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Mini 14 recoil buffers?

fastcarsgofastfastcarsgofast Member Posts: 7,179
edited December 2010 in Ask the Experts
How exactly do they work and are they worth it?

Comments

  • dfletcherdfletcher Member Posts: 8,178 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    They're a flat poly type disc that sits between the front of the receiver and the op rod - keeps the heavy weight of the op rod from whacking into the receiver. I have one in my Mini, was put there by the Accuracy System folks who worked on it, I never really paid much attention to having or not having one. They tend to last for a few years then disintegrate - cost maybe $8.00. So long as the gun still functions I don't see any issue.
  • beantownshootahbeantownshootah Member Posts: 12,776 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Its a piece of plastic or hard rubber that goes in between the reciprocating action part (in this case, the op rod) and the receiver.

    The idea is by acting as a cushion, you reduce the shock of metal-metal impact. That should result in less wear and tear to the moving steel pats, as well as *SLIGHTY* reduce both action noise and recoil (less impact shock).

    The recoil buffers do have a limited life (usually a few thousand rounds) after which they tend to disintegrate.

    You'll get mixed opinions on using these. Some individuals swear by them to reduce wear and tear and decrease recoil.

    Others will tell you that you should NEVER use them, because not only are they unnecessary to reduce wear and tear (the guns are designed to work fine without them), but that in fact, they can break loose and jam up your gun in an emergency, potentially rendering your gun useless and costing you your life.

    I won't put one in any defensive type gun, though I really do like the one in my 10-22 since it does noticeably reduce operating noise.
  • grandmangrandman Member Posts: 183 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I use them on my 10-22 and mini 14 and like them. They do reduce the sound of the op rod when cycling.
  • gunnut505gunnut505 Member Posts: 10,290
    edited November -1
    They are a good idea ruined by a lack of critical thinking.
    The point of contact on the 10-22 is a perfect example; a steel rod through a pair of holes in an aluminum receiver. I guess they thought that since the steel bolt is what hits; why not make the rod out of steel? After many thousands of rounds, there will occur a stretching of the holes in the aluminum, it being hammered by a steel bolt, since that's what these guns were made for-shooting a lot.
    Now comes the hard part. There was designed a polymer-based washer about 3/16" thick for the pistols, and the 10-22 got a rubber sleeve.
    The one I put on my 10-22Mag flew to pieces after one 9rd. mag.
    I could have still used it for shooting, since the rest of it got chewed up during the second "wonder what's gonna happen" 9rd. mag.
    It's inconceivable to me how it might possibly have disabled the gun, since the middle of the sleeve was the only thing that vanished; the ends were still useable for a mag apiece.
    I like the one I have in the SKS, it reduces the noise transmitted up the stock, and feels "smoother".
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