Do any of you actual check head space?

[asm_]

Just wondering, does any of you that build your own upper actually check head space? Let's say if the head space is off, unless you own a lathe, how else could you correct the issue?

B

[Donk310]

Never checked mine.

[Just-in]

Me neither. My friend did on his ar-10 cause he reloads, used all new parts on his upper and still found something out of wack stretching his brass or something like that. Makes me wonder if people who said it isn't necessary on an AR platform were to be trusted.

[Cary1911]

Never had to, but i tend to purchase complete uppers to go on my 80%'ers. Havent had one with any problems, suppose if i did then i would have had to check.

[CRTguns]

I HATE this question...

The headspace is not any concern o the consumer. Should not be. It is addressed during manufacture, by the folks making the barrel. The EXTENSION is installed and chamber cut to achieve a headspace within tolerance. Your bolt, believe or not is not part of the headspace in the AR. The bolt is made to a very exacting dimension... so it's always the same, or less variance than is allowed by the barrel's construction. Headspace is determined by the extension- a permanently attached extension... a very precision made part. Then the gas port is drilled at the appropriate time and distance on the barrel. Can't be changed. Once it's done, it's done. Sure, the chamber can be lengthened somewhat, but the go-no-go for the nato chamber only allows for +.003", -.000" from nominal.

[2shotjoe]

Never have, even with 100 yo guns.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

[G21Shooter]

If you use quality parts, there is no need.

Last upper I built was with a Daniel Defense BCG and Noveske barrel, if something is out of line with either of those two components I would be VERY surprised.

[onegtalon]

I have a friend with HS gages... gonna check mine anyway... I've recently seen some posts about uppers with questionalble tolerances on the barrel attachment point...

I've seen some post from THR, TFL, Snipershide, NW shooters and some other forums so I'm just gonna make sure. All the posts I've seen are about uppers purchased within between Jan-April this year. Could correlate to the recent rush of gun parts... dunno yet.

I know when I (finally) get my barrel I'm gonna throw that in the freezer and heat up the upper to make sure it fits.. this is the recent issue lately on a small amount of uppers that are sent out.

But - if your barrel fits fine? I wound't worry about it. If you gonna bang it with a rubber mallet? then yea check the headspace just in case.

[sirgiles]

not really hard to do so why not if you reload. here is a simple way of understanding it.

http://www.thecmp.org/Sales/askarmorerheadspace.htm

as for the statement that this not happen to quality parts, well it did happen on my lothar walther barrel.

[old-trapper]

CRT thank you for that comment.. That was about as usefull a post as i have ever seen. I have barreled a fair share of uppers and did not know the fact you just tossed out. I have sweat blood a few times with long headspaces and then a old gunsmith said to forget about it so I did. Only now do I understand the ins and outs of why...Very nice info. I was taught by the old timers to add a layer of scotch tape to the back of new or sized case and then see if it would chamber (no extractor). That is the only trick I learned on headspace. Thank you for a very useful post.

[asm_]

Checking the head space is a simple deal. Now, correcting an issue is whole different ball game.

B

[sffred]

I always check headspace! Primarily on AK's and AR's. I think I'm blessed cuz I never had any ftf's or fte's on either platforms.

[ExtremeX]

I always check headspace! Primarily on AK's and AR's. I think I'm blessed cuz I never had any ftf's or fte's on either platforms.

[nothinghere2c]

if its a pre-built complete upper that has been test fired i won't check.

if you build it yourself check it.

[ExtremeX]

I HATE this question...

The headspace is not any concern o the consumer. Should not be. It is addressed during manufacture, by the folks making the barrel. The EXTENSION is installed and chamber cut to achieve a headspace within tolerance. Your bolt, believe or not is not part of the headspace in the AR. The bolt is made to a very exacting dimension... so it's always the same, or less variance than is allowed by the barrel's construction. Headspace is determined by the extension- a permanently attached extension... a very precision made part. Then the gas port is drilled at the appropriate time and distance on the barrel. Can't be changed. Once it's done, it's done. Sure, the chamber can be lengthened somewhat, but the go-no-go for the nato chamber only allows for +.003", -.000" from nominal.