Working on a Galil AR barrel install. It’s an IDF old-but-nice one, obviously already drilled for gas port/etc. Rifling is there and chrome lined, kind of don’t want to give up on it so easily. I got the barrel timed right to about 1:00 and it will tighten to 12:00. But- the headspace is just a hair too tight. A quarter turn of the barrel back out and GO gauge is happy (NOGO gauge unhappy).
So before I go on an expensive hunt for an uncut barrel, I see two options to try and make this one work:
1. Trim a little off the back of the bolt lugs. Need to loose ~0.02. Bolt is NICE and kind of don't want to fuck that up.
2. Ream the chamber a bit deeper. Same distance- ~0.02. I see a 5.56 finishing reamer for $100 $200. If this method worked, I might use it in subsequent Galil builds. Leaning towards this option, if I fuck up the barrel, whatever the barrel was cheap.
3. Wait for a virgin barrel to appear and pay $500 for it.
Not trying to do a restoration, just a shooter.
Input appreciated.