Shok-Buffs: necessary?
Thinking of picking up a NIB Colt 1991. Is a shock buffer a good idea in terms of contributing to the longevity of the firearm? Or do they disintegrate and contribute to malfunctions? Thanks
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Same experience as 19ontheslide. Would consider one again if I start using +P loads, but not until then.
Thanks gentlemen. You confirm my hunch.
The few times I've used them they were problematic. Proper recoil spring rates do the job just fine, no shock buffs needed.
I've never had a problem with them in 5" guns but I avoid them in shorter pistols as they take up a small amount of rearward slide travel. I also replace them frequently. In my opinion most of the guys having problems with them either use crappy brands or else run them for too long without replacing them.
Exactly what dsk said. Use them at the range, take them out when you carry. 5" guns only! At the range you will probably be ok with them in a 4.25" but... 3.5" utterly horrible.I've never had a problem with them in 5" guns but I avoid them in shorter pistols as they take up a small amount of rearward slide travel. I also replace them frequently. In my opinion most of the guys having problems with them either use crappy brands or else run them for too long without replacing them.
A waste of money for most guns perhaps.
I have tried them in quite a few guns, and nearly always had problems.
However. I do have one gun that suffers inertia feeds. Running one in that guns makes it more reliable. If you want to run a buffer, run Wilson buffers. They are thinner and are less prone to cause problems in most full sized guns.
I have tried them in quite a few guns, and nearly always had problems.
However. I do have one gun that suffers inertia feeds. Running one in that guns makes it more reliable. If you want to run a buffer, run Wilson buffers. They are thinner and are less prone to cause problems in most full sized guns.
Ahh the great debate rumbles on........
Stock gun running hardball not so much,
Wad gun tuning for double taps lite loads, Yup less spring and a buff works.
As been said just change regular,
Gene
Seems like Nic Taylor had a good vid on the subject, Google it on Youtube
Stock gun running hardball not so much,
Wad gun tuning for double taps lite loads, Yup less spring and a buff works.
As been said just change regular,
Gene
Seems like Nic Taylor had a good vid on the subject, Google it on Youtube
I picked up a couple good deals on 1911s over the years the previous owners had problems with, and they were the reason. So I do not use them but.......
Shock buffs, FLGR's, which lube to use and how often to use it, how often to clean and what to use, bore snakes vs patches and rods.........
Aaahhh...the fun topics........
Aaahhh...the fun topics........
Well, when we look at who runs Shock Buffers, it seems like the legendary Wilson Combat and elite USMC MEUSOC. What the heck do they know about 1911's.
A few custom gun makers will cut 1/10th or less of an inch in the frame for a shock buffer to make uo for the slide movemment. Swapping at 10K rounds is recomended.
I run them in a few guns for a few reasons. If you own a 10/22 you should get 2-3 different shock buffers and run then vs stock, you will hear and feel a difference.
I run a shock buffer in a few guns, but not in a 1911.
A few custom gun makers will cut 1/10th or less of an inch in the frame for a shock buffer to make uo for the slide movemment. Swapping at 10K rounds is recomended.
I run them in a few guns for a few reasons. If you own a 10/22 you should get 2-3 different shock buffers and run then vs stock, you will hear and feel a difference.
I run a shock buffer in a few guns, but not in a 1911.
Handgun Shok-buff Recommendations: 06-10-2012
Ed Brown: Does not recommend the use of Shok-buffs in any of their guns and there is not enough room to accept a standard thick Shok-buff and sling-shot.
Les Baer: Shipped with a Shok-buff in at least their 5” Premier II guns but it is rumored that all or most will not sling-shot with the Shok-buff in place.
Wilson Combat: Shipped with a Wilson Combat Shok-buff in their 5” guns only.
A Shok-buff does limit the length that the slide travels backward.
Not all guns have enough room to use a Shok-buff and still slingshot.
Examples: Ed Browns, on at least the Executive Target & Les Baer, on at least the Premier II do not have enough room for a standard (.100-.105 thick) Shok-buff and still slingshot.
Guns that do not have enough room for a Shok-buff can exhibit 2 negative characteristics that could prove fatal in a life or death scenario.
1) Slide may not go back far enough to slingshot, that is allow the slide to be pulled back just enough to allow the slide to go forward to battery.
2) Shok-buffs may limit rearward travel enough to not allow the slide to stay open on last round fired.
Other than those limitations, Shok-buffs are a matter of personal preference & / opinion.
If you are not familiar with a Shok-buff's limitations and use one, eventually it will screw you up, and not always at a convenient time.
Dawson Precision markets a .100 thick aluminum Shok-buff (# 032-001 DP 1911 HiCap Aluma Buff Shock Buffs) that is used by a lot of the gamers & competition shooters. Ones using it seem to be quite satisfied with it. These will not work in Les Baer or Ed Brown handguns without modification due to their thickness.
Joe Cominolli of Cominolli Custom makes a shock absorber type of device that requires 2 different thicknesses of Shok-buffs. He generally sells them as a combined set but if you call him he will sell you only the thin ones, which are black in color and measure about .062 thick.
I modified a standard .105 thick Shok-buff a while back by sanding it down to about .08 thick for my new Ed Brown Executive Target. Works like a charm.
I shoot 5 different 5" .45 autos, all wear 1 piece or 2 piece full-length guide rods, all are Shok-buffed, & all fully sling-shot.
I do not suggest that everybody else run a FLGR.
I do not believe in cutting coils, removing material from the back of the slide dust cover, and I believe that everybody is entitled to an opinion regarding Shok-Buffs.
Ed Brown: Does not recommend the use of Shok-buffs in any of their guns and there is not enough room to accept a standard thick Shok-buff and sling-shot.
Les Baer: Shipped with a Shok-buff in at least their 5” Premier II guns but it is rumored that all or most will not sling-shot with the Shok-buff in place.
Wilson Combat: Shipped with a Wilson Combat Shok-buff in their 5” guns only.
A Shok-buff does limit the length that the slide travels backward.
Not all guns have enough room to use a Shok-buff and still slingshot.
Examples: Ed Browns, on at least the Executive Target & Les Baer, on at least the Premier II do not have enough room for a standard (.100-.105 thick) Shok-buff and still slingshot.
Guns that do not have enough room for a Shok-buff can exhibit 2 negative characteristics that could prove fatal in a life or death scenario.
1) Slide may not go back far enough to slingshot, that is allow the slide to be pulled back just enough to allow the slide to go forward to battery.
2) Shok-buffs may limit rearward travel enough to not allow the slide to stay open on last round fired.
Other than those limitations, Shok-buffs are a matter of personal preference & / opinion.
If you are not familiar with a Shok-buff's limitations and use one, eventually it will screw you up, and not always at a convenient time.
Dawson Precision markets a .100 thick aluminum Shok-buff (# 032-001 DP 1911 HiCap Aluma Buff Shock Buffs) that is used by a lot of the gamers & competition shooters. Ones using it seem to be quite satisfied with it. These will not work in Les Baer or Ed Brown handguns without modification due to their thickness.
Joe Cominolli of Cominolli Custom makes a shock absorber type of device that requires 2 different thicknesses of Shok-buffs. He generally sells them as a combined set but if you call him he will sell you only the thin ones, which are black in color and measure about .062 thick.
I modified a standard .105 thick Shok-buff a while back by sanding it down to about .08 thick for my new Ed Brown Executive Target. Works like a charm.
I shoot 5 different 5" .45 autos, all wear 1 piece or 2 piece full-length guide rods, all are Shok-buffed, & all fully sling-shot.
I do not suggest that everybody else run a FLGR.
I do not believe in cutting coils, removing material from the back of the slide dust cover, and I believe that everybody is entitled to an opinion regarding Shok-Buffs.
I run them on my Wilson Gov't size CQB. I change them out every 500 shots. For the little that they cost, ($1.17 ea for Wilson's, or about 3 rounds of factory .45 ACP). So far, 4,500 rounds without a hiccup of any kind. Makes sense to me that they provide some cushion between the back of the recoil spring tunnel in the slide and the guide rod head, (and frame behind it). Never seen one deform or disintegrate and the gun shoots slightly softer with the Shok Buff's in place. Necessary? Absolutely not but I take good care of my firearms and to me it's like changing oil every 2,000 miles and using a magnetic drain plug in the pan. Makes me feel better.
I have had one in my GC for years and never a problem. Never tried one in my Commander.
Do a search on Shok Buff in the Wilson Combat sub-forum. There are pages of discussion.
I picked up a used Kimber Custom Elite 1911. I didn't find any issues in the store, but when I got home the slide was locking back for no discernible reason. Turned out there was a buffer in the gun. It has since been removed and there have been no other issues.I picked up a couple good deals on 1911s over the years the previous owners had problems with, and they were the reason. So I do not use them but.......
Hands on experience speaks for me. Many many many 1000's of rounds through full sized 1911's.........Colt, Kimber, S&W, Springer, Wilson CQB, Fusion, a Taurus and a couple of semi customs. Used them at times in each of these guns. Also shot the guns without them. I never had a single issue with them. I also checked them when cleaning swapped them out as needed. Others may have a different story but that is what I experienced over the years I was shooting my .45 caliber 1911's. Were they necessary? Nope. But they worked. Be safe, shoot well. :rock:
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