New Prototype Black Hole Recoil Reducer Test

[GLShooter]

I was asked to evaluate a recoil reducing buffer assembly that Black Hole Weaponry has been working on for quite some time.  Not being one to shirk a request I waited for it to show. It came in via FedEx last Friday but I didn't make it out until Tuesday for testing.

I selected a basic AR15 upper set up and a custom Shilen barreled 6X45 as my test guns. I took a pure stock lower and one off my 6X45 IPSC gun that I have used for years. I put the buffer in the custom lower.

I made it to the desert and it was only 92 so I was a happy camper. I shot the 556 first and went to swap out the top end to the buffered lower. Then I found out my 30 year old SGW lower would not fit on the new stock AR upper!! The pin holes on the upper were a hair smaller than my take down pins on the lower!!

Back to town, grabbed another lower and swapped the buffer out making sure it fit all the uppers.. Back to the heat. Only 98 now!!

I fired the stock gun with five rounds and swapped out the upper to the BHW unit. I had some Federal American Eagle 55 grain FMJ 556's on hand. Five rounds later and I was grinning from ear to ear. This thing works.
 
I proceeded to shoot the stock gun and then the BHW set up back to back. I shot it off hand, from the hip and held at arms length. Felt recoil against my shoulder was down I would estimate about 25%. Muzzle rise was down an equivalent percentage. I was able to stay on a small pail at about 75 yards with little difficulty with the BHW unit where as I had to work with the regular rig. From the extended arm shooting it was obvious that muzzle rise was way down and it was very stable. The hip shooting let me go hard and direct my shots form shot to shot with a lot less disturbance of the rifle. I fired three boxes of ammo on this test.

I got the 6X45 out and several boxes of ammunition. This one is 17 1/2" with a compensator set up with a shorty FF tube. It is my wifes’ IPSC rifle. It is upper light, around six pounds, and is not the lightest kicker around when loaded to the hilt with 87's.

The first pass was done with 87 Hornady BTHP that are loaded to MAX. The rifle has quite a bit of muzzle rise and about 40% more recoil than the 223's I shoot. Shooting five rounds with the standard lower and jumping to the BHW bottom was once again done.
The difference in muzzle rise was really significant. The rifle stayed much flatter and the felt recoil to the shoulder was toned down to a push as opposed to a smack. Shooting hard let me evaluate it very well. I would say my shot to shot times on a target decreased by a solid 20% and my ability to reacquire was very much improved. I shot about 60 rounds of 6X45 using 70-87 grain bullets all at MAX loading levels. All performed in a similar manner with a decided improvement in controllability.

I would say that this is one I am going to get several of. I did not have a video person with me so as a substitute this is Andy at BHW shooting the system. They cut the stock out so you could see some of the parts. Andy is a god size fellow and I only weigh about 2/3's of him but I found it similar in effect.

BHW RECOIL SYSTEM

A pair of pictures of the set up at my house. This is  device is PATENT PENDING.



It slips in the tube just like a regular buffer. Running the charge handle was uber-smooth with this spring set up. It is about 11 ¾” long.



Testing continues at BHW and on a plus side I am having a CARBINE version being sent to me that I will test this next week. I'll drop it in my REGISTERED M16 lower and see how it does on rock and roll compared to one of my stock carbine lowers.

I am not sure when these will be available but I do know that several companies are already dealing on sales rights.

Your Thoughts?

Greg

[GLShooter]

 I received the Carbine buffer on Friday and had some time to go out Sunday and run it through its' paces. I used a basic AR 15 carbine lower and my M16 carbine length lower.

Here is what it looks like prior to being installed.




Tucked in nice and tight in the M16.




Once again I used a basic CAR upper and a 17 1/2" 6X45.

The carbines are always abit more whippy in the hands so it was an interesting morning. I started out with the CAR on the regular lower and found muzzle rise was more than set up with an E2 stock. No surprise. I then switched back and forth to the buffered lower for around 40 shots. Shouldered, hip and one handed shooting. The muzzle rise was decreased by approximately 20-25% on this set up shooting Federal American Eagle 55 grain ammunition.

Switching over to the 6X45 upper I once again experienced a noticeable flattening in the muzzle rise and the felt impact on my shoulder was a softer more drawn out push as opposed to the regular pop of the standard buffered lower.

Since I had the M16 lower and all the needed goodies, like paperwork, I flipped the switch and had some fun. I found that in both cartridges that the muzzle rise seemed less than I was use to and I was quite pleased with it. I kept the 6X45 Rock and Roll short as a Shilen match barrel is not one to burn out for giggles!!

I am pleased with both units and will be picking up at least two of each for my rifles down the road. I'll use them in 3 Gun and in PD shooting. It is always nice to see the hits and these will certainly help on the PD's and will cut time off my match forays.

I've been told that one LEO organization has already placed an order for 100 units so I believe they validated what I found on their own testing. I'll post up when they are available, who will have them and the price.

Greg

　

[SharonAnne]

from all appearances JP Rifles is marketing this device as the "JP Silent Captured Spring" for $124.95. There is one size for rifle and carbine with a spacer supplied.

It is marked as patent pending. I don't know if anyone else has licensed its use.

Looks pretty good.

[GLShooter]

from all appearances JP Rifles is marketing this device as the "JP Silent Captured Spring" for $124.95. There is one size for rifle and carbine with a spacer supplied.

It is marked as patent pending. I don't know if anyone else has licensed its use.

Looks pretty good.

Yes they are but it does not reduce the recoil impulse. I posted up a discussion on this over on AR15Armory after my evaluation in a bit more detail. It does stop the twang of the buffer spring.
They have gone in and used a softer material in the BHW unit since I tested it that shoots  a even softer yet.  They are working on getting the molds up and running for mass production. They will be marketed through Tactical Ammunition when they are available. I was told the price point would be a tad lower than the JP unit. I'm not sure how much but that is but savings of any kind is a good deal in this economy.
Greg