Opinion on using a nylon recoil rod buffer.

[loaded round]

Guys: I used purchased a Nighthawk Custom Model NHC 1911 in 45 ACP and was ordered with a one piece recoil rod. My question is the use of a nylon buffer on the recoil rod. Nighthawk claims it's not needed, yet two well known gunsmiths said it does prevent some slide battering. I plan on shooting regular ball ammunition in my new pistol (no +P stuff). I used a nylon buffer in my current Colt Gold Cup and have over 15K rounds through it w/o a single problem out of changing recoil springs regularly. I also have a Colt Nation Match that I bought from the army when I was separated. My NM 1911 never had a buffer installed and it was as loose as my knees when I sent it away to have rebuilt. So guys, your opinions or experiences please. I want to do right with a 4K pistol.

 

[contender]

Well, I own a "few" 1911's myself. I shot a 45 using 230's in USPSA competition for many years. I used the buffers for a long time, and had to change them out as they'd get battered & start coming apart. My loads were not heavy, (230 grn, running about 750 fps,) but I shot a LOT. At one point I was shooting about 7000 rounds a year. I also have a one piece guide rod, and used buffers trying to assure my gun would run smoothly.
Well, after wearing out several nylon buffers,,and seeing how a torn one MIGHT get a piece torn off, and stuck into a place causing a jam,,, I decided to stop using them.
I have never had an issue by not using them.
Go with the recommendations of the builder,, they know their guns better than anyone.

 

[Snake45]

I use them, but after finding one that had completely disintegrated into large chunks in a gun that hadn't been used in a couple years, I keep a close eye on them now. Apparently many lubes/oils can break them down.

 

[pisgah]

In my opinion, if a 1911 needs a buffer then something is wrong somewhere. Maybe the recoil spring is too light; maybe the ammo being used is a wee bit stiff. But a properly-built 1911 using ammo within original design specifications has absolutely no need for a buffer. By adding something that is a fix for something that ain't broke, you're adding something that can very easily get broke.

 

[Dan in MI]

I'm firmly in this school of thought ^^^^

Also, I have a gunsmith friend that has been a round a block a few times. He has shown me guns damaged by buffers. They can cause damage to the slide as they push out sideways. Cracks in areas that never see any stress under normal operation. Of course people will scream that's BS, just like the originator did when he was shown this 40 years ago, it's your gun.... (the originators claim is they weren't replaced often enough. IE; buy more)

 

[cas6969]

They can cause damage to the slide as they push out sideways.

I'm in the middle of the road with them, I have them in a couple guns, but more without. But that ^ doesn't make any sense to me.

I suppose they could come apart if you left them in the gun way too long, but I don't. I also don't wait till they're metal on metal to change my car's brakes. ;)

The "cons" argument always reminds me of the people who tell you how bad an Accuwedge in an AR is. "It can break", it can come loose and jam the gun. No, no it can't. Anyone who thinks that's never had one in their gun, or at least bothered to look at it. lol

 

[wwb]

.......

I suppose they could come apart if you left them in the gun way too long, but I don't.........

This is my answer, as well. They're so darn cheap, I put in new ones each spring in time for summer shooting.

 

[gunzo]

I've used them. I've even gone a step further & used a Comonolli frame saver guide rod that has 2 shock buffs on it, one to keep the slide from smacking the rod & the other to keep the rod from smacking the frame. Not really used to slow down wear, it was to soften recoil impulse.
I was shooting competition at the time(USPSA) & used a lot of gadgets trying to find an edge. I no longer compete, but still shoot 1911s quite a bit & they no longer contain that gadget. I don't feel the need.

 

[TRanger]

If a $4000 pistol needs some kind of after market gadget installed in it, you have been had.

 

[Bob Wright]

One would think that if any aftermarket thing was needed, the US Army would have discovered that by now.

That design has been around only, what, just over a hundred years?

Bob Wright

 

[cas6969]

I always laugh when guys feel their weapon was the best thing possible, while complaining that just about every other piece of gear they were issued was awful junk. Hmmm.... ;)



I use them in my USPSA gun and 10mm's.

IIRC some higher end race guns use aluminum buffers as well, or a combination of synthetic and aluminum. But you need to keep in mind just because it's a 1911 (or 2011) at it's base, doesn't mean you're comparing apples to apples.

For that matter, not all "plastic" buffers are the same either, some brands are like soft rubber, some hard as a rock, others in the middle. Varying thickness too. So YMMV. ;)

 

[deserttrans]

I have used them to fine tune ammo to the pistol and recoil spring. Add or reduce tension on the spring for light or heavier loads. Increase or shorten the slide action cycle time too. Normally not really needed. If used keep a eye on the condition and replace. Are really cheap to purchase.

 

[DeletedMember275]

I won't use them on anything other than a range toy. I had installed one along with an 18-LB recoil spring on my everyday carry 1911, because at the time I was shooting a lot of heavy loads in it. Then I went overseas for four years, and put the gun in storage. When I returned and had to shoot qualification for my AZ carry permit, the gun repeatedly choked on factory 230 grain FMJ. I had been relying on memory RE: the heavy recoil spring and buffer. That could have gotten me killed. It won't happen again. I'll change recoil springs on time, and use the appropriate spring for my ammo. I doubt I'll beat a gun to death in the remaining years of my life.

 

[xtratoy]

I have Wilson ShokBuffs in my 1911's. Not nylon but a very durable poly-fiber bushing as described by Wilson Combat. I also use one in my Mini-14. I figure anything that keeps metal from slamming together can't be all bad.

 

[Mobuck]

"In my opinion, if a 1911 needs a buffer then something is wrong somewhere."

Change the "1911" to Browning Hi-Power and that's almost exactly what Cylinder & Slide told me 20 years ago when I took my Hi-Power in for a tune up.

 

[Rick Courtright]

"In my opinion, if a 1911 needs a buffer then something is wrong somewhere."

Change the "1911" to Browning Hi-Power and that's almost exactly what Cylinder & Slide told me 20 years ago when I took my Hi-Power in for a tune up.

Hi,

Zackly! I always wonder how it is that guys who know just enough about their gun to field strip it for cleaning and get it back together without extra parts on the table still know more about the gun than the guys who built it. Especially if the builder has decades of experience with the particular gun. Human nature?

Rick C

 

[xtratoy]

It sounds like if it wasn't designed or manufactured with a particular part anything other then as sold is superfluous. Does this also apply to sights, extended slide releases, ambi safeties , beavertail safties etc. etc.... What about the multitude of spring kits sold for guns and the gunsmiths who install them that tell you that the gun is perfect as designed. Then why is he doing custom work on a gun that already supposedly is at its perfection as supplied by the manufacturer. Why are there so many after market Jigs, tools and parts available for guns if they designed and made them right to begin with. This is posted half seriously and one quarter sarcasticly with the othe quarter whatever you want it to be. I am sure Brownells , MidwayUSA and even some of the members here that sell aftermarket parts made and designed by themselves would beg to differ that there is no value in improving your gun even if the only thing it improves is your own impression of the modification.

 

[cas6969]

If they were supposed to have buffers, JMB would have added one!






Like medium and long triggers, lowered ejection ports, high profile sights, adjustable sight, front dovetail sight cuts, commander style hammers, beaver tail grip safety, any combination of same that doesn't chew up the web of your hand, full profile safeties, guns that will feed anything but round ball, guns that fire anything but 45 ACP, guns made out of stainless, frames made out of alloy, guns with ramped barrels.... ;)