I have a lower from Palmetto State and it came complete with a Palmetto State stock. I assumed (I did not purchase it from Palmetto State) the buffer tube assembly was provided by them also. While installing a single point attachment I noticed the inside of the buffer tube was rough, had ridges, not sharp, but identifiable. My other two AR tubes are very smooth inside. I called Palmetto State and it was determined that the tube assembly was not theirs. My question is, can I take a brake type hone and smooth out the imperfections? Will it make a difference? I'm not talking about removing any significant amount of metal, just smoothing it up. The lower supports my 300 Blk.
Honing Inside AR Buffer Tube
- Thread starter captmike03
- Start date
You're certainly not going to hurt anything by smoothing it up. It's probably not really hurting anything being rough other than maybe increasing the spring noise when you cycle it.
In theory...you can do what you are suggesting, but if it looks that bad, you should automatically default to "what the hell else is wrong with this *#$%ing P.O.S."-mode and carefully inspect it to determine if it is even in spec or if you should just toss it aside and start over with a quality part (it isn't like mil-spec buffer tubes cost an arm and a leg...~$35...and you'll likely spend more time than you money is worth getting your current POS cleaned up if you go that route).
If it measures up and/or a stock body attaches to it without issue and you can run your upper on it without issue...I wouldn't be too concerned.
The only things that the imperfections may do are: 1) increase the noise you hear as the weapon cycles (spring banging around on the raised/sharp edges, etc.); and/or 2) cause premature/unwanted wear/tear on your buffer spring/buffer/etc. if it is really that rough.
If you proceed with smoothing it up...I would recommend using a fine, adjustable brake cylinder hone (~400 grit) but only after lubing up the inside of the tube with either a synthetic motor oil or another suitable surface lube to reduce the cutting/honing action. Once you have everything cut down/smoothed up some, then a final polishing job with something like a large gauge (10-12ga) shotgun mop or other similar buffer/pad threaded to a cleaning rod section then chucked into your power drill on a low speed using a good polishing compound on the mop will do wonders. You'll remove any and all (almost anyway) of the anodizing on the interior of the tube, so be advised that it will be shiny and not have any real protection from the elements depending on the conditions you'll be shooting the rifle in, but its aluminum (of what spec/quality who the hell knows) so it shouldn't be too big a deal under most conditions, but in the interests of full disclosure...
Good luck!
If it measures up and/or a stock body attaches to it without issue and you can run your upper on it without issue...I wouldn't be too concerned.
The only things that the imperfections may do are: 1) increase the noise you hear as the weapon cycles (spring banging around on the raised/sharp edges, etc.); and/or 2) cause premature/unwanted wear/tear on your buffer spring/buffer/etc. if it is really that rough.
If you proceed with smoothing it up...I would recommend using a fine, adjustable brake cylinder hone (~400 grit) but only after lubing up the inside of the tube with either a synthetic motor oil or another suitable surface lube to reduce the cutting/honing action. Once you have everything cut down/smoothed up some, then a final polishing job with something like a large gauge (10-12ga) shotgun mop or other similar buffer/pad threaded to a cleaning rod section then chucked into your power drill on a low speed using a good polishing compound on the mop will do wonders. You'll remove any and all (almost anyway) of the anodizing on the interior of the tube, so be advised that it will be shiny and not have any real protection from the elements depending on the conditions you'll be shooting the rifle in, but its aluminum (of what spec/quality who the hell knows) so it shouldn't be too big a deal under most conditions, but in the interests of full disclosure...
Good luck!
Thanks for the reply's. That is what I wanted to know. I'm looking into replacing the assembly as I do not know where it came from. As I said, Palmetto State says the assembly is not theirs and I am trying to eliminate as many possibilities as I can on feed issues I have using using cast bullets. Weapon cycles fine with jacketed ammo, but I am still working on the right combo for cast/powder coated. I know what part of my problem is, but just ran across this while installing a part. Thanks for the input.
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