If you have purchased an aftermarket rifle stock that doesn't fit the buffer tube on your AR, Here is why.
There is a difference between Mil Spec VS Commercial Buffer tube sizes
- Mil spec stock ONLY fit on mil spec buffer tube
- Commercial stock can fit on commercial AND mil spec buffer tube
Tighter the fit, less stock wobble!
Major Spec Differences
Referenced Max Blagg
The difference between mil spec and commercial buffer tube are:
Diameter
A mil-spec buffer tube
- Cross Section Diameter: 1.14"
- Length: 7.25"
It's made from 7075-T6 alloy, which provides 1-3 and 16-16 UN thread rolls and it's shorter than the commercial with a flat end.
General Accountability Office (GAO) defines requirements and standardized measurements of equipment used by the military to guarantee interoperability, commonality and reliability for each part purchased for military use.
A commercial-spec buffer tube
- Cross Section Diameter: 1.17" (thread height accounted for)
- Length: 7.25"
Much cheaper as the extension is manufactured from an extruded tube. The tube features a welded-on cap, normally made from a lesser metal.
The 5 degree slanted back is another way to identify a commercial tube just by looking.
Castle Nut Thread
All reciever tubes are threaded the same 1 3/16" x 16 tpi
All castle nut will fit even if some companies labeled them differently for marketing purposes.
Check out our Fix It Sticks review, It's a very useful tool.
Is One Better Than The Other?
No. There is no functional differences between the two.
The buffer spring works exactly the same when cylcing. Even tiny differences in dimensions aren't enough to cause any issues with functionality.
Some mil-spec buffer tubes are stronger based on the tensile strength of the aluminum used. However, there is also no reliable case studies showing that commercial spec tubes are structurally inferior.
Mil-spec buffer tubes do have more options in the marketplace for stocks. While some of the larger stock manufacturers, such as Magpul, offer many of their products in both mil-spec and commercial.
Before buying stock upgrades, please confirm the specs they offer.
Newer Designs
Not all AR15 features fixed buffer tube system.
Piston driven AR style rifle like Sig Sauer MCX Spear LT, BRN180, CMMG DISSENT feature foldable stock.
Foldable hinge buffer tube system like the LAW Tactical still requires a buffer tube, but the rifle is NOT functional until the adapter is closed before firing.
As the content creator of badassoptic.com, My background in the firearms industry and shooting sports gives me the experience to recommend tried and true products and keep away subpar ones.
