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Posted: 9/28/2002 9:24:19 AM EDT
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SUMMARY: My basic question is... does the bolt and bolt carrier have anything to do with the proper head spacing of the upper assembly? I am in the process of building my first AR. I've owned others, but this is the first one I've built. I finished the lower yesterday, and have now set my sights on the upper. I will have to order it from Bushmaster since I want a very specific configuration. I was told that I should order the upper with the barrel already on so it was properly headspaced. Especially since I've never done this before. The person that suggested this also said I should buy it with the bolt and bolt carrier as well. Why would that make a difference? Does the bolt and bolt carrier have anything to do with headspace, or was he full of it? I am buying this gun a peice at a time as I have the money, so if I could break up the purchase of the bolt and bolt carrier from the rest of the upper, that would make it easier, but I don't want to do that if it could cause a problem with the gun when I'm done. Thanks in advance for the help. |
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Headspacing is between the face of the bolt and the shoulder of the chamber. So, if you want it checked for headspace, that can only be done if you bought the bolt with the barrel. The bolt carrier does not affect the head space, nor does the mounting of the barrel to the upper. No matter how good you are in installing a barrel to an upper, if it was an old, worn out barrel and bolt before, it will still be old and worn out. Now, for the good news... IF you buy a good quality barrel and bolt from nearly any of the suppliers of good AR parts, chances are 99.9% that the headspace will be good. It is not really a problem until the rifle has been shot many thousands of rounds, or punished with steel cased ammo or hot reloads. Many suppliers will not only assemble your upper, but also test fire. |
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