A5 Buffer?

[e z money]

I was about to buy a buffer tube for my next build and I noticed that there is one called A5 compatible, or VLTOR A5 compatible. The other choice that I will probably buy is a regular carbine 6 position tube. What is are the differences? Is the A5 tube better? My rifle will have a 16" mid length gas system unsuppressed. Thank you in advance for any advice.

[VIP3R 237]

The A5 is a whole system that uses the ar10 receiver extension length with a rifle spring and the a5 specific buffer. It’s an awesome system but your standard spring and buffer are not compatible.

[1168]

Its very popular on this forum. I have a couple myself. The spring will last longer. I’m not personally convinced that any other benefits are real, unless you need an H4. If you are speaking of the BCM A5 compatible tube, it is well made and finished.

[One More Time]

For mid and rifle length gas systems that have a proper sized gas port I use an A2 for fixed stocks or an A5 with an A5H2 buffer for telescoping stocks.

One mid gas has an oversized gas port that locked back with an A5H4.
I fixed that with a BRT gas drive sized to run an A5H2.

[titsonritz]

I'm not going out of my way to replace the carbine RE on my factory built guns (did it once on a 6920) but if I'm building a gun for myself it has an A5 RE, Sprinco Green spring and an A5H2 buffer.

[1168]

One mid gas has an oversized gas port that locked back with an A5H4.
I fixed that with a BRT gas drive sized to run an A5H2.
I’m curious if you’ve checked to see if it’ll lock back with anything heavier than A5H2.

[One More Time]

I’m curious if you’ve checked to see if it’ll lock back with anything heavier than A5H2.

It won't cycle with the a5h4 or steel cased ammo now.
To use steel case I had to use a carbine spring, buffer and a spacer.

[mr h]

i use the A5 on any rifle length gas when using collapsing stocks. i ran into to cycling issues with carbine length buffer set ups but hat was long ago. when the A5 came out i just made the switch and didnt look back and i worked right next door to vltor at the time and eric was from the same neck of the woods as i was, before tucson. we kinda hit it off. he was a good dude.

i also use them on my short barrel suppressed uppers since they are so back pressured. it helps slow the carrier a bit i guess, with the longer spring travel.

i've never found them to be needed in a properly gassed mid or carbine.

[1168]

It won't cycle with the a5h4 or steel cased ammo now.
To use steel case I had to use a carbine spring, buffer and a spacer.

Instead of a different spring and a spacer, you might be able to use an A5H0. I keep a carbine buffer and an A5H0 in my can of steel case for guns that won’t run it with its normal setup.

Just a thought. If you like it the way it is, drive on.

[mr h]

over ported barrels can be a nightmare. hard on all the parts and not much fun to shoot. never heard of the BRT stuff (just looked) but maybe you could try a gas bleed off too.

those have worked from me on a couple over gassed items and suppressed ones too.

[Sidneyious]

I’m curious if you’ve checked to see if it’ll lock back with anything heavier than A5H2.



My midgas 16 and carbine 10.5 locked back on an a5h3 with green spring, havnt tested my carbine 12.5 yet. both solgw barrels

[One More Time]

Instead of a different spring and a spacer, you might be able to use an A5H0. I keep a carbine buffer and an A5H0 in my can of steel case for guns that won’t run it with its normal setup.

Just a thought. If you like it the way it is, drive on.

I sold that upper to a buddy and told him to run full power ammo through it.
First time he took it out it wouldn't cycle and when asked what ammo he said steel cased.
I gave him the buffer and spring set so he could burn it up.
I never stocked up on steel cased ammo when it was cheap and don't plan on buying any these days.
And I have carbine buffers and springs if I need to in a pinch.

[davidjinks]

I’m gonna be the outlier here…I used an A5 on 2 different rifles, MK12 MOD1 and a Colt LE6920.

I honestly didn’t see or feel any difference using the A5. But that’s just one guy and 2 rifles. YMMV.


I was about to buy a buffer tube for my next build and I noticed that there is one called A5 compatible, or VLTOR A5 compatible. The other choice that I will probably buy is a regular carbine 6 position tube. What is are the differences? Is the A5 tube better? My rifle will have a 16" mid length gas system unsuppressed. Thank you in advance for any advice.

[e z money]

Update: I just bought a regular 6 position carbine buffer tube. That A5 tube might be good but I tend to stay with what I already know works good instead of trying something else. Kinda like the bcg that I just bought. I keep hearing about the good deals on microbest and tool craft and I'm sure they are great bcg but I decided to pay a little more for on that I already know is good to go. I bought a LMT bcg for $181. It cost more but I have no doubts in the quality.

[17K]

I’m gonna be the outlier here…I used an A5 on 2 different rifles, MK12 MOD1 and a Colt LE6920.

I honestly didn’t see or feel any difference using the A5. But that’s just one guy and 2 rifles. YMMV.

Nobody can…

[One More Time]

It's a rifle spring and rifle weight buffer(A5H2) in a collapsible stock, nothing more or less.
Same results as when using a fixed stock.
The A5 does have some adjustability with 5 different buffer weights if needed.

I'm thinking about removing one and use an A2 stock, I don't really need to collapse it and I like the A2 stock.