[Paul S.]

Slowryder, I believe that is a reference to buffers on other guns (ak-47?), which I ASSUME not only prevents metal-to-metal contact between operating rod and receiver, but also bolt and receiver (and maybe others on this board can clarify this). It's two different things. If you've ever disassembled a Mini-14 you'll see that the operating rod (or "slide") smacks the receiver upon its travel rearward with extreme prejudice, with only the spring to "slow" it down. So I can see how a buffer would benefit the action. I only assume that the buffers prevent the metal-to-metal contact between the op rod and receiver, while still allowing the BOLT to operate normally within the receiver with whatever metal-to-metal contact it normally requires (remember, the bolt and operating rod, although connected, are separate parts.)