Flat Coil Buffer Springs?

[alamo5000]

I am wondering if anyone has used or cares to discuss flat Coil buffer springs? What are the real world advantages (if any)?

I'm contemplating trying it out, but I want to hear from anyone else who has actually tried them vs a regular spring before I commit to buying anything.

 

[nagantguy]

I’m running a flat coil spring in 6.5 build - I see absolutely no benefit, improvement or anything at all that it offers over a traditional spring . Was wondering about them , found one for sale local while doing the build- it hasn’t caused any issues , runs absolutely fine , can’t see a single advantage.

 

[Trigger Monkey]

I feel like most people get them because it doesn't make the sproingy sound. Almost every time someone has an issue with an A5 buffer system I've also noticed that they're using a flat wire spring too. Coincidence?

I'm just saying that other than a bit of extra noise, milspec springs work and I'd prefer to put the money towards ammo.

 

[6brshooter]

I feel like most people get them because it doesn't make the sproingy sound. Almost every time someone has an issue with an A5 buffer system I've also noticed that they're using a flat wire spring too. Coincidence?

I'm just saying that other than a bit of extra noise, milspec springs work and I'd prefer to put the money towards ammo.

But was the spring the actual problem or something else? The only gain you will get with a flat wire spring is increased life, if both flat and rd wire springs are the same weight rating. I like flat wire springs in pistols, they do seem smoother, but that is purely subjective. Most of my ar's have giessele wrapped springs or springco rd wire springs.

 

[Trigger Monkey]

I can't say, usually people figure it out on their own and/or don't follow up, my mentioning of it was anecdotal.

 

[alamo5000]

My main reason for wanting to try a flat spring is because it is shorter when fully compressed. I have one rifle with a specific buffer setup that could benefit I think. It's worth a shot if for nothing but academic reasons.

 

[nagantguy]

Okay - Maybe the flat spring will or has the potential to last longer - I’ve only rever had to replace one buffer spring because it was past its service life ; just one .

I don’t notice any less “sprongy” noise when shooting the 6.5G with the flat spring over the other 6.5G with a Springco . But it’s also true my ears are shit and I never thought to “listen “ for any difference in “sprongy” noise .

 

[XP1K]

I had a PWS mk216 in 308, and running an omega in stock trim just wasn't happening.

it had a carbine length reciever extension so I ordered the slash xh buffer/spring combo. It helped, but it made the recoil impulse really punchy and I didn't care for it. It was still pretty hard on cases also.

After a lot of reading here and other places, I switched to the a5 length extension and an h3 buffer. Tried the stock spring, and the heavy spring from slash and I still really wasn't happy with it.

Ended up making a honking huge buffer myself, that weighed like 11oz iirc, and its was better, but still not great.

Enter the tubbs flatwire. Picked one up and it ran the best it ever had. Softer recoil impulse. Kicking brass out about 3 o'clock. Brass was relatively clean for running suppressed. Then I tossed the h3 back in just for kicks to see what would happen, and that was the setup I settled on until I sold that rifle.

I've used three of them so far. Two large frames, and and one ar15. I need to pick another one up for this LMT that replaced the PWS. Currently its running a sprinco red, brt 50/50 tube, and the stock buffer.

 

[alamo5000]

For me, I got my 6ARC barrel made right near the release of 6ARC, and in the middle of one of the shortages of components. Not knowing what to get I opted for a plain rifle length gas, not +1 or +2.

It shot fine but it was tearing up brass and was pretty over gassed. I tried heavier buffers which helped a whole lot.

Flash forward and I got the new gas pocket BCG from Griffin (which is awesome). One of the features is a shorter gas key, which allows the BCG about 1/4" increased travel. In order to take advantage of that you need to shorten up the actual buffer weight.

What I did was opt for a heavy .308 carbine buffer, which is quite a bit shorter than a standard one for an AR. If I'm not mistaken it's .75" shorter. I made a spacer and put it in the buffer tube and just put everything back. The new buffer is I think .4oz heavier than the one I used before.

It shoots super nice now. It's way smoother than before, however because of the spacer and the spring, it will bump the bottom so to speak from time to time. If you look at the picture I put up earlier in the thread it shows how much shorter it is when compressed.

I know it can't travel too far back because of the spacer, but I think it's going to full compression every now and then. I think the flat wire will open up a little bit of space in the buffer tube.

 

[Bacarrat]

Had a LaRue flatwire spring years back on my MK12 Mod 0. Surprisingly the rifle still functioned.

 

[RayDBonz]

I been using the Tubb flatwire springs for several years in my service rifles. No issues. Also, no real benefit.

 

[6brshooter]

For me, I got my 6ARC barrel made right near the release of 6ARC, and in the middle of one of the shortages of components. Not knowing what to get I opted for a plain rifle length gas, not +1 or +2.

It shot fine but it was tearing up brass and was pretty over gassed. I tried heavier buffers which helped a whole lot.

Flash forward and I got the new gas pocket BCG from Griffin (which is awesome). One of the features is a shorter gas key, which allows the BCG about 1/4" increased travel. In order to take advantage of that you need to shorten up the actual buffer weight.

What I did was opt for a heavy .308 carbine buffer, which is quite a bit shorter than a standard one for an AR. If I'm not mistaken it's .75" shorter. I made a spacer and put it in the buffer tube and just put everything back. The new buffer is I think .4oz heavier than the one I used before.

It shoots super nice now. It's way smoother than before, however because of the spacer and the spring, it will bump the bottom so to speak from time to time. If you look at the picture I put up earlier in the thread it shows how much shorter it is when compressed.

I know it can't travel too far back because of the spacer, but I think it's going to full compression every now and then. I think the flat wire will open up a little bit of space in the buffer tube.

That 6arc barrel would have been helped best with an adj gas block, vs spring/buffer/bcg, as it was overgassed.

 

[alamo5000]

That 6arc barrel would have been helped best with an adj gas block, vs spring/buffer/bcg, as it was overgassed.

Already has it from day 1. SLR adjustable gas blocks are on all of my rifles.