If it costs $20, I'll bet its not Forged 7075, so it may look the same, but it's not. Are you sure you are on the right AR forum? Very little tolerance for "But it's the same as..." around here.
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I have a $20 DSA exstension and a $33 7075 extruded exstension and they are NOT the same, sure similar in look but the color is not the same. The DSA tube seems softer. The DSA tube will suffice but you're only talking generally a $12-$15 difference in price between that and and a LMT, DD, BCM or COLT exstension.
I've used DSA (before I knew the difference), CMT, and LMT.
LMT, to me, is the best carbine tube. What sets it apart is great threads, dry-film lube, and a tab that keeps the tube straightly aligned.
The variable which is still questionable to me is the buffer. The spring is fine a standard rifle length as a poster stated above.
So far it has been reliable with various types of ammo at a round cou t of around 3k. This includes when I used to shoot brown bear and Tula ammo. Now I'm sticking to all brass stuff like PMC and various m193.
Hopefully one day we will see the A5 fielded by a broad variety of users and we will have more data.
You guys ROCK,
lots of good links.
I bought a Tube from a forum member, I got a good deal on a LMT tube. I should have it next week!!
Thanks again, and I didn't know how different some tubes are from others.
This isn't TOS, so stop it with the Kool-Aid bullshit. There is a lot of value added in the quality of materials for that $20. If that doesn't matter to you then why even get involved in the conversation? A $20 difference in something a crucial to function as a buffer tube should not even be questioned.
The A5 buffer is a rifle buffer. For some reason, a lot of people are having a hard time with this. I guess it's one of those cases where it's so simple, it's confusing.
The A5 is basically a rifle RE with a rifle action spring and a rifle buffer. The difference is the buffer does not have the rifle buffer's spacer (or whatever it's called) and the extension itself is 3/4" shorter, the same amount shorter as the buffer.
The rifle system has been around longer than the carbine RE and is proven. It's more tolerant in most cases than a carbine RE. The 14.5" mid length is really the only one that may have issues using the standard A5 buffer. Lighten it and you're good to go.
Another issue is people assume the A5 is needed to lessen recoil. Sure, it's a positive side effect, but it's not the primary purpose. The rifle system is more tolerant and should make most rifles more reliable. Remember, you give something to get something. In the case of the carbine RE with a collapsible stock, you give up a little tolerance for compactness and adjustability. The A5 gives you both.
It's not a bandaid for existing problems and it's not made to lessen recoil.
I just purchased a PWS lower that came with a PWS enhanced buffer tube... Haven't shot it yet... But it feels solid, one thing that's different is there is no castle nut just two built in locking Allen head set screws. Going out this weekend to put it through the paces for my self... It's a little more than $20 though, it's also CBC machined out of 7075