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Posted: 9/15/2011 8:52:51 AM EDT
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I had a beat-up rifle buffer that wasn't being used so I cut it down to make the overall length the same as a 9mm Q-buffer then poured it full of molten lead. I only had a cheapie scale to weigh the buffer but It came out weighing a little over 6 ounces according to it. The only thing that I can see that might be a consideration is that with the spring "shoulder" set back on the rifle buffer compared to the Q-buffer it pre-compresses the spring about 3/4" more. And that may in fact be beneficial in retarding the bolt opening.
Has anyone else tried making a 9mm buffer from a rifle buffer? Besides the spring pre-compression issue, does anyone see any other reason it wouldn't work? At worst, if it doesn't work because of the spring pre-compression issue I'll get my buddy with a lathe to take the spring shoulder off and make a spacer to move the shoulder to where it is on a Q-buffer. I'm still waiting on some parts to finish my 9mm build so it will probably be a couple of weeks before I can try it out. If anyone is interested in the outcome I'll post results when I get my carbine built and give it a try. 
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Spring preload doesn't alter the spring rate.
The action spring is already preloaded when installed, so I wouldn't think adding another 3/4" of preload will have significant positive or negative effects. If you kept quiet, you could have probably sold your "specialty buffer" for big money... 
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You're measuring from the wrong end. Don't worry about what the spring does when the bolt is forward, worry about it when the bolt is to the rear.
Measure from the bumper end to the spring holder rib. It looks like you might need to use a carbine spring. Just make sure you don't get into coil bind with whatever spring you use. It will trash the spring in a hurry. Brett |
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