Recoil Buffers

[royce]

Is there any definitive info on whether a recoil buffer is good or bad for an AK?

[CRIS]

Well, sure they are good, they eliminate alot of metal to metal contact. don't spend 15 bucks, just cut a square peice of ruber from a side wall of a tire that will fit in the back/top part of the receiver, and make sure it is tight so if don't fall out
cris

[royce]

Ok, chris...you've got my attention.

So how thick (or thin) should this rubber be...I haven't cut open a tire recently. Should the tire be steel belted, radial?

Seriously, do you then slit the rubber so it can go around the spring? DOes the shape matter?

I need just a little more detail before I go outside & start jacking up the car to get at one of those tires!

[xebec]

Here Royce, a nice long thread to read about this very subject http://www.ak-47.net/akcgi/wink.gif: http://www.ak-47.net/akcgi/Forum6/HTML/001543.html
Good luck and Merry Christmas!

[royce]

Thanks...I think.

That thread you sent me to was cruel & unusual punishment. After removing the nonsense, the racial slurs, the hair-do info, and part of my brain, I did get a few facts...very few.

As I understand it, you get a piece of rubber and stick it in the rear of the receiver however you can & still have the gun fire.

I'll try it, although I'm curious about the possible prevention of the full cycle depending on the thickness of the rubber. I would love to hear some scientific data, or at least some extensive repeat-firing tests to make sure the cycling is adequate.

[Tomac]

Royce, I've put over 1K rds through my SLR-95s with the Buffer Tech recoil buffers installed. Haven't had a single problem. I *do* notice the difference when firing between having the buffer in or out. IMHO a buffer is cheap insurance that isn't hurting anything and just might be increasing the longevity of my AKs (and that is a very good thing...) A friend of mine started having jams with his preban PolyTech when using the buffer (he shot about 300rds before it started to jam). Turns out the gas port was clogged (he hadn't fired it in years), took 30sec to clear and he was up and goin' again.
Tomac

[CRIS]

i'd say 1/4 - 3/8" is ok.the ones made comercially look about 3/8.

[Sean Raymond]

Gotta put in my 2 cents worth...hope nobody mind. I bought one of those recoil buffers for my AK and my SKS. Didn't seem to do much for the SKS, but it changed to feel of the AK. It now feels more fluid when I shoot, and I really love it. I can shoot it from a standing positon more easily...the seems to be less recoil (obviously). It just feels better.

[jacko]

I agree with Sean it makes a really good differance. Glad i installed one!

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