I go through the ARs I compete with and replace cam pins, firing pin retainers and this year I decided to change buffer springs. My main competition rifle is five years old and though it only has about 3500 rounds in it I figured why not.

Main rifles have mil spec carbine receiver extensions and all have 4oz Spikes Tactical carbine buffers. I ordered three Springco blue springs and swapped them out. Blue slings were about 1” longer than the ones I pulled so I thought at the time I made a good choice .

Issue 1. Shot about 60 rounds down a 14.5 with 5.56 RC2 ran fine. Cases drop 3’ away at 4 o’clock. All good. I put the rifle up dirty with an ECI in it. Pulled it out to get it ready for some shooting after our 3 x 1000 today. Remove the ECI, hit the bolt release and nothing. Bolt didn’t budge. I pull the charging handle back a couple times and nothing. I smack the stock with my hand and the bolt dropped. Cycles fine afterwards and shot fine but this was odd. Never seen this before. Tube and buffer are smooth, no scratches, no excessive fouling.


Issue 2: Today I bring my 15.1” RECCE out with AEM5. First time I have shot it with the new spring. I can’t get through 4 shots without the bolt skipping over the case and jamming the rifle. Did it four times. Buddy had his 14.5 with him with standard mil spec spring. We swapped them and it Ran through 30 rounds with no issues.

I’m not shitting on these springs but I’m not happy . It seems like the one in the 14.5” bound up and the one in the RECCE was too strong/fast and wouldn’t reliably run with my USGI 30 rounder or my buddies 20 round colt mag.


Anyone else ran into anything like this with these blue springs?