Quarters as buffer tube spacer?

[Disciple]

Someone mentioned a stack of U.S. quarters as a buffer tube spacer, maybe in jest or derision but I checked and they are about the right size. Is this an acceptable kludge to use a carbine buffer and spring in an A5/intermediate receiver extension?

[Five_Point_Five_Six]

Someone mentioned a stack of U.S. quarters as a buffer tube spacer, maybe in jest or derision but I checked and they are about the right size. Is this an acceptable kludge to use a carbine buffer and spring in an A5/intermediate receiver extension?

Why wouldn't you use the correct A5 spring and buffer if you already have the receiver extension? If you're wanting to use a carbine spring and buffer, swap out the receiver extension for the correct one.

Using quarters to build out 3/4" is clown shoes.

[militarymoron]

It'll work; all you're doing is reducing the inside length of the A5 to carbine length. Are you asking in case you don't have the correct spring and buffer available for an A5 tube in an emergency? Just make sure you space it correctly or else your bolt carrier might go too far back and cause damage to the receiver extension. Or, better yet, get the right parts for the job.

[grizzman]

If you called Magpul, they'd probably sell you one of the spacers they include with the Gen 2 UBR.

[Disciple]

Why wouldn't you use the correct A5 spring and buffer if you already have the receiver extension? If you're wanting to use a carbine spring and buffer, swap out the receiver extension for the correct one.

Or, better yet, get the right parts for the job.

I had just finished replacing the carbine RE with a BCM Intermediate RE when I discovered that the "A5" buffer I bought was not as it should be. I need to use the carbine spring and buffer until I figure out what to do about that.

[gaijin]

It is fairly common for competitors to stack quarters in buffer tube to prevent bolt from cycling far enough to lock back on empty mag.
I’ve seen this with a number of PCC shooters.

Sooo, does it work? Sure it does.

Would anyone be advised to use this expedient/bandaid on a SD weapon? I think not.

[Disciple]

Would anyone be advised to use this on a SD weapon? I think not.

Is there a better expedient/bandaid? I'm not pulling off the BCM intermediate RE I just put on.

[Clint]

Yes, there is.
https://www.gandrtactical.com/Colt-9...cer_p_282.html

Is there a better expedient/bandaid? I'm not pulling off the BCM intermediate RE I just put on.

[Disciple]

Yes, there is.
https://www.gandrtactical.com/Colt-9...cer_p_282.html

That looks like it would leave the spring less compressed than a full diameter spacer. Would this be used with the rifle length spring rather than the carbine spring?

[MistWolf]

Is there a better expedient/bandaid? I'm not pulling off the BCM intermediate RE I just put on.

It will work long enough for you to get the right parts. For a proof of concept, I cut down and capped a plastic something or other for a sprinkler system to use as a spacer to test the effectiveness of a shorter buffer in a longer RE of a larger caliber AR. The spacer worked just fine (although the experiment was interrupted by extraction issues I've yet to address).

The only concern would if the quarters were to somehow block the vent hole at the back of the RE. I don't think they fit tight enough for that to happen. Pop the quarters in there and measure the stack up carefully. A quarter too many is better than a quarter too few. Then, go shoot. Using quarters for a spacer and shooting is better than not shooting while waiting for parts to come in who knows when