G-ManBart Posted January 30, 2009 Share Posted January 30, 2009 I ran them for a while way back when with a single stack .38 Super Open gun (running 180+PF loads and a very light slide) but eventually stopped. I think that slide cracked at about the 100K point and that was long before the current slides that are much stronger. I've been told by several really good gunsmiths that if the barrel, slide and link/slide stop are all fit properly a shok buff offers next to nothing when it comes to durability. I don't have any proof to go along with that, but I don't bother with them in any of my 1911s or 2011s. R, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmantwo Posted January 30, 2009 Share Posted January 30, 2009 I use them in everything and have for years. My STI Executive, my STI open, my Model 41 Smith, my Browning Hi-Powers. Never had a single problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zerwas Posted January 30, 2009 Share Posted January 30, 2009 (edited) I used a nylon wilson buff in my limited guns. Then switched to the harder cp buff, couldn't really tell much of a difference between those two. After talking with Ted Puente last year, I decided to to the aluminum buff and the bouncing effect went away like Ted said it would. Edited January 30, 2009 by Zerwas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dalmas Posted January 30, 2009 Share Posted January 30, 2009 Had one disintegrate and jam the gun during a 32 round stage at a major match, after that never again. I do like the feel of the gun with one installed but its another extra part that can (and have) ruin the day.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluenite Posted January 30, 2009 Share Posted January 30, 2009 I bought a Delta Gold Cup in early 90’s. For uspsa and carry (back when Major power factor was a bit more major). Installed 2 shok buffers in it from the get go and still run double recoil springs. Will feed any ammo (swc,hp,rn,jacketed or lead) that will go through the clips. Have worn out one barrel so far and gun is still good as new. Never seen more then flattening to the buffers, replace when worn. I think the type/fit of the guide rod to the frame and springs is key as I have never had one come apart. Can’t say as to recoil effect (I just want to avoid a cracked frame on the delta). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveZ Posted January 30, 2009 Share Posted January 30, 2009 I use two to get a stack up of about .22" (wilson and a CP) and a 11# recoil spring in my STI Edge. I remembered something Brian wrote about in his book....stack up as many as you can as long as the gun still functions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerTrace Posted January 30, 2009 Author Share Posted January 30, 2009 It is MUCH closer than I thought it would be. Lots of very interesting posts too!! Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeFoley Posted January 30, 2009 Share Posted January 30, 2009 No, NO, NO! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Keen Posted January 31, 2009 Share Posted January 31, 2009 Yes, yes, yes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JThompson Posted January 31, 2009 Share Posted January 31, 2009 I was surprised by these numbers.... after all the horror stories I've heard about them I never tried them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Keen Posted January 31, 2009 Share Posted January 31, 2009 (edited) A shok buff is just like any other part on your gun ....... you can't let it go 20,000 rounds until it disintegrates in your gun during the Nationals ..... change it when it looks like hell, maybe even before it looks that bad. Just don't tell me "it looked fine when I cleaned the gun last, but it cost me the match because it made my gun jam." - They don't fall apart that fast. Edited January 31, 2009 by CHRIS KEEN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G-ManBart Posted January 31, 2009 Share Posted January 31, 2009 I was surprised by these numbers.... after all the horror stories I've heard about them I never tried them. Yeah, I would have never, ever predicted this many folks using them....wild. I will say that when I ran them ages ago they never caused me any problems and I was a broke college student who ran them until they were really worn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joecichlid Posted January 31, 2009 Share Posted January 31, 2009 I am an odd duck I guess. Been running one in my Open gun ever since I got it without a problem. Running a Buffer Tech. and a 9 pound spring with some lightening cuts to the slide and haven't had any issues at all. Heck I am still running the same buffer as it isn't showing any wear or breakage. The Buffer Tech one is clear so you can see all the way through it and it looks fine. I may change it in the next few months just to be safe. Wilsons are another story. I used to run them in my .45 Open gun for pins and would go through one about every 500 to 1000 rounds. Had one split in a circle and slide got stuck in there pretty good. Yeah, I stopped running Wilsons right after that. The only way I would run one is if I had an Aluma-Buff in top of it so the Wilson is captured between the guide rod and the Aluma-Buff. Joe W. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abn-rgr Posted February 7, 2009 Share Posted February 7, 2009 Never noticed a difference with them in. Both a single stack 45 and a Glock 35. Quit using them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryan45kim Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 I’ve run Wilson buffs for years with no problems. I run a Cominolli guide rod with Wilson buffs both front and back. Every gun I’ve looked at that had problems running buffs could be traced to the spring tunnel on the slide. The buff gets pinched between the head of the guide rod and the spring tunnel; the spring tunnel can act like a cookie cutter on any buff. If you are having trouble with buffs look at this area. Guns run without buffs allow the spring tunnel to impact the head of the guide rod and can turn the tunnel into a cookie cutter. PS I’m not a gunsmith and YMMV. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
North Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 I run one in my 1911, but I have the Recoil Master in my Edge still. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
austinkroe Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 I stack those beasts up to limit slide movement. Although I do top them off with a Dawson Aluma-Buf. I have never had a problem with them and the Aluma-Buf keeps them all looking like new. I like the way the gun feels with shorter slide movement. It also makes it impossible for the slide to lock back. I have 5 of them in my 9mm STI and 3 in my 40. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris iliff Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 Don't use one. What are they? Why would you ever take your gun apart? What's this cleaning thing people are talking about? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reneet Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 I've tried them in the past and like the way they feel but always ended up causing function problems so not currently using one. I suppose if you're diligent and like the way the recoil feels, go for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver_Surfer Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 Not any more. I once forgot to change it and went shooting and never noticed a differents . At first I swore by them but now stopped using them. One less think to stop worring about< Ever get a jam and tore apart your gun to check your buff? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skip62 Posted February 20, 2009 Share Posted February 20, 2009 only time I ever had a problem was when I using to light of a recoil spring, and that's exactly why I use them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpeltier Posted March 25, 2009 Share Posted March 25, 2009 I wish John Browning were around today to give us his thoughts on it, I bet he would not have approved. I know, I know he would not approve of many things we do to his design, but I think he would have really not liked those things. I tried them and found they make very little differance in feel, add cost, and sometimes cause problems. If the 1911 is properly fitted and good ammo is used it will last a long long time even with out the magic buffs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
h2osport Posted March 25, 2009 Share Posted March 25, 2009 My used Wilson came with one in it, but it was hagged. I ordered some more from Wilson and have been running them without any problems. Just took the gun apart to clean a couple of weeks ago and the buff looks great. Randy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SA Friday Posted March 25, 2009 Share Posted March 25, 2009 Hell no, I ain't stickin no gummy piece of rubber into my fully functional gun to get all chewed up and jam the crap out of it when the mysterious life cycle of it runs out. OK, ya, I tried on once. Made my Edge puke like a Para . My Benny Hill didn't come with one, so it's not getting one either. If Benny thought it needed one it would of had one when he shipped it to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerTrace Posted March 26, 2009 Author Share Posted March 26, 2009 (edited) Hell no, I ain't stickin no gummy piece of rubber into my fully functional gun to get all chewed up and jam the crap out of it when the mysterious life cycle of it runs out.OK, ya, I tried on once. Made my Edge puke like a Para . My Benny Hill didn't come with one, so it's not getting one either. If Benny thought it needed one it would of had one when he shipped it to me. Virgil Tripp is not a fan of them. But like one of the above posters stated, my Wilson CQB came with one and it does not cut them. BUT, I shoot my STIs a lot more than the CQB. Edited March 26, 2009 by rangertrace Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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