Log In
June 2, 2024
Offline
I picked up a 1922 manufactured 1907 and 100 rounds of vintage nickel player Remington-made ammo.
the wood is all nice, no cracks.
reading about the gun online, I believe before shooting it, I need to check the buffer to see if it’s still good, and to expect that it’s probably not.
so my questions – I know numeric is long out of the oem replacement buffers. What are people doing now if they need a new buffer?
also what are original buffer dimensions in case I need to make one. I do have a lathe, if that helps, and if anyone has instructions of what works.
July 17, 2012
Offline
Welcome Claven2,
Someone should be along shortly to help answer your question.
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
June 2, 2024
Offline
JWA said rnWelcome Claven2,rnrnSomeone should be along shortly to help answer your question.rnrnBest Regards,rn rn
Fwiw, the buffer washer is not contacting the buffer cup on my rifle yet. I have 47 thou of clearance.
March 8, 2023
Offline
I have messed with 1907’s a bit and I really like them they remind me of a small BAR. Anyway, on the two I own both are probably needing buffers only one has some space. On one of the rifles I took it out which wasn’t that easy and the buffer was in terrible shape. I hadn’t found anywhere to get replacements so i I have contemplated making them too. I don’t know what they are made of I don’t have pictures but it is hard and at first I thought it might be leather. But looking at the buffer under a loop it looks like a fiber maybe Bakelite? It shouldn’t be that hard to make them if you know the overall size and what the material to use is.
Rob
January 20, 2023
Offline
I would think Bakelite would shatter under impact or distort what struck it. I used to deal with a lot of Bakelite as a kid interested in amateur radio in the Fifties. Knobs, insulators, even chassis, but nothing that was intended to cushion strikes.
If it looks woven, maybe it’s made out of sisal, jute or some other natural fibrous material that can absorb impact. Perhaps Nylon or Delrin could be substituted.
Glad you posted this issue. I’ve got an ’07 made in the Fifties, the style shown in the Gun Digests of those years. With hooked bolt retractor finger piece, semi-military stock and no detent on the takedown knob. I’ve never fired it and really should check the state of the buffer before I do.
Texas Department of Corrections once used these as prison guard weapons.
Query: do the 1903 and m63 rimfire versions also have buffers?
- Bill
WACA # 65205; life member, NRA; member, TGCA; member, TSRA; amateur preservationist
"I have seen wicked men and fools, a great many of both, and I believe they both get paid in the end, but the fools first." -- David Balfour, narrator and protagonist of the novel, Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson.
July 10, 2005
Offline
The 1903 does not have a buffer. On mine, I could not see where the bolt may have struck the aft end of the receiver. There was no peening of metal or other tell-tale signs.
GMC(SW) - USN Retired 1978 - 2001
June 2, 2024
Offline
sorry for the bump – but any news on a source for these, new or repro, or details on what substitutes can be made from that’s tried and tested?
January 20, 2023
Offline
If all else fails, I’d try a buffer cut to shape and size from a swatch of the polymer used for milk bottles, which is HDPE, high density polyetylene, or, alteratively Nylon. You can buy it on Amazon in various size strips and blocks.
However, first you really should write to Wilson Combat, who make the Shok-Buff for 1911 Government Model pistols. That product, a hollow ring 1/10th” thick, won’t serve your needs but the material from which it is made just might. Wilson describes it as a “fibrous poly” they injection mold to shape. Their advertising cautions customers to stay away from the “cheaper” die-stamped competition, which tells me the material is probably commercially available in sheets, hopefully of various thicknesses. A hand made cutter and a hammer could keep you supplied for decades.
I’ve used the Shok-Buff for years in both steel and aluminum frame Colts and the product does work to prevent peening and soften recoil. Wilson says each buffer is good for 1000 rounds, which I’ve found to be about right, depending on the power of the load.
If you pursue this, please let know how it goes and where your chosen material can be sourced.
- Bill
WACA # 65205; life member, NRA; member, TGCA; member, TSRA; amateur preservationist
"I have seen wicked men and fools, a great many of both, and I believe they both get paid in the end, but the fools first." -- David Balfour, narrator and protagonist of the novel, Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson.
January 20, 2023
Offline
Robert Drummond Jr said
I have messed with 1907’s a bit and I really like them they remind me of a small BAR. Anyway, on the two I own both are probably needing buffers only one has some space. On one of the rifles I took it out which wasn’t that easy and the buffer was in terrible shape. I hadn’t found anywhere to get replacements so i I have contemplated making them too. I don’t know what they are made of I don’t have pictures but it is hard and at first I thought it might be leather. But looking at the buffer under a loop it looks like a fiber maybe Bakelite? It shouldn’t be that hard to make them if you know the overall size and what the material to use is.Rob
If you’ve still got a buffer out, could you give us the approximate dimensions, recognizing the thickness has been compressed?
- Bill
WACA # 65205; life member, NRA; member, TGCA; member, TSRA; amateur preservationist
"I have seen wicked men and fools, a great many of both, and I believe they both get paid in the end, but the fools first." -- David Balfour, narrator and protagonist of the novel, Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson.
January 20, 2023
Offline
Good news, possibly. An online dealer, Old Arms of Idaho lists 1907 buffers for sale at $12.50 apiece, probably plus shipping etc. But still….
Telephone 208.602.6027
- Bill
WACA # 65205; life member, NRA; member, TGCA; member, TSRA; amateur preservationist
"I have seen wicked men and fools, a great many of both, and I believe they both get paid in the end, but the fools first." -- David Balfour, narrator and protagonist of the novel, Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson.
If anyone has any questions or concerns with the buffers for the Self Loading Winchesters. You should call my friend Leonard at 517-881-9028. We wrote a book on the 1907, and has been trying to make a buffer that will work well.
January 20, 2023
Offline
Bo, thanks for the heads up.
- Bill
WACA # 65205; life member, NRA; member, TGCA; member, TSRA; amateur preservationist
"I have seen wicked men and fools, a great many of both, and I believe they both get paid in the end, but the fools first." -- David Balfour, narrator and protagonist of the novel, Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson.
January 12, 2024
Offline
Hello, All
I realize this is dormant thread, but does anyone have any experience with the Bull Creek Arms buffer made from “high impact” ABS being sold on Ebay? The listing asserts these buffers have “held up well under repeated use.” Perhaps a good and reliable option?
January 20, 2023
Offline
Peter, I dont have any experience with any of the aftermarket buffers because I haven’t tried to shoot my 1907.
If I were going to shoot my 07 and needed a buffer, I’d probably order one of the Bull Creek buffers and give it a try. My 2006 Kawasaki Mule, still doing duty in East Texas on my son’s property, has ABS fenders and is still sound and with just enough flex to cushion itself if it runs against a steel fence post. Hasn’t cracked from the Sun, although I did treat it with Armor All once or twice. Inside a receiver that shouldn’t be a problem..it seemed to be impervious to diesel fuel spills when I fueled up the Mule.
I can’t think of a better material for the purpose, myself. Polymer chemistry was pretty crude in 1907 and I suspect the original buffer is made of a natural.fiber, like other fiber washers of that day, based on the original one I got years ago from GPC. No magic in it, just what was available before WWI. There are probably a hundred different materials available today from which a better and more long-lasting buffer could be made.
- Bill
WACA # 65205; life member, NRA; member, TGCA; member, TSRA; amateur preservationist
"I have seen wicked men and fools, a great many of both, and I believe they both get paid in the end, but the fools first." -- David Balfour, narrator and protagonist of the novel, Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson.
January 12, 2024
Offline
Bill,
Thank you. I appreciate your thoughts on this and agree with your suggestion–I’m going to get one or two of the Bull Creek buffers and give ’em a shot (so to speak). It may take me a while to report back on my experience but will seek to do so down the road.
Pete
November 7, 2015
Offline
Yep, probably tougher than OE. Hopefully not too tough, they were designed to minimize wear to the metal parts.
Mike
August 14, 2021
Offline
Peter Brigham said
Bill,Thank you. I appreciate your thoughts on this and agree with your suggestion–I’m going to get one or two of the Bull Creek buffers and give ’em a shot (so to speak). It may take me a while to report back on my experience but will seek to do so down the road.
Pete
Good Luck, the main spring is a PITA to get back on. Search around and make a tool to assist.
January 12, 2024
Offline
Roger; will do. Thanks.
January 20, 2023
Offline
Say, Pete. Did one of your ancestors found or fund the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital in Boston? I think it’s been consolidated with Massachusetts General Hospital but people still call it the Brigham.
- Bill
WACA # 65205; life member, NRA; member, TGCA; member, TSRA; amateur preservationist
"I have seen wicked men and fools, a great many of both, and I believe they both get paid in the end, but the fools first." -- David Balfour, narrator and protagonist of the novel, Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson.
1 Guest(s)
