Recoil Buffer Systems
Why you shouldn't have one in your Glock

Edited By Glockmeister

A little while ago I decided to update the article about recoil buffer systems - you know those little aftermarket jewels that come in the form of a recoil assembly replacement that claim to reduce recoil - you know the ones. The first article acquainted us with a specific incident involving a shooter with a Glock 20 that failed, due to a recoil buffer system. Well, I have plenty to add to the information contained in that first article.

First, let me start by saying that the recoil buffer systems currently on the market are far from trouble free, when used in a Glock, and may cause a failure to fire, feed problems or an even worse problem - a catastrophic case failure. If you have one in your duty gun or in a carry gun - remove it now. If it is in a competition gun - it may help you lose a match. Ultimately, after-market recoil systems do nothing for a Glock - except possibly make them malfunction. The sales pitch is that a recoil system will reduce felt recoil and tighten a shooters groupings - hogwash! The way the recoil systems work is that they have an ultra-progressive spring system that starts lighter and finishes harder or they have a buffer system at the finish that is supposed to take out some of the felt recoil. The progressive type system can eventually give you a gun that is loose when the trigger is pulled and can cause the weapon to unlock and possibly fire out of battery (we believe that this causes an accuracy problem, because the weapon goes slightly out of battery - thus changing the barrel angle). The buffer system is no better, because most incorporate an ultra-progressive type spring system with a buffer. Basically, I am saying to save your money (if you haven't already bought a system).

I have experienced the wrath of the buffer manufacturers - they are none too happy that I share my experiences with the masses. The funny thing is that many of the manufacturers know there is a problem with these systems. They know there is a problem when they are used in the Glock, but they seem to be playing a numbers game - knowing that a lot of folks will just throw the item in a sock drawer and chalk it all up to a learning experience. I guarantee that if all of the unhappy buyers returned bad product - most of the manufacturers would stop manufacturing these systems for the Glock.

Glock has a Recoil Spring Assembly that is tuned to the gun. The Recoil Spring Assembly functions to keep the slide locked forward as the trigger is pulled and eases the slide back in a controlled manner as the round is fired an exits the breech. The after-market systems may have enough strength to keep the slide locked forward when they are new, but after even a few hundred rounds - the cheap springs weaken and cause a locking problem. There is no one out there that makes a recoil spring as good as Glocks - the Glock spring does not take a set to the extent that a standard coil spring does. The superiority of the Glock spring is evidenced by the fact that most of the serious Glock shooters are using a stock recoil spring. You say, "so what!" Well a lot of these folks that participate in match shooting are Glock fanatics and have done every kind of modification you can imagine, but most agree that aftermarket recoil systems are garbage in a Glock (there are a couple that don't agree, but they are sponsored by the sellers or manufacturers of recoil systems).

I think it is ironic that a Glock owner will put his or her well being in the hands of some hocker at a gun show that usually knows very little about the guns in which he or she is installing questionable parts. We do two or three gun shows a month - we are amazed at the guns that are brought to us. Often, these hockers pass themselves off as gun experts - well, these experts have sent a lot of guns off in a non-working or malfunctioning condition. Only allow a Glock armorer and expert to work on your gun - if you feel a need to buy an after-market whats-it - ask a reputable armorer about the product - have an armorer install the product and test the gun.

I realize that the aforementioned material isn't scientific and it doesn't cite any sources - it is drawn on from years of experience with the Glock and problems encountered in the guns. We have snake oil (not the lube) salesman in every facet of our lives. Sometimes the snake oil is harmless, but sometimes it can be devastating. The Glock and any firearm are dangerous machines in the wrong hands. If you decide to put your well being in the hands of someone else - make sure that they aren't selling you or setting you up with something that can cause you or your gun problems.