M14 Forum

Luke72

Hello everyone.

Who uses a recoil buffer in their M14/M1A? I took my LRB apart for the first time since the bedding job and noticed that my recoil buffer was pretty beat to hell; I think it is a fitting issue with the stock bedding. Should I bother with another buffer? My thinking is that if a buffer was really needed the rifle would have been designed with one. Then again, receivers and op rods are expensive, that little piece of plastic is cheap.

jmoore

If you run optics, then the buffer may help save them. Otherwise- optional. I don't have any problems with them, myself.

mikemac

I'm new to the m1a's but have used those plastic buffers on my Ak's for years and like them. There is somthing about that metal to metal contact that bothers me.

jbrooks

A buffer disintegrating inside your rifle is not a good thing from a reliability standpoint. I've never used one and have had no problems in my SAI with about 12,000 rounds, same op rod and receiver. I've never fired reloads, however.

An adjustable gas plug is probably a better bet.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/699...eel-parkerized

JWB

SOCOM42

aahhh yuppp, same thoughts

jmoore

Well, if I didn't pull my rifles apart but every 4000 to 12000 rounds, that might be an issue.





But this one had over 2500 round through it when the photo was taken, and that's been a while back.

Again, I think of it more as an optics buffer than a rifle buffer. They don't seem to hurt anything in select fire rifles, either.

Not a big issue for me. Probably have (and had) more rifles without than with. In the common vernacular: "whatever..."

Rawnerves

I use one that's been in for about 2000 rounds and it's still looks new. I mostly shoot with scopes and I can see that it might keep the overall vibrations down. There also seems to be less noise when cycling. I agree that metal on metal doesn't make me warm and fuzzy.

Lot's of shooters have said that if a buffer was needed it would have been included in the original design. I don't know about that? There is such a thing as new ideas and improvements along the way. Maybe it just wasn't thought of at the time of the original design. I mean, an awful lot of good ideas have had a positive effect on the original M14 design over the years.

I will say that I have not noticed any increase in accuracy due to the buffer.

m14brian

I think it's a good idea even if "It's not needed" on target/bench/plinking rifles to potentially extend the life of your gun. I also use a Schuster vented non-adjustable gas plug on some of my M1As. Anything to lessen the wear on my rifles. Now, for my SHTF rifle, no way.
m14brian

Lazerus2000

The M14.CA CASM mount was designed to help minimise the scope destroying vibration that an M14 creates as all that massive weight of the op rod and bolt CLANG into place, metal on metal,FRONT AND BACK!!!

I have recommended shock buffers on M14 rifles before, specifically to help cushion the optics, but only with the caveat that the buffer be inspected carefully during every cleaning.

BUT,
be aware that combining a buffer AND a heavier recoil spring can lead to short stroking and failures to feed. For that matter, I have experienced a few failures to feed with some ammo [ a few diffwerent 168 gr factoryy loads ] with just the heavier recoil spring by itself.
YPMMV
[;)
LAZ 1

bigblock

A new recoil spring every 2000 rounds is all you needed. The recoil spring does 2 things. 1 it slows the bolt down in the rearward motion. A new or good spring keeps your rifle from beating itself up from being slowed down. 2 it fully pushes the bolt and op rod back into battery while chambering a round.

A weak sping is hard on any simi auto firearm.

Mocos

I run buffers in my 1911's and when they start getting chewed up, I replace the recoil spring. The can also be and indicator of hot loads. Ideally they should just show light impressions indicating optimum load and recoil spring relationship. I installed Tubbs springs in my Socoms and one of them is way past 2000 rounds and still appears good. I am reconsiderig installing buffers to be an early warning accessory...particularly since I've started reloading.

30Caliber

I view it as a solution looking for a problem.

SOCOM42

the t-20 series prior to the t-44 had a buffer, it was located in the stock wrist and buffered the bolt not the oprod.

It was for full auto functioning reasons.

geepee3

I have had one in my Socom 16 ever since I have had it.
I replaced it at a little over 2000 rounds. It looked a little better than the one Jmoore posted.
I also reload. It is nice to know it is there if I push a load too much.
On the other side, I have never had an FTE with my starting(light) loads.
But that may just be my rifle.

It is one of those things that may not be necessary, but I do use one.

Glenn

Luke72

Lots of good feedback. Thanks!

I had put a few hundred rounds through the gun, with recoil buffer, with no issues before the new stock.

Do the Schuster vented plugs work with GI ball, or are they designed only for heavier rounds, like Sadlak's grooved piston? An adjustable gas plug is tempting but I'm thinking that's just adding something to go wrong. I had been under the impression (via Boston's Gun Bible) that the M14 system was self-regulating and vented excess gas so you didn't have a great risk of bending an op rod as in the Garand. What do you have to do to maintain a vented plug, beyond scraping it with a drill after several hundred rounds like a standard plug? Would a Wolff extra power recoil spring be a better option? Are they only for heavier match loads or will they cycle M80 ball? I have not had even 1K rounds through the rifle since I bought it new from LRB so it can't be time to change the spring yet, can it?