BHP Recoil Buffers
- Thread starter Higgins
- Start date
Stephen A. Camp
Staff In Memoriam
Hello. As I understand it, there are two types of buffers for the BHP: the plastic shock buff cushion type and the spring-loaded mechanical type.
I've been using Buffer Technology's plastic type now for over a year in several different HPs. ALL of mine use them and have experienced exactly ZERO problems with them in terms of reliability.
I believe that they do prevent battering and possible cracks in either the slide or the frame, but also believe that many thousands of rounds would need to be fired before experiencing any such failures. Certainly, the hotter the load, the lower the number of rounds needed to cause problems.
The only "problem" I've heard folks mention is that:
1. Slide often won't lock back in the second notch with the thumb safety for field-stripping, and,
2. It's "hard" to get the slide back onto the frame with the buffer in place.
To overcome the first "problem", simply push the slide back while in a firing position, but unloaded, by putting the lower front of the slide against your gun bench or something similar and simply push it back til it's even with the slide's dust cover. Remove the slide stop pin. Not too hard in my view and certainly not worth giving up the battering protection.
The second "problem" is solved by making sure that everything's lined up and just pushing it on. A bit of elbow grease, but not much. End of problem.
I also recommend the use of a conventional 18.5lb recoil spring from Wolff. (Go to Wolff's site to see the differences between conventional and variable.)
Since I shoot nothing less than standard velocity loads and many, many warmer factory and handloaded rounds, my guns are set up to reduce battering as much as possible.
This system's worked for me for thousands upon thousands of rounds in 9mm.
The standard HP MkIII with no changes has done 5K Remington +P 115 gr JHPs with no problems according to an article in the "American Rifleman." You can find which issue and page by going to www.fnhipower.com and looking under the "FAQ."
You may find the below-listed links of use:
www.buffertech.com
http://www.gunsprings.com/
Hopefully, this is of use.
Best.
I've been using Buffer Technology's plastic type now for over a year in several different HPs. ALL of mine use them and have experienced exactly ZERO problems with them in terms of reliability.
I believe that they do prevent battering and possible cracks in either the slide or the frame, but also believe that many thousands of rounds would need to be fired before experiencing any such failures. Certainly, the hotter the load, the lower the number of rounds needed to cause problems.
The only "problem" I've heard folks mention is that:
1. Slide often won't lock back in the second notch with the thumb safety for field-stripping, and,
2. It's "hard" to get the slide back onto the frame with the buffer in place.
To overcome the first "problem", simply push the slide back while in a firing position, but unloaded, by putting the lower front of the slide against your gun bench or something similar and simply push it back til it's even with the slide's dust cover. Remove the slide stop pin. Not too hard in my view and certainly not worth giving up the battering protection.
The second "problem" is solved by making sure that everything's lined up and just pushing it on. A bit of elbow grease, but not much. End of problem.
I also recommend the use of a conventional 18.5lb recoil spring from Wolff. (Go to Wolff's site to see the differences between conventional and variable.)
Since I shoot nothing less than standard velocity loads and many, many warmer factory and handloaded rounds, my guns are set up to reduce battering as much as possible.
This system's worked for me for thousands upon thousands of rounds in 9mm.
The standard HP MkIII with no changes has done 5K Remington +P 115 gr JHPs with no problems according to an article in the "American Rifleman." You can find which issue and page by going to www.fnhipower.com and looking under the "FAQ."
You may find the below-listed links of use:
www.buffertech.com
http://www.gunsprings.com/
Hopefully, this is of use.
Best.
Stephen A. Camp
Staff In Memoriam
Hello. You are correct in that they do wear out.
I've not yet done it, but will. They are of tougher material and thicker than those used in 1911s. More expensive, too.
But to the point you're really making:
What if the buffer causes a malfunction in a deadly force scenario?
My "carry guns" that have buffers have new ones.
I suspect that since any of us are not too likely to fire many rounds in these circumstances, there's nothing wrong with using no buffer at all when carrying.
I've heard this argument before and there is certainly merit in it IF the person uses a well worn buff that's about ready to be trashed or just flat doesn't pay attention to its condition. I use new ones for "serious" purposes as I already know that my guns work with them. By "new," I mean that one magazine's been fired using the new buff. If one's still nervous, just don't use it.
In the event that the buffers break up while firing at the range, I'll just do as I've done with my 1911's, field-strip and replace. Never had any problem with the 1911s and expect none with the HP buffs, but as I said, I've not worn one out yet. In the event that it causes untold problems, I'll post it.
Best.
I've not yet done it, but will. They are of tougher material and thicker than those used in 1911s. More expensive, too.
But to the point you're really making:
What if the buffer causes a malfunction in a deadly force scenario?
My "carry guns" that have buffers have new ones.
I suspect that since any of us are not too likely to fire many rounds in these circumstances, there's nothing wrong with using no buffer at all when carrying.
I've heard this argument before and there is certainly merit in it IF the person uses a well worn buff that's about ready to be trashed or just flat doesn't pay attention to its condition. I use new ones for "serious" purposes as I already know that my guns work with them. By "new," I mean that one magazine's been fired using the new buff. If one's still nervous, just don't use it.
In the event that the buffers break up while firing at the range, I'll just do as I've done with my 1911's, field-strip and replace. Never had any problem with the 1911s and expect none with the HP buffs, but as I said, I've not worn one out yet. In the event that it causes untold problems, I'll post it.
Best.
Hello, Mr. Camp!
This is NOT a loaded (ha, that's a pun!) question at all, but I will ask it:
If buffers are indeed good for reducing wear and tear AND cause no functional reliability decrease, why is it that no manufacturer has adopted them as "factory original" equipment?
I'm just curious...
Skorzeny
This is NOT a loaded (ha, that's a pun!) question at all, but I will ask it:
If buffers are indeed good for reducing wear and tear AND cause no functional reliability decrease, why is it that no manufacturer has adopted them as "factory original" equipment?
I'm just curious...
Skorzeny
Stephen A. Camp
Staff In Memoriam
Hello. I suspect that's because they don't want to offer something that will eventually wear out and they'd have to keep in stock. Now, I'm not sure of that at all. It may also be that they design a firearm for sale that has an "acceptable lifetime" of X-number of shots and they have no desire or need to extend that.
Best.
Best.
I have 3 BHP's in both 9mm and .40 S&W, all have been fitted with the Sprinco Recoil Reducer. Best thing that I can tell you is get one and try it. It works best with full power ammo, not light reloads. If you don't like it you can send it back within 30 days for a full refund. I swear by them, made my .40 BHP a dream to shoot and I use a lighter recoil spring.
Stephen A. Camp
Staff In Memoriam
Hello, Skorzeny. I cannot recommend the Buffer Tech for anything other than the HP as I've not tried it in anything else other than the FAL. It works fine, but does affect the hold open on the last shot in this rifle. In other words, it doesn't lock open when fired empty. Since some FALs were made without holdopens, it doesn't really bother me.
Sorry not to've been of more help.
Best.
Sorry not to've been of more help.
Best.