Hydralic Buffer in an SBR?

[Grae Line]

Having heard mixed opinions on whether or not to put a Hydralic Buffer in my 10.5" DD MK 18 rifle was wondering what all of your feedback has been based on experience.

Has anyone here run an SBR with a Hydralic Buffer and seen any major difference in:

1. Felt Recoil (not a very high priority since 5.56 isn't a difficult shooter)

2. Wear and Tear on the rifle

3. Functionality / Reliability (most important factor)

Thanks again for any feedback you can provide.

[armatac]

I like the hydraulics, but they are not as tough as normal buffer designs.

[SteadyUp]

Let me ask you this: are you having any function issues with your current buffer?

A metric assload of member here run SBRs from 10.3" to 12.5" happily and reliably with buffers ranging from H to H3 (and the Vltor A5 system). I'd stick with a known reliable component. If you want to experiment with buffers, I'd look towards the A5 instead of a hydraulic buffer.

[motoduck]

I have run 2 different brands of hydronic buffers in SBRs in semi and semi and full auto ranging in length from 10.5 to 14.5. The results in terms of reliability have been inconsistant. I have had much better results with regular buffers of the appropriate weight. At one time I had a test bag of 10 different buffers just to experiment with the question you are asking.

[6933]

See no reason for it.

[sammage]

Like Steadyup said, the VLTOR A5 system is a known quantity than can help, as an alternative to heavy buffers.

[RD62]

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

The only thing I'd consider changing the H2 in my 10.5" SBR to is a VLTOR A5 system, but it ain't broke so see above.

[Grae Line]

Great, thanks much guys! So far I haven't seen any issues with the gun and I'll keep the A5 system in mind as an alternative if Murphy decides to visit.