AR sounds like a box of springs.....

[Handsome Rob]

I was shooting my AR a couple of weeks back & it sounds (through my ear defenders & tinnitus) like a sack of springs being kicked down stairs.

I can't recall it sounding like this before, but I honestly haven't shot it much.

It had the A2 buttstock (if that means anything) & it sounds like the buffer spring, but I'm so unfamiliar with the platform I'm only guessing.

Any clues? If anyone is local to Tullahoma & needs to shoot it to hear it, you'd be welcome to run it at the range &see what you think.

[Garufa]

Unfortunately, they do that.  It is very annoying.

 

You can always try liberalling oiling or greasing the buffer spring to help cut down on the noise short of buying a fancy spring designed to help with the boing.

[Luke E.]

Some seems way worse than others for some reason but since it's a metallic spring in a metallic tube it's close to unavoidable. I will say, a lot of the tubes are not even close to smooth inside but will smooth out over time which will quiet things down a bit. Like Garufa said, you can grease it but if you go that route you will want to clean the tube and spring pretty often because everything from dirt to dust to small elephants will be eager to stick in the grease.

[mikegideon]

Best answer from arfcom...

 

It's "The Sound of Freedom©". 

This. Learn to love the sound.

[broylz]

i had similar issues with a stag carbine. some minor sound is normal but I checked my buffer and the roll pin was backing out and tangling into the buffer spring. reset the roll pin and a dab of epoxy on the ends. it was smooth as new again and the spring was much quieter.

[Wingshooter]

I have seen a washer-like device in some LGS designed to reduce buffer spring noise. It basically looks like a thick nylon washer that goes between the end of the spring and the metal buffer tube. Dunno if it makes a difference though

[MacGyver]

If the aforementioned sound of freedom bothers you, there's always a silent buffer spring:

http://www.jprifles.com/1.4.7.2_os.php

They're not cheap, but it'll take the cheese grater sound right out of your rifle.

[c.a.willard]

coating the spring and the tube with a dry film lubricant will get rid of a lot of the noise for you.  Like Mac said if you want it completely gone get one of the JP silent springs.

[broylz]

looks cool. not cheap but nice

[Oh Shoot]

If you use muffs, and they touch the buffer tube, the noise and vibration will be magnified.

 

- OS

[Schadenfreude]

I always put some thick grease on my buffer springs never heard that cheap @ss bb gun sound again Edited September 22, 2013 by Schadenfreude

[enfield]

That's what I remember most about the M16 - the sound of the spring.

[Spiffy]

I'm trying to remember if my middy makes noise. I know the rifle and carbine ARs do. 

[ted]

Heat shrink does wonders on the spring ,

[mikegideon]

:stunned:

[ted]

Teflon springs http://www.hkparts.net/shop/pc/AR-15-M4-Buffer-Spring-p2730.htm

[141FE]

Be glad you can still hear it !

[RWF]

Tubbs flat wire spring, great spring and its get rid of the spring sound, if it really brothers you

[Wingshooter]

I wonder if some spray-on rubber coating (plasti-Dip I think it's called from the hardware store) on the inside of the buffer tube would help.

[mikegideon]

I wonder if some spray-on rubber coating (plasti-Dip I think it's called from the hardware store) on the inside of the buffer tube would help.

 

Nope. The inside wall needs to be slick, and you don't want to reduce the diameter.

[viscero]

Heavier buffers help a slight amount too in my experience.

[Wingshooter]

Nope. The inside wall needs to be slick, and you don't want to reduce the diameter.

 

You're right. Might cause the buffer to bind

[94user]

When I put an A2 stock on my carbine the sound of the spring diminished a lot.

[gregintenn]

AR sounds like a box of springs.....

 

I thought they were supposed to. :hiding:

[M1_Garand]

Yeah, I kind of like that sound.