Selecting the Right Hydraulic Buffer for Your AR Rifle Build: Tips and Best Practices

Choosing the right hydraulic buffer and spring setup for your AR rifle build can be a complex task, especially given the various calibers, barrel lengths, and buffer tube configurations available. This comprehensive guide will help you select the perfect hydraulic buffer and spring setup for your AR rifle build by providing tips and best practices based on specific configurations.

Table of Contents

1. AR15 .223/5.56 Carbine with a 16” Barrel
2. AR10 in .308/7.62 or 6.5 Creedmoor
3. 450 Bushmaster
4. 458 SOCOM
5. AR15 .223/5.56 Short Barreled Rifle (SBR)

AR15 .223/5.56 Carbine with a 16” Barrel

Collapsible Stock

If your AR15 .223/5.56 carbine has a typical collapsible stock and a 14.5” or longer barrel, use the Kynshot RB5000 standard carbine hydraulic buffer and a slightly extra power buffer spring such as the JP .223 carbine spring (part no. JPS-OSC) or the Sprinco Enhanced Power Carbine Spring – Color Code Blue (part no. SPRINCO-25007).

Fixed Stock

If your AR15 has a fixed stock with a full-length fixed stock buffer tube and a 16” or longer barrel, use the Kynshot RB5001 standard AR15 rifle buffer and an AR15 rifle buffer spring such as the JP .223 rifle buffer spring (part no. JPS-OSR) or the Sprinco AR15 rifle buffer spring – Color Code Green (part no. SPRINCO-25001).

AR10 in .308/7.62 or 6.5 Creedmoor

Collapsible Stock

If your AR10 has a 16” barrel or longer and a collapsible stock, first determine if it needs a 2.5” buffer or a 3.25” buffer. Measure the factory buffer or the inside length of the buffer tube to determine which buffer length is required. A standard AR15 carbine buffer tube is 7” on the inside and requires a 2.5” buffer. An AR10 or A5 carbine buffer tube is 7.75” on the inside and requires a 3.25” buffer. The Kynshot 2.5” AR10 buffer is model RB5004, while the Kynshot 3.25” AR10 buffer is model RB5005. For either buffer tube and buffer length and either caliber, use an AR10 carbine buffer spring such as the JP .308 carbine spring (part no. JPS-OSC-308) or the Sprinco AR10 carbine Spring – Color Code Orange (part no. SPRINCO-25762).

Fixed Stock

If your AR10 has a 16” barrel or longer and a fixed stock with a full-length buffer tube, then you need the Kynshot AR10 rifle buffer (model RB5006) and an AR10 rifle buffer spring such as the JP .308 rifle spring (part no. JPS-OSR-308). Use the same setup for .308/7.62 or 6.5 Creedmoor.

450 Bushmaster

For a typical setup with a 16” barrel and a carbine buffer tube, use the RB5000 AR15 carbine buffer and a Sprinco Red extra power AR15 carbine buffer spring. If you have a full-length fixed stock buffer tube, use the RB5001 AR15 rifle buffer and an AR15/.223 rifle buffer spring.

458 SOCOM

For a typical setup with a 16” barrel and a carbine buffer tube, use the RB5000HP buffer and a Sprinco Red extra power AR15 carbine buffer spring. If you have a full-length fixed stock buffer tube, use the RB5001 AR15 rifle buffer and an AR15/.223 rifle buffer spring.

AR15 .223/5.56 Short Barreled Rifle (SBR)

Short Barreled Rifles (SBRs) can be somewhat unpredictable in terms of performance. Most run harder than a typical AR15 carbine, but occasionally one will run softer. Generally, for a short-barreled .223/5.56 gun, use the RB5000HP buffer and a Sprinco Red extra power AR15 carbine buffer spring. However, to be sure, you should run your firearm and observe how it cycles and ejects.

Conclusion

As you can see, choosing the right hydraulic buffer and spring setup for your AR rifle build depends on several factors, including barrel length, buffer tube length, and specific caliber. By using the guidelines provided in this article, you'll be better equipped to select the perfect combination for your AR rifle build, ensuring optimal performance and reliability.