This $200 AR9 Upgrade Completely Changed How It Shoots

In this video, we take a deep dive with Danny from @CompetitiveShootersJourney into the roller-delayed (bearing-delayed) 9mm buffer from Maxim Defense and see how it performs in a real-world AR9 setup. If you’ve ever wondered whether you can get the smooth recoil impulse of a roller-delayed PCC without buying a dedicated roller-delayed rifle, this video is for you.

We break down how the Maxim Defense roller-delayed buffer actually works, including its multi-piece design and internal ball-bearing delay system. While it’s commonly called “roller-delayed,” we discuss why it’s technically more of a bearing-delayed system and how that delay helps reduce felt recoil, smooth out the recoil impulse, and keep your dot flatter during rapid fire.
To put things into perspective, we compare the feel of this buffer against a true roller-delayed system like the JP5, which uses rollers at the front of the bolt carrier group. We discuss how close this buffer gets to that shooting experience and whether it’s a worthwhile upgrade for competitive PCC shooters or anyone running a standard AR9.
Topics covered in this video include:
How the Maxim Defense roller-delayed buffer works
Bearing delay vs true roller delay explained
Charging and chambering effort compared to standard AR9 buffers
Recoil impulse, dot movement, and target transitions
Consistency of ejection pattern
New shooter vs experienced shooter considerations
Cost vs performance ($200 upgrade analysis)
Is this the best drop-in upgrade for an AR9 or PCC build?
If you’re shooting PCC competitions, running an AR9 for training, or just looking to make your rifle smoother and flatter without complex modifications, this buffer may be one of the best value upgrades you can make. It’s a true drop-in solution—no tuning tools, no armorers wrench, no permanent modifications.
👉 Have experience tuning this buffer or getting even more delay out of it? Drop a comment below—we’d love to hear your setup and results.
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