401 buffer pocket gap

[battis]

I took this pic at the Buffalo Bill museum in Cody, Wy.  Through my fuzzy math, I determined that the gap in the buffer pocket in this pic  is approx. .05".  The gap in the rifle I own was half of that with one buffer.  I increased the gap in my rifle using two cut buffers to match this one.  Does it matter?  I'm not sure yet.

[johnl]

I know this is an old topic but did cutting two (I am assuming .351 pads) to fit work? What was the thickness you were going for of the two pads? How did you arrive at that thickness? I have two of these rifles where there is no gap whatsoever. Thanks.

[ilikeoldguns]

Indeed. Enquiring minds wants to know!

[battis]

This is an old thread and I'm trying to remember what my thought process was...

It went something like this.  I measured the overall length of the buffer pocket in my rifle.  Knowing what that length was (or height - whichever way you turned it), then comparing it to the one in the photo, I was able to determine (proportionally) how big the gap was in that photo, which is what I based what the gap should be in the buffer pocket in my rifle.

Bottom line - I determined that the gap should be .05".  I then cut two .351 buffers and put them together to get that gap.  I don't remember if they were nearly equal in thickness after the cutting, but that would make the most sense, as opposed to one being very thick and the other sliced thinly to make up the difference.
Again, does it matter?  Do you need a gap?  Without the gap it's metal on metal, so it kinda makes sense.

I don't remember what the thickness of the two buffers together would be, but allowing for a .05" gap would give you that thickness.

My head hurts from thinking...I was so much younger back in 2016.

[351winchester]

We really don't know what the gap is supposed to be, but as long as the metal washer is not touching the pouch you should be good to go. I would inspect the buffer from time to time though.