What buffer?

[barron123]

I have a rifle length barrel in 5.56,and want to use a carbine length buffer tube. What buffer/weight will be most reliable? Thanks in advance.

[NorCalFocus]

I'm using the standard H2 buffer in my rifle length gas system/carbine buffer.

Here's a quick video of it in action.

https://flic.kr/p/o5PmnW

[CRTguns]

lots of factors will determine which buffer you need (caliber, gas system length, port size, overall weight of the gun)...ideally, use the heaviest your gun will cycle with. This recipe will give you less recoil, and better feeding and delayed extraction... all good things, but might not work with all ammo. H or H2 is a good bet for off-the-shelf rifles and parts and common calibers.

Rifle length barrel with carbine buffer... I'd start with a standard light buffer. keep in mind, the carbine spring is a higher rate than the rifle spring.

When you start assembling this rifle with an imbalance of parts you might get some hiccups. will take some fiddling.

And for the love of John Browing, don't use a flat coil spring.

[AeroEngi]

Check out the Vltor A5 system. It's specifically designed for a rifle length gas system.

[CRTguns]

Rifle gas w/ carbine buff system can be strange. Carbine gas sys with rifle buffer is great.

Vltor A5 is in between. It's a two thumbs up kinda thing.

[m16]

It is impossible for anyone to accurately predict which buffer you need.

Buy one of each weight and keep them in your range bag.

You might find yourself needing to swap buffers if you shoot different types of ammo, some cheap ammo is seriously underpowered and won't fully cycle a heavier buffer.