1. What is Recoil Reduction?

Recoil reduction refers to the decrease in backward momentum (recoil) experienced when firing a gun, achieved by adding mass to the firearm's buffer system. This calculator estimates the percentage reduction in recoil based on the mass of the buffer and the gun.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the recoil reduction formula:

Where:

• Buffer Mass — Mass of the recoil buffer (kg)
• Gun Mass — Mass of the firearm (kg)

Explanation: The formula calculates what percentage of the total system mass (gun + buffer) is contributed by the buffer, which directly relates to how much recoil energy the buffer can absorb.

3. Importance of Recoil Reduction

Details: Proper recoil reduction improves shooter comfort, allows for faster follow-up shots, reduces wear on the firearm, and can improve accuracy by minimizing muzzle rise.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the mass of your buffer and firearm in kilograms. Both values must be positive numbers. The calculator will show the estimated percentage reduction in recoil.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How accurate is this calculation?
A: This provides a theoretical maximum based on mass alone. Actual recoil reduction may vary due to spring dynamics, gas system operation, and other factors.

Q2: What's a good recoil reduction percentage?
A: Typically 10-30% is effective, but depends on the firearm and shooter preference. Excessive mass can make the firearm unwieldy.

Q3: Should I measure gun mass with or without accessories?
A: Measure the complete firearm as you normally use it (with optic, magazine, etc.) for most accurate results.

Q4: Does buffer material affect performance?
A: While this calculator only considers mass, in reality, buffer materials with different densities may perform differently even at the same mass.

Q5: Can I use this for any firearm?
A: This is most applicable to firearms with buffer tube systems (like AR-15s). Other recoil systems may behave differently.