Headspace question

[LAhunter17]

Im building my first AR and was wondering is it necessary to check the headspace before I put it together and shoot or is it not really an issue. I've heard yes to both but I wanted to see what y'all thought.

 

[KRP]

I know nothing about ARs but I can't imagine putting a firearm together and not checking headspace.

 

[LAhunter17]

I can definitely see your logic in that but from what ive read if all parts are mil spec then there is no need to check the headspace. Can anyone verify this?

 

[J E Custom]

I can definitely see your logic in that but from what ive read if all parts are mil spec then there is no need to check the headspace. Can anyone verify this?

"ALL" rifles should be head spaced before firing for safety.

Even though all parts are Mil Spec they can be different enough to vary the head space
from to tight to beyond the limits of a field gauge. (If the bolt closes on a field gauge
head space is to great and the bolt has to be changed to one that will fall somewhere
around .003 to .004.

If you head space it and it is in this range you are OK. Head space gauges are very
inexpensive and well worth the money (Normally $25.00 to $35.00 dollars).

Don't take a chance !!!!!!

Buy a go gauge and start placing shims on it until it won't close and that will be your head space.

J E CUSTOM

 

[chad44]

What do you do if the head spacing is incorrect? Do you buy a different bolt? How can one ensure that the new bolt will provide the right headspace?

 

[battlestick]

What do you do if the head spacing is incorrect? Do you buy a different bolt? How can one ensure that the new bolt will provide the right headspace?

If the go/no go gauge shows you the headspace is incorrect, post up what you got and we can go from there.

 

[Rhino55]

Chad44
I build ARs and bolts guns as a hobby. If you are not sure about headspaceing please take it to a compinatant gunsmith. What controls the head spacing on an AR style rifle is the bolt and barrel extention. It is easy if you have a lathe. When checking, remove the extractor and ejector from the bolt to get a true head spacing.
Rhino 55gun)

 

[battlestick]

Chad44
I build ARs and bolts guns as a hobby. If you are not sure about headspaceing please take it to a compinatant gunsmith.

Not insulting your intelligence, just making a smart *** funny.

I'm glad you work on your guns and not teach Engwish.