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6/19/2017 9:04:28 AM EDT
So I've gotten away from my AR for a while have have been shooting 308s lately (M1A and FAL).  Saturday I shot a good bit of 308, Sunday I took my AR out for the first time in more than a year...  The recoil on my AR seemed sharper than my 308s.  

I'd like to shoot my AR more since the ammo is cheaper and I can afford to shoot it more than 308.

My AR is pretty standard, it's my first AR, had it for 7 years now, I built it myself.  It's a 16" Bushmaster Barrel, 1in9 twist, carbine gas system, with a Tapco T6 6-position stock with a standard Carbine buffer.  

I'd like it to be softer shooting, but still be reliable.  It would be nice if it could be soft enough that I could take my wife to the range and she not complain about the recoil.

I have 2 uppers for the gun, the other is a 16" 6.8SPC upper with Midlength gas system.  I've been reading about H buffers, H2 and H3.  Do these only work in Mil-spec buffer tubes, or will they work in Commercial tubes as well?  Which buffer would you recommend?
6/19/2017 9:13:33 AM EDT
[#1]
Heavier buffers can change how the recoil feels. Personally I have never noticed any recoil to speak of when firing AR-15's.

The H buffer is inexpensive and is standard for Colt 6920's and Daniel Defense carbines as they come from the factory.

I would try it first.
6/19/2017 9:44:47 AM EDT
[#2]
www.stoprecoil.com

Take a look at the above link. A good muzzle device can tame down the felt recoil immensely


In addition to a muzzle device, get some sort of adjustable gas system (Gas key or Gas block) and turn down the excess gas.

Both of these will have a bigger effect than messing with the buffer.
6/19/2017 10:03:38 AM EDT
[#3]
Ok, thanks!

The current Muzzle Device is just an A2 Flashhider.
6/19/2017 3:05:27 PM EDT
[#4]
H2 buffer
Tubb flatwire spring, or Sprinco blue spring
5-coil HD extractor spring

IMHO I consider these 3 modifications necessary on a 16 inch carbine gas rifle.  Heavy H2 buffer and XP spring will smooth out the sharp recoil pulse of
your Bushmaster.  Combined with HD extractor spring these 3 mods should make your gun more reliable too.

Commercial buffer tube has same ID as mil-spec
6/19/2017 4:44:07 PM EDT
[#5]
You can go cheap likes me and get a 9mm buffer also. Close the weight of a H3 at half the price.  Springs and buffers for the 223/556 work in both commercial and milspec tubes.  Definately get the buffer for the wife to shoot with.  Breaks are great too but you might have to experiment a little as you don't want a break with concussion wave.   That will really sour the wife on shooting.  David
6/19/2017 4:52:34 PM EDT
[#6]
These two articles should be helpful, I don't think syrac is in business any longer , but plenty of others out there

http://www.alloutdoor.com/2013/12/17/adjustable-ar-gas-blocks/

http://www.alloutdoor.com/2013/12/19/syrac-ordnance-adjustable-ar15-gas-block-review/
6/19/2017 5:28:53 PM EDT
[#7]
I just put a limbsaves pad on my wife's rifle, but myself, have never really noticed the recoil from a 5.56 unless doing 30 round mag dumps on the FA guns or the bump fire.
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