Posted: 3/1/2007 3:20:20 AM EDT
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It's about time for me to change the recoil spring on my Kimber Custom TLEII and I am curious about these shok buffs. Anyone have any knowledge or opinions on them? Are they meant for a self defense/carry pistol? Fire away! |
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I know the majority opinion is that they suck - never remember reading why but interestingly when I sent in my SA 1911 for night sights and "reliability package" throat and polish they threw one on without me asking for one @ the SA Custom Shop. Its not a carry gun so I've left it in for 1000+ rounds and no issues. I check it every time I clean the pistol and It hasn't deteriorated yet so I guess I'll leave it in |
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I bought a NIB Wilson Combat 1996A2 back in '96. I used a Shok Buff for a number of years. One thing I noticed was when it was used in my gun (5") sling-shotting the slide would not cause the slide stop to disengage. The slide wasn't allowed to move back far enough to cam the slide stop downward. Sling-shotting the slide is not a technique I use, but still it was disconcerting to me. Ultimately my gun needed to be sent back for feeding issues and they refit a new barrel. I no longer use a Shok Buff. I see no need for one. IMHO it caused more problems than it fixed for me. YMMV. Corey |
On my Kimber Custom II, they shorten the slide stroke enough to where I have to use the slide release to let the slide forward when loading if I load a mag on an open slide. Can't pull the slide back far enough to release it. I know some people slice them in half to reduce thickness. |
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From my understanding of everything I have read from gun rags to shop manuals, is they are to prevent frame damage if you have a battering issue. If you have battering there are other problems. I used one for less than 1,000 rnds. It shreaded inside the recoil spring channel. Thus gumming up the spring, guide rod, barrel link, and slide stop. It was very difficult to use a punch to drive out the slide stop. Then use a rubber mallet on the rear of the slide to promote forward movement. So you asked for an opinion, mine is DO NOT USE THEM. |
I use them on all my 1911s that still allow for the slingshot method with them installed. My Colt and my Wilson allow this. The Kimber doesn't. Never had any trouble with reliability or anything while using them. I generally change them out every 500 - 1000 rounds. I'm not sure if they do anything, but I'm not sure that they don't either. They're cheap and they make me happy. Good enough for me  . Wouldn't fault you for not using them.
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It does seem that "Kimber" keeps coming up in the posts of people who didn't like them and since that's what I have I'll stick with the status quo. |
+1 As long as one changes them out often, they should be good to go, IMO. |
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Well, my first post here, but I'll wade in anyway............ Shok buffs also serve as a timing device. They will shorten the stroke, and that sometimes is what is desired. If the gun will run with a shorter stroke, then why not? Just means faster subsequent shots. I've used them for years with no problems, but I have only used CP Buffs and Heitts. I tried a Wilson once, but it shredded within 100 rounds. I've never had that problem with the two mentioned above, and I've left them in one of my 45's for at least 20k rounds, just to see how it would do. I've used the Heitts in several different .38 Super Open guns, notorious for gagging, with zero problems. If they didn't work in competition, I wouldn't use them. One of my IPSC guns has two CP's in it, resulting in an extremely short stroke, and it runs just fine. I don't worry about "slingshotting" anyway, so it doesn't bother me. BTW, the really thin Heitt buffs may allow you to do this if that's something that you think is important. FWIW, I do use them in my carry guns. With WAY over 100k rounds through "several" 1911's, I feel that they are reliable and do serve a function, at least for me. This post is worth exactly what you paid for it. |
| I would say leave it out except maybe for practice(if your gun allows you to "slingshot" with one in). I have seen ONE come apart and cause a malfunction, but that's one too many in a carry gun. I've also seen one pistol that wouldn't function reliably without one. |