Firearms having a carrier assembly, buffer systems, and methods, having a carrier spindle, carrier saddle, or both, to reduce carrier tilt or wobble, reduce wear, or both. A carrier spindle can be located forward of the buffer spring, buffer weight, or both, and aft of the carrier assembly, and can slidably engage the carrier assembly. A spindle spring can bias the carrier spindle aft from the carrier assembly. In some embodiments, a taper on the carrier spindle facilitates separation of the lower receiver from the upper receiver. In some embodiments, the spindle spring is a helical spring that is loaded in compression and pushes the carrier spindle aftward. Some embodiments include a carrier saddle that supports the aft end of the carrier assembly. The carrier saddle can be raised, have a concave top surface, be made of a softer material, have dimensions within certain ranges, or a combination thereof.