Buffer tube-What to get

[waltmoe]

Does anyone know the difference between a Mil and Commercial buffer tube. Will either fit on a Bushmaster lower. I am possibly installing a MagPul and I see they make a Commercial or Mil spec that requires the appropriate buffer.

Is there a need for a different buffer that most manufactures offer. I noticed you can get different buffers, for what reason when used on a carbine configuration.

[ohsmily]

You should get a receiver extension.

Btw, both "milspec" and "commercial" receiver extensions will fit in all AR type receivers.

If you had a choice of the two, I would get a mil-spec tube because many stock manufacturers make their tubes solely for the mil-spec dimensions.

[chee_seen]

Waltmoe,
The Milspec has a smaller diameter buffer tube then the Commerical version. You can fit both milspec and commercial stocks over a milspec buffer tube but the commercial will be a bit loose. A milspec stock will be too small to fit the larger commerical buffer tube. And yes, a commercial or milspec buffer tube will fit your bushmaster lower.

I like the stronger commercial version because of the extra thickness of the tube.

[paladin4415]

Waltmoe,
I like the stronger commercial version because of the extra thickness of the tube.

You might want to re-read whatever brought you to that conclusion. The commercial extension is simply larger in diameter so that can be threaded in a cheaper way. The Mil-Spec extension is held to a higher strength standard.

[kakpataka]

You might want to re-read whatever brought you to that conclusion. The commercial extension is simply larger in diameter so that can be threaded in a cheaper way. The Mil-Spec extension is held to a higher strength standard.

plus it cost twice as much to get a milspec...

[Fate]

Stole this from arf.com

[Ballistic043]

You might want to re-read whatever brought you to that conclusion. The commercial extension is simply larger in diameter so that can be threaded in a cheaper way. The Mil-Spec extension is held to a higher strength standard.

mind telling us the strength (not measurements) of the commercial vs the milspec? im curious how one would test the strength between the two

[kakpataka]

I think milspecs are made from 1 piece.....therefore the they cost more plus being built from one piece , they would obviously be stronger.

[Ballistic043]

i never noticed a seam on my commercial tubes. where exactly would the two pieces be joined?

lots i never knew about a simple piece of metal

[kakpataka]

Per, Randall:
Mil-spec are machined from a forging ,
Commercial are made from extrusions.

[Lon Moer]

The actual, original, reason that are were two different styles was that Colt had the patent and the military contract when the CAR receiver extension was developed. And when other companies went to make the product for the civilian markets, they had to alter the dimensions just enough to be different. And that set a 'standard' for the commercial market for many years.
But, now the patents have expired and many different companies other than just Colt have military contracts, so now there is the two different sizes.

So, first decide what stock you want. Most of the high end stocks, MagPul, ect., come in both sizes, and most commercial stocks come as complete kit
I have a couple of rigs with both sizes of extensions, it just depends on what kind of stock you want to use. And if you really want to heavy duty, ACE Ltd makes a commercial size "Super Heavy Duty" extension.

[happy_gunner]

go to Riflegear.com, they have complete Mapul stocks, come with everything you need.

Wow, that ACE stuff is serious, no playing around there

[evollep3]

so a commericial stock will fit a milspec tube? without any probs?

[40caldeserteagle]

so a commericial stock will fit a milspec tube? without any probs?

Scroll back up to post 6. The commercial receiver extension (buffer tube) has a larger diameter then the mil-spec tube.

David F.

[Gryff]

If you have the lower and the mil-spec Magpul CTR stock, what do you need in terms of receiver extension/buffer assembly, etc. Should an AR newbie buy the parts individually or get a "complete assembly" (and from what source)?