What should my next upgrade be? (or Buffer Weight question)

KalashniKEV · #1 01-27-10, 10:10

Here's what I'm working with:

LOWER:

SBR'd Superior
Stag Buffer/Rec Ext + CTR
DPMS LPK
MIAD

UPPER CONFIGs:

11.5" Bushmaster Barrel w/ LT low pro gas block and LT 9.0 Rail
Colt SP1 bolt and carrier
EOtech 512
Needs BUIS

9x19mm RRA 10.5"
VM-Hytech Block
Needs BUIS and/or optic.

Stag 3L 16" Lefty
EOtech 512

BACKGROUND:
Gun has been flawless over 2K rounds out of the lefty, 9mm had some teething problems but is now 100% with the standard carbine buffer (!yes!), just picked up the 11.5" on a trade.

Since I moved back to the East Coast my shooting has been a lot closer, and I'm going to go with the 11.5" as my primary. I'm probably focusing on it the most b/c I just got it and I want to get it perfect for me. I also shoot the 9mm a lot b/c I like it.

THE QUESTION:

1) Should I upgrade the buffer? I've done a TON of reading on this site over the last month and it looks like I'm on the light side now, for what I'm doing. Would you recommend an H2 or should I go to H3 b/c of the 9mm application?

2) Should I upgrade the carrier? I'd like to get a BCM Auto Carrier, but only if I can get one sans logos. The Colt is a Colt, but it's got the rough finished front, the FP retaining pin doesn't slide straight through... it's just old school. Plus BCM carrier is the way to go.

3) Should I get BUIS, right away? Not planning any classes soon, but it seems naked...

4) Should I get something back on top of the 9mm before I do anything else? It was my #1 upper prior to this, after I moved. I threw on some HK style sights when I robbed the 512, but the 1913 block sits the front sight post too low.

5) Should I upgrade my FCG? I say no way, b/c it's broken in nice and I've never had a problem, but I thought I'd make it an option since there are probably some DPMS haters out there.

KalashniKEV · #2 01-27-10, 18:03

Nobody?

How about some pics... that always makes me happy on other people's threads!

KalashniKEV · #3 01-28-10, 14:59

Well, BCM is out b/c they wouldn't sell me a carrier sans advertising...

This opens the door to a lot more research in to BCGs... but right now I'm leaning towards the H2 or H3 buffer.

Keep voting though, I'm going to drop my order on Monday for whatever.

Col_Crocs · #4 01-28-10, 19:01

Well, not sure what buffer you have one your 16" lefty but yes, a buffer upgrade on all 3 would be a good idea. H2 atleast for the 11.5 Bushy IMHO. A carrier upgrade at the very least for the BUhsy as well.

KalashniKEV · #5 01-28-10, 19:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Col_Crocs

Well, not sure what buffer you have one your 16" lefty but yes, a buffer upgrade on all 3 would be a good idea. H2 atleast for the 11.5 Bushy IMHO. A carrier upgrade at the very least for the BUhsy as well.

Thanks for the input!!

I was waiting to hear from someone on here...

I'm a little nervous to go up to H3 as far as reliability, as that's heavier than the standard 9mm buffer and MUCH heavier (almost 2x) than what I'm running now with good success.

I suppose if it makes the gun unreliable I'm not out that much $$$ though...

I was all set to go BCM on the carrier today if I could get one w/o the logo.

BWT · #6 01-28-10, 20:40

My knowledge isn't limitless so take it at that.

I'd go with the BCG, the Carbine gas length is going to make it have higher pressures. So it's applying much more pressure to that component, I'd go BCM, honestly, just get over the markings... I mean it's not that big of deal. If you can't, then maybe Colt or LMT can fit your needs. I figure it's a piece of machinery, who gives a crap what's written on it as long as it's not offensive.

I wouldn't change the buffer unless you're starting to have issues with your current buffer, now if you're talking to switch to a better quality, sure.

But then again, with the 9mm, how often do you run 9mm?

BUIS, you said you don't plan on taking any classes, so, eh, that can wait. I'd look at making the gun as reliable as possible mechanically before I'd look at making it easier to manipulate for the end user.

I'd look at increasing the gun's functionality from the inside out first, I've also heard that 9mm can be much harder on LPKs, I might consider that as well.

Again, limited knowledge.

thopkins22 · #7 01-30-10, 04:05

The Daniel Defense bolt carrier group doesn't have a logo and is built from the right steel, tested properly, assembled properly etc....

http://www.gandrtactical.com/cgi-bin...on&key=M16-BCG

Robb Jensen · #8 01-30-10, 09:13

First things I would do would be to pin the low pro LaRue gas block on the 11.5" and I'd replace the clamp on gas block on the 16" upper with a low Pro LaRue gas or VLTOR gas block and pin it. The second thing I would do would be to chamber check the chambers on the both 5.56mm barrels with the Ned Christiansen 5.56mm NATO chamber checker, if it failed I'd ream both to with the Ned Christiansen 5.56mm NATO neck and throat reamer.

KalashniKEV · #9 02-02-10, 10:02

Interesting results!

Thanks to all who voted!!

I had thought for sure that the Buffer would have won out big, since I'm either "way light" or just plain wrong for my application. I wasn't planning on replacing the Colt BCG, but I went for the DD anyway and I figure I can recoup a bit of the $$ by selling off the original.

So I ended up ordering:

An H3 buffer
The DD BCG linked above

I'm looking forward to feeling the difference next time I go... I predict the H3 will feel quite a bit different on the 9mm, as my bolt was moving fast.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gotm4

First things I would do would be to pin the low pro LaRue gas block...

The second thing I would do would be to chamber check the chambers on the both 5.56mm barrels with the Ned Christiansen 5.56mm NATO chamber checker...

Very interesting... I don't have any reason to doubt the installation of the LaRue block. Owner sold it new and claimed it was a LaRue build. The "chamber checker" is also something I hadn't heard of yet.

That's why I came here though... good info!

Zombie_Hunter · #10 02-02-10, 15:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by KalashniKEV

Well, BCM is out b/c they wouldn't sell me a carrier sans advertising...

This opens the door to a lot more research in to BCGs... but right now I'm leaning towards the H2 or H3 buffer.

Keep voting though, I'm going to drop my order on Monday for whatever.

I've been running an H2 in my 14.5" and it works great.

KalashniKEV · #11 02-02-10, 16:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zombie_Hunter

I've been running an H2 in my 14.5" and it works great.

Yeah, it seemed like most people were running H2s and I learned that the issue M4 buffer was an H2, which I didn't know previously.

For the 9mm application and the shorter gun though, I decided to go H3.

JonnyVain · #12 02-02-10, 16:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by KalashniKEV

Well, BCM is out b/c they wouldn't sell me a carrier sans advertising...

This opens the door to a lot more research in to BCGs... but right now I'm leaning towards the H2 or H3 buffer.

Keep voting though, I'm going to drop my order on Monday for whatever.

Have you looked into the Spike's buffer? Instead of weights, it has Tungsten powder, minimizing buffer bounce. I bought one, but haven't had the opportunity to shoot it yet.

Why not just get a BCM BCG and sand the advertising off? It's a very nice product.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gotm4

The second thing I would do would be to chamber check the chambers on the both 5.56mm barrels with the Ned Christiansen 5.56mm NATO chamber checker, if it failed I'd ream both to with the Ned Christiansen 5.56mm NATO neck and throat reamer.

Or, if you live 10 minutes from ADCO, you just have Steve do it. Don't be jealous, you can't all be me.

KalashniKEV · #13 02-02-10, 22:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonnyVain

Instead of weights, it has Tungsten powder, minimizing buffer bounce.

The whole point of an inertial type buffer is that it takes the "oomph" out of the rearward motion and gives it that extra "nudge" on closing. I saw the Spike's and it really has no advantage over a 9mm Buffer... except that it's H2 in weight and I was going for H3... which is about the same as a 9mm...

But anyway it's designed that way for a reason, so no... I don't like it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonnyVain

Why not just get a BCM BCG and sand the advertising off? It's a very nice product.

Sand... what??? Why???

I think people are a little too gaga over BCM... which probably is why they marked their BCGs in such a distasteful fashion rather than left rear like some others.

I'm 100% positive the DD will serve me well (unless it happens to be a lemon, which can happen with any manufacturer). It's just unfortunate that BCM doesn't offer a few non-billboard items for professional applications. They could save a manufacturing step and actually charge more for them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonnyVain

Or, if you live 10 minutes from ADCO, you just have Steve do it. Don't be jealous, you can't all be me.

I live 20 minutes from GotM4.

G-lock · #14 02-03-10, 10:55

If you buy just the carrier from BCM it will NOT have the logo, if you buy the entire BCG it WILL have the logo. The pictures on the website clearly show this. Now this assumes things haven't changed.

Jeff