ltwguns.com

This was brought up in the LW Commander Thread and I didn't want to get it off topic, so I started this one.

When I got my Steel Framed Rock River Arms Commander (not a full custom .....yet ) I asked the guys in their pistol shop about them and they said they were not necessary. The gun has the standard sping plug, without any type of guide rod (which is fine with me).

What do those of you who shoot/smith 1911's a bunch think - are they a must have item?

Thanks,

5Shot

_________________
I will never forget you Lou......February 21, 2009

John Ralston
5 SHOT LEATHER, LLC - Finely Crafted Custom Handgun Leather

http://www.5ShotLeather.com

I think they are fine for a fun/gun high round count gun. Not cool for a carry gun. I have had one come apart and cause some issues with cycling. But it was old and in need of replacement. And usually they will interfere with the slide stop function on a shorter gun in my experience. As in preventing your gun from locking back on empty. Anymore I only use them on 10mm with max loads just for a little extra "buffer". . Oh yeah and I only use them on guns with a FLGR but that is a whole other subject. Just my take on them.

_________________
"One thought he was invincible the other thought he could fly" well? "They were both wrong"
SIC VIS PACEM PARABELLEM

Generally speaking, Shok-Buffs are only okay in Government Models, nothing smaller unless you test it thoroughly. The firmer buffs are better in most cases of full power cartridges, as a rule.

As a gunsmith, I am much more interested in your recoil spring and lubrication maintenance than I am whether you run a buff or not. They're like FLGR's - if you like 'em, run 'em (and change them often). If you don't, don't.

_________________
shop.HarrisonCustom.com
www.HarrisonCustom.com

The grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love and something to hope for.

Thanks for the replies -

I change the spring often, and lube it well, so I will go without and keep it as is.

John

_________________
I will never forget you Lou......February 21, 2009

John Ralston
5 SHOT LEATHER, LLC - Finely Crafted Custom Handgun Leather

http://www.5ShotLeather.com

Well put John.

_________________
"One thought he was invincible the other thought he could fly" well? "They were both wrong"
SIC VIS PACEM PARABELLEM

I would never run shock buffs in any firearm I own.

At one time I thought they were a good idea. My mind changed when I had several, in different Government models cuase malfunctions. On at least 3 occasions, with fresh (NEW) buffs ive had the buffs start to come apart and lock the slide back.

These were new buffs, all malfunctions were within 50 rounds of the buff being new out of the package.

2 were Wilson and the other was either CP or Hiett (SP?).

So for me, the answer "when" to use a buff is never, just not worth the possibility of a major malfunction.

_________________
www.mattlamey.com

Shock buffs are most useful in IPSC competition pistols of the race gun variety, i.e. in Open and Limited classes. They come in handy when setting up a gun to run with as little muzzle flip as possible. We use low weight recoil springs, FLGRs, shock buffs, light hammer springs etc. until the gun runs as flat as you can imagine. Buffs can certainly cause problems and we change them a lot. Barnhart once had a gun set up with several buffs so the slide would only come back the minimum distance necessary to cycle.

On PD guns, you might consider putting one in when going to the range for some heavy practice. As in most things, there are no hard and fast rules, only lots of opinions. Most opinions seem to come from reading or talking rather than DOING.

_________________
Bob

Smiths and 1911s are what it's all about!

I have a small supply of the (out of production) Hiett .090 red buffs that I put in my Novak-tuned Colt Gunsite CCO for range time only. When I get it home and clean it, out comes the buff for carry purposes. I may be fooling myself, but I am hoping to extend the life of the LW frame. The slightly thinner red buffs do not interfere with any slide functions.

Unfortunately, Hiett is no longer in business.

Otherwise, I just use ISMI chrome-silicone recoil springs, and pitch them when they finally take a set, which is much less frequently than music-wire springs.