1911s and ShockBuffs

[MosinVirus]

Hello all,

Just wanted to see how many of you 1911 owners are using ShockBuffs with your recoil systems.

Do you notice a difference in recoil?
Can you still release the slide via Slingshot?
Do you run ShockBuffs on all your 1911s that accept them (gov size)?

Thank you

[DArBad]

I experimented with them many years ago. On an old Springfields (circa 1989) with loose tolerance, they were okay. But on newer guns such as my Kimbers and recently acquired Colt 1991, they were a tight fit. Needless to say, I don't use them anymore.

[alland]

I tried them briefly in the mid '80s until one came apart and tied the gun up in the middle of a stage. Never again. I don't know if they would allow slingshot or not. I never tried.

[JTROKS]

Shockbuffs gives you that added insurance in preventing metal to metal battering. Depending how many you put will load up your recoil spring a little. Tuning your recoil spring to the given load is the key. I've had some broke apart testing +p+ 9mm loads. Some recoil spring plungers will eat them up quick too.

[CouchOperator]

Theyre good for 499 rounds. At 500 it will magically come apart and lock your gun up

[Rhyyke]

My Guncrafter came with one inside but I took it out.

[E92335i]

I had one on my Wilson Combat and took it out.

[pklin1297]

Had one in my Les Baer for one range session...

Cannot use the slingshot method to chamber a round.

Slide stop fails to lock slide back after last shot 70% of the time.


I had tried the shokbuff in my Kimber more than a decade a go. The fact that I don't see any in my parts bin or any of my guns should have alerted me to not buy another to try in the Les Baer, but lesson learned, for another decade at least...

[MosinVirus]

So, they break - there is a way to extend the life.
So, they can prevent slingshot - there is a way to fix that.

How was recoil when you used them? Did it feel like the slide RTB faster/sooner?

[keith1911]

I put one in my Springfield for a while, but took it out. Now I don't see the point of them other that causing the gun to fail. Just replace your springs every once in a while. You should be able to feel when it needs to be done.

[bohoki]

you mean those little polymer thingies that go on the spring guide?


i had a buffer tech (i think yellowish polyurathane)one on a norinco 1911 it worked great

but on my stainless with full guide rod it added too much shim distance for the slide stop to function

so on a bone stock army 1911-1911a1 they may prevent a slide crack but on a "custom*" gun it can cause problems

*has features not found on milspec 1911

[Denver Dick]

I've used the Shok-Buff System on all my 1911s since 1992, not just the little blue fiber buffer, the "System". You can see what all is included here: http://shopwilsoncombat.com/Shok-Buf...ductinfo/64G/#.

Since all I shoot is full power ball ammo, I use the Wilson 18 1/2# recoil spring. Since 1992, I've never had a problem. When used with system, the little blue fiber buffers hold up pretty much like Wilson's Combat says, around 1,000 rds. Nonetheless, I always check them when I field strip the pistol and if they look like their getting pretty beat up I change them (they're relatively inexpensive little guys), even if it's only been 750 rds. I've never, ever had one "break apart".

IMHO, they do reduce felt recoil a bit, but only a little. If you use one, take it out after a few hundred rounds and examine it. You will see it's getting beat up a bit, that's the idea it, it's absorbing some of the "Shok". I believe that it helps reduce wear and tear on the frame. I can't prove this as absolute fact, but it is what I believe.

Now, if some folks were to use just the little buffer and a 16# or less recoil spring with full power loads (or even some +P ), well I guess they could beat the buffer up so badly it might start to break apart. But, I'd be surprised if they failed to notice that it was being severely beaten up while examining it (if they bothered to do so) when field striping the pistol.

Disclaimer: I've only owned and shot Springfield Armory and Colt 1911 pistols. I have no idea how they perform in all the many various 1911s that have come along in the past 30 years.

[ABR]

So, they break - there is a way to extend the life.
So, they can prevent slingshot - there is a way to fix that.

How was recoil when you used them? Did it feel like the slide RTB faster/sooner?

My Govt. Wilsons came with them and I use them. Slight less recoil and the action is great. Tried them in other high end 1911's and most of them choked when they were "cold"; after a few mags they ran fine. They just needed to soften up a bit.

[Mute]

Not a big fan of them. I have quite a few 1911s, some with pretty large round counts. They haven't suffered much from not having buffers in them. That aside, if you insist on using buffers, I suggest the ones made by CP. They seem to be the most durable when I check with friends and other shooters who do use them.

[Jonesy72]

I run a Wilson in my Springfield MC operator. Cant honestly tell the difference. Just shooting reloads though. Ill keep it in because it hasn't failed me yet.