Browning BAR Buffer

[murph1118]

I have a 1971 Browning BAR I inherited from my grandfather. It’s in beautiful condition. While shooting it this past weekend, I noticed some “crust” coming from the magazine area. At first I thought it was just old dried up grease or something. Upon further investigation, the nylon buffer under the foregrip had completely disintegrated. I plan to replace, but is it still safe to shoot without that buffer?

 

[camocorvette]

I know nothing about Bar's. But I would think it's there for a reason. I would hold off until you can get it replaced. Considering it's your grandfather's gun. I'd wanna keep it in the best shape possible.

 

[bfoosh006]

No...... that buffer helps absorb any battering from the various power factory ammo loads.

 

[strikeeagle1]

Cease & desist shooting it! With the polymer buffer crumbled / crumbling its effectiveness to prevent the inertia block from beating the parts to
death, is zero. Simple disassembly and replacement. Carry on. I authored a technical Manual for the Browning BAR rifle many years ago.

 

[camocorvette]

And there we have it. Good job hide.

 

[fanninland]

A few years ago I noticed the sane thing on my dad’s 30.06 BAR. IIRC sourced a new buffer directly from Browning - inexpensive and didn’t take long to receive it.

 

[murph1118]

I’m digging this forum. Part is ordered!

Thanks all!