AR15 Recoil

[mirage2123]

Shot my AR15 for the first time today. It's a Spike's Complete Upper and Lower, with their ST2 heavy buffer. I was shooting some IWI 5.56 M193 bought from Wideners back in like 2011. The buffer spring I used was some generic mil-spec version (probably DPMS?) bought off of Midway. Several of us including myself, noticed more recoil out of the AR. I'm not sure I can pinpoint it at the moment, if it is the ammo I'm using or maybe the buffer spring. I don't think it can be the buffer itself, as I've heard many good things about it. I've shot my friend's AR before (using range ammo/possibly reload). His didn't kick as hard in recoil as an AR should be. Mine is not unbearable, but it's noticeable.

Anyone have experience with this? Could it be the ammo? Thanks,

[tal3nt]

ARs have noticeable recoil. Maybe your friend's had a muzzle brake? Is yours a carbine gas? Maybe his was a rifle or mid length gas? I've never used a heavy buffer.

[MrPlink]

More recoil than what? A different AR?
As talent mentioned lots of things go into the way a rifle will handle. Gas system, tuning, weight, ammo, muzzle device, even your technique cab change things

[HK Dave]

#1 What kind of ammo did you shoot through it before? If the M193 was loaded to M193 spec, it will def have more power and recoil then say... .223 loaded out to 2600 fps.

#2 The buffer shouldn't be that noticeable.

#3 Make sure your buddies AR didn't have a brake. A brake will make a HUGE difference in recoil.

#4 There is no such thing as unbearable recoil out of an AR15 chambered in 5.56. Not even sure I'd call it "noticeable" :P Well at least not out of my stainless SPR contour, rifle length gas system, 12lb AR with monster brake. Feels kinda like a 22lr.

[Souper]

i have a spikes st15 16", carbine gas, st2 buffer, battle comp break, and shoot m855, which is heavier than the m193. it kicks more than any other 5.56 ar that ive shot, but its not bad at all.

longer gas systems and heavier barrels and guns will kick less. what is your friends setup?

[Dhena81]

^^^All of the above

[304tmt]

Shoot an Ak and then complain about recoil. Haha

[G60]

Yes, guns recoil.

[mirage2123]

My gas system is a mid-length with an A2 flash hider.
I don't recall what my friend was using, but i'll ask him. Most likely an A2 and mid-length as I don't remember using a carbine style/barrel. I gave him some of my rounds to test out next time and report.

[NSR500]

Recoil from an AR?

[IPSICK]

Originally Posted by NSR500

Recoil from an AR?

Wondered how long it would take for a comment from the peanut gallery?

[Arkangel]

Originally Posted by mirage2123

I've shot my friend's AR before (using range ammo/possibly reload). His didn't kick as hard in recoil as an AR should be. Mine is not unbearable, but it's noticeable.

You were probably shooting .223 out of your buddies rifle, then switched to 5.56 when you shot your rifle.

Originally Posted by mirage2123

Could it be the ammo? Thanks,

Yup...

[mirage2123]

Guys I'm just comparing two AR15s I've never fired before. I am not saying the recoil is bad, just night and day differences. My Spikes was my first build so I'm trying to see if I can tweak it a little for my next build. Lol..

[M3thodBombZ]

Plink, talent, Dave, etc; all know what they're talking about my friend. Gas systems, brakes, ammo, and even technique in the manner in which you shoot makes all the difference when putting rounds down range. Try putting a reputable brake or comp on the gun such as surefire, pws, or battle comp (depending on what your application is with the rifle) and go from there. You should notice a dramatic difference especially if you're running a midlength

[rojocorsa]

Recoil?

I mean, they jump a little but they don't actually kick.

AKs have recoil?

[walmart_ar15]

How far does your AR throw the empty case compares to your friend's?

IMI surplus are full load NATO rounds, where as range reloads generally are much lower in power (charge) to save $$$. To truly compare between two AR, you'll need to shoot both guns with the same ammo at the same range session. Also, be careful with surplus ammo, there is a reason sometimes they are surplus (too hot).

Commercial AR generally have larger gas port so it can function with wider range of lower power ammo. Shooting mil-surplus will cause over gas and faster BCG cycle, thus higher recoil.

[chrisf]

Originally Posted by 304tmt

Shoot an Ak and then complain about recoil. Haha

Ak's dont really have that bad of recoil. Now shoot my 18.5" mosin in a polymer stock, THEN complain about recoil

[chead]

AR recoil? I hit .308 rounds with a hammer.

[cfusionpm]

I shoot out of my 18" rifle length gas AR that I built to be a bench gun and weighs something stupid like 12 lbs with optic, has a surefire MB556K brake, and feels virtually no recoil. It's heavy, big muzzle brake, long smooth rifle gas system, etc. My buddy has a S&W M&P15, 16" barrel with carbine gas, lighter plastic furniture, A2 flash hider and iron sights, weighs maybe 7 or 8 lbs. Lighter weight, no brake, short harsh gas system, it's going to kick more, even with the same ammo. Introduce hotter 5.56 and it will be even worse. It's not bad at all, but very much noticeable between the two. Mine feels like a .22LR.

[BOOGIEMAN]

Originally Posted by mirage2123

Guys I'm just comparing two AR15s I've never fired before. I am not saying the recoil is bad, just night and day differences. My Spikes was my first build so I'm trying to see if I can tweak it a little for my next build. Lol..

You can not compare two ARs that you have not fired before.

[Agent Tikki]

Spike's tends to overgas their systems. Hence their bandaid solution to create the ST-T2.

[BrassCase]

You could try a hydraulic buffer if it is really a problem. I've heard some say that there is virtually no recoil with one.

[MustangSteveGT]

Hydraulic buffer + bolt carrier weight system + PWS FSC556 compensator. Maybe adjustable gas block too.

[captbilly]

F=MA is the main equation to model recoil. If the mass of the rifle is lower the recoil will be higher. If the mass of the bullet is higher the recoil will be higher. You can mitigate the recoil with a muzzle brake, which accelerates some of the gasses sideways, or backwards (think F=MA again). The rest of the things that people claim effects recoil, mostly effect how we perceive recoil, rather than actually changing recoil.