I have a new chrome lined BM 14.5" barrel with all the evil bits comming to replace 16" nutered s.s. barrel.  Do I need to check the headspace?

thank you all.

Check this out.

I went there first and felt it didn't really answer my question.  Of course It may have gone totally over my head.  So let me rephrase.  Does the headspace change after swaping barrels?

Thnak you for your patents with me.

Once the barrel assemble has been made, you cannot adjust it for headspace.  If the combination of a barrel and bolt produces bad headspace, you trade one or the other until it is good.

That being said, while in theory you should check it, it will most likely be fine.

The AR-15/M16 barrels and bolts are made to such a standard that having to swap bolts or barrels to find one that works very rare.  The need to check headspace really comes about in heavily used military issue rifles, to gauge when they are approaching "worn out".

With new bolts and barrels, it is not a problem.  I have never seen a headspace problem with any AR-15 in any reasonable condition.

If it was SOP to have to swap around bolts and barrels to obain proper headspace, then AR-15's would have to cost WAY more than they do now.

It is funny, half the guys here are worried about headspace, and the others gripe about "tight .223 SAAMI chambers" w/ 5.56 NATO ammo causing kabooms.  (I am still looking for any documentation of an actual kaboom from this.)

In short, don't worry about it.

Quoted: I have a new chrome lined BM 14.5" barrel with all the evil bits comming to replace 16" nutered s.s. barrel.  Do I need to check the headspace? thank you all.

What are you going to do with the old barrel?  And what are the specs?  Twist, outer profile, etc.

If  you are going to sell it, I might be interested.

I happen to be thinking of doing just that.  It's an Oly, s.s., 1:9 (I think), 5.56mm, M4 profile.  I have less than 200 rounds through it.  All in the black at 100 yards.