The Vltor A5 Recoil System is different than many of our products here at Charlie's. Instead of being clone correct to an existing weapon system, the A5 system is a "would have been correct" item. Developed at the request of the US Marine Corps, the Vltor A5 Buffer System was part of a proposed, but never adopted, M16A4 upgrade program, hence the name "A5." Wanting to have the advantages of a collapsing stock but not give up the reliability or smoothness of a rifle buffer system, the Vltor A5 uses an AR-10 length buffer tube, rifle spring, and proprietary intermediate length buffer weights to help optimize weapon kinematics. A selection of five weights allows for tuning of the action based on overall weapon configuration. Whether building a historical "what if?" or using the system to improve an existing weapon, the A5 recoil system is another tool in the toolbox of performance.
This is one of two receiver extensions offered by Vltor for the A5 system. In addition to being required for the A5 system, it offers other benefits. First is the seven position adjustment range over the standard six. For shooters with longer reach, the RE-A5 is .75" longer than a standard carbine buffer tube giving a longer length of pull option. This extension can be used on AR-10 platforms. The numbered positions are visible through the witness hole on most stocks. Mil-Spec external dimensions accept many stocks on the market but due to the longer length, some stocks will not collapse all the way or may have a portion of the tube protrude from the back of the stock when fully collapsed.
NOTE: This tube requires the use of a rifle length spring and A5 buffers. It is not compatible with standard carbine springs and buffers.
AlphaOpsTV shows the difference between the RE-A5 and the RE-10 receiver extensions.
Forward Controls Design
Mil-Spec