New Frontier Armory, known for their billet modern sporting rifle receivers across a variety of calibers has announced the release of an extra-heavy buffer for AR-type weapons. The extra-heavy buffer is designed for pistol caliber carbines to improve function.

Unlike their semi-automatic big brothers, AR pistol caliber carbines are not gas operated, they are blowback operated. Blowback relies solely on the recoil energy of the cartridge detonation, which in a centerfire loading is actually quite substantial relatively speaking. To ensure that the weapon unlocks only after the pressure has dropped, the weight of the blow-back components must be heavier than the gas-operated rotating bolt weapons.

Since there is no gas block or gas hole to adjust, blowback weapons only have a single item that can be switched out, the buffer. Typical AR buffers are around 3.5 – 6 ounces, depending on the weapons configuration. Often, this is not sufficient, especially for high-power pistol loadings such as +P or 10mm Auto.

The extra-heavy 8 ounce buffer will then pair with the typically heavy pistol caliber carbine bolt/carrier to retard the unlock and due to the heavier weight, reduces the bolt/carrier speed, which can reduce felt recoil.

Retail for the 8 ounce buffer is set at $39.99, available direct from New Frontier Armory.