SPIKES TACTICAL
AR-15/M16 CARBINE RECOIL BUFFERS

I specifically ordered this buffer to review for my blog fans and followers. It's no secret that I am a huge fan of Spike's Tactical products, especially being that their shop is only about an hour away from me. I have owned the Spike's ST-T1 (3 oz.) and the ST-T2 (4.1 oz.) and was very satisfied with both.

When I began building my SBR I decided to start looking for a heavier buffer to help with the extra gas I would be pushing back through my pistol length gas system while using the Noveske KX3. Because of my previous positive experiences with the Spike's buffers, it only made sense to order their heaviest version and the only one that I had not yet owned and used. But why would I want a heavier buffer?

The difference between the ST-T1/T2 and ST-T3 was not only the actual weight, but the type of weights used, which was another deciding factor for me. The ST-T1 and T2 used a type of Tungsten powder, while the T3 uses actual Tungsten bar stock weights. The added weight would not only help with the extra gas in my SBR, but would assist with felt recoil and bolt bounce/slap.

So I ordered the buffer and waited for it to arrive so that I could finally finish my SBR. When it arrived it was packaged perfectly as is the case with all of the Spike's Tactical products. The buffer was noticeably heavier than any other buffers that I have owned, but was exactly what I was looking for. Of course the buffer was marked with that famous spider logo, which adds to the look of the buffer...another plus!

I was hoping that after installation I would not run into any issues with the weight. I know that Spike's Tactical designed the T3 buffer for full auto rifles, as well as rifles that suffer from over-gassing...which was the case with my SBR. My worries were quickly squashed the moment I began test firing my SBR. It function flawlessly!

In addition to simply firing my SBR with the T3, I also brought my old T1 buffer to check the differences between felt recoil. Of course I had to shoot the rifle with the T3 first, but when I swapped back over to the T1, the difference was amazing. The T3 does an excellent job in not only reducing felt recoil, but making the rifle cycle smooth and efficiently all the time, every time.

I will caution buyers of one thing...A few months down the road, I ended up building a really nice competition AR-15 with an 18" barrel. Although I knew the T3 wasn't really designed for normal type rifles, I decided to try it out on my new build. I wanted to see if I could use the T3 to help eliminate felt recoil for faster follow up shots when shooting in 2 and 3 gun matches.

After installing the T3 in my competition AR-15, I did have several problems. My most common issue was the fact that the rifle length gas system simply did not have enough pressure to work the buffer and spring to their maximum range. The rifle would extract fired brass, but would close on an empty chamber. The bolt simply wasn't making it back far enough to chamber the next round. Now understand that that the T3 was not designed for this type of use or rifle. I just wanted to see how far I could push it.

All and all I am more than satisfied with the T3 and it worked flawlessly in my SBR. I now have well over 1,500 rounds down range through the SBR while using the T3 buffer. I have yet to have one malfunction (knock on wood) while using my current set up. Like all of the Spike's Tactical products, I would absolutely recommend the T3 for anyone using full-auto or shortened gas systems...especially if you are using a muzzle device to help create excess back pressure like the KX3. Order the ST model buffers, you will not be disappointed!!

-Michael Sapp

Unlike the other fairy dust tungsten-powder Spikes buffers (which allow bolt bounce.....seriously use some Google-fu). There is NO GOOD REASON to allow bolt bounce in any gun, whether it is full auto or not. Gene Stoner and Jim Sullivan went to great lengths to ELIMINATE bolt bounce...why re-introduce it into the system?



Regardless, this is an H3 buffer (with 3 solid internal tungsten weights) and an excellent value at that. Works great for 16" middy, 16" carbine gas, and SBR's with carbine or pistol length gas systems. It works to smooth the recoil impulse and reduce perceived recoil. It also slows the extraction cycle and reduces overall cyclic rate.

look at the price! this is a crazy good deal. super product. the way buffers are supposed to be.

Fits great in the hole of the tube.

Well worth the expense. Functions flawlessly. Best of all: no rattling around when the rifle cycles!

great positve closure of the bolt. no jams no need for my forward assist. really worth the money, and it looks great in my sabre with my match barrel. helps with double taps, great combo with my wilson combat ttu.

the buffer itself is perfect,no loud weights,and it's very solid feeling.brownells has an issue with my credit card at first and they took the extra effort for CALL me and sqaure everything away.
I am a customer for life and if you're looking for the perfect heavy buffer AND customer service...look no further.now quit reading this and buy this buffer!!!

Spike's Tactical delivers the shooters highest quality components IMO. Immediate changes upon installing Buffer weight.
1. No more metalic weight clanging upon shooting
2. Positive and rapid response sending the BCG Home. No jams and no hangups.
3. Made rifle fire smoother when using the 62 grain cartridge. All around good stuff.

i bought one for my carbine build n love it worth it

I'll admit I'm not the biggest guy but I've never had problems handeling my AR's recoil. So I was sceptical about buying this but these amazing reviews made the decision for me! Yes the buffer takes away a little of the recoil but it felt like it made it...not so sharp. So it became incredibly easy for me to control my rifle when I would go all out and I immediatly saw improvement in my groupings. Definently worth getting if it's the first improvement your making to your AR like it was with mine!

works as advertised. fantastic product, dropped right in, i paired it with a JP enterprises buffer spring... very noticeable reduction in recoil !

I used it to replace my standard H2 carbine buffer, overall I barely notice a difference in performance. Might slow down cyclic rate a tad and marginally increase reliability in semi-auto fire. The best part is that it doesn't rattle like the stock buffer, that's why I like it.

I ordered this heavy weight buffer to replace the original buffer that came with my SIG M400. The original buffer was well made and worked just fine. But I didn't like it because I could really feel that the bolt carrier was pounding on the buffer and the weight (i.e., metal cylinder) inside the buffer was sliding back and forth with every shot. With this heavy weight buffer, NO MORE! The tungsten powder inside completely eliminates that "sharp pounding" feel, and you cannot feel the weight moving back and forth inside the tube. Thanks to the increased weight combined with the "softer push," the felt recoil is noticeably milder and my carbine feels much smoother when it cycles

I am still using the original buffer spring just to make sure that this heavy buffer works reliably in my weapon with the types of ammo I use. So far I've only shot about 100 rounds and three different types of ammo with no malfunction whatsoever. I may try a heavier spring later.

This a high quality part that is very well made. It also looks much nicer than the plain generic buffer. If you own any AR carbine that you baby, get this buffer. You cannot go wrong with it.

The difference in my carbine length is night and day compared to a standard 3 oz buffer. My brass now lands in a neat pile and ejects consistently at 4 oclock. The recoil and muzzle rise was greatly reduced. Best upgrade to my AR yet.

Much better than the standard buffer. As others have said, there isn't much recoil to a 5.56/223, but one does notice recoil reduction. Seems to "spread" felt recoil out. Love it in my 6.8 SPC too. No more clanging in my ear now.

I have this buffer in both of my mid length M4 rifles and it fuctions better than any other that I have tried so far plus it is much quieter than a standard buffer. If you don't have one in your gun you are missing out oon better performance !

I have purchased other brands and cheaper price all a waste of not only time but money also !Its always good to scrimp but not when its like throwing money out the window! Where buffers are being used don't screw yourself buy quality buy Spikes Tactical t-2 or t-3 do it once and be done !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I wanted to build an AR with the fastest follow up shooting I could get. I run this buffer with an Adam Arms piston upper and a Lantac Dragon brake. My rifle stays flat line at rapid fire and has a natural double tap or multi shot rhythm to it.



However, if you are a VERY fast shooter, I would not recommend this buffer. It may slow down your cycle rate too much. Go for the T1 instead. I'd have to blindly agree with other reviewers and say only get the T3 for a SBR or similar.

Good buffer...works great in my Daniel Defense SBR.

Looks good. Fit no problem. Haven't had a chance to get to the range and shoot with it in yet.

I'm always pleased when I get products that work as advertised. I purchased this heavy buffer for my 16" AR15 rifle. I also paired the ST-T2 with JP Enterprises Tuned Buffer Spring. Excellent combo for sure! I fired 40 rounds of Wolf 55gr steel case ammo today and not a single issue.



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awesome little buffer. took the twang out of the buffer tube.