[Mongo]

Do you use a recoil buffer in your 1911? Why or not?

[trip286]

Subscribed to thread.

I don't have a 1911, but I'm a firm believer that a man more genius than I designed something, I'd best not eff with it.

I think you'll hear a lot of the same sentiment, but I want to see for myself.

[g17frantz]

I use one for my G17, notice a tiny change but not enough to constitute me putting one in my 1911

[danf_fl]

I tried it once upon a time.
That was when I was too lazy to change the recoil spring on a regular basis.

After I had one lock up a gun in competition, I never used them again.

[HOSSFLY]

Originally Posted by Mongo

Do you use a recoil buffer in your 1911? Why or not?

No
They are useless

[KMO]

I'm a firm believer that when a man with more genius than I have designs something, there are an abundance of ways to make it even better! To think otherwise would be akin to having us all drive Model T's forever. After all, why tinker with the design, right? Anyway, sure I use buffers. Anything that can minimize metal clanking against metal without altering the pistol's performance is worth a try. I've not had any negative issues using buffers in my 1911's...

[gollygee]

Never tried them & guys I respect as 1911 gurus say it's a waste of $$$. I remember one of them doing a test with a 1911 with aluminum frame. He asked someone how many rounds it would take to damage the aluminum frame if he removed the recoil spring. The man guessed 20. He hand loaded & fired 35 rounds & no visable damage. The man asked him to do it again, still no damage. After doing it a third time & no signs of damage, he told the man if he wanted him to do it anymore, he would have to buy the ammo. The guy decided that was enough.

[bartwatkins]

I do not use them & most that I have read talking on this subject do not either....
Give one try and see if you like it or not. I say whatever works for you. Just keep in mind that you will need to do a good cleaning/inspection evry time you shoot because some have said that they are prone to dryrotting and coming apart thus jamming up the slide. But I would think with proper inspection/changing them out on a regular basis it would be fine. I guess it could conceivably cause feeding issues on some guns with tight tolerances (but you would find that out quickly).

I do use a buffer on my AK but not on my 1911's.

[Olympus]

Don't use them. They are more likely to cause negative effects on your gun than to help save them.

[BikerRN]

Originally Posted by Olympus

Don't use them. They are more likely to cause negative effects on your gun than to help save them.

I agree.

Change your recoil spring at appropriate intervals and make sure you are using the correct weight recoil spring for the ammunition you are shooting. That will do more for you and your gun than any buffer.