anyone use the vltor a5 system with a 14.5" middy

[n4p226r]

I've never heard anything bad about any setup with the A5 system with the exception of the mid length a5. I am building out a new lower and wondering if the a5 system would be the way to go. anyone here use the a5 system? like/dislike?

[Brahmzy]

I've got a few. They work fine, depending on the barrels gas port and A5 buffer weight.

[Slippers]

I use them on everything, and they work fine on every barrel length I've tried. In particular, it made my BCM 14.5 mid function much more reliably with and without a suppressor, without having to change the buffer.

Only downside is cost and non-standard parts. Also some stocks can't collapse all the way on the A5 receiver extension.

[Jerry R]

I have two sets installed, ordered three more sets yesterday to upgrade three carbines; three 7 position tubes from Rainier and three spring kits from a company in California that actually has them in stock. I run their "standard" kit - rifle spring and A5H2 5.3 oz. buffer. Never had an issue, and I like the "feel" during a firing cycle. Slippers is right on stock fitment, but I don't shoot NTCH so not an issue for me. The stocks I use close to position #2 for minimum and I shoot at 3 or 4 depending on optic.

I believe a friend says that a Magpul COMMERCIAL MOE stock will collapse completely and does not seem to have any slop when used on the A5 buffer tube (Mil-Spec).

[n4p226r]

I have no clue what the gas port is. But it will be on a gen 2 era noveske 14.5" low profile CHF chrome lined barrel and a new 14.5" noveske afghan barrel.

I live in NJ and have to pin my imod stock in one position so fully collapsing isn't an issue.

I just have to figure out which buffer and spring will be best.

[Slippers]

A5H2, which is the standard one in the kit, will work fine with those barrels.

[n4p226r]

Great. Now I just need to find a spring in stock. Or should I try a sprinco green

[n4p226r]

I should add (not sure if it matters) I shoot mostly quality 5.56 but occasionally ae223. Never really shoot anything cheaper than that.

[Aragorn]

My Springco green spring gives my A5 a bit more punch during recoil vs the standard spring. Just a heads up on that.

[Slippers]

A lot of people recommend the springco green, but I use the Vltor spring that comes with the buffer kit and/or colt rifle springs. Never had an issue.

[n4p226r]

I may end up with the sprinco green for now because I can't seem to find any vltor spring/buffer kits in stock which is unfortunate because it has a castle nut with it which is the only other part I need

[Slippers]

Colt receiver extension nut: http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/receiver-parts/buffer-tube-parts/buffer-tube-hardware/ar6721-receiver-extention-nut-prod4874.aspx

Colt rifle spring: http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/receiver-parts/recoil-parts/recoil-springs/ar15a4-action-spring-prod4858.aspx

[n4p226r]

Good call. I'll start with that and can eventually change springs and or buffers as needed but at least I can be up and running for $30

[Jerry R]

This dealer at Gunbroker dot com (http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=551907402) has nine complete kits in stock. They also have just the spring/buffer/end plate/castle nut kit in stock in another auction.

[n4p226r]

Thanks for the info. I'll definitely go one of the above two routes. That dealer on gab has a bunch of stuff. Weird that their actual website says out of stock for the same parts.

[JGifford]

I use them on everything, and they work fine on every barrel length I've tried. In particular, it made my BCM 14.5 mid function much more reliably with and without a suppressor, without having to change the buffer.

Only downside is cost and non-standard parts. Also some stocks can't collapse all the way on the A5 receiver extension.

What buffer are you using?

[Slippers]

What buffer are you using?

A5H2 for the most part. My BCM 11.5" is shot 100% suppressed and I've been trying an A5H3 with LMT enhanced carrier based on iraqgunz recommendation.

[SINNER]

My take on the A5 is this. If you lack the ability or time to properly set up a carbine rifle they seem to hit closer to perfect than most carbine buffer set ups.

If you know how to properly set up a rifle the lack of rifle length spring rate choices and the rip off pricing of the buffers really works against you.

I have them on a few rifles. Ever since I started buying tungsten rod and making my own weighted buffers they are nothing but an overpriced band aid to me.

[Slippers]

My take on the A5 is this. If you lack the ability or time to properly set up a carbine rifle they seem to hit closer to perfect than most carbine buffer set ups.

If you know how to properly set up a rifle the lack of rifle length spring rate choices and the rip off pricing of the buffers really works against you.

I have them on a few rifles. Ever since I started buying tungsten rod and making my own weighted buffers they are nothing but an overpriced band aid to me.

I doubt people go to the A5 because they don't understand how to choose the right buffer and spring in a carbine system. That would be making things even more complicated. Just think of all the people constantly asking about how the A5 extension is longer, the buffers are longer, etc.

The reason for the A5 is that it offers a wider envelope of reliability and function like the rifle length buffer/spring while still offering an adjustable stock.

Case in point, my bcm 14.5 ELW would only cycle with a colt carbine spring and carbine buffer. If I put a can on, then it went from 4 o'clock ejection to 12:30 ejection unless I swapped to an H2. It's annoying to swap buffers, so I threw an A5 setup on with A5H2, and it cycles fine both suppressed and unsuppressed, with only a slight change to the ejection pattern, and I don't have to swap buffers to use the can.

Is it worth the cost? My opinion is yes. I know several respected members on here don't think so, though, which is perfectly fine.

[JGifford]

My take on the A5 is this. If you lack the ability or time to properly set up a carbine rifle they seem to hit closer to perfect than most carbine buffer set ups.

If you know how to properly set up a rifle the lack of rifle length spring rate choices and the rip off pricing of the buffers really works against you.

I have them on a few rifles. Ever since I started buying tungsten rod and making my own weighted buffers they are nothing but an overpriced band aid to me.
I disagree. With the Carbine Blue spring and H3 buffer, I get a ton of muzzle-dip. With the Vltor A5 and Green spring and A5H4 on my 16.1 Middy, I don't get any notable muzzle dip.

[Jerry R]

Weird that their actual website says out of stock for the same parts.

Yeah, I know. They were showing out of stock when I ordered. Friend Geoff also ordered a kit and had to do it via gunbroker. Both orders have shipped though. Must be selling all through GB instead of an online store.

[n4p226r]

Yeah, I know. They were showing out of stock when I ordered. Friend Geoff also ordered a kit and had to do it via gunbroker. Both orders have shipped though. Must be selling all through GB instead of an online store.

ordered 2. at least i have all parts inbound

[John Moses]

Roy at Weapons Outfitters would be a great source for the A5 product. I run the 5.4 OZ buffer and Springco Green on my lower and it runs flawless on a 10.5" Car, 12.5" Car, 12.5 Car Suppressed, 14.5" Car, 14.5" Middy, and a couple SPR in 18" Rifle gas, as well as aMK12 Suppressed. I love the set up. Your other option would be to use the standard A5 buffer and a Wolff XP spring.

[The FNG]

Just an FYI, BCM makes their own version of the VLTOR A5 kit. You can also piece it together on their site. Basically all it contains is a special buffer tube, a VLTOR proprietary buffer, and a rifle length spring. In my opinion, they are superior to the carbine setup in function and smoothness. I have four rifles (was 5) and all have or had the A5 system on them. One was a 14.5" middy from Faxon. I was having issues with it, but that was a gas block alignment issue. Like some have said, and I've found this to be true to a lot of rifles, sometimes the buffer weight has to be chosen to "fit" the rifle. My personal experience with Noveske is great. I have two of their rifles and they function more reliably than any of the others I own. They are the only two rifle I have never had a malfunction with that wasn't specifically ammo related. They will eat anything (as long as it chambers) and do it happily with most any lower combo I've had on (within reason).

[n4p226r]

So I got the kits in. I'll report back when I get around to installing them. Current plan is the two noveske 14.5" will get the a5. The current vltor carbine tube will move over to the aero precision 22 and eventually I'll get a 7 position Emod a5 to replace my rifle tube on my 18" intermediate

[n4p226r]

Are the bcm a5 kits interchangeable with vltor?

[Aragorn]

Are the bcm a5 kits interchangeable with vltor?

Yes. Exact same.

[bandw1dth]

Has anyone tried using a JP rifle length spring with their A5?


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[Brahmzy]

Has anyone tried using a JP rifle length spring with their A5?


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Yes, I have, and it has worked fine. I love JPs polished springs.
I also like Sprinco springs as well.

[JGifford]

My Springco green spring gives my A5 a bit more punch during recoil vs the standard spring. Just a heads up on that.

This is my experience, as well. The "shock" of firing seems more "transmitted to your shoulder directly" than with the Vltor spring, which seems to "absorb some of the energy in its own motion". That may sound stupid to some of you, but if you've shot them side by side, I suspect you would agree.

That said, I had multiple failures which have been solved by the Sprinco Green Spring. I have hundreds and hundreds of rounds without failure, using the Sprinco Green spring. Prior to that, using the Vltor spring, the weapon would fail to chamber a round because it didn't have enough power to close the BCG stripping a round from a full PMAG. Here is a slow-motion video of that failure. Switching to the Green made it go away 100%.


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

[JGifford]

My take on the A5 is this. If you lack the ability or time to properly set up a carbine rifle they seem to hit closer to perfect than most carbine buffer set ups.

If you know how to properly set up a rifle the lack of rifle length spring rate choices and the rip off pricing of the buffers really works against you.

I have them on a few rifles. Ever since I started buying tungsten rod and making my own weighted buffers they are nothing but an overpriced band aid to me.

The rifle spring has more coils. That kindof puts it in the realm of "physics, bro..." when you introduce variables to the system, such as suppressed and unsuppressed usage, or the desire to run several different uppers on ONE lower without fiddling with things, or you run ammo with varying characteristics. For example. .223 75gr Gold Dot is VIOLENT, and PMC Bronze .223 is calm. The A5 system panders to the extremes better than the carbine system does. Now, if you are setting up one gun, for one round, with or without a suppressor, to be left on or off, then yes, either works great if you dial it in.

[JGifford]

Yes, I have, and it has worked fine. I love JPs polished springs.
I also like Sprinco springs as well.

Is the Sprinco Green, or the JP Polished Rifle spring "stronger"? Do they feel any different shooting? Can you quick compare/contrast 'em?