Spikes Tactical Buffer Tube Kit and the PSA Buffer Tube kit – Comparison video

I just got a psa ar, and the spring is so bad, I can hardly charge it. Is the spikes tactical more loose?

Someone please help out? Will the threads on the mil spec tube fit into a receiver that has a commercial tube?

6061 buffer tubes were phased out buy PSA sometime ago. They are all milspec now.

I understand
You only sell the best!

Just ordered the Spikes buffer tube.

PSA WARNING! They do not return phone calls or multiple emails. I have asked them the same question 4 different times about whether or not they will be getting any 1:8 twist barrels and after a full month I still have not gotten a reply at all. I refuse to do business with people like this! NOPE!

what do u expect for the prices

PSA is Blackhawk?  I bought one BH, won't catch me doing that again, tube was so rough internally it caused my AR to short stroke.

What's wrong with 6065 aluminum?  Sometimes Mil-Spec can suck.  Remember mil spec means the cheapest part that will get the job done.

Does anyone have a link to where I can buy the spikes tactical kit that's in Stock.

Looking at info vids gives good info. I wish many would shorten their presentation. I only have so many hours in the day. To the point.

i bought the same kit for my ar from aims and I was wondering was your buffer tube a different color then the rest of the rifle because that's how mine is,but my other buffertube(cheaper tube)matched the rest of my spikes rifle,it seems like the tube is grey compared to the rest of the rifle,and if that's normal is there a reason for it?

Would the ST-T2 Buffer work fine with a mid length Gas System?  Thanks!

@Steven Brown it absorbs the action when the round is fired. An Ak which has a piston type system arm to push the bolt back and a spring to reset all in the rifle.. The AR has a direct gas system to push the bolt back and the buffer tube to reset on the outside of the rifle

what is the purpose of a buffer tube?

PSA has shipped me the wrong part twice.  They did make it right.  I have no idea how they ship parts but it could use some work.  I do love PSA for the value.   I trust the stuff I get from them Just as much as a Colt, But I am careful what I order.

EXCELLENT EXPLANATION!! And, it's quite a contemporary topic: budget/quality AR builds.  Thank you!!

I have that same PSA kit, the buffer tube was a good mil-spec tube, buffer was OK, but the spring definitely made too much noise & I thought was not on par. I ordered a silicon spring from damageusa, for $10 they are some really exceptional springs.

If you take a look at my other videos, I did a comparison of the JP Enterprises Chrome Silicon spring and the Spikes SS spring. Also, I will be doing another comparison using the Sprinco Blue Chrome Silicon buffer spring and the JP and/or Spikes SS spring. Will also be covering Chrome Silicon extractor springs (four coil and five coil)

Check out the chrome silicon buffer springs, made a huge difference for me. Pretty much eliminates bolt bounce & that twang noise that comes from the mil-spec stainless steel springs that come with both of those kits!!

The holes in the Spikes tube is for water drainage. If I remember correctly Spikes gets their tubes from LMT, which is of course good quality.

I didn't cover that specific detail in this video but I did cover it in my review of the JP Enterprises chrome silicon buffer spring. Check my other videos, it was a fairly recent review.

6061 is not milspec for uppers, lowers, charging handle or buffer tubes. All military service rifles use T7075-T6. So I don't know why you think 6061 is milspec when the military specifications clearly call for T7075-T6 in these components.

BCG's that use 8620 steel bolts (not milspec)
PSA 6 position milspec diamater buffer tube 6061 T6 aluminum (not milspec)

The two examples above can easily be picked out because the material they are constructed of is listed. Many listings don't state the material they are made from.

I received some buffer tubes that didn't have the dry film lube on the inside. I also received some that did. Obviously one is milspec, the other is not. Most likely the ones with out the dry film were 6061.

PSA also has 6065 and 6061 as well. Not everything they sell is milspec.

tony, you just changed the buffer? did and can you leave in the spring it came with?. i was hoping to hear that you can feel a differance

You should be good to go if the spring you choose is ASTM Grade: A877 (Valve Spring Material). I have used the LaRue Super Duty Chrome Silicon buffer spring. At $22, its reasonable. Normal springs should last 1000-2000 rounds. Chrome silicon lasts 400,000-500,000 (or so the claim is)

Thanks, would you by chance be able to point me in the right direction if damage isn't your source? Much appreciated.

Not with Damage Industries. With chrome silicon springs, once they take a "set" during the manufacturing process they will not weaken with use or while being stored while under load. They can show a light coat of rust over time if not maintained. The USGI standard for stainless steel springs came from the need to prevent erosion in the marshes of Vietnam, so they resist rust but they take a "set" each time they are used and while being stored under load. Chrome silicon springs are my choice.

Oh right on, yeah it'l have to be my next build, ive still gotta finish the one im on…lol Excellent machining done on those things. What about the damage buffer spring i mentioned, have you had any experience with those?

The SP223 was built for someone, so its not in my personal collection. Although I do like that lower and may build one for myself at some point.

Fair enough, thanks for the info none the less. Id be stoked to see an update on your sp223.

Since the buffer tubes don't carry any logo's, I don't know if they are PSA buffer tubes or Blackhawk buffer tubes.

Question, this psa kit with the blackhawk! stock having the 7075 buffer tube. Does that mean psa is using blackhawks stardard kit and marketing it as their own? And if so does that then mean standard blackhawk! kits come with 7075 buffer tubes? Annoying they don't mention 6061 or 7075…which to me usually means run..and while were touching on springs, has anyone had any positive experience with the damage industries chrome silicon springs?

Same with me. Been tempted to try the ST-T3 though!

I replaced my buffer tube with a Spikes ST-T2 and I can feel a big difference in it. I'll now use ST-T2 buffers in all my AR builds.

I should also mention that since the AR is over gassed, the heavier weight buffers work to mitigate the recoil, but if you elect to go with an adjustable gas block, you can fine tune your gas system so you don't need a heavy buffer. On a standard gas system, the heavy buffer is preferred (by me) but if I tune my gas block, I can go with a carbine weight buffer without any problem.

In reality, you would want to try both and choose the one you like best. The carbine buffers are in the range of $10-15. Pick up both, try them out and choose the one that works best in your rifle (than sell the other)