Does headspace need to be checked for Anderson barrel&BCG?

[eth727]

So I have all new Anderson barrel and BCG that I purchased separately and was wondering if I need to check headspace.

[19K]

No.

[Junkie]

If all the parts are in spec, headspace will be too. There's no reasonable way to adjust it either.

[ocabj]

If all the parts are in spec

How do you know if all the parts in in spec? Check with headspace gages.

[ASD1]

You NEED to check head space in every build!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Unless the barrel comes with a bolt

[Junkie]

I don't think many people check headspace on ARs, and I very rarely hear of problems. I've done a few builds and have never checked.

[Brown Rock]

I don't think many people check headspace on ARs, and I very rarely hear of problems. I've done a few builds and have never checked.

Same here.

[FeuerFrei]

I never have done it for AR clones. 556 or 308
If you gauge your AR and discover that headspace is off then you have to dig through your pile of extra bolts to see if you get a winner or it's back to the manufacture. That's what I was told anyway.

[ar15barrels]

So I have all new Anderson barrel and BCG that I purchased separately and was wondering if I need to check headspace.

Yes.
Always check headspace on a new build.
There is no way to know that the parts are in-spec if you don't check them yourself.
A headspace check IS one of the tests to see IF the parts are in-spec.

[send it_hit]

Yes.
Always check headspace on a new build.
There is no way to know that the parts are in-spec if you don't check them yourself.
A headspace check IS one of the tests to see IF the parts are in-spec.

I've been told that headspace is essentially set by the barrel manufacturer when barrel and barrel extension are mated. Is this true? I trust your expertise and input on this highly.

[Wrangler John]

Let's see, we are placing a mechanism that operates somewhere around 58,700 psi for 5.56 NATO ammo fired in a NATO chamber (higher if fired in a .223 Remington chamber), just in front of our face, and near our hands. That, and the fact that secondary containment of gas and debris from a breeching failure or extreme over-pressure is a flimsy aluminium action, and checking headspace is too much of an effort?

Even when I provided the bolt for a custom barrel so that it could be headspaced to that particular barrel as part of the manufacturing process, I checked the headspace after assembly. In every case, without exception, it is necessary to check the final assembly before firing. Not with a cartridge case with cellophane tape stuck to the head, but with a real genuine headspace gauge set, and both gauges from the same manufacturer.

If you can't do it yourself, have a gunsmith do it.

Remember, we are human, mistakes happen, dimensions drift and nothing can be assumed to be perfect.

[shafferds]

I like my face, hands and arms. Check the headspace. Is cosmetic surgery covered under Obama care?

[eth727]

Anyone interested in being the first one to shoot my gun?

[Junkie]

I've been told that headspace is essentially set by the barrel manufacturer when barrel and barrel extension are mated. Is this true? I trust your expertise and input on this highly.

You are correct. It's based on how far the bolt face recess is from the back of the lugs (the stressed part), and how far the chamber is reamed from the front of the barrel lugs (again the stressed part).

[CaliDoc]

Yes bro, check the headspace. Better safe than sorry.