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Carbine vs. rifle buffer assembly. Everybody says they know what they're talking about but I believe few people really do. The question is whether the buffer assembly type has a correlation to the gas length, specifically on an AR10/.308.
There appear to be two dogmatic camps:
- Buffer assembly (carbine or rifle) and gas system (carbine, mid or rifle) must match.
- Buffer assembly only has to do with the type of stock that is used (adjustable M4 vs. fixed A2) and has nothing to do with gas tube length.
(8:55:17 AM) Zach : On the M5 it is strongly
advised that you match the gas system with the buffer system for the best
reliability. For instance rifle gas tube with rifle buffer system. If you cross
the carbine buffer system with the rifle gas system it will not generate enough
pressure to get the BCG all the way back and cause Failure to feed and extract
issues as well as failure to last round bolt hold open.
Some people agree, while others are certain it makes no difference. I write this because I built a .308 AR and am having trouble with it cycling (won't blow the bolt back and eject the spent casing). Here's my setup:
- Aero Precision M5 .308 upper
- Aero Precision M5 .308 lower
- Aero Precision M5 .308 Enhanced Carbine Buffer Kit
- Diamondback AR-308 18" Barrel with Rifle Length Gas Port
- Adjustable Gas Block
- Rifle Length Gas Tube
- Generic AR-10/.308 BCG
The gas tube sits correctly into the bolt carrier key and there are no blockages between the bolt and barrel gas port. Key is staked and solid with no leaks. Air blown into the gas key actuates the bolt (IE no blockage there). I've also been experimenting with opening up the adjustable gas block but it doesn't seem to make any difference. And at nearly $1 per round I really need to be systematic to minimize wasted shots.
Constructive discussion appreciated.
Thanks all!
Dan