[DonD]

I've been aware of shock buffers for a very long time, plastic/polymer parts that are intended to reduce shock or whatever to the frame of the firearm.

Any thoughts on such an item for a 10mm 1911? Thanks, Don

 

[DubfromGA]

I've never bought a gun that came with them until last week....ordered a Wilson Combat that I'm expecting will come with them.

Since they came on my radar I have read up on them.

It seems that many report some improved recoil recovery and faster split times when running drills.

I've gone online and read the owners manual for the gun I ordered (9mm carry gun). It has a replacement schedule on there but cautions against a carry gun having any type of wear on the Shock Buff...essentially only running a new one on any carry gun.....or not running one at all on a carry gun.


Since my 10mm guns are only used for hunting. I may give the Shock Buffs a try on it.

I've got a pile of load development to do with my 10mm and it's for a hunting load so it'll be some hot full power shooting. A little less stress on my guns sounds good to me. Small price to pay for the Shock Buffs and fresh springs.

Good luck on your shooting with the 10mm. Hope it goes well.

 

[DonD]

I've never bought a gun that came with them until last week....ordered a Wilson Combat that I'm expecting will come with them.

Since they came on my radar I have read up on them.

Very helpful post. I'll look at Wilson's website. I had planned on calling them and then read your post. I've got the feeling that a big corporation like Ruger might not want to endorse a part that would wear fairly rapidly and might fail at an inopportune time while Wilson's customers are likely more experienced than the average Ruger consumer.

Not trying to slander Ruger people, I'm one of them. Thanks, Don

 

[AZ Husker]

I hate them. The idea is good, but the performance is terrible. Disintegrating, flaking, stoppages. I'll keep all mine running the way they were meant.

 

[NAZG26]

A big no.

 

[faawrenchbndr]

Acceptable in a range only pistol, never in a carry or defensive use pistol.

 

[fastbolt]

I tried some different types back in the 80's and early 90's.

One brand by a well known 1911 company shredded itself very quickly in my Commander and in a 1911 my brother used. I think they were blue. I had better luck with another brand back then, which i think were "clear", and which was required for use by King's back then in their OM recoil spring guide conversion. I didn't see them break apart nearly as quickly, but I carefully inspected it each cleaning and replaced it fairly often.

Not a fan.

 

[cityborncountrylivin]

My gunsmith for the last 30 years recommended I use a buffer when I wanted to try 400 Cor-Bob in my 1911. Other than that I wouldn’t use them. Certainly not on my STI Nitro 10.

 

[DubfromGA]

Very helpful post. I'll look at Wilson's website. I had planned on calling them and then read your post. I've got the feeling that a big corporation like Ruger might not want to endorse a part that would wear fairly rapidly and might fail at an inopportune time while Wilson's customers are likely more experienced than the average Ruger consumer.

Not trying to slander Ruger people, I'm one of them. Thanks, Don

I've been a Ruger guy since shooting my uncles Redhawk when I was little guy. As a result, I've always have a Redhawk or three, lol. His Redhawk and reading about Elmer Keith when I was a kid put me squarely on the .44mag path early on. Dirty Harry sealed the deal.

Always had a couple Rugers since...and always will.


In fact, there's a new M77 Hawkeye FTW Hunter in the safe waiting on me to scope it and get it sighted in.




Please, please, please don't let my ill-informed post be a substitute to that planned phone call to Wilson Combat.

I've not fired the first shot with a Shot Buff, but am likely going to on those 10mm during load workups. I've got a pile more studying to do before I'm ready to roll.

 

[DonD]

Acceptable in a range only pistol, never in a carry or defensive use pistol.

Totally agree, if I were to use it for CCW, no buffer. In any event, I don't think the Wilson Combat buffer will work on a Ruger 1911 10mm. The Wilson buffer is shown on their illustrated parts breakdown installed on an old style two piece guide rod, the Ruger uses a captive recoil spring on a one piece guide rod.

Probably an exercise in frustration. Don

 

[Longbow]

I use them for range trips. I take them off when I carry. Easy enough to do.

 

[Three-Five-Seven]

We've seen some very inconvenient stoppages in matches. It seems like the problems with them come from people installing them and then forgetting about it. I guess if a guy put a new one in every few weeks they might be OK. It's not a matter of 'IF' they will fail, it's a matter of 'WHEN.'

 

[Jim Watson]

Match or "range gun" buffers si. I once ever let one go long enough to shred and drag the gun to a halt. Since then I have cleaned my guns every once in a while, and have a ready opportunity to inspect the buffer.
Carry gun, no. A low probability if maintained, but one you can eliminate entirely.

 

[1canvas]

I only used Wilson Shock Buffs many years ago in my Combat Commander and they worked well. I got a lot of shots out of them and never had one tear up. They would wear very slowly over time giving me plenty of warning to replace. They did take a little snap out of the gun but I liked the protection they offered. I would always carry with new ones and reuse old ones for target. Anytime I tried other brands and they never lasted and sometimes just came apart. I sold that gun about 15 years ago and recently was given a Sig 1911. I found some in my gun box and have been using them in my Sig with no problems.

 

[AZ Husker]

My experience they fragment and crumble at just the wrong times. There is a reason nobody offers them in high end guns except Wilson.

 

[Borg Warner]

If you want a softer shooting 10mm, get a Glock 20. The polymer frame flexes and absorbs recoil and the wide grip spreads the recoil over a larger area of the hand.

 

[1canvas]

If you want a softer shooting 10mm, get a Glock 20. The polymer frame flexes and absorbs recoil and the wide grip spreads the recoil over a larger area of the hand.

I agree, my G20sf handles the recoil of the hottest loads nicely.

 

[1canvas]

My experience they fragment and crumble at just the wrong times. There is a reason nobody offers them in high end guns except Wilson.

Never had a Wilson do that with a .45 but a 10mm may be another story.

 

[quantico]

No thanks. Have seen folks stop shooting during competition due to failures..

 

[DubfromGA]

If you want a softer shooting 10mm, get a Glock 20. The polymer frame flexes and absorbs recoil and the wide grip spreads the recoil over a larger area of the hand.

True. My G20 sloughed off recoil very well.

I'm not worried about the felt recoil as my favorite round to shoot is the 44mag.


The trigger on the 1911 is is why I went to the 10mm 1911.

I will be working up hunting loads. The buffs may reduce frame stress during this time. The fully supported barrel will certainly help, too. Brass will last longer....and this stuff isn't cheap, either.