If I take off that stupid 6 position stock from my Ruger AR-556 and put on an A-2 stock, do I use the rifle buffer and spring that comes with the set, or get a spacer and use the original set?

I read that the rifle buffer has the same reciprocal weight as an H2, but I see nothing of a comparison of the spring weights. Slowing the cycle speed is fine with me, as long as it doesn't short stroke. Currently the cycling of the rifle seems a bit harsh, at least compared to my 20".

The A2 stock uses a rifle buffer, spring, receiver extension tube and a spacer.

None of the stupid 6 position stock kit is useable with the A2

So it is OK to use the rifle buffer and spring with that rifle? I don't want to beat it to death.

Yes. Give it a try and check your ejection pattern. As noted in another recent thread here about a new build, you should find your spent brass in a pile to your 4:00 if a righty, and at 8:00 if you're a lefty.

Ed

Rifle buffer is heavier than an H2 buffer and the spring is longer. It will probably be smoother shooting.

Right now it ejects factory FMJ, Norma Tac-223 55 grain is what I'm shooting, nicely at 4:00. My 748 load, 27 grains, and my TAC load, 26 grains, falls between 2:30 and 3:00.

The rifle buffer and spring may put your reloads where they should be at 4:00.

Just for future reference, here's the weights of different buffers.

carbine - 2.9 oz
H - 3.8 oz
H2 -4.6 oz
Rifle -5.2 oz
9mm -5.5 oz
H3 -5.6 oz

I did some research. Apparently the AR-556 is shipped with a carbine buffer, 3oz. While that works good with standard pressure 223 it is a bit too light for 5.56 level loads. I figure it probably will still work with the Norma tac-223 but will be better with the reloads. Hopefully. That UTG A-2 stock cost me $26.

The thing to remember is the rifle buffer weighs more so it delays the bolt opening after the shot, this is esier on your brass. The spring has a softer spring rate but is longer so it isn't quite as violent on return yet it allows milder loads to function just fine. (This is with correct gas port sizing and a stock change only)

The whole system was designed with a rifle stock and the collapsable carbine stock was an after thought. It's taken many years to get the carbine stocked gun to work right and some companies still have no clue. Point is, you shouldn't have any trouble with the rifle stock system.

Of course there are companies that cut corners on all their products but the correctly made parts should be GTG.

save yourself some trouble and get the A2 rifle Buffer and Spring and you will be much happier in the long run

The things people do...

That all comes together.

You mean like change a rifle to your liking? Everything aft of the receiver I hate. What the hell do I need a collapsible stock for. Getting in and out of vehicles, room clearing? Not going to happen, and stupid to think it is.

I totally agree with you buddy. Not going to be happening with me either, unless world war 3 happens. In such an unfortunate event, none of us are going to last long anyway, regardless of how light, heavy, short or long our barrel is or how heavy our butt stock is.... .. My main use for the AR's I have is to play around at the range and shoot the AR challenge or local shoots. I'm almost to the point where I'm going to sell my bolt action .223 rem varmint rifle and just use the AR's for that as well....

You have all these war movies, but even more all these video games. These people think they just have to get all that tacti-cool crap so they can do that. Well guess what numb nuts, you ain't going to do that chit.

I know one kid (22) that keeps on coming up with this crap. Lights, lasers, quad rails. I tell the dumb little twit, " Get a reloading outfit, make ammo and learn to shoot." Oh, and he's hanging all this crap on an M+P Sport. Gees

I hear you man.. Good luck with your stock. I am just now printing off an AR parts checklist to make sure I ordered up everything for my Noveske build.. Should be pretty bad azzed when done: Meaning it will shoot the tits off a flea at 100 yards...

Wow.

I was trying to be helpful and just relay some info out there cause you wanted to replace your stupid 6 position stock, no good deed goes unpunished.

I have been around AR's for a pretty good while now and it didn't take me long to realize that the A2 stock is almost the stupidest thing I've seen on an AR. An A1 is a much better setup but the material is a little fragile so I took to collapsable stocks long ago. Now let me say that I'm 52, never played a video game and am pretty sure I'm not going to get called up for service. I do play a few shooting games from time to time but only because it's fun. I guess you could say I even play sniper cause I shoot steel on our 800 yard range but I do it with a light weight carbean.

I do know that an A2 stock is too long for me, my wife, my kids and grand kids. I do know the SOPMOD stock feels better to me due to cheek weld and the straight rubber pad. I can adjust it to fit me if it's 10 degrees or 110 degrees outside. It also can be adjusted to fit the slightest person in my family. By figuring a few things out and buying quality parts, I don't have any problems with ejection, extraction or recoil impulse. I did say the collapsable stock was an after thought but it is one of the best upgrades the AR has ever had.

As for rails and lights, it's alot easier to shoot a coyote or pig when the light is attached to your gun. Yes I usually have a red spot light or even a red head lamp scanning but when it comes time to shoot, a white light attached to your gun is handy. I've added a short rail to a few Hogue tubes over the years and tried the tacticool full rails. Now I just use what works best for me and try not to pass judgement on those who don't know what they don't know.

Just as stupid to think those are the only reasons for collapsible stocks.

Change your rifle around how you want, nobody cares, but dang there's a lot of willful stupidity in this thread.

I can see how the A-2 Stock might not work for you and you family, Me, with my size, it fits pretty good. As far as lights for hunting, I agree, but most guys putting lights on AR's are not doing it for hunting. It's a cost benefit thing, and more often that cost is best spent on ammo and practice.

I would wager there arent three guys in this entire thread, maybe the entire subforum, that actually fit an A2 stock.The A1 is better, but not much, and like said, is a fragile POS. Old folks tend to like way too much LOP for some reason.

I don't know about that. Now I have fired some of the collapsible like the Magpull ACS. That's OK just not any better than the A-2 for me. When I mount the A-2 the rifle falls right into my shoulder and my eye is square in the sights. Of course I don't use low sights, mine is on a detachable carry handle. The one that was on the Ruger when I bought it was basically garbage.

I was talking to a buddy of mine today and he sent me a link to an A1 detachable carry handle. We were discussing the virtues of the older stuff and he is surprised it has the following it has. I reminded him I hated all AR's until I picked up his SP-1 carbine. That was the gun that started it all for me after the ban of 94. Of course I had to settle for an A2 stocked Colt and the next one was an AR-10 complete with an A2 stock. The SP-1 has the 2 position stock so LOP is close to the same as the A1 or maybe the A2.

As soon as the ban ended I swapped stocks and tried several different ones until finally deciding the SOPMOD stock was my favorite and I found I shot it best a notch or two in instead of all the way out. I'm not a small guy at 6' 225 pounds and a 35" sleeve. I think lillysdad is right, most older guys shot totally different than what is taught now. Rifles same as pistols, techniques have changed as have equipment. I remember when grabbing the front of the magwell with the support hand was acceptable as was the chicken wing stance. Heck I'm just now trying the "new" K2 grip and so far I'm liking it, time will tell.

I was taught to shoot by old guys, 80's 90's or dead now. Probably I shoot just like them. No need to learn any new methods at this point. What works has always worked and their isn't any good reason to change it. Frankly, at this age I'm at now, change isn't something I do well.