At a Glance: Best Buffers & Buffer Springs
- OUR TOP PICK: Aero Precision – AR-15 Carbine Buffer Kits
- Bravo Company – AR-15/M16 Mil-spec Buffer Tube Assembly
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Brownells – AR-15 Rifle Buffer Tube Kit
Comparison of Best Buffers & Buffer Springs
| PRODUCT | DETAILS | ||
|---|---|---|---|
 Our Top Pick | Aero Precision – AR-15 Carbine Buffer Kits |
| View Latest Price |
 Our Top Pick | Bravo Company – AR-15/M16 Mil-spec Buffer Tube Assembly |
| View Latest Price |
 Our Top Pick | Brownells – AR-15 Rifle Buffer Tube Kit |
| View Latest Price |
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The buffer and buffer spring are often overlooked. Don’t make the mistake of ignoring these essential components of your AR-15 rifle. When you fire, gas is fed into the bolt carrier group (BCG), which pushes it back into the buffer. The buffer and buffer spring absorb this force and push the BCG back to eject the spent round from the chamber.
A poorly maintained buffer and buffer spring kit will result in more recoil, less accuracy, and even blockages. You need to use ones tuned to your rifle and cartridge choice.
Best AR-15 buffer and buffer spring kits in 2021
Choosing the right buffer and buffer spring can be difficult, especially for novices. Research is necessary to make sure you’re getting the best kit for your AR-15 rifle.
I’ve tested a lot of buffer and buffer spring kits in my time and compiled a list of the best ones currently on the market. Use this guide to help you buy the right buffer and buffer spring for your AR-15.
Aero Precision – AR-15 Carbine Buffer Kits
Short-barrel rifles (SBRs) and carbines have grown in popularity over the years. The shorter barrels have led to an uptake in over-gassing, which can cause wear on the buffer and the BCG over time. Aero Precision hasn’t let the crisis go to waste. The company was quick to release its lineup AR-15 Carbine Buffer Kits to improve the resilience of SBRs and carbines against wear and tear.
The Aero Precision buffer and buffer spring kits come in a variety of weights to suit assorted needs. There are Carbine, H (Heavy), H2, and H3 kits available that weigh in at 3, 4, 4.6, and 5 ounces, respectively.
The kits also include a Mil-spec buffer tube made from 7075-T6 aluminum with slots for a six-position buttstock. There’s also a buffer spring, end plate, and castle-lock nutц meaning you have everything you need to install this sturdy upgrade to your AR-15 rifle.
This relatively affordable kit is enough to noticeably enhance the performance of your rifle. The variety of options available means that it’s ideal for everyone from recreational to competitive shooters.
Pros
- Purpose-built for SBRs and carbines
- Sturdy and reliable
- Includes buffer tube, spring, castle-lock nut, and end plate
- Variety of weights available
- Great value for money
- Will reduce recoil
- Easy to install
Cons
- Can’t be used on long-barrel rifles
Bravo Company – AR-15/M16 Mil-spec Buffer Tube Assembly
Bravo Company has entered the market with another buffer tube assembly specifically designed to fit carbine rifles. The assembly supports collapsible stocks, giving you more flexibility with the design of your AR-15.
This buffer assembly meets military standards so you can be sure it’ll stand plenty of abuse while out in the field.
The AR-15/M16 Mil-spec Buffer Tube Assembly kit has everything you need to attach a stock to your lower receiver, making this an excellent choice for anyone building their own AR-15 from scratch.
The kit includes a standard 3 oz carbine buffer, as well as a carbine action spring, both made from high-quality steel. The castle-lock is machined from high carbon steel and has been given a phosphate finish to ensure maximum durability.
There is also a buffer tube made from 7075-T6 aluminum with an anodized finish. You could throw this assembly under a bus and it’d still fit onto your rifle comfortably and function just fine afterward.
Bravo Company makes all of its kits right here in the USA and offers them at an affordable price, giving you great value for money.
Whether you’re making an AR-15 from scratch or simply upgrading your existing one, this buffer assembly will serve your right.
Pros
- Hardcore durability
- Supports collapsible stocks
- Purpose-built for carbine rifles
- Made in the USA
Uses high-grade materials
- Includes buffer tube and castle-lock nut
- Great value for money
Cons
- Only one weight variant
- 3 oz could be too light for some shooters
- Can’t be used on long-barrel rifles
Brownells – AR-15 Rifle Buffer Tube Kit
The Brownells AR-15 Rifle Buffer Tube Kit is meant for shooters rocking rifle length barrels. Coming from one of the industry’s most reputable names, the Brownells kit is a durable and easy-to-install collection of parts that will upgrade the performance of your AR-15.
The kit includes a buffer and buffer spring that will fit any standard AR-15 lower-receiver and a rifle-length buttstock. It’s also more affordable than many of the other options on the market, leaving you more money to put towards your next upgrade.
The buffer has a matte black finish and is machined from Mil-spec 7075-T6 aluminum with a hardcoat anodized finish. You want reliability and durability in your buffer, right? Well, here you have it. The Brownells AR-15 Rifle Buffer Tube Kit is a no-thrills upgrade to boost the performance of your rifle by reducing recoil.
The kit is ideal for anyone building their own AR-15 or for those of you upgrading or replacing your current buffer.
Pros
- Affordable
- No thrills upgrade
- Reliable
- Less recoil
- Reliable brand
- Made in the USA
Cons
- Doesn’t include castle-lock nut, or end plate
Advanced Technology – AR-15 Mil-Spec Buffer Tube Assembly Package
Advanced Technology’s buffer tube assembly package is perfect if you’re looking to sort your whole buffer assembly in one go. It’s affordable, Mil-spec, and it’s made in the USA. The kit includes a 6-position Mil-spec buffer tube made of Type III anodized 6061-T6 aluminum that supports collapsible carbine stocks, as well as a 3-ounce buffer, buffer spring, castle-lock butл, and locking ring.
It has everything you need to get up and running before attaching a stock to your AR-15. This affordable kit is perfect for the frequent recreation or competition shooter who wants something that will withstand a lot of abuse in the field or at the range.
The sturdy and reliable assembly comes with a limited lifetime warranty, so even if you somehow manage to break it, you’ll be able to get a new one so long as you haven’t violated the terms of the guarantee.
Pros
- Ultra-durable
- Carbine length 6-position buffer tube supports collapsible stocks
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Affordable
- Made in the USA
- Includes full buffer tube assembly
Cons
- Lighter buffer not ideal for overgassing
Luth-ar – AR-15 Commercial Carbine Buffer Assembly Package
Luth-ar’s specialised carbine buffer tube assembly is perfect for anyone looking to turn their AR-15 into a carbine or simply as an affordable and effective parts replacement kit.
The Ar-15 Commercial Carbine Buffer Assembly Package includes a Mil-spec 6-position.carbine buffer tube made from 6061-T6 aluminum with a hardcoat anodized finish. It also has a 3.2 ounce buffer and a .223 buffer spring, a castle-lock nut and a latch plate.
All of the components are made from high-quality materials to ensure extra durability and protection against wear, even after firing thousands of rounds.
This is one of the most affordable buffer assembly kits on the market right now that provides a simple, no-thrills solution to rifle recoil.
It’s perfect for anyone looking for a carbine buffer kit that supports collapsible stocks without breaking the bank.
Don’t think that the affordable price means Luth-ar has sacrificed quality. They haven’t. All the components are built from durable materials to ensure they can take a beating.
Pros
- Durable
- Affordable
- Supports collapsible stocks
- Includes everything you need for your buffer assembly
- Made in the USA
Cons
- 3.2 ounce weight too light for overgassing
CMMG – AR-15 Receiver Extension Kit
CMMG has got your back when you’re building or upgrading your AR-15. The AR-15 Receiver Extension Kit has everything you need to install a buffer and tube before attaching your stock.
This mil-spec extension kit is machined from high-quality materials that will take thousands of shots worth of abuse before they even begin to wear. The kit is ideal for casual and professional shooters alike and will fit on any standard carbine AR-15.
The kit includes an H buffer, a buffer spring, and a buffer tube with a castle-lock but and a latch plate. In other words, it has everything you need to complete your buffer assembly without any hassle. It’s easy to install and great value for money.
The standard H weight on this buffer will suit most shooters who aren’t cranking the gas up too much on their rifle.
CMMG makes their parts in the USA and you’ll have a limited lifetime warranty on them. If you’re looking to reduce recoil when shooting and keep your AR-15 sharp and performing like a beast, then this is for you.
Pros
- Includes full buffer assembly
- Great value for money
- Solid construction
- Easy to install
- Made in the USA
- Reduces recoil
- Fits most carbine rifles
- Good warranty
Cons
- A bit more expensive than the competition
How to choose the right buffer for your AR-15
The buffer you choose for your AR-15 will depend on the gas system you’re using, the ammo you’re firing, and your own preference. Look out for these factors when buying your next buffer:
- Reliability
- Buffer weight
- Buffer length
- Buffer spring
- Materials
Reliability
The buffer and buffer spring will need to be replaced eventually. They take a lot of abuse as the bolt carrier group (BCG) smacks into them every time a round is fired.
You’ll want to buy something sturdy and reliable when you’re replacing your buffer and buffer spring so you don’t find yourself reading this article again in six months’ time.
Buffer weight
There is no ‘perfect’ buffer weight to suit all rifles. The right buffer for your rifle weight will reduce recoil, giving you a smoother shooting experience. Oftentimes, AR-15s let more gas into the BCG than necessary to increase reliability. This causes wear and recoil.
You should get a heavier buffer if you experience a lot of recoil when shooting. A slightly weightier buffer provides an immediately noticeable improvement in the operation of your BCG. The excess weight lengthens the movement of the BCG, which leaves more time for the spent cartridge to leave the chamber.
Heavier buffers are ideal for competition and recreational shooters alike. If you use a small amount of gas, though, then you’ll want a lighter buffer.
Buffer length
Make sure you get a buffer tube that fits the length of your rifle. Carbine and rifle-length buffer tubes are not interchangeable.
- Rifle-length buffers are generally used in A2 buffer tubes on rifles with fixed stocks. You get some more length to fill the tube.
- Carbine-length buffers are best suited to collapsible stocks and are actually more common than their longer cousins. Lots of stocks sold today use carbine-length buffers, so it’s likely you’ll be needing one of these.
Buffer springs
Most shooters overlook the buffer spring, but this is actually an important component to consider if you want a top-performing AR-15 rifle.
Rifle and carbine springs generally have the same diameter, so you don’t have to worry about this. They do come in different lengths, although you can make things simple by getting a carbine spring for a carbine buffer, and so on.
Try to find a spring that has a smooth and lubricated finish to reduce the ‘ping’ sound that the spring can produce when you shoot.
What buffer weight options exist?
There are various weight classes for buffers. The main ones are as follows.
- Carbine Buffer: Made of three steel components and weighs in at around 3.0 oz.
- Heavy (H) Buffer: Made of one tungsten and two steel components. Weighs around 3.8 oz.
- H2 Buffer: Same as the H buffer but weighs in at a heavier 4.6 oz.
- H3 Buffer: Made of three tungsten components and weighs around 5.4 oz.
- Rifle Buffer: Made of five steel weights and a steel spacer. Weighs around 5 oz.
What materials are AR-15 buffers made of?
AR-15 buffers come in a variety of lengths and weights – but what about the materials used in their construction? What your buffer is made of will largely determine how much it weighs. There are three main materials used to build AR-15 buffers.
- Aluminum: Buffers made of this material will be significantly lighter and I don’t recommend you choose these unless you’re using very little gas and want to cut back on the pounds your rifle weighs.
- Steel: These buffers weigh more and last longer. They’re the best value for money and I recommend you look here if you’re a price-conscious shooter who still wants something reliable.
- Tungsten: This is the heaviest material you’ll find buffers made of. I’d say choose this material if you want something weighty that will absorb a lot of recoil. Competition shooters will likely prefer this option.
Why AR-15 buffer springs need to be replaced
Your buffer spring will gradually shorten and wear over time. When you fire your AR-15, gas forces the BCG to push back against the buffer, the force of which is then absorbed by the buffer spring.
It’s important that you replace your buffer springs before they wear down too much. Failure to do so will result in a shorter pushback on the buffer and less time for the spent cartridge to eject from the chamber. It will essentially render your rifle useless.
How to check if you should replace your AR-15 buffer spring
Regular maintenance of your AR-15 is the best way to ensure that all the parts are in good condition. Take your stock apart once in a while to check the buffer spring.
A carbine buffer spring shouldn’t be less than 10-inches and a rifle buffer spring must be longer than 12-inches. Measure your buffer springs and get rid of them if they’re under these lengths.
Look for any signs of wear or inconsistency on the coils. Also, check how your rifle feels when you shoot. If you’re noticing more recoil or a louder ‘ping’ sound when you shoot, then it’s time to get a new buffer spring.
Conclusion
After considering the pros and cons of each buffer assembly kit, I’ve got to conclude that Aero Precision’s AR-15 Carbine Buffer Kits are the best value for money. This is largely thanks to the variety of buffer weights available to choose from.
Having a selection of different weights gives more versatility to you, the shooter. If you want to upgrade your AR-15, or start off your build with a reliable and effective buffer assembly, then any of the entries on this list will serve you well, so long as they fit your rifle.
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