PDA

View Full Version : Have Any Of You Used an H3 Buffer?



JHoward
6 December 2014, 15:55
Has anyone swapped from a carbine buffer to an H3? Is it noticeable? I have a carbine buffer behind my 11.5" upper. I want to get an H3 to try out, just looking for first-hand experience. Seems a lot have tried the H2, but not so much on the H3.

JGifford
6 December 2014, 16:06
Yes. I much prefer the VLTOR A5.

JHoward
6 December 2014, 16:09
Lets pretend the A5 is not an option. H1, H2, or H3? Or as heavy as you can reliably cycle?

Could I use a 9mm buffer?

CoxeyDiesel
6 December 2014, 16:14
Lets pretend the A5 is not an option. H1, H2, or H3? Or as heavy as you can reliably cycle?

Could I use a 9mm buffer?

I've got a 9mm buffer you can try out

UWone77
6 December 2014, 16:16
I have a H3 on one of my SBR's. I think on that one, it's a bit overgassed. An H3 may or may not help you. Obviously, just use whatever buffer will reliably cycle your gun. Not a bad thing to have all weight buffers in your parts bin though.

JHoward
6 December 2014, 16:21
I may take you up on that Guthrie. Not the one in your rifle though right?

VIPER 237
6 December 2014, 16:46
My DD 11.5 works best with a H2. The H3 would not reliably cycle all ammo. Of course I switched over the the A5 and haven't looked back.

CoxeyDiesel
6 December 2014, 16:47
I may take you up on that Guthrie. Not the one in your rifle though right?

Nah this came out of a colt 6951, I'm running an H2 right now.

JHoward
6 December 2014, 16:52
My DD 11.5 works best with a H2. The H3 would not reliably cycle all ammo. Of course I switched over the the A5 and haven't looked back.

Thanks Viper. I think I'm going to get an H3 and if it doesn't cycle well, I'll disassemble it and make an H and an H2.

toolboxluis00200
6 December 2014, 17:16
I use an H2. on my 10.5. upper no issues what so ever

M. Gale
7 December 2014, 07:57
I want to get an H3 to try out, just looking for first-hand experience.

Curious, why do you want to "try" an H3?


Could I use a 9mm buffer?

A 9mm or X buffer is going to dramatically increase felt recoil. I'd advise against it.

JHoward
7 December 2014, 08:29
I was under the impression that the heavier buffers would give less felt recoil. I am not having issues with bolt bounce or anything like that.

Slippers
7 December 2014, 08:46
9mm buffers don't have the moving weights inside them, so you give up the dead blow hammer effect (the whole point of the buffer).

M. Gale
7 December 2014, 09:05
I was under the impression that the heavier buffers would give less felt recoil. I am not having issues with bolt bounce or anything like that.

Negative... More weight coming to an abrupt stop when the bolt group and buffer assembly hit the back of the receiver extension translates to an increase in felt recoil. If your not experiencing any cycle of operation issues, I wouldn't experiment.


9mm buffers don't have the moving weights inside them, so you give up the dead blow hammer effect (the whole point of the buffer).

Some 9mm buffer assemblies do have reciprocating weights though we can skip the minutiae of it all.

JHoward
7 December 2014, 09:14
I am going to experiment. Nothing to be lost except for a little money.

I figured that about the 9mm buffer, but that would only effect bolt bounce, correct? Not necessarily recoil.

M. Gale
7 December 2014, 09:21
I know "bolt bounce" is a common term but it's a misnomer. The bolt doesn't bounce, the carrier does so carrier bounce is the proper nomenclature. That being said, 99% of the time, carrier bounce that results in a malfunction is only seen on select fire weapons or fully adjustable trigger groups whereon the pre-travel and or over-travel is set to tight. A 9mm buffer assembly will affect recoil.

JHoward
7 December 2014, 09:41
OK.

JHoward
7 December 2014, 13:29
It's odd to me that you claim that the h3 buffer is going to cause more felt recoil from a heavier buffer slamming into the back of the tube, but everywhere else I read that the biggest issue for the H3 buffer is short stroking. So there seems to be conflicting camps of thought there.

Slippers
7 December 2014, 14:29
Those are two different scenarios. If your rifle is short stroking with an H3, then you need to use a lighter buffer (or look at the other parts of the system: gas key, gas tube, ammo etc.).

JGifford
7 December 2014, 16:14
I was under the impression that the heavier buffers would give less felt recoil. I am not having issues with bolt bounce or anything like that.

They can, but you can also get muzzle dip. Especially with stronger action springs.

JHoward
7 December 2014, 16:20
I am now sufficiently confused. I think I'll just try them out and go from there.

GOST
7 December 2014, 17:06
Heavier buffers are used to reduce cyclic rate. Most do this to improve dependability or change the ejection pattern. The popular school of thought is to use the heaviest buffer you can without causing your rifle to short stroke. My 14.5" has a H buffer and will sometimes short stroke when using under powered ammo, it does not do this with a carbine buffer in it though. I'd just play with different buffers till you get the desired effects you're after.

JHoward
7 December 2014, 17:18
My11.5 performs flawlessly with a carbine buffer, but I didn't think that was the point. I know it will perform with an H buffer. That's why I want to go straight to an H3, because if it short strokes with the H3, I can just pull the weights out and build an H and an H2. I wasn't expecting so much contention from that question.

GOST
7 December 2014, 17:30
That why I suggested playing with different buffers till you get your desired effect.

JHoward
7 December 2014, 17:31
Right, and thanks for that, that is actually the plan, but not my question. Mainly I was just curious if anyone had gone from a carbine to an H3 and what they noticed as an effect...

GOST
7 December 2014, 17:34
Don't know if this matters but Knights Armament ships their 11.5" CQB upper with H2 buffers.

JHoward
7 December 2014, 17:45
Thanks. I'll update this with my thoughts when I get the H3 in.

GOST
7 December 2014, 17:50
Look forward to hearing your results.

JHoward
14 December 2014, 15:36
http://scontent-a.cdninstagram.com/hphotos-xpf1/t51.2885-15/10755881_385059331669863_866621118_n.jpg

I'll use this as a base sample of the recoil. This is XM193. Hopefully that video works.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7y0k4zyXU1U

six8
14 December 2014, 16:01
http://scontent-a.cdninstagram.com/hphotos-xpf1/t51.2885-15/10755881_385059331669863_866621118_n.jpg

I'll use this as a base sample of the recoil. This is XM193. Hopefully that video works.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7y0k4zyXU1U

You're cute J.

I run a H3 in my BCM 11.5" SBR


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

JHoward
14 December 2014, 16:08
Thanks. I try to take care of myself.

Have you tried the lighter ammo? I have quite a bit of Tula saved up. I don't mind swapping buffers, mostly curious.

six8
14 December 2014, 18:41
Thanks. I try to take care of myself.

Have you tried the lighter ammo? I have quite a bit of Tula saved up. I don't mind swapping buffers, mostly curious.

It runs wolf steel and wolf gold fine. Haven't tried any Tula though.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

JHoward
15 December 2014, 11:22
Thanks. Guess I need to go ahead and make that order.

JHoward
26 December 2014, 16:31
H3 buffer works great. Definitely a slower recoil impulse. I installed an ALG SCB at the same time and the recoil is less than nothing now, but the fire ball is a little much. I may end up going with a BCM comp and save the ALG for a longer rifle. The H3 also locked back with Tula, PPG, Aguila, and XM193.

Iraqgunz
7 January 2015, 22:24
Part of this whole equation is knowing the gas port size. BCM 11.5" barrels have a .076 gas port. I run my BCM 11.5" and 12.5" with a Vltor A5H4 and the LMT enhanced carrier. Originally it had an H3 carbine buffer and blue Sprinco spring. Yours should run just fine.

JHoward
17 February 2015, 18:10
I actually just saw your post Iraqgunz, I came to post this. Yes, you were 100% correct. It runs flawlessly with all ammo.


Not exactly scientific, but before and after, my wife shooting the H3 and ALG SCB. Love this little rifle now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7y0k4zyXU1U

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKg50ga3CnU