tried pulling the charging handle back when I saw the bolt was only going about half way back. I then looked down towards my stock, and saw that the buffer tube had broke literally in half. The weapon was maintained properly, and the only thing I can think of possibly happening was the other day I took a hard fall with it while we were shooting. So, possibly I landed on it weird. Has anyone ever seen, or even heard of this happening before? I've looked all over the internet, and I can't find anything on a buffer tube breaking. You didn't notice the stock fly off and the buffer and spring go flying? You could have possibly fractured it when you fell on it but one would think you'd notice the back 1/3 of a rifle going missing. |
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It probably cracked when he fell, and after cycling a few times the crack bound up the buffer/spring assy when everything started to shift around.
"I shot about half a mag threw my weapon when it stopped cycling" If you couldn't figure out he shot "half a mag" then maybe you need to work on your reading skills, instead of trying to be the grammar police. Everybody on the 'net wants to be a smartass first. Edited to add quotation marks. |
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Quick question. I've always wondered why, if it is such a structurally weak piece on the rifle (in terms of military use for hand to hand combat), why don't they just make the buffer tube out of a stronger material? I realize that that would likely add weight, but wouldn't that be an example of "good weight"? Its not often that you see or hear of a good buffer tube breaking or deforming. Although I'm sure its happened, its not something I've seen. I'm just talking about military use. Its not often you're gonna see civilians smacking each other in the face with the butts of their rifles. As far as I know, they stopped teaching soldiers to use their rifle butts for hand to hand because it could break the buffer tube, so I'm just wondering why they didn't just make it stronger? I seem to remember reading once about the .mil expressing the opinion that they would rather experience having broken receiver extensions, than broken lower receiver necks... ETA: I've only ever seen one lower receiver neck snap-off since they went to the A2 specs & that was from a weapon being dropped & then trampled-over during a run / exercise... still - it's far cheaper to replace a receiver extension than it is to replace the entire lower... |
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And since it has not been mentioned before, here's why the commercial tube broke: Commercial threads are cut into the tube, whereas mil spec threads are not. http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu272/Wiringguy/milspecthread-1.png For most people, not that big a deal but apparently for some....... Exactly, plus extrusions and impact extrusions are brittle and you have a nice sharp edge there at the bottom of each thread. |
[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Broken Buffer Tube (Page 1 of 2)
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