Getting more careful in my old age, or..

[David Hoback]

I’ve been Gunsmithing over 20years. And building firearms for 15 years. Lost count, short of stopping to think, of my AR builds some time ago. Since the beginning of the build culture phenomenon. (Just after the Billary Clinton AWB expired in ‘04), since my very first build in fact, I have never checked headspace. Never had an issue with a single one, & all of my AR builds have been just over, Sub or 1MOA guns.

Even while holding headspace to such an importance on my bench rifle that I set it with a Go Gauge +.002” shim, I just never let it bother me on the AR. But I guess my aging mind is becoming more.... skiddish?....nervous?.....Or maybe just more careful? I just picked up a Field gauge specifically for my AR builds. I‘m still not worried about using a “Go“ gauge as I am unable to set headspace anyway. I’m a gunsmith and I have the “Know”, but not the “How”. At this time I do not have a capable lathe (or the space needed), to set barrel headspace. I also use only high quality components. So for me, the “Go” gauge in the AR barrel’s case is moot.

It’s odd my philosophy on this has changed so abruptly, even in my belief that excessive headspace will not cause a dangerous or even catastrophic failure. Just my belief...yours may differ and that is fine. But the evidence of it never having happened & proven traced back to a barrel’s headspace, is evidence on behalf of my belief. So....it is strange I’m doing it now. But perhaps, it’s simply thinking of the brass. I reload, and hold good brass at a premium. The question of brass does enter my thinking along with headspace, every time. So that’s the only reason I can give. But even there, I read my brass very thoroughly, before reloading. I check every piece and know the all signs. In this I’m back to....”I don’t know why!” LOL.

 

[LoonWulf]

Nothing wrong with spending 50 bucks or so for some piece of mind.
No mater the reasons behind it lol.

Personally ive never been one to check headspace on my ARs. I WOULD if i had the gauges, but i havent bought for any of the cartridges I use in my ARs.

 

[David Hoback]

I am lucky there...I’ve never wanted an AR in anything except 5.56x45. It’s what the AR was designed for. And paired together I believe they make a quite formidable weapon. And I believe it’s best performing in this cartridge. To me, 223 serves every purpose all the other calibers can, depending on the load used. I don’t believe the Big Bore cartridges serve any true purpose besides “fun shooting”. If you want 6.5mm or 30cal, it’s better to go AR10. All the others are for “fan boys”.

If course this is my personal views on the matter. Others may vary. Which is fine.

Back to the original point, the one gauge only has me out $30. So, yeah...that’s ok. I’m thinking I might have ordered it just to give me something else to do. Seriously. I’ve been for sometime actually, of these mindset that WORKING on firearms is more enjoyable than shooting them. Honest to goodness. I sincerely love building & working on rifles & pistols. Much as do machining. So, maybe that’s it.

 

[Gordon]

If you were building FN FALs you would soon notice the need for head space gauges.

 

[LoonWulf]

I’ve been for sometime actually, of these mindset that WORKING on firearms is more enjoyable than shooting them. Honest to goodness. I sincerely love building & working on rifles & pistols. Much as do machining. So, maybe that’s it.

While I lack your skills, im of the same sentiment!

ive got a few in process of repair or customization as i sit here taking a break....I COULD be out shooting them, but I have to make them BETTER!
Just put the 600 dollar 795 away.....My dads moving in, and his stuffs in my way or id have a couple more in process lol

 

[Chuck R.]

You're not alone, I just checked the headspace on a new AR barrel that arrived last night.

A set of gauges is cheap piece of mind really...between those and a Sinclair bolt vice it'a a 10 minute job before mounting a barrel.

 

[David Hoback]

While I lack your skills, im of the same sentiment!

ive got a few in process of repair or customization as i sit here taking a break....I COULD be out shooting them, but I have to make them BETTER!
Just put the 600 dollar 795 away.....My dads moving in, and his stuffs in my way or id have a couple more in process lol
View attachment 925626 View attachment 925627View attachment 925625

My friend, I promise you skill has no bearing on the enjoyment of something you are passionate of. I never compare my “ability” to the ability of others, in that regard. With absolute truth I will say, your response and posting pictures is exciting to me. I absolutely LOVE speaking with other DIY’ers, builders, tinker’s.. ya know? Sharing things back & forth. And please understand, I’m not a commercial Gunsmith or builder. I have never made a $dime$ Gunsmithing. It’s not what I do. In fact, I offer to perform small Gunsmithing & machining bits for members of several forums...FOR FREE! I’m not an FFL, and I do not take or give out firearms. But I do things such as setting up triggers, modifying parts, building uppers etc. And I teach anyone who wants to learn. So as to pass on what I know.

Thank you for responding and sharing with us.

 

[whm1974]

I find it to be rather strange that people who build or put together a powered rifle wouldn't check the Headspace before they shoot their gun the very first time... One question, did barrel makers Proof their products before sending them to the buyers?

 

[David Hoback]

To the point of checking this one btw....I’m using the Forster 223 Field Gauge, which is 1.4696”. My barrel is one of Ballistic Advantage’s new Premium Black series and has a 223 Wylde chamber. With the gauge in place, I could not turn the bolt even a little....I mean not a degree! I am quite pleased seeing what I already knew, LOL.

But then, I’m excited even setting the .002” headspace on my bench rifle. Now, that I could set...but it’s same thing. I get all smiles and feel good just playing with the gauges. Hahaha.

 

[Demi-human]

I find it to be rather strange that people who build or put together a powered rifle wouldn't check the Headspace before they shoot their gun the very first time... One question, did barrel makers Proof their products before sending them to the buyers?

What could you do about it if it was wrong?

Keeping in mind building an AR requires no tools that building a bolt action would require, like a lathe and reamer and threading setup, so what could a home builder do about it?

How does one proof a barrel with no action attached?

 

[LoonWulf]

What could you do about it if it was wrong?

you mean you dont have a huge bucket of bolt heads, and swap till ones right!

You could pull the barrel from the extension and set it back a full turn (if the gas ports drilled) then ream in the chamber.

I guess the only REAL answer most of us would have is send it back with a note saying "Brah!! Puka too deep!".....or not deep enough..... how ever

 

[LoonWulf]

How does one proof a barrel with no action attached?

you put the bullet in, put the bolt in, put a nail in.......whack it with a hammer..........


Yes i think im funny....but you know...someone, somewhere has done exactly that....gonna go search youtube.

 

[Demi-human]

You just drop it on a rock and shoot it straight up, then you can catch the bullet with a baseball mitt and reuse it...

 

[Chuck R.]

What could you do about it if it was wrong?

Keeping in mind building an AR requires no tools that building a bolt action would require, like a lathe and reamer and threading setup, so what could a home builder do about it?

How does one proof a barrel with no action attached?

I manged to get a bolt replaced after it closed on a field gauge, whereas other bolts in the same barrel didn't. But, that's about the only recourse, getting a bolt or a barrel replaced if one or the other is out of spec.

 

[David Hoback]

What could you do about it if it was wrong?

Keeping in mind building an AR requires no tools that building a bolt action would require, like a lathe and reamer and threading setup, so what could a home builder do about it?

How does one proof a barrel with no action attached?

The AR’s headspace is completely contained within the Barrel, Extension
& Bolt. To change headspace on the AR, the barrel must have the Extension removed, and either it or the barrel must be machined on a lathe. So, exactly! Nothing you CAN do. Send the barrel back to the manufacturer, of take it and your bolt to a Gunsmith.

In the beginning I said I have the “KNOW”....but I don’t have the “HOW”, as I do not have a lathe.

 

[Demi-human]

I feel the marvel of the whole thing is the lack of serious head space problems in the manufacturing of barrels and bolts separately, when considering the amount of rifles built at home. Not that it never happens, but it is not particularly common.

Like @Chuck R. said, replacement is the only real option, especially with the hard surface treatments.
Yes, the extension can be removed and lathe operations applied, but the average human does not have these things when building their AR.

 

[LoonWulf]

You just drop it on a rock and shoot it straight up, then you can catch the bullet with a baseball mitt and reuse it...

Get this man a beer!!!!....and hold mine while i try that....I may actually try that, if i cant find a way to do it without risking death....