I'm waaaayyyyy too gassy!!!

[Matt.Cross]

Well, at least as far as my pet AR is concerned, I am....

So, the long story made short is that I built my rifle with a non-adjustable clamp-on gas block, intending to modify it later when my suppressor arrived.

When said suppressor arrived, I couldn't wait for an adjustable gas block, and I simply began using my rifle which ran flawlessly, though quite a bit dirtier than unsuppressed.

Fast forward to a recent desert shoot, where my faithful AR turned into pretty much an unconventional bolt-action, as a result of overgassing and chamber contamination.

Something has to be done so I've decided on a two-pronged approach to solving this problem:

#1. A heavy buffer, slowing the action down to address feeding issues #2. Purchasing an adjustable gas block, specifically an SLR Rifleworks Sentry 9 clamp-on

Since number two will require some monetary creativity, it shall be relegated to being a future solution.

In the meantime, since I'm a Machinist by trade, I'll tackle the problem of manufacturing a heavy buffer myself and document it here.

I've already purchased a 1 ft piece of 1" diameter 416 stainless stock from McMaster-Carr, it ships Monday. I will post updates on the process/progress here.

 

[Burt Gummer]

Cant wait to se the custom buffer.

 

[Short Fuse]

Why don't you just add weight to the one you already have. Simply drive out the roll pin on the rear and the end piece will come off allowing you access to the inside. Add weight and epoxy reinstall end cap and roll pin and your done. Cheap and easy. Unless you are like me and just like making things.

 

[Matt.Cross]

Why don't you just add weight to the one you already have. Simply drive out the roll pin on the rear and the end piece will come off allowing you access to the inside. Add weight and epoxy reinstall end cap and roll pin and your done. Cheap and easy. Unless you are like me and just like making things.

Well, you just solved the disassembly of my existing buffer for me, hadn't looked at it yet. The 1 ft of 416 ss was ~$23 + shipping, so not too bad there and I won't bill myself for my time 'cause I'm expensive.

I dearly love making/building things, it's a mixed blessing.

 

[Johnny]

Why not take a stab at making your gas block adjustable? A well placed drill, tap and an ahcs with a jam nut should be pretty quick and easy for a metal turner type guy.

 

[Matt.Cross]

Why not take a stab at making your gas block adjustable? A well placed drill, tap and an ahcs with a jam nut should be pretty quick and easy for a metal turner type guy.

The profile of the GB is an oblong pentagon, drilling would require a guided carbide bit, or a milled flat to drill through, due to the angle and the hardness and abrasiveness of the anodized surface. I've thought about it, but the results are potentially an unusable rifle until the new GB arrives, and it seems like more work than it's worth.

 

[Tailhunter]

Just get a superlative arms adjustable gas block and tune it where you want it.

 

[Matt.Cross]

In the meantime, here's a commercial example...
[IMG2=JSON]{"data-align":"center","data-linktarget":"1","data-linktype":"1","data-linkurl":"http:\/\/heavybuffers.com\/ar10rifle.html","data-size":"full","src":"http:\/\/heavybuffers.com\/images\/Products\/XH%20Rifle%20Buffer.gif"}[/IMG2]

 

[Matt.Cross]

Just get a superlative arms adjustable gas block and tune it where you want it.

Got a link? I may well do just that, but I need an intermediate solution....

 

[Tailhunter]

https://www.rainierarms.com/superlative-arms-adjustable-gas-block-bleed-off-clamp-on

 

[Matt.Cross]

https://www.rainierarms.com/superlative-arms-adjustable-gas-block-bleed-off-clamp-on

I'm curious to know if you or anyone following this thread has this gas block, and if so, does the gas bleed show up in your optics? I really like the way it's setup, but I don't want anything to distort my ability to follow my shot with the scope. It may not be a problem at all, but I'd like to hear it from someone who has one.

 

[Tailhunter]

I do and it does not.

 

[Matt.Cross]

I do and it does not.

That is EXCELLENT news! I will give it a try when my buffer is complete.

 

[dalek]

You could build something that clamps onto the gas tube and then bleed off that

 

[BASIL]

In my understanding, adjustable gas blocks do not bleed off any gas.
They just limit the gas to the bolt face.

 

[Matt.Cross]

In my understanding, adjustable gas blocks do not bleed off any gas.
They just limit the gas to the bolt face.

See the link in post #10 for info.

 

[BASIL]

See the link in post #10 for info.

I should have checked the link. I learned something new.
Thanks.

 

[Dave951]

Adjustable gas blocks limit the amount of gas going through the tube by restricting the size of the gas port.

My mid length AR build would FTE about once a mag. The issue was the extractor jumping the case rim. Tried the "doughnut" type of extractor stiffener. It helped some, but the problem was still manifesting. Went to a JP adjustable gas block. Shot a couple mags through while getting it adjusted. No problems since.

 

[NKD]

The block will take care of your problems. Either you limit the gas or you increase the weight of the buffer, but you probably don't have to do both. No expert but that has been my experience with over gassed guns.

That said, please don't let that keep you from doing a nice buffer build thread, as I think we all want to see that!

 

[Matt.Cross]

The block will take care of your problems. Either you limit the gas or you increase the weight of the buffer, but you probably don't have to do both. No expert but that has been my experience with over gassed guns.

That said, please don't let that keep you from doing a nice buffer build thread, as I think we all want to see that!

I think you're absolutely right, so I'm hanging on to the original buffer for when the adjustable gas block becomes feasible. In the meantime, the project requires.....


RESEARCH

I need to find out what my current buffer weighs and consists of component wise.

A pic of the whole buffer on the scale..
[IMG2=JSON]{"data-align":"none","data-size":"full","src":"http:\/\/i214.photobucket.com\/albums\/cc158\/jm_cross\/Heavy%20Buffer%20Project\/IMG_20170110_104804304_zpseaznmhmi.jpg"}[/IMG2]

And the weight of said buffer...
[IMG2=JSON]{"data-align":"none","data-size":"full","src":"http:\/\/i214.photobucket.com\/albums\/cc158\/jm_cross\/Heavy%20Buffer%20Project\/IMG_20170110_104812459_zpsulgyddm7.jpg"}[/IMG2]

And the components of said buffer; the aluminum housing, 5 tungsten weights, 5 rubber spacers, 1 aluminum spacer, and the plastic end cap and roll pin.
[IMG2=JSON]{"data-align":"none","data-size":"full","src":"http:\/\/i214.photobucket.com\/albums\/cc158\/jm_cross\/Heavy%20Buffer%20Project\/IMG_20170110_111935511_zpsckbaol7g.jpg"}[/IMG2]

Next up, getting dimensions to fabricate a replacement!

 

[MikeDawg46L]

Nice work there Matt.

I use a Slash heavy A5 buffer in my 16" gun with the Vltor A5 system. It is pleasant to shoot suppressed.

On my 14" gun I just finished building, I'm using a Seekins AGB but have to fiddle with it. I'm also running the A5 system on it, but with the standard buffer for the kit. I hope the AGB works well with the set up both suppressed and not. We shall see.

As for the Superlative bleed off block, I've seen mixed reviews on its functionality. I have no personal experience with it so I won't make comments based on what others have said. For $50, the Seekins was a no-brained for this build.

 

[Tailhunter]

They look like steel weights. All tungsten weights I've ever see were silver.

If they were tungsten, then your gas problem would be solved.

 

[Tailhunter]

I have a rifle gas system AR. I added 3 tungsten weights to the buffer and a VG6 brake.

Thing just sits there now. Follow up shots are a breeze.

 

[Matt.Cross]

I may have neglected to mention that this is an Armalite pattern AR10 type build, not a standard AR...

 

[Matt.Cross]

Well, my 416 stainless has arrived, 1 foot in length.

[IMG2=JSON]{"data-align":"none","data-size":"full","src":"http:\/\/i214.photobucket.com\/albums\/cc158\/jm_cross\/Heavy%20Buffer%20Project\/IMG_20170111_224428400_zpsmval9xos.jpg"}[/IMG2]

It appears there's enough material for possibly 2 heavy buffers, we shall see!

 

[Matt.Cross]

Well, there is in fact enough material for two buffers!!! Most excellent!

I cut and prepped the material for machining. Hopefully Saturday morning I can begin machining in earnest.
[IMG2=JSON]{"data-align":"none","data-size":"full","src":"http:\/\/i214.photobucket.com\/albums\/cc158\/jm_cross\/Heavy%20Buffer%20Project\/IMG_20170112_192910310_zpswehvlumt.jpg"}[/IMG2]

 

[Matt.Cross]

So, I have the dimensions of the old buffer now and have modeled up a cutaway in FreeCAD. This is the old buffer, mostly just an aluminum housing....

[IMG2=JSON]{"data-align":"none","data-size":"full","src":"http:\/\/i214.photobucket.com\/albums\/cc158\/jm_cross\/Heavy%20Buffer%20Project\/IMG_20170112_232224116_zpsypmxaqsf.jpg"}[/IMG2]

[IMG2=JSON]{"data-align":"none","data-size":"full","src":"http:\/\/i214.photobucket.com\/albums\/cc158\/jm_cross\/Heavy%20Buffer%20Project\/IMG_20170112_232510622_zpsh4lxoklz.jpg"}[/IMG2]
I'll have a model of the new buffer very shortly!

 

[Matt.Cross]

The new buffer...

[IMG2=JSON]{"data-align":"none","data-size":"full","src":"http:\/\/i214.photobucket.com\/albums\/cc158\/jm_cross\/Heavy%20Buffer%20Project\/IMG_20170112_235147852_zps6eajuvqj.jpg"}[/IMG2]


[IMG2=JSON]{"data-align":"none","data-size":"full","src":"http:\/\/i214.photobucket.com\/albums\/cc158\/jm_cross\/Heavy%20Buffer%20Project\/IMG_20170112_235314693_zpsmljewfm3.jpg"}[/IMG2]

 

[11B CIB]

Why don't you just add weight to the one you already have. Simply drive out the roll pin on the rear and the end piece will come off allowing you access to the inside. Add weight and epoxy reinstall end cap and roll pin and your done. Cheap and easy. Unless you are like me and just like making things.

I have a couple spare carbine weight buffers. Could I take them apart and add the weights from one to the other? Or is there not enough room in the carbine buffers...

I have an H1 buffer I just added to a rifle but if it's not quite heavy enough I'd rather modify it than buy an H2

 

[Matt.Cross]

I have a couple spare carbine weight buffers. Could I take them apart and add the weights from one to the other? Or is there not enough room in the carbine buffers...

I have an H1 buffer I just added to a rifle but if it's not quite heavy enough I'd rather modify it than buy an H2

It looks like I'll have a spare heavy buffer, you're welcome to the spare if you want it.

 

[11B CIB]

It looks like I'll have a spare heavy buffer, you're welcome to the spare if you want it.

Regular AR15 size H buffer? If so, that would be most excellent. I always knew liking your pictures would pay off one day

 

[Matt.Cross]

Regular AR15 size H buffer? If so, that would be most excellent. I always knew liking your pictures would pay off one day

I'll need to verify some weights and dimensions, but, yeah....

Edit: Sorry, what I've got is a rifle length buffer.

 

[11B CIB]

I'll need to verify some weights and dimensions, but, yeah....

Edit: Sorry, what I've got is a rifle length buffer.

Why you gotta burn me so bad, gonorrhea??

 

[Matt.Cross]

Why you gotta burn me so bad, gonorrhea??

It's the gift that keeps on giving...