I think I’ve replaced it only once, because it was a little beat up looking. Seems like it came with 1-2 extras and i called S&W and they sent me 4-5 more for free. Personally I’d think brass wouldn’t be much of a buffer. I took apart my Buckmark for a deep clean recently. It had a plastic buffer in it too but I’ve not replaced it yet. It was bought later so doesn’t have as many rounds through it yet.