How much would you expect to pay for headspacing?

[Phaethon]

I imagine that a lot of you get it done for free because you're buddies with a gunsmith, and the process really only involves inserting and testing gauges (so far as I know).

But provided that you weren't how much would you expect to pay?

In price-gouge land, America (otherwise known as Miami Florida), the only people in my vicinity seem to want to charge me 30$ for a headspace inspection. Perhaps this is just me, but it seems a little absurd; for that price I think I would rather just buy a field gauge myself! If I intend to buy more 8mm Mausers in the future I imagine it would be a prude investment.

 

[BADUNAME37]

I hope that price comes complete with a gold-embossed Signature of Authenticity with a Notarized Warranty that the information is indeed True and Correct!

 

[rbernie]

In order the check the headspace on a rifle requires that the bolt be disassembled to remove the striker and spring. I figure that the labor involved is about a quarter of an hour.

I can't get 15 minutes of shop time in any car dealership for less than $25 bucks, so I'm not sure that $30 for the headspace check is all that much out of line.

 

[Phaethon]

I haven't stripped my Mauser in a while, but I'm pretty sure that I could twist it out and reassemble the bolt within a minute. I'm a young guy in high school and I don't exactly have 30$ to dump on this on a per rifle basis. I've shot the rifle anyway and it appeared okay, but I'd rather be safe than sorry, and it's pretty frustrating that it's too expensive for me to be safe.

 

[killchain]

In order the check the headspace on a rifle requires that the bolt be disassembled to remove the striker and spring. I figure that the labor involved is about a quarter of an hour.

I can't get 15 minutes of shop time in any car dealership for less than $25 bucks, so I'm not sure that $30 for the headspace check is all that much out of line.

What he said.

 

[newfalguy101]

I haven't stripped my Mauser in a while, but I'm pretty sure that I could twist it out and reassemble the bolt within a minute. I'm a young guy in high school and I don't exactly have 30$ to dump on this on a per rifle basis. I've shot the rifle anyway and it appeared okay, but I'd rather be safe than sorry, and it's pretty frustrating that it's too expensive for me to be safe.

With all due respect, if you think dropping $30 is too epensive to be safe, you probably had oughta stay away from Mil-surp rifles of questionable history.

Tell ya what, hows about you price out a set of headspace guages and see if it would be cheaper to buy them yourself..........Now dont forget, you will need at least TWO guages to be sure, a "go" and a "no-go"............and dont forget about shipping, or sales tax.......

 

[Phaethon]

With all due respect, if you think dropping $30 is too epensive to be safe, you probably had oughta stay away from Mil-surp rifles of questionable history.

Tell ya what, hows about you price out a set of headspace guages and see if it would be cheaper to buy them yourself..........Now dont forget, you will need at least TWO guages to be sure, a "go" and a "no-go"............and dont forget about shipping, or sales tax.......

I did, it would run me around 58$ for a decent pair, with probably 5-10$ in shipping at worst. Considering that I have three rifles I want looked at, and plan to buy some Turk Mausers in the future that are obviously going to need an inspection, I don't feel like laying down 100$+ especially considering that owning the gauges will allow me to do any of my own inspections in the future for free, and I would be able to help any friends/range buddies out for free by toting them in my range bag when I go shooting.

Whether it's paying for safety or paying for a cheeseburger, I think that paying too much is still paying too much. I'm not asking any of you to patronize me, I'm only asking what you think is a fair price.

 

[wrench]

I've never paid for a headspace check, but I don't think $30 is too far out of line for the gunsmith's time.
All you'd really need is a field gauge, pick one up, and you're good to go to check your own, no matter how many you buy.
FWIW, I've got lots of milsurp rifles I shoot, and I've only checked headspace on my Garands, if I swap bolts around. With the others, I fire a few rounds, inspect the brass, and fire at will.
Not saying you're wrong in getting them checked, I'm sure lots of folks do.

Edit-just checked Brownell's, most field gauges around $27. A few bucks shipping and you're done.

 

[Frogomatik]

$30 is not unreasonable. $60/hour is not an uncommon shop rate, and he's easily going to spend 30 minutes of his time to get the gun in, dissassemble the bolt, check the headspacing, reassemble the bolt, do the paperwork, and get the gun back to you.

If checking headspacing is somthing you feel the need to do alot of, then you'd be wise to spend the money on a set of go-no go gauges.

 

[dagger dog]

Brownell's 58 catalog SHOP PRICE SURVEY on page 208 lists check headspace shop pricing from a MINIUM of $35 to a Maximum of $75.

 

[Ian Sean]

$30 is not unreasonable. $60/hour is not an uncommon shop rate, and he's easily going to spend 30 minutes of his time to get the gun in, dissassemble the bolt, check the headspacing, reassemble the bolt, do the paperwork, and get the gun back to you.

I was going to say this....actually I would say that price is VERY reasonable.

You also have to figure in, his electric bill, his salary, insurance, taxes...etc.

Sure that gauge only costs around $30, but running a business has all the other aspects to it a lot of folks don't think about.

 

[writerinmo]

A go-gauge is called an unfired round...