Buffer Pin issues

smokn38 · Post by **smokn38** » November 27th, 2007, 10:55 am

My department recently purchased 8 RRA's M4's. We have started training our officers on them, and to date have only ran approximately 3000 rounds through them.

After about the first 500 rounds we started having the pins come lose on the buffer. Some came out a little, after about another 500 rounds, the pin would work itself out to the point it would catch the spring.

We contacted RRA's and told them about the problem. They had never heard of this happening, and sent out new buffers. The new buffers had about 1000 rounds put through them, and they too started working themselves lose.

I have never seen this happen before, anyone ever seen or heard of it. Any ideas as far as causes?

RRA's is great to deal with, and is doing everything to stand behind their product, but they seem to be at a loss as well.

Hoover · Post by **Hoover** » November 27th, 2007, 2:00 pm

While I've never seen it happen; if the pins are like those on the M-16 which are rolled with a split on one side, I would just stake the pin with a sharp center punch to flare it a bit....as I recall the buffer is not meant to be dis-assembled anyway at your level of maintence.

could be wrong of course and I'm sure someone will be along with more input.

Parabellum · Post by **Parabellum** » November 27th, 2007, 6:41 pm

That's what you get for buying Rock River Arms products.

Hoover · Post by **Hoover** » November 27th, 2007, 8:06 pm

Just to be clear......buffer retaining pin, or the pin holding the nylon piece to the buffer?

Ndog275 · Post by **Ndog275** » November 28th, 2007, 12:01 am

Had something happen like this once on an M16A2. The pin wore out and the buffer spring sent the buffer full force into the bolt carrier locking it into the chamber with a round in it, ruining the barrel. A new detent spring had to be installed along with a new barrel

smokn38 · Post by **smokn38** » November 28th, 2007, 3:23 pm

Hoover wrote:Just to be clear......buffer retaining pin, or the pin holding the nylon piece to the buffer?

Sorry, the slip pin holding the nylon piece in. RRA's told me that under MILSPEC there is a .0025 of an inch tolerance sticking out. They believe that this is catching the spring, and possibly working it out. They are sending me new buffers for all that are flush, with nothing sticking out so we will see. We purchased identical equipment that a lot of Federal LE Agencies use and no one I talked to has ever seen this or even heard of it.

Ranger Parabellum I like Colts as well, but according to Colt 18-24 months before equipment arrives. We had money that had to be spent now.

Hoover · Post by **Hoover** » November 28th, 2007, 6:24 pm

Sorry, the slip pin holding the nylon piece in. RRA's told me that under MILSPEC there is a .0025 of an inch tolerance sticking out. They believe that this is catching the spring, and possibly working it out. They are sending me new buffers for all that are flush, with nothing sticking out so we will see.

If the pin is working its way out I reckon it's not fitting tight enough, and yes it should be flush.
I have no doubt that a repair could be made; although I would say you "should not" have to do that on a new weapon.
With that said I'd take one of your old buffers to a good gunsmith and get the thing modified/fixed.
Good luck and keep us posted.

Parabellum · Post by **Parabellum** » November 29th, 2007, 7:10 am

smokn38 wrote: Ranger Parabellum I like Colts as well, but according to Colt 18-24 months before equipment arrives. We had money that had to be spent now.

I was just fucking with you.

Just not a fan of RRA.

How many did you department buy?

smokn38 · Post by **smokn38** » November 29th, 2007, 2:53 pm

Parabellum wrote:
smokn38 wrote: Ranger Parabellum I like Colts as well, but according to Colt 18-24 months before equipment arrives. We had money that had to be spent now.
I was just fucking with you. Just not a fan of RRA.

How many did you department buy?

We purchased 8, one for every vehicle. We also put EOTech 512's (I believe thats the number) on all of them.

Parabellum · Post by **Parabellum** » November 30th, 2007, 8:58 am

smokn38 wrote:
Parabellum wrote:
smokn38 wrote: Ranger Parabellum I like Colts as well, but according to Colt 18-24 months before equipment arrives. We had money that had to be spent now.
I was just fucking with you. Just not a fan of RRA.

How many did you department buy?
We purchased 8, one for every vehicle. We also put EOTech 512's (I believe thats the number) on all of them.

Should have called Noveske. His shit is badass but a little expensive.