AR-15 cyclic speed (buffer too heavy?)

[mcrocker]

I finally got out to shoot my shiny new AR-15. I sent a couple hundred rounds down range and I noticed the motion of the buffer (Bang, thunk, thunk.. Bang, thunk, thunk ...)

Here is what I have:

Bravo Company 16" upper with mid-length gas tube. (https://www.bravocompanyusa.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=BCM-URG-MID-16 BFH LT12)
Bravo Company full-auto BCG (https://www.bravocompanyusa.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=BCM Bolt Carrier Group AUTO MP)
Matrix Aerospace lower (group buy)
generic LPK
A2 buffer, spring & extension tube (https://www.bravocompanyusa.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=Buffer Rifle , https://www.bravocompanyusa.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=Spring Rifle M16 Action, https://www.bravocompanyusa.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=Receiver Extension M16 Rifle )
Skeleton stock (AR-15 ARFX SKELETON STOCK | Brownells )

I was shooting 55 gr ball ammo (M193 5.56) & .223 (Cabelas cheap stuff).

This is my first AR-15 build.

The rifle was cycling fine but it seemed slow. I could definitely feel the buffer sliding back and forth during recoil. Is this normal?

Should I get a lighter buffer to increase cyclic speed? I've noticed that I can get 'Carbine' buffers which are lighter but they are sold out everywhere.

It may be normal but it just felt weird, like a delayed reaction.

 

[ntomsw]

If it is cycling fine, why mess with it???

You're going to hear your buffer and spring banging back & forth. That's not abnormal.

 

[Another_David]

Is this your first time shooting an AR?

Buffer spring noise, almost like a whine, is normal.

So it's hard to say if what you're hearing is abnormal.

How fast did the action sound, like a 1/10 of a sec. maybe? (that's a joke, btw)

ENTER, the great discussion on where does your brass fall? If it goes far, like really far, forward at the 12 o'clock it could be cycling too fast. but it's sort of like reading tea leaves, which is to say, you shouldn't read too much into where the brass is falling. but do take note of your brass distance, angle, and case markings (like was the back of the cartridge mangled by the extractor and ejector, because that would be a bad sign).

 

[Deleted member 12999]

Can't use a carbine buffer in an A2 stock.

 

[Another_David]

Can't use a carbine buffer in an A2 stock.

wow, that was the obvious answer, eh? I missed that nugget--the A2

 

[ntomsw]

Can't use a carbine buffer in an A2 stock.

wow, that was the obvious answer, eh? I missed that nugget--the A2

I guess I missed that too.

Definitely don't do that, if you haven't done it already.

Again, if your rifle functions, and cases aren't mangled or anything else, leave it alone.

 

[Another_David]

and you're not alone

http://www.northeastshooters.com/vbulletin/firearms/205626-ar-15-buffer-spring-question.html

 

[ntomsw]

I just chalk it up to being an AR. It makes noises. So what??

It's not failing to fire, or failing to eject, or mangling the cases according to the OP. Leave it alone.

 

[Supermoto]

you can try a lighter rifle length buffer and carrier. It will get the gun shooting faster and smoother. Is you muzzle dipping when the BCG slams home?

 

[bfm]

according to the parts list links, it looks like he has a rifle buffer currently, and a full length tube and spring, so it should be fine.

 

[ThePreBanMan]

If you can't outrun it with your booger hook then I wouldn't worry about it. Unless like others have said - there is evidence of an issue showing on your brass. Hearing the spring, feeling the buffer tap out at the end of the stroke, these are normal for an AR.

 

[mcrocker]

you can try a lighter rifle length buffer and carrier. It will get the gun shooting faster and smoother. Is you muzzle dipping when the BCG slams home?

Muzzle didn't dip from what I could tell. I fired a Bushmaster 16" also and didn't notice the thunk, thunk of the BCG & buffer. I'm probably just hyper sensitive because it is my rifle. There are many others like it but this one is mine.

I guess I'll just have to shoot the hell out of it.

 

[Supermoto]

Swap out the lower with another rifle, see if it still feels slow. A middy will feel softer, sometimes slower than the harsher carbine.

My mid DD feels slower and I can feel the bolt close and dip the barrel compared to my competition guns. If I swap the lowers, it is noticeably better, but still not perfect.

 

[Artifact]

It's your spring bud, buffer is fine. Get a better spring than the one you have, it may be a weak spring. As far as the noise goes you have to deal with it unless you spend $100 for a JP Silent Spring.