AR-15 Buffer Test - High Speed Video - 1000 Frames Per Second

[elox02]

@SuperLouis420 I guess it depends on carrier ang gas system length

[CaptainObvious1970]

Then number of samples taken based on the variables that can cause bolt bounce - even using different carriers ... doesn't seem very scientific. There is really little difference. Not enough to be statistically significant based on the number of tests you did. How a round seats against the magazine lips could cause more variability in the bounce than the buffer weight. Prove me wrong. Do a proper experiment with standard deviations within a sample set.

[CaptainObvious1970]

Is this a buffer bounce test or a lock-up test?

[SuperLouis420]

Which one is best? I just ordered a heavy bcm carbine buffer for my 16" carbine.

[bbking790]

colts are over priced i guess.sounds like your gas ports are too small or some crap

[YAYAJACE]

OMG! thats steal cased ammo, my AR wont take that at all, it jamed every round when i tried shooting it. And i have a colt!

[Glockcrazy19]

@YAYAJACE one word: lube

[tansit2344]

Not bench rested? Soo conceivably the gun could have been limp wrist-ed, out of the shoulder pocket, gripped with different amounts of pressure. More of a test of a buffers function rather than between buffers since the tests aren't repeatable. Lets not forget its not just about the buffer but combined buffer/carrier weight, and carrier weight by itself. Gas port size and ammo changes things as well as the mainspring or even the amount of lubricant. Bounce is primarily a FA concern.

[tansit2344]

Its an entire system, change one variable and other things are bound to change. The amount of bounce isn't much but its a LOT compared to the .100" timing for FA and around there a shrouded firing pin won't save you and the bolt won't just let the hammer down softly either. Or you could get lucky that the bounce is about done by the time the hammer is about to make contact and might force the carrier into battery just a bit.

[FLATblacktical]

I've got the Spikes 16" carbine with the ST-T2 they provided. It looks like a 5.2 oz rifle buffer would be better. Is there significant variation from rifle to rifle (even the same make/model)?

Why is bold bounce bad in semi auto? It obviously looks not ideal but is it really an issue? I've never had a single malfunction in 2-3k rounds so far.

[epbullen]

@FLATblacktical I run the same setup you do, except mine is a mid-length. Also no malfunctions. No malfunctions, no problem. If it ain't broke don't fix it, eh? :) Bolt bounce is something to worry about when you're shooting strings of full auto. Apparently we can't shoot fast enough on semi for it to be an issue.

[ForTehNguyen]

geez a lot of bolt bounce with 9mm buffer. My BCM middy with H buffer runs without a hitch even using Wolf

[ohhhlethal]

Interesting how the 9MM Buffer returns to battery with such force it actually bounces out a little bit, then back to full battery. I imagine the inertia of the heavier weight does that?

[BlackPlague1966]

Wittzo,

The telescoping Bolt/Carrier assembly precludes the firing pin from being able to reach the primer until the bolt is fully locked into battery.  Bighitter42 is correct in his assertions.

[wittzo]

If the round is chambered, the extractor claw pulls the round back with it. If the hammer hits the firing pin with the round locked in by the extractor claw, it can fire out of battery. It's a well known condition. It happens with handguns all the time and it's a large source of AR kabooms. Usually it happens with a new weapon that's out of time or an older one that has a lot of wear.

[Unicorn161]

@wittzo

Unless there is enough room, like WAY too much, the bolt will start to unlock as soon as the BCG moves back, so it's physically impossible to fire out of battery. Are you saying that in some cases the bolt stays fully locked to the rear because there is too much room between the locking lugs on the bolt and the chamber so the firing pin can reach the primer? That actually makes sense, but I would think that's an extremely rare occurrence.

[wittzo]

Actually, the point of the video is to show the amount "bolt bounce" each buffer weight allows. The lighter buffers allow the bolt to bounce off the chamber face a little, which can affect the way a rifle functions. It could also be a safey hazard in full-automatic weapons. If the hammer hits the firing pin before the round is fully chambered, or bounces back out in this case, it will explode. If the bounce back is really bad in a semi-auto weapon, it could make it jam.

[bighitter42]

@wittzo Actually, if the hammer hits the firing pin before the round is fully chambered and the bolt locked, nothing will happen because the firing pin can't reach the primer until that happens.

Reliability can be effected because the BCG is returning to battery without the all the inertia that it had as it slammed from all the way back.

The other thing your seeing is abuse to the working parts and control-ability with mass bouncing forwards and backwards.

[buttercupG19]

@wittzo You have forgotten the fact that the "Ejector" is spring loaded and that would "Normally" precluded the cartridge being fully seated within the shrouded bolt and it must be fully seated against the bolt face in order for the firing pin to contact the primer. BUT.....stars do all get into alignment on rare occasions and "stacking" of problems do occur. Thanks for the video.

[wittzo]

@buttercupG19 If you notice, I said,"If it was worn or out of time." If a device is worn out or built out of spec on the cheap, all sorts of things happen.

[buttercupG19]

@wittzo I fully agree Sir and that is what I meant by "stacking", I enjoy and appreciate the discussion regarding these weapons......Thanks!

[TheHiddenPart]

I guess if you're a reloader, this video is quite self-explanatory.

When having to deal with dinged up or munched brass, a buffer may save a lot of brass.