Live Q&A - March 10, 2021

When running a 16-inch 5.56 barrel with a mid-length gas system and a lightweight BCG, the appropriate buffer weight depends on the barrel profile. For a government profile barrel, an 'H' (heavy) buffer is recommended. If the barrel is a heavier SOCOM profile, an H2 buffer would be more suitable. This recommendation aims to optimize the firearm's cycling and reliability.

This live stream features discussions on AK vs. AR platforms, handgun choices for EDC, ammunition recommendations, and AR-15 build components. The host, with law enforcement experience, shares insights on firearm reliability, practical applications, and personal preferences, emphasizing training and responsible ownership. Topics also touch on political figures and current events within the firearms community.

This InRangeTV Q&A episode covers a wide range of firearms topics, from historical submachine gun design and the practicality of suppressors to the future of the AR-15 platform and the effectiveness of budget optics. Experts discuss the nuances of firearm maintenance, the debate between iron sights and red dots, and the evolving role of Pistol Caliber Carbines (PCCs) in shooting sports. The discussion also touches on the engineering behind various firearm systems, including the AR-15's direct impingement system and the historical context of different firearm designs.

This video offers a highly critical, historically grounded analysis of the M14 rifle's shortcomings, attributing its failure to flawed US Ordnance Corps decisions regarding cartridge standardization and weapon design. The speaker, an expert in small arms, details how political motivations and resistance to innovation led to the adoption of an inadequate weapon system, contrasting it with superior alternatives like the AR-10 and FN FAL. The analysis highlights the detrimental impact of these decisions on US military effectiveness, particularly in Vietnam.

This expert-level entry details the M16's troubled introduction in Vietnam, debunking myths of inherent design flaws. It highlights how political decisions, procurement issues, and ammunition choices, rather than the core design by Eugene Stoner, led to early reliability problems. The entry emphasizes the mechanical evolution from the AR-15 to the M16A1 and the critical role of chrome lining, proper maintenance, and correct ammunition in establishing the platform's eventual success.

This guide, drawing on the expertise of a former Colt employee and AR-15 SME Hank Tatro, details the critical role of AR-15/M16 buffers. It explains how buffer design evolved to manage bolt carrier bounce caused by increased firing rates and different ammunition types. The guide emphasizes selecting the correct buffer for specific firearm configurations and warns against improper mixing and matching, particularly for duty applications. It covers standard rifle and carbine buffers, as well as H, H2, H3, and specialized 9mm buffers, providing insights into their construction and application.

This comprehensive review by Chris Bartocci, a recognized expert with extensive military armory experience, debunks common myths surrounding the Beretta M9/92FS. Bartocci details the pistol's history, including its selection over the M1911, and addresses controversies like slide failures, attributing them to ammunition and high usage rather than design flaws. He highlights the evolution of critical components like the locking block and discusses magazine reliability issues, offering practical insights for owners and enthusiasts.