Recoil Buffers for 1911? Yes? No?

[Ken Rainey]

I've used the CPBuffs in my full size 1911s for years. My full size Kimbers won't let you slingshot the slide from slide lock with them but no problem using the slide stop/release. I use 16 lb recoil springs. I can't remember any issues with them in my full size Colt. I previously used them all the time, but a couple of years ago I started just using them for the range....just one less thing that "might" go wrong at the wrong time. To be real safe you could check to make sure the recoil spring doesn't stack before full travel. I can't see how they could hurt and can see how they could help at least a little - in a range pistol.

They shouldn't be used in pistols shorter than 5 inches due to reduced slide travel..

 

[cyanide]

Mr. Browning didn't give a passing thought to whether he should install polymer shock buffers, since the technology had not yet been invented. Mr. Browning used the current technology of the day. If he were alive and designing today, it seems logical that he would be using today's technology to design today's firearms. Whether that would encompass the use of shock buffers is anyone's guess.

I don't know of any military SF unit that uses them at all.

In fact I know they are discouraged by some units Armorers .

I have NEVER seen a SWAT unit 1911 equipped officer use them at any SWAT school.

And they do have access to todays technology . Just because some dingleberry makes it, don't make it a good thing to use.

 

[45auto]

I assume 10X meant 50,000 and not 5,000.

If buffers do work, I think we are talking about guns that are going to be shot quite a bit. Perhaps, 50,000+ or whatever.

I doubt John Browning ever considered his 1911 being shot as much as they are today with the shooting sports, reloading, and cheap ammo...kinda.

 

[cyanide]

I wonder
\
things back then were built to last forever, by craftsman.

Not to mention that they were a lot more serious about their safety back then as the 911 mentality did not exist.

 

[iliketoshootguns]

you would think that if recoil buffers were extrememly effective the gun manufactuer would have figured that out by now

 

[Geno]

Reduces recoil, BUT-

The Wilson buffs really, and I mean REALLY reduce felt recoil for me. That, given my injuries and 30+ surgeries is awesome.

My Colts like the buffers. I can release their slides from the locked position by racking the slide after running a magazine dry.

However, my Warrior can NOT be released merely by pulling racking the slide. I actually have to release the slide by using the right thumb on the side catch. Sounds simple enough, right? In target shoooting yes. In defensive shoooting, wrong!

Fine muscle motor skills (uuse of thumbs) are the first to go in a SD situation. Gross motor skills (racking the slide) remain. Under presssure, according to our Advanced tactical instructors, one will liklely fail to release the slide via the thumb.

Solution? Don't know. I am assuming that I need to trim one-half of a coil off the spring.

Doc2005

 

[stevelyn]

I don't know of any military SF unit that uses them.

In fact I know they are discouraged by some units' armorers.

I have NEVER seen a SWAT unit 1911 equipped officer use them at any SWAT school.

They don't have to worry about scraping together the cash to get new ones when their's break or wear out either. They have taxpayer funds at their disposal.

 

[jman74]

You beat me to stevelyn. I was just about to say the exact same thing. I work too hard for my money to wear guns out if I can help it. I'd rather see how many different ones I can collect instead .
It boils down to personal choice and whether or not your 1911 will operate with a buffer installed. It's subjective. I hate wrap around grips even though I have very large hands. Others swear by them. I swear by the buffers, others hate them. To me they're a cheap piece of mind. Sort of like running synthetic oil in every car and truck I've owned. Does it really help? I can't prove it, but fot the extra $10-15 per oil change, I swear by it.

 

[jungle]

Buffers can provide a little help for pistols that are shot a lot and people with sensitive wrist, elbows and shoulders(most of us will get there one day if we're lucky). It should be a range only mod. Any pistol that doesn't function with the buffer should not use them. Ditto on the under 5" pistols.

I recently saw a 1911 of very high custom build quality. It had run with a buffer for thousands of rounds without a single problem. The owner then took the buffer out. The first round ejected and the slide stayed back. It felt as if the recoil spring had been left out. On examination, the stock GI spring guide had wedged itself into the slide, near the spring tunnel and trapped the recoil spring. A punch was required to tap the spring guide out of the slide. A few strokes of the file and a few thousandths later it ran fine.

Moral: Always test even the smallest mod for function before you bet anything on it.

 

[Sir Aardvark]

They are nothing I'd use for CCW or self-defense, but I think they are fine for range work.

But... it all boils down to personal preference.

 

[jjohnson]

Results - Back from the Range!

Okay, I'm back. I told you guys I'd just go install one and see what happens.

Here it is. I installed one of the Wilson buffers (blue) correctly and marched off to the range with 200 rounds of the same 230-grain cast RNs I've been using for a couple of years. They're warm but within spec, so they reasonably approximate the recoil impulse of factory or GI ball ammo.
Of 200 rounds, I had 3 failure to feed malfunctions. That's normal for these loads - I have a polished ramp but they still hang up on occasion. I did notice the 'slam' of the slide against the frame that I'd experienced before went away, along with a slight but noticible reduction in recoil. There were no failures of any other kind. The slide remained open after each mag was empty, and it behaved just like you'd expect it, mechanically. I double checked my records and the recoil spring is a Wolff "factory weight" with less than a thousand rounds on it. I could play with a slightly beefier spring for these loads and maybe get a reduction on the slamming effect, but the whole idea on the question as I began was whether the buffs are worth anything at all.

My conclusion - yeah, they work, on mine anyhow, without causing problems, and I know they're supposed to be replaced every 1000 rounds. We'll see how it deteriorates as I continue to shoot it. Since this isn't a CCW piece at all, and gets frequently shot at the range, I'll likely keep the bufs in there until I use up my six pack of 'em, and go from there. I doubt I'll buy more when I've worn them out, but as noted, I had a handful of these to play with, and I'm curious by nature. I'll agree that tinkering like this is asking for trouble on a "combat weapon" of any kind.

So there ya go, guys, just one shooter's observations - and thanks to all of you who took the time to ponder it and offer ideas.

 

[cyanide]

You beat me to stevelyn. I was just about to say the exact same thing. I work too hard for my money to wear guns out if I can help it. I'd rather see how many different ones I can collect instead .
It boils down to personal choice and whether or not your 1911 will operate with a buffer installed. It's subjective. I hate wrap around grips even though I have very large hands. Others swear by them. I swear by the buffers, others hate them. To me they're a cheap piece of mind. Sort of like running synthetic oil in every car and truck I've owned. Does it really help? I can't prove it, but fot the extra $10-15 per oil change, I swear by it.

First you would have to produce a gun that was damaged by recoil by non buffer use.

A thing you will never be able to do.