Ask Ian: Why Does the AR15 Have a Buffer Thingie?
This video explains the necessity of the buffer and buffer tube assembly in the AR-15 platform. It delves into the origins of the design with the AR-10, where the buffer was crucial for recoil management in a lightweight 7.62x51mm rifle. The explanation highlights how Eugene Stoner's straight-line design, intended for minimal felt recoil, led to the buffer absorbing residual bolt carrier impact. The video clarifies that while the buffer system wasn't strictly necessary for the AR-15's smaller caliber, it was retained due to the evolution of the design, particularly the split bolt carrier resulting from a change in disassembly from sliding to pivoting.












