These are some great questions which I am curious about also. I started another thread asking about the correct buffer for my midlength, but these details you mention never came into the discussion.
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To illustrate markm's point...
Here is an example of why you shouldn't put a suppressed HK416 upper on a rare M16A2 lower (100% Colt parts - H buffer). The bolt group was coming to its usual and sudden stop at the back of the receiver extension with enough force (that of Thor's hammer) to compress the pad on the buffer to the point that the gas key was able to come into contact with the lower receiver. You couldn't fit a heavy enough buffer into the receiver extension to prevent the damage. While exaggerated, this is a perfect example of why gas piston systems are not the cats meow...
On the plus side, he now has a staked receiver extension.
http://i917.photobucket.com/albums/a...ent/Raw007.jpg
Often times people just tinker for the sake of tinkering without knowing exactly what they are doing. It is the cool thing to do to add a heavier buffer. It's tactical, it's the latest craze, and in a month or so there will be something new to come along that allows shooters to reduce the reliability of their guns.
I recently did alittle experimenting with buffers just to see what all the fuss was about and ATF recently allowed me to pickup my new suppressor. I wanted to see what worked and what didn't, suppressed and unsuppressed. I was going to post this as a separate thread but....I'm certain nobody wants to see yet another buffer thread.
As you'll see...I went around the world only to come back to where I was standing to start with. Live and learn I suppose.
For what it's worth.
Firearm:
LMT Complete Lower w/BAD Lever & CTR Stock
BCM Upper, Daniel Defense 14.5” MidLength Barrel & AAC 51T Brakeout Comp
Suppressor – AAC M4-2000
Mags – 30rd PMags (#7)
Ammo – PPU .223 75gr BTHP Match – 5 rounds fired for each configuration
Note: I normally run a BCM FA BCG, Springco CS Blue Spring and an H Buffer for this firearm and have done so through over 2k of ammo with no issues at all prior to getting the suppressor.
Configuration #1 - BCM FA BCG / Springco Blue Spring
Carbine Buffer:
Unsuppressed – recoil was mild, bolt locked back on empty mag, no malfunctions
Suppressed - recoil was mild, bolt locked back on empty mag, no malfunctions
H Buffer:
Unsuppressed – recoil was mild, bolt locked back on empty mag, no malfunctions
Suppressed - recoil was mild, bolt locked back on empty mag, no malfunctions
H2 Buffer:
Unsuppressed – recoil was mild/maybe lighter, bolt locked back on empty mag, no malfunctions.
Suppressed - recoil was mild, bolt locked back on empty mag each time. Three different times, out of five rounds, the bolt stripped a round but the bolt FAILED close completely.
Configuration #2 – LMT Enhanced BCG (std bolt) / Std Carbine Spring
Carbine Buffer:
Unsuppressed - recoil was mild, bolt locked back on empty mag, no malfunctions
Suppressed – recoil was mild, bolt FAILED to lock back on an empty mag. This configuration was tested three times with the same results.
Configuration #3 – LMT Enhanced BCG (std bolt) / Springco Blue Spring
Carbine Buffer:
Unsuppressed - recoil was mild, bolt locked back on empty mag, no malfunctions
Suppressed – recoil was mild, bolt FAILED to lock back on an empty mag. This configuration was tested twice with the same results.
As stated before, I'm back to the BCM BCG, H buffer and Springco blue spring shooting suppressed and unsuppressed without any problems. Right where I started from.
I did take it alittle further and bought some PMC Bronze just to see if it would run weaker ammo. It did without any problems.
Also, does anyone notice anything odd about configuration #2 that theoretically I would not have expected? Any thoughts on this?