VLTOR A5 Buffer System Overview

[Cerberus Group]

How would I differentiate between being over gassed and other issues?

You'd have to go through each part/system and confirm they are in spec.

More often than not the problem is over gassed, but have run into a few where it wasn't.

Of course the best way is to pin gauge the gas port on the barrel to confirm.

 

[orygun]

You'd have to go through each part/system and confirm they are in spec.

Is there any way to check barrel port size without removing the gas block?

Today I am hoping to shoot my Colt with the same ammo I was shooting out of the SBR. I don't have any High Desert cartridges left, but will be shooting the PMC that I shot last time (with the new buffer) which was 223. I haven't shot any 5.56 out of the guns for a while, but I could to see if it changes the ejection pattern.

 

[Cerberus Group]

Is there any way to check barrel port size without removing the gas block?

Today I am hoping to shoot my Colt with the same ammo I was shooting out of the SBR. I don't have any High Desert cartridges left, but will be shooting the PMC that I shot last time (with the new buffer) which was 223. I haven't shot any 5.56 out of the guns for a while, but I could to see if it changes the ejection pattern.

How'd it go today?

 

[orygun]

How'd it go today?

The Colt dumped empties right at 3 o'clock shooting 223.
I have reason to go back out today and will shoot some 5.56 thru each gun to see what difference it makes, if any.

 

[orygun]

I spent more time experimenting yesterday. I took both guns along, plus the buffer and spring that had been in the Aero SBR.

To start with I shot 223 out of the Colt. 3:00 ejection religiously. Then I took put the Armaspec thingamabob in the Colt. 4:00 ejection. Then the buffer and spring that had been in the Aero. 4:00, maybe to 4:30.
Then I put the original Colt buffer and spring into the Aero. If anything compared to before, most cases directed toward 12:00. A slight shift forward from the original buffer and spring that came in the gun.
I then ran the Aero with 5.56. The only noticeable thing with all three buffers was the Armaspec buffer sent cases to 1:00, instead of 12:00 that either other buffer and spring did.
I didn't shoot the Colt with 5.56 because it was needing to be lubed and I didn't have any with me. (yeah, dumb) The Aero has had more rounds thru it since being cleaned than the Colt has even shot! That little sucker just kept charging along.

When I got home I pulled both bolts and gave them a bit of love. I won't have a chance to shoot again before I go on vacation. But if I have a clue as to what I should change on the Aero, I can order parts that will be here waiting for my return.

One other thing I noticed is that the bolt in the Aero doesn't have the two holes on the bottom like the Colt does. What's the difference with that?

 

[titsonritz]

Ok, here we go...

I have an 11" gun that throws cases between nearly 12 o'clock and 1:30-2. It has the "normal" H buffer in it. Spring unknown.
Curt's is the local AR parts place. I went in last weekend looking for an H2 buffer, or maybe even an H3 and planned to buy a spring of known quality at the same time. Talking to the owner, they are our of buffers! Then he pulls this thing out and says that it's an H3 equivalent. To me it looked like a complicated answer to a simple problem, but I decided "WTF?" and bought it.
I can get pretty impulsive and figured out at worst I would find out why the schmarter ones here recommend what they do. Ya only get experience one way...
I was able to take the gun out the very next day to see how it worked and was pretty disappointed to find out that the new "thingie" didn't change the ejection pattern one bit. It did take away the sproing noise out of the butt. Don't have a clue if it changed the recoil impulse at all, as I think these are easy shooting guns. Do any of you have an opinion on what I bought? Not the fact it didn't solve my issue, but are these things worth a damn or is it a gimmick?

Gimmick

I've looked at the Vltor A5 and have a couple of questions before I order one.
Why wouldn't I just put rifle parts on my gun instead of the A5?

A rifle tube and buffer marries you to a rifle stock. An A5 has the reliability benefits of the rifle system, softer recoil impulse increasing component life and shootability, while allowing the use of adjustable carbine stocks. It's the best of both worlds.

No matter what, my gun seems to be over gassed with ah H buffer. What weight would you guys recommend I buy?

View attachment 2293821 View attachment 2293823

Overgassed is overgassed, no buffer system is capable of fixing that. Attempts to do so is just a bandaid approach. Overgassed is the product of an oversized gas port.

Here are milspec standard gas port sizes, which have been time proven using 5.56 pressure ammo….

What buffer for a 18” barrel?

Chics dig coil springs? ... Flatwire? Why don't Chics dig USGIs?

www.northwestfirearms.com

Options I'd recommend for "fixing" an oversized gas port…
1. Replace the barrel with a properly sized ported barrel.
2. Replace gas tube with a BRT EZTune gas tube.
3. Replace gas block with a RifleSpeed gas block.

Last two options linked here….

RIFLESPEED Gas Controls

If you have read any of my posts on the subject, you would know I am generally not a fan of adjustable gas blocks and that my go to suggestion for an over-gassed AR is a BRT EZTune gas tube. When I buy and upper or barrel, I know what the gas port size measures prior to purchase and in the case...

www.northwestfirearms.com

 

[orygun]

Gimmick


A rifle tube and buffer marries you to a rifle stock. An A5 has the reliability benefits of the rifle system, softer recoil impulse increasing component life and shootability, while allowing the use of adjustable carbine stocks. It's the best of both worlds.


Overgassed is overgassed, no buffer system is capable of fixing that. Attempts to do so is just a bandaid approach. Overgassed is the product of an oversized gas port.

Here are milspec standard gas port sizes, which have been time proven using 5.56 pressure ammo….

What buffer for a 18” barrel?

Chics dig coil springs? ... Flatwire? Why don't Chics dig USGIs?

www.northwestfirearms.com

Options I'd recommend for "fixing" an oversized gas port…
1. Replace the barrel with a properly sized ported barrel.
2. Replace gas tube with a BRT EZTune gas tube.
3. Replace gas block with a RifleSpeed gas block.

Last two options linked here….

RIFLESPEED Gas Controls

If you have read any of my posts on the subject, you would know I am generally not a fan of adjustable gas blocks and that my go to suggestion for an over-gassed AR is a BRT EZTune gas tube. When I buy and upper or barrel, I know what the gas port size measures prior to purchase and in the case...

www.northwestfirearms.com

Thank you. Much appreciated.

 

[orygun]

After checking this stuff out, I think I will try that BRT EZTune gas tube. That seems like the least invasive was to try and fix this gun's problem.
Thanks for the info, @titsonritz .
I may be back later to ask more questions.

 

[Steel Head]

After checking this stuff out, I think I will try that BRT EZTune gas tube. That seems like the least invasive was to try and fix this gun's problem.
Thanks for the info, @titsonritz .
I may be back later to ask more questions.

I haven't used that product but restricting gas is the proper way to get it sorted out.
Then tune with buffer/spring if needed.

 

[titsonritz]

After checking this stuff out, I think I will try that BRT EZTune gas tube. That seems like the least invasive was to try and fix this gun's problem.
Thanks for the info, @titsonritz .
I may be back later to ask more questions.

Here is a massive EZTune knowledge dump…

BRT EZTUNE Gas Tubes

We’ve got a few updates to our highly popular BRT EZTUNE Gas Tubes to share. But first, a quick review of what these are. The EZTUNE Gas Tubes are the quickest, easiest way to reduce the gas drive of any barrel. They are especially handy when the muzzle device and or gas block is pinned to...

m4carbine.net

FYI Clint is the owner of BRT and is very approachable for questions.

 

[titsonritz]

You're recommending the H2 over the H3 you mentioned earlier. Why? Both of my guns are carbine length.

Heavier buffers equate to increased reciprocating mass which translates into more sight bounce so you want enough mass to calm the gun down, but not so much that it's driving it forward and making it jump around. Anymore, I stick with properly ported barrels with the buffer weights and recoil springs listed below and would need a good reason to alter that setup.

I use a blue Sprinco spring and Colt H2 buffer with carbine RE and green Sprinco spring and Vltor A5H2 buffer with the A5 RE. I've used Vltor, BCM and Magpul tubes.