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.45 recoil buffer

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dbshabo

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Saw these in the Wilson catalog. Are they a worthwhile addition to a .45 pistol? If so how do you install them? Does the guide rod slip thru the hole in the buffer or does the buffer go on the back side of the shoe plate on the guide rod?

Shabo
 
For some reason, folks like to argue about buffers. In my experience they do not cause malfuctions and subjectively make the gun feel like it is softer-shooting. Nobody has done a 100,000 round head-to-head, buffer vs. no buffer durability test, so how well they work is tough to say. I'd put them in the "no harm, maybe good" category.

You just take the spring off the rod, slide the buffer on, then put the spring back on top of the buffer.

In my experience, the Wilson buffers are no good, however. The ones made by CP or Heitt are a better product.
 
I used them for a short time. They just slip on the guide rod. I had complete reliability on my gun too (which is a concern sometimes). The thing I learned is that I didn't need them. I had a steel frame & slide using standard pressure ammo, so I wasn't putting undue stress on the frame or slide. If I were using an aluminum frame, it might have made more sense (especially w/ defensive ammo), but not for me. I ended up taking the buffer off.
YMMV ;)
 
In my experience, the Wilson buffers are no good, however. The ones made by CP or Heitt are a better product.
Click to expand...

Those are exactly my findings. I had a set of Wilsons that were useless in less than 300 rds, and I mean the 6 of them. However I have one Heith, the thicker one, that has over 800 rds and counting. The CP, same thickness as Wilsons, that I've used usually last for about 500 rds.
 
I've never had a problem with CP.

In a Kimber Series I , 18.5 sprg, I put the FLGR back in and ran ~1k with a CP, being in good shape still, I put the GI stubby back in, have shot another ~ 1k rds, gonna see how stubborn this CP gonna be for range work before I replace it :) Shooting 230 and 200 gr standard loadings.

Heitt , no experience, curious Sean -is there a link sir?

I've seen Wilson's fail repeatedly in students/others guns. Never used personally, never will.
 
Buffs

These things came along after I'd been in the 1911 repair/rebuild/restore
game for nearly 2 decades. I thought...Neat! After 20 years of using and watching the results, I've noticed a few things.

The do soften the blow, and if the pistol is reliable with one in, go for it.
They do take up space in the spring tunnel, increasing the preload and
total loading of the recoil spring. They also often change the ejection pattern. Whether or not they prolong the life of the frame/slide enough
to justify the cost is still undecided.

Some pistols don't like them, and nobody seems to know why except the
pistol. One of my WW2 era GI Colts will do a slidelock with ammo in the
magazine every other round with a buffer in place. Remove the buffer
and POOF...no more problem. Go figure.

The Government Model/Mil-Spec class of pistols fare better with a buff
than the Commander class, slide travel being the issue. They are NOT
recommended for use in pistols any shorter than Commander-length.
(4.25 inch barrel)

There's my nickel's worth. YMMV

Tuner
 
re1973, do you have a source for CP buffers? What does CP stand for? Company name? I did a google search on Heitt and got a bunch of german ancestry hits I think.

Shabo
 
Thanks Tuner !

Umm...err...Ok see I have this gunsmith buddy I've known for a long time. We have an understanding...I just get what I need [read : steal] when I go by, if he is out he orders it. :D

Brownells web site loads too s-l-o-w...and I haven't stol...err picked up an newer Brownells catalog lately...It's an understanding we've had for 25 years or so with each other...can't wait till I house/shop sit again when he goes out of town...He reciprocates with my stuff too...
 
Thanks Turner, found 'em at Brownell's. I ordered 5 of the CP Tuffbuffs. Glad to see Brownell's has a lightweight shipping charge also. Tired of getting raped on shipping charges from 99% of the vendors out there.

Shabo
 
One of my WW2 era GI Colts will do a slidelock with ammo in the
magazine every other round with a buffer in place. Remove the buffer
and POOF...no more problem. Go figure.
Click to expand...
That's interesting. My CCO was doing that with Golden Sabers. I never considered the buffer doing it, I just trimmed the slide lock a little with some Emery paper.

I had picked up some cheap buffers from TAPCO just to try them in my Govt. model. They worked fine in the shorter Commander slide (after the above glitch was solved), but the gun will completely eat the buffer after around 300-400 rounds.

I think I'll try the Hiett Red Buffs at Brownells.
 
Sabers

DMK said:

That's interesting. My CCO was doing that with Golden Sabers. I never considered the buffer doing it, I just trimmed the slide lock a little with some Emery paper.

In your case, it probably was the bullet nudging the lug, and the buffer
didn't have anything to do with it. I had already checked/relieved any
contact in my old GI. The buffer was the only variable. No buffer...no
problem. Buffer in...spastic pistol. Go figger.:rolleyes:

Cheers!
Tuner
 
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