1911 recoil buffers - Y/N?

[tombogan03884]

No.

About a year ago, I had a student who could not get his gun to go into battery after pulling back and releasing. After some examination and discussion, it became obvious that the buffer was causing the problem.

This caused more thought and has resulted in my opinion that a buffer is DANGEROUS. If the buffer prevents the full rearward motion of the slide relative to the frame, it is also preventing the full opening of the ejection port (specifcally because of the movement of the slide relative to the barrel, which is connected to the frame) and the full intended force of the ejector against the rear of the case... both of these can cause reliability issues. In the former case, a FTF round may not eject reliably resulting in a double feed or stovepipe..... in the later any round may not be completely cast out of the way of the slide as it returns forward resulting in a stovepipe.
I have never been convinced that they are a necessary thing, but since it has become obvious that they cause real problems, I suggest to students and anyone else who asks that they take them out immediately.

The original problem was caused by the lack of complete rearward travel which meant that the slide was not fully pushing the slide-release down out of the way.

Of course, as these things work, now that I know what to look for, I have seen the problems several times.

-RJP

Well there's you answer. I'd listen to experience.

[alfsauve]

I've always used a "spring" buffer.   I don't remember who made it or where I obtained it.  It probably wouldn't hurt after 37 years to replace both it and the main spring.

[Bill Stryker]

I have used them on my 1911s without any problems. BUT the person who sold them to me said to take them out if you were using the gun as a carry piece. Since I no longer carry M1911s it is not a problem for me. I do take one of them deer hunting on occasion, not to shoot the deer, I use a rifle for that; but I do use it when tracking someone else's wounded deer. I don't want 2 rifles in that situation after a scare 20 years ago.

[PegLeg45]

No.

About a year ago, I had a student who could not get his gun to go into battery after pulling back and releasing. After some examination and discussion, it became obvious that the buffer was causing the problem.

This caused more thought and has resulted in my opinion that a buffer is DANGEROUS. If the buffer prevents the full rearward motion of the slide relative to the frame, it is also preventing the full opening of the ejection port (specifcally because of the movement of the slide relative to the barrel, which is connected to the frame) and the full intended force of the ejector against the rear of the case... both of these can cause reliability issues. In the former case, a FTF round may not eject reliably resulting in a double feed or stovepipe..... in the later any round may not be completely cast out of the way of the slide as it returns forward resulting in a stovepipe.
I have never been convinced that they are a necessary thing, but since it has become obvious that they cause real problems, I suggest to students and anyone else who asks that they take them out immediately.

The original problem was caused by the lack of complete rearward travel which meant that the slide was not fully pushing the slide-release down out of the way.

Of course, as these things work, now that I know what to look for, I have seen the problems several times.

-RJP

Nice explanation Rob.
And, here endeth the lesson. 

[Big Frank]

I've been using them for years in my 5" Para and they never caused any malfuctions. My alloy frame takes a beating even with an 18.5 pound recoil spring instead of a standard 16 pound spring. In barrels shorter than 5" the buffers can cause a lot of problems since the recoil system is so much shorter.

[Sponsor]

[Michael Bane]

I used buffers in my competition guns when I was seriously competing, but keep in mind that I replaced them on a regular basis (as I did all my springs, including magazine springs). At tens of thousands of rounds a year everything wears out.

NONE of my "real" 1911s have buffers in them. When I was running matches, I saw buffer failures — either FTF as described by Rob or, in one case, a broken buffer that managed to lock the gun up — on a regular basis.

If you manage to shoot enough rounds to wear out the frame from battering, good on you!

Michael B

[IndependentRealist]

I am new to this forum, however just wanted to comment here. I have used shock buffs for years 4 1/4",5" guns and really have never had any malfunctions? You will have to use your slide lock switch to forward your slide. If you try to pull the slide back to forward onto a magazine(loaded) it won't. If you aren't comfortable using them don't but I am not going to blanket statement them as being bad when they aren't and are used to help stop the battering of your beloved pistol!

IR

[ismram]

John M. Browning did not put recoil buffers in, nor do I!

[Big Frank]

John M. Browning did not put recoil buffers in, nor do I!

Should we also use M1911s as John M. Browning invented it instead of the improved M1911A1s?

IMO progress moves forward, not backward.

[Fatman]

I had FTF issues with mine and buffs, and now that Independent mentioned it I couldn't sling it reliably either. Buffer definitely  impeded rearward motion to the detriment of operation.  If my pistol ends up battered to death, I''ll  toss one down in its memory and honor its commitment to reliability above all else.

Buffs seem to be in the same category as ammo. if the latest, greatest ammo won't feed reliably in your carry would you use it?  Those that want to maximize survival chances in the SHTF situations know that answer.  If you have no problems with buffs modifying the normal operation of your carry pistol, by all means use them. Apply common sense liberally.