How often should you rotate the R4 buffer?

[Slingshot]

Good evening,

As the title suggests, how often - preferably in round count terms - do you usually rotate the buffer in the R4? I know the simple answer is "when its broken", but is there any estimation on how many rounds that generally equates to? Even better, is there any official documentation that makes mention of this?

 

[swolff]

Still hard to pin it to a specific number. The strength of the ammo comes into play (weak 223 vs hotter 556), the recoil spring, age of the buffer etc. On a LM or any other semi automatic only variant it should be a bit higher than any R series or otherwise select fire capable guns. I would go by its physical appearance.

Its not apples to apples, but my MP5K with an auto sear ran 50/50 unsuppressed/suppressed I will run 3-4K rounds before I flip it. I run NATO pressure 9mm in it.

 

[hagar]

Skiet hom tot hy breek! :devil

 

[Ady]

The buffer is covered under Section G (Butt Assembly Group) in the SADF R4 workshop repair manual.

"The nylon buffer can be pulled out of the bracket butt by hand." (this is if the bracket has been removed from the receiver, otherwise pry it out with a screw driver) "The nylon buffer may be damaged or worn at the top edge. This is the contact surface aganist which the rear of the bolt hit during the rearward moving of the recoiling parts. To rectify remove the nylon buffer, rotate it through 180 degrees and assemble".

I have found the buffer deteriorates over time and goes a yellowish colour and becomes brittle. The rifle will still function normally without the buffer.

Hope this helps

 

[Slingshot]

The buffer is covered under Section G (Butt Assembly Group) in the SADF R4 workshop repair manual.

"The nylon buffer can be pulled out of the bracket butt by hand." (this is if the bracket has been removed from the receiver, otherwise pry it out with a screw driver) "The nylon buffer may be damaged or worn at the top edge. This is the contact surface aganist which the rear of the bolt hit during the rearward moving of the recoiling parts. To rectify remove the nylon buffer, rotate it through 180 degrees and assemble".

I have found the buffer deteriorates over time and goes a yellowish colour and becomes brittle. The rifle will still function normally without the buffer.

Hope this helps

I like that they refer to flipping the buffer over when worn. Mine actually broke apart a few weeks ago after yellowing as mentioned. So there's no "official" round count on when to flip or replace it? If you had to make a guesstimate, how often do you feel to rotate yours?

 

[Ady]

I like that they refer to flipping the buffer over when worn. Mine actually broke apart a few weeks ago after yellowing as mentioned. So there's no "official" round count on when to flip or replace it? If you had to make a guesstimate, how often do you feel to rotate yours?

There doesn't seem to be a specific round count when to change the buffer out. The manual only makes mention of inspecting the buffer for ware or damage. I replaced the buffer in my LM5 about 15 years ago and it is still going strong after a few thousand rounds.

I was given some advice a while ago regarding the elastomer rubber in the bolt. The advice was to store the rifle muzzle down so that any oil would not run into the bolt and deteriorate the elastomer rubber. I think the same is true for the buffer. My buffer has not deteriorated and gone yellow and brittle. I think oil is one of the buffers biggest enemies.

I last got spares from Nobleteq, when i replaced the buffer in my CR-21

 

[Slingshot]

There doesn't seem to be a specific round count when to change the buffer out. The manual only makes mention of inspecting the buffer for ware or damage. I replaced the buffer in my LM5 about 15 years ago and it is still going strong after a few thousand rounds.

I was given some advice a while ago regarding the elastomer rubber in the bolt. The advice was to store the rifle muzzle down so that any oil would not run into the bolt and deteriorate the elastomer rubber. I think the same is true for the buffer. My buffer has not deteriorated and gone yellow and brittle. I think oil is one of the buffers biggest enemies.

I last got spares from Nobleteq, when i replaced the buffer in my CR-21

Very interesting - thank you for the feedback. Storing it muzzle down is incredibly counter-intuitive, but it does make sense.

 

[Ady]

Very interesting - thank you for the feedback. Storing it muzzle down is incredibly counter-intuitive, but it does make sense.

Also nice to have your GTG ready to grab by the pistol grip