Head spacing AR 15 questions...

D

Duncan71

Regular
Rating - 100%
178   0   2
Location
Calgary AB
So I’ve heard mixed messages on this... if I just put together at AR, NEA upper and lower, brownells BCG and Primary Arms barrel do I need to headspace?

I have heard that some guys say so long as your using decent components you don’t need too.

What’s the CGN crowd say?
 
I was worried about that as well so I brought mine to the gunsmith and he said ”ARs need headspacing? I thought they did that themselves.” So I will be finding out in the next couple weeks.
 
Just check anyway. Buy a set of gauge is only $100 ish (or less) How much is $100 in terms of ammo price or gun price anyway? The set of gauges will last really long if you know what you are doing not like you have to buy one every 6 months. I ended up a NEA barrel that is even loose for NO-GO. Wouldn't know if you never check.
 
Headspacing for AR15 type firearms is not necessary when using quality components. The barrel extension system of locking the bolt to the barrel automatically ensures the proper headspace. The tolerances of the bolt and barrel extension are very precise with modern CNC machining.
 
RifleDude said:
Headspacing for AR15 type firearms is not necessary when using quality components. The barrel extension system of locking the bolt to the barrel automatically ensures the proper headspace. The tolerances of the bolt and barrel extension are very precise with modern CNC machining.
Click to expand...

ho do you explain post #5 then? A fluke?

Edit: nvm, saw the 'nea' in his post...
 
I have an AR built on an NEA upper/lower and it works great but I don't trust anything that comes from them.
If you have a quality barrel and bolt and a round chambers smoothly I wouldn't worry too much but checking headspace is never a bad idea on a mix and match build.
 
check your headspace

Would you take your new kit airplane for a rip without checking if the wings fit right? They are supposed to fit but do they really? Kinda the same deal, you might be ok, you might have a failure and be ok, you might crash and burn/ explode.

Last minute details are important, especially when you are toying with 50,000+ psi of hot gases and vaporized metals about 12" from your face
 
So... Now that we've established that it shouldn't be necessary, but is a good idea anyways; if you check the headspace and it's not right, what should you do about it? Too much/too little?
 
Scotty454 said:
So... Now that we've established that it shouldn't be necessary, but is a good idea anyways; if you check the headspace and it's not right, what should you do about it? Too much/too little?
Click to expand...

Change the bolt or barrel extension. Actually, for most of us, we can't change the barrel extension without proper tools so we have to change the complete barrel assembly. Fortunately, this scenario almost never happens.
 
Duncan71 said:
So I’ve heard mixed messages on this... if I just put together at AR, NEA upper and lower, brownells BCG and Primary Arms barrel do I need to headspace?

I have heard that some guys say so long as your using decent components you don’t need too.

What’s the CGN crowd say?
Click to expand...

If you are in Calgary you can stop by and we can check it for you. Just bring your barrel and bolt. pm me if you are interested.
 
I have probably built 25-30 ARs and only one had a headspace problem. Strangely it wouldn't always chamber a 'GO' gauge. Turned out it was minimally short chambered. Took about two turns of a finishing reamer and the headspace was perfect.
 
Careful about buying gauges, technically speaking .223 and 5.56 cases have identical outside dimentions (the difference between the two chambers is in the throat and lead), and their gauges index exactly at the same spot in the chamber, however 5.56 gauges are made for military application in mind so they are made to allow barrels that wouldn't normally pass for civilian use.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom