The shorter your barrel , the more you will need one . I have a buffer in both of my AK's and won't fire my HK 91 clone / parts gun until I have one installed in it . Cut's felt recoil by at least 1/3rd for a twenty dollar bill . What's not to like ? Don't be stupid ... you have a grand invested ... peel off one more 20 spot and your shoulder will thank you every time you squeeze one off . Trust 'ol Jack on this one ..... I don't work for 'em .... I'm just a shooter tryin' to put together the BEST HK clone I can for less than a grand ...a BT buffer is a MUST HAVE ... like plugs and shooting glasses .