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Posted: 4/5/2005 12:02:07 AM EDT
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I just bought a Bushmaster M4 Type Barrel(new), and a Stag Arms Flat Top Upper also new. Do I need to check the head space, or can I just put it all together and not worry. Also, I was told that the Stag Arms Upper is made by the same company that makes the RRA uppers, does anyone know if this is true? Is the Stag Arms a good quality upper? Thanks in advance. |
| Its my understanding that headspacing would be more of a function of the barrel extension to the barrel vs the bolt used. Headspacing is performed at the factory when the barrel extension is mated to the barrel. There is nothing you can do about it when you buy a barrel that has the barrel extension attached without going through a major ordeal. The only control you have over your headspacing is to use different bolts or to ream your chamber (assuming that you are not using a chrome lined barrel). |
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Headspace on an AR is controlled by the barrel extension and the specs and tolerances the bolt is made to. In most cases a new barrel and new bolt will be perfectly fine together. However, if you're paranoid like me, get the bolt/barrel combination you have checked, just to make sure. ARs are very robust, and are hard to screw up in terms of headspace, but since this is really the only critical fitting there is in the rifle, it's not a bad thing to get it checked. |
Wonderful reasons to tell another guy to risk his face. *MINE* works, I dont THINK you'll have a problem, go blow your face off witha bad headspaced rifle.... 
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Get a set of gauges and check it.. Too little headspace = missing fingers.. Usually its fine, but check it.. If you dont want to buy the gauges have a smith do it.. Takes 30 sec. Had a buddy check it for me on my new/ used buy... No way in hell am I risking a 10K lower.. Screw the fingers and face...
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Excessive headspace will not cause a catastrophic failure in an AR. I have tested it throughly. The case will split in half right in the middle on every shot, but nothing will let go. If you haven't tested it yourself.......you are just repeating what you have overheard................. Tony Rumore |
Well, maybe a little longer. To do it right, you need to remove the extractor and ejector from the bolt.
Same here. I rebarreled my M16 and am checking the headspace tomorrow evening just in case. I'm sure mine's fine, but for that kind of money I can spent a few minutes of my time checking it out. |
No, I am not saying that at all. The only control you have over headspace in a factory headspaced barrel is using different bolts or reaming a non-chrome lined barrel. I suggest that you use a new bolt with a new barrel and checking of the headspace is optional. |
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