BCGs and Buffers

Referencing the different masses of S/A vs. F/A BCGs does the higher mass of the F/A actually benefit from the use of a heavier buffer than standard? Is a "standard" buffer the same weight as the buffer used in an honest-to-God military M4 (which would, of course, have the heavier BCG)? This is probably a moot point for me now since I've already ordered an LMT S/A BCG from G&R but I am interested in the physics of the action.
Sidebar: Now that I'm talking BCGs....Is there anyone who can convnce me in practical terms that I can not stake my life on this LMT S/A BCG?
Maybe I should introduce myself. I am a Critical Care/Flight RN currently serving with an Army Forward Surgical Team in Iraq. I have just started collecting parts for my 2nd build. My first build was a plain-jane A2 with mostly Bushmaster parts. I joined this group after a couple of phone conversations with the Doc about wound ballistics. It is definitely a more reliable source of information than that other site. Thank you all.

Standard buffers are just that. Standard. The general flavor for a buffer is carbine (no markings on buffer face), H, H2 and H3. Military M4's come with H buffers, although I have heard that H2 is standard now.

I am not going to convince you that the S/A is bad or good. It just doesn't make sense when the cost difference is so minimal as oposed to a real M16 BCG. Why deviate from the standard?

Please do not use your Bushamster as reference or baseline for the build of a good carbine. There are far too many options and choices out there. With prices the way they are buying a good baseline carbine is almost the smarter choice.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by FSTRN

Referencing the different masses of S/A vs. F/A BCGs does the higher mass of the F/A actually benefit from the use of a heavier buffer than standard? Is a "standard" buffer the same weight as the buffer used in an honest-to-God military M4 (which would, of course, have the heavier BCG)? This is probably a moot point for me now since I've already ordered an LMT S/A BCG from G&R but I am interested in the physics of the action.
Sidebar: Now that I'm talking BCGs....Is there anyone who can convnce me in practical terms that I can not stake my life on this LMT S/A BCG?
Maybe I should introduce myself. I am a Critical Care/Flight RN currently serving with an Army Forward Surgical Team in Iraq. I have just started collecting parts for my 2nd build. My first build was a plain-jane A2 with mostly Bushmaster parts. I joined this group after a couple of phone conversations with the Doc about wound ballistics. It is definitely a more reliable source of information than that other site. Thank you all.

---

Thanks for your comments. My goal is to build a simple, high quality carbine on a budget. I saw the LMTs for $105 at G&R and, being ignorant of the difference between S/A and F/A, I snagged one.
But extending the buffer question some...will my buffer selection be more influenced by the BCG or the weight in grains of the ammo I commonly use? Sorry if I have stumbled across a horse to whip.

High quality and budget are not compatible per se. You can, build a good gun for a decent price, but you are going to spend money. Where you can cut costs is by eliminating expensive rail systems and optics.

The important question is what upper or barrel you are going to use? You may not be aware but different manufacturers use different gas port sizes. Some of the more well known ones to be overgassed are Bushamster, Oly Arms, DPMS, CMMG and the rest of that gang.

Colt, LMT, BCM, Noveske, DD and I am sure a few others are known to me more reasonable. As for the matching of buffer to BCG, don't get that wrapped up in it. Get a good upper or barrel and out it together and use an H buffer and you should be GTG.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by FSTRN

Thanks for your comments. My goal is to build a simple, high quality carbine on a budget. I saw the LMTs for $105 at G&R and, being ignorant of the difference between S/A and F/A, I snagged one.
But extending the buffer question some...will my buffer selection be more influenced by the BCG or the weight in grains of the ammo I commonly use? Sorry if I have stumbled across a horse to whip.

---

To IG's point, buffers are pretty cheap really. So start out with an H buffer. You can easily and quickly save up for a $25+/- H2 buffer and try that out AFTER you have used your H buffer and broken in the rifle. If you have a quality made upper like those listed by IG, you should be able to use either H or H2 buffers and decide which one you like. Keep in mind to light of a buffer and you can have reliability issues, too heavy of a buffer you can have reliability issues. It is all about finding the right balance.

Yeah, I'm trackin' on that. I have, so far, a BCM 16" carbine length assembly and the LMT BCG.
My Bushmaster build was a good 12 years ago, probably. I wasn't aware of the gas port issue but I'm getting to know who makes the quality parts and who sells them. Next step is Magpul MOE furniture with a genuinely mil-spec buffer tube. Still mulling over the lower/parts issue but I figure I should have something decent in the $850 - $900 range.
H buffer it is.....thanks.

I'll bet that GandRtactical or Bravo Company can take care all of your tactical needs. ;)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by FSTRN

Yeah, I'm trackin' on that. I have, so far, a BCM 16" carbine length assembly and the LMT BCG.
My Bushmaster build was a good 12 years ago, probably. I wasn't aware of the gas port issue but I'm getting to know who makes the quality parts and who sells them. Next step is Magpul MOE furniture with a genuinely mil-spec buffer tube. Still mulling over the lower/parts issue but I figure I should have something decent in the $850 - $900 range.
H buffer it is.....thanks.

---

Since you have a BCM 16" carbine I would go with the H2. Here is why; a 16" carbine has more gas than a 14.5" carbine because there is a greater distance between the gas port and the end of the barrel. So with a F/A BCG and an H2 buffer, you should be GTG. BCM is NOT overgassed, so I don't want to get anyone confused. And BCM may make the port size (I am not sure about this) slightly smaller to counter the extra distance.

That is a thread in an of itself I believe.

In any case try the H buffer first. If you find it recoiling harder than your issued M4, then up her to an H2.