Smyth Busters: Matching AR-15 Gas System to Buffer System – Video

U.S.A.-(Ammoland.com)- The internet is home to some very good and some very bad information, and unfortunately, the subject of the AR-15 is prone to this misinformation. Luckily Brownells has taken it upon themselves to do some myth-busting videos on America’s favorite rifle!

In this video, the Brownells Gun Techs go over the simple but often misunderstood issue of matching an AR-15 gas system to the buffer. In other words, does a rifle length buffer need a rifle length gas system, or can a mid-length gas system run on a carbine buffer?

For some of us this is a simple answer, but for the first time AR builder or new shooter getting into exercising their right to bear arms, this is easily a confusing one. If you are looking in the dark places of the internet (forums) I am sure that confusion only becomes worse. Watch the video or read the below excerpt for a quick and easy answer, we will be following the Smyth Busters series closely as I really enjoy the videos!

The dynamic duo of Brownells Gun Techs, Steve Ostrem and Caleb Savant, join forces and use their combined super-powers to address the AR-15 Myth that the length of the gas system and the length of the buffer system have to match. For example, if ya got a RIFLE-length gas tube, do ya gotta have a RIFLE buffer system? The answer is NO. Once the buffer end of an AR-15 is set up to operate, it works the same regardless of the gas system up front AS LONG AS the gas system produces the correct volume of gas to cycle the bolt / carrier assembly reliably. Sometimes you do have to change the weight of the buffer, and Steve explains some of those situations. The guys have thick skins – if you think they’ve overlooked something or you outright disagree with them, let us know in the comments below!

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AERO PRECISION – M4E1 ASSEMBLED UPPER RECEIVER 18″ 5.56 RIFLE LENGTH

AERO PRECISION - M4E1 ASSEMBLED UPPER RECEIVER 18" 5.56 RIFLE LENGTH
AERO PRECISION – M4E1 ASSEMBLED UPPER RECEIVER 18″ 5.56 RIFLE LENGTH

AERO PRECISION – M4E1 ASSEMBLED UPPER RECEIVER 10.5″ 5.56MM CARBINE LENGTH

AERO PRECISION - M4E1 ASSEMBLED UPPER RECEIVER 10.5" 5.56MM CARBINE LENGTH
AERO PRECISION – M4E1 ASSEMBLED UPPER RECEIVER 10.5″ 5.56MM CARBINE LENGTH

Buy the Buffer System You Want Here:

Brownells – AR-15 Rifle Buffer Kit

Brownells - AR-15 Rifle Buffer Kit
Brownells – AR-15 Rifle Buffer Kit

Brownells – AR-15/M16 Buffer Tube Assembly

Brownells - AR-15/M16 Buffer Tube Assembly
Brownells – AR-15/M16 Buffer Tube Assembly

About Duncan Johnson:Duncan Johnson

Duncan is a firm believer in the Second Amendment and that “shall not be infringed”, means exactly that. A life-long firearms enthusiast and a graduate of George Mason University, now competing regularly in 3 gun competitions, Duncan is always looking to improve his shooting skills. Duncan is a regular contributor to AmmoLand and assists in the everyday gun-news publishing as an assistant editor.

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Doszap

You can’t run a rifle buffer in an M4 carbine tube, it’s too short,but you can do the opposite.

Deplorable Bill

I know it won’t work Dos. & T, but they did not say that in the video. I figured it had better get out before somebody gets hurt.

Arm up, carry on

Deplorable Bill

What happens when you put a rifle length buffer in a collapsed carbine stock? Will it run when the stock is at it’s shortest point?

Arm up, carry on.

Terry

Bill, just in case you’re not kidding. It won’t cycle at all. The rifle buffer is way too long to allow the bolt to pick up the next round. It wouldn’t run if you took off the stock and threw it in the trash.

SeaLeopard

Re: Brownells “Myth-Buster” videos, for one no need to be a physicist for understanding the point.