linx310
08-24-2002, 03:41 PM
First off...these "green" buffers are not available yet, but the first gen. red and blue buffers however are. They can be purchased here: http://www.blackjackbuffers.com
Approximately a week and a half ago Randy Sloan gave me a chance to preview Blackjack Buffer’s second generation (“green”) of AK buffers in the early Beta stage, so early that Blackjack hasn’t even made the decision to produce them. Buffers are designed to protect the metal parts colliding together as a result of the AK’s recoil operation. This can lead to parts being worn down or broken. Thus with a buffer between the two contact surfaces, the buffer absorbs the impact, not the rifle. These “green” buffers are made out of high-density urethane that holds up quite well to the punishment of the AK’s recoil operation. They are ¼ of a inch in width, making these buffers special because they do not interfere with the recoil operation of the rifle. These “green” buffers are different from first generation buffers, first they are molded instead of hand cut, and second they have a cavity that seats smoothly on the base of the spring helping it conform like a glove to the rifle.
I received two types of Buffers, one medium and one hard. The difference between the two is relatively small, in fact the only way to tell the two apart is too pick them up and squeeze them, and like the name, the hard one is harder then the medium one. However, in the future I foresee them being two different colors like the ones currently being produced. Basically the choice is based on how/what you shoot:
For example, each type has a trade offs:
Medium Buffer:
Less felt vibrations/noise/ from recoil
Absorbs some stress (energy) associated with the recoil operation
Lifetime is estimated at 7,000-10,000 rounds
Hard Buffer:
Some vibrations/noise/ from recoil still felt
Absorbs most stress (energy) associated with the recoil operation
Lifetime is estimated at 10,000+
As you can determine from the above information, the “softer” medium buffer absorbs more of the felt vibrations and noise from the recoil then the harder one. This is because the medium buffer absorbs more of the energy as a result from the recoil operation.
So why would you want to go with a hard buffer over one that absorbs more energy?
Well it is the lifetime of the buffer; since the medium buffer is softer it starts to deteriorate sooner then the harder one. Depending on how much, and how often you shoot, should influence your decision between a medium or hard buffer. For example if you are one of the lucky few who own a Class III AK, or one whom expends 500 rounds or more weekly in you AK, then the hard buffer would probably be a better choice because of the increased frequency of stress placed on the buffer. Not to mention the increased amount of ammo that can be cycled through in a day at the range, thus the lifetime of the buffer becomes a concern.
Now for the test results: Planning to test both the hard and medium buffers on three different AK rifles. The rifle’s I were planning to:
A WASR-10 Hi-cap in 7.62*39mm
A SAR-2 in 5.45*39mm
A SAR-3 in 5.56*45mm
But due to time constraints with work, I had to make the trip at a moments notice (family friends land) and was unable to obtain the SAR-3.
Once I arrived at the shooting area, I first installed the hard buffers in the WASR-10 and SAR-2. Installation was a breeze and only took a few seconds. To install the buffer you need no tools, since they just basically slide on. I wanted the test to be fair so I decided to put 120 rounds (4 30rd magazines) through each rifle with each buffer.
As soon as I started to shoot the WASR-10 I notice a reduction in the amount of noise/vibration from the recoil of the rifle. The buffer made shooting a little bit more comfortable. When I finished cycling through the last magazine I took the rifle apart and looked at the hard buffer, not a scratch!
Now it was the SAR-2s turn, the hard buffer basically reproduced the same results as the WASR-10, but because of the smaller round, made the SAR-2 that much nicer to shoot, instead of the loud clang, clang, clang, you commonly hear, it was a muffled thud. Again when I finished cycling through the last magazine of the SAR-2 I took the rifle apart, and again, the hard buffer had not a scratch.
Impressed with the results of the hard buffer I was eager to test the medium one. Installation was again a breeze and without a hitch. Again I planned to use 120 rounds per rifle. First I shot the WASR-10, there was a noticeable difference between the hard buffer in the amount of vibration and noise of the recoil operation. The medium buffer made a noticeable difference in how comfortable it was to shoot, there was a slightly reduced amount of the felt recoil also, but not near as much of a reduction as a good brake would provide. When I was finished with the WASR-10 I took the rifle apart and noticed the buffer had not a scratch on it.
Next I picked up my SAR-2 and like with the WASR-10, the medium buffer reduced the vibration/noise felt to a slight muffled thud. The medium buffer does absorb more of the vibrations and noise produced by the rifle then the harder buffer. With the SAR-2 the medium buffer makes the rifle a very nice rifle to shoot.
The buffers do perform as advertised, protects the metal parts, and noticeably reduce the amount of the vibrations/noise felt from the recoil operation.
Well since I finished the standardized test, I decided to have some fun and test the buffers again under stress. I bumped 3 magazines in each of the rifles with each of the buffers. After recovering from a small burn on my hand from the hot rifles, I inspected the buffers, and sure enough not a scratch.
So lets to do the math
WASR-10
Medium Buffer
240 Rounds normal shooting
90 Rounds Bumped
330 Rounds total, not a scratch.
Hard Buffer
240 Rounds normal shooting
90 Rounds Bumped
330 Rounds total, not a scratch.
SAR-2
Medium Buffer
240 Rounds normal shooting
90 Rounds Bumped
330 Rounds total, not a scratch.
Hard Buffer
240 Rounds normal shooting
90 Rounds Bumped
330 Rounds total, not a scratch.
Conclusion, these buffers are great for protecting you rifle and making your shooting experience a little bit more comfortable. Perhaps next time I will need to cycle through 5 or 6 cases of ammo before any one of these buffers gets a dent.
If you want or need a buffer Blackjack does sell the first generation Red and Blue buffers on his site here http://www.blackjackbuffers.com
Approximately a week and a half ago Randy Sloan gave me a chance to preview Blackjack Buffer’s second generation (“green”) of AK buffers in the early Beta stage, so early that Blackjack hasn’t even made the decision to produce them. Buffers are designed to protect the metal parts colliding together as a result of the AK’s recoil operation. This can lead to parts being worn down or broken. Thus with a buffer between the two contact surfaces, the buffer absorbs the impact, not the rifle. These “green” buffers are made out of high-density urethane that holds up quite well to the punishment of the AK’s recoil operation. They are ¼ of a inch in width, making these buffers special because they do not interfere with the recoil operation of the rifle. These “green” buffers are different from first generation buffers, first they are molded instead of hand cut, and second they have a cavity that seats smoothly on the base of the spring helping it conform like a glove to the rifle.
I received two types of Buffers, one medium and one hard. The difference between the two is relatively small, in fact the only way to tell the two apart is too pick them up and squeeze them, and like the name, the hard one is harder then the medium one. However, in the future I foresee them being two different colors like the ones currently being produced. Basically the choice is based on how/what you shoot:
For example, each type has a trade offs:
Medium Buffer:
Less felt vibrations/noise/ from recoil
Absorbs some stress (energy) associated with the recoil operation
Lifetime is estimated at 7,000-10,000 rounds
Hard Buffer:
Some vibrations/noise/ from recoil still felt
Absorbs most stress (energy) associated with the recoil operation
Lifetime is estimated at 10,000+
As you can determine from the above information, the “softer” medium buffer absorbs more of the felt vibrations and noise from the recoil then the harder one. This is because the medium buffer absorbs more of the energy as a result from the recoil operation.
So why would you want to go with a hard buffer over one that absorbs more energy?
Well it is the lifetime of the buffer; since the medium buffer is softer it starts to deteriorate sooner then the harder one. Depending on how much, and how often you shoot, should influence your decision between a medium or hard buffer. For example if you are one of the lucky few who own a Class III AK, or one whom expends 500 rounds or more weekly in you AK, then the hard buffer would probably be a better choice because of the increased frequency of stress placed on the buffer. Not to mention the increased amount of ammo that can be cycled through in a day at the range, thus the lifetime of the buffer becomes a concern.
Now for the test results: Planning to test both the hard and medium buffers on three different AK rifles. The rifle’s I were planning to:
A WASR-10 Hi-cap in 7.62*39mm
A SAR-2 in 5.45*39mm
A SAR-3 in 5.56*45mm
But due to time constraints with work, I had to make the trip at a moments notice (family friends land) and was unable to obtain the SAR-3.
Once I arrived at the shooting area, I first installed the hard buffers in the WASR-10 and SAR-2. Installation was a breeze and only took a few seconds. To install the buffer you need no tools, since they just basically slide on. I wanted the test to be fair so I decided to put 120 rounds (4 30rd magazines) through each rifle with each buffer.
As soon as I started to shoot the WASR-10 I notice a reduction in the amount of noise/vibration from the recoil of the rifle. The buffer made shooting a little bit more comfortable. When I finished cycling through the last magazine I took the rifle apart and looked at the hard buffer, not a scratch!
Now it was the SAR-2s turn, the hard buffer basically reproduced the same results as the WASR-10, but because of the smaller round, made the SAR-2 that much nicer to shoot, instead of the loud clang, clang, clang, you commonly hear, it was a muffled thud. Again when I finished cycling through the last magazine of the SAR-2 I took the rifle apart, and again, the hard buffer had not a scratch.
Impressed with the results of the hard buffer I was eager to test the medium one. Installation was again a breeze and without a hitch. Again I planned to use 120 rounds per rifle. First I shot the WASR-10, there was a noticeable difference between the hard buffer in the amount of vibration and noise of the recoil operation. The medium buffer made a noticeable difference in how comfortable it was to shoot, there was a slightly reduced amount of the felt recoil also, but not near as much of a reduction as a good brake would provide. When I was finished with the WASR-10 I took the rifle apart and noticed the buffer had not a scratch on it.
Next I picked up my SAR-2 and like with the WASR-10, the medium buffer reduced the vibration/noise felt to a slight muffled thud. The medium buffer does absorb more of the vibrations and noise produced by the rifle then the harder buffer. With the SAR-2 the medium buffer makes the rifle a very nice rifle to shoot.
The buffers do perform as advertised, protects the metal parts, and noticeably reduce the amount of the vibrations/noise felt from the recoil operation.
Well since I finished the standardized test, I decided to have some fun and test the buffers again under stress. I bumped 3 magazines in each of the rifles with each of the buffers. After recovering from a small burn on my hand from the hot rifles, I inspected the buffers, and sure enough not a scratch.
So lets to do the math
WASR-10
Medium Buffer
240 Rounds normal shooting
90 Rounds Bumped
330 Rounds total, not a scratch.
Hard Buffer
240 Rounds normal shooting
90 Rounds Bumped
330 Rounds total, not a scratch.
SAR-2
Medium Buffer
240 Rounds normal shooting
90 Rounds Bumped
330 Rounds total, not a scratch.
Hard Buffer
240 Rounds normal shooting
90 Rounds Bumped
330 Rounds total, not a scratch.
Conclusion, these buffers are great for protecting you rifle and making your shooting experience a little bit more comfortable. Perhaps next time I will need to cycle through 5 or 6 cases of ammo before any one of these buffers gets a dent.
If you want or need a buffer Blackjack does sell the first generation Red and Blue buffers on his site here http://www.blackjackbuffers.com