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Posted: 5/3/2006 10:50:20 AM EDT
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Let me start off saying I have never built an AK or any rifle for that matter (I don't count assembling an AR actually building). Now that that is out of the way, here is my dilema. Have a .223 AK that I sent off for some work and was told the h/s is excessive. The gunsmith tested h/s with Manson gauges. He said it closed on a No Go gauge but still might be shootable if it didn't close on a Field gauge, however, he only had a Go and No Go gauge. So he sent it back to me and in the interim I bought a set of Manson gauges (Go, No Go, and Field). The rifle arrived yesterday and it indeed closed on a No Go and it also closes (easily) on a Field. I then took it to my local gunsmith who has either Forster or Clymer gauges (he can't remember) and it will not close on his No Go gauge! WTF! Is it normal to get different reading on competing h/s gauges? Where do I go from here? |
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???? With that huge a difference? Someone is not using the gauges correctly - even if they ARE different brands. Use YOUR gauges. Use JUST the bolt.... you don't have to strip it as long as the FP is NOT protruding. Put in your bolt - get it past the ejector, and snap in the gauge (if you still have the extractor in). Don't forget that part- snap the end of the gauge in if the extractor is installed... In this configuration, the bolt will hold the gauge, looking a bit like a Poodle with an erection :) Gently move the bolt forward, and rotate with the pressure of about two fingers. Does the Right Side of the Bolt Carrier guide make it all the way to the right rail? With a NOGO, it shouldn't even really get close :) If you can lock that bolt with a NOGO? I would strongly advise you to have a pro fix that rifle... trust me: Plastic Surgery is far more expensive. |
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One thing to mention here. There are .223 gauges and 5.56mm gauges and they are different. You would get a different reading if you had a 5.56mm chamber and were checking headspace with a .223 gauge and vise versa. Don't let anyone tell you that the two caliber gauges are the same because there not. I have both Clymer and Manson gauges for 30-06 and all give the same reading as far as headspace, so something is really wrong somewhere. |
Thanks. Did some research and indeed 5.56 is the desired chamber because you can shoot either. .223 chamber with 5.56 = bad |
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it's the chambering wilson is doing on a lot of their "varmint" type barrels. allows you to shoot pretty much any .223 or 5.56mm caliber. obviously the short mags and such are out--just those that use the "regular" .223 and/or 5.56 bullets and casings. i'm working on building my first AR and will most likely be putting a wilson barrel in .223 wylde on it so that i can safely use pretty much whatever 5.56 or .223 ammo i have on hand. i know for a fact rock river sells them, i'm sure others do too. ETA: here's one thread that i found regarding wylde. |
Funny thing is I have BEEN shooting this rifle up to the point when I sent it out. I shot brass and steel out of it with no split cases, bulging, etc. The rifle probably has about 500-600 rounds through it already. What should I do? |
| Based on the earlier replies it sounds like your rifle is actually 5.56 (a good thing) but was tested using a .223 no-go gauge. Have them test it with a 5.56 no go. That's my guess. I think as long as it doesn't close on the 5.56 no-go, you should be fine. Please speak up guys if I'm wrong. |
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Chambers specs for the 5.56 military cartridges are longer than the .223 civilian equivalents because of the requirements of autoloading and full auto firing. 7.65x51 guages are also longer than .308. The longer 5.56 one is correct for AKs. I wouldn't sweat headspace too much as its an arbitrary number and the true headspace limits are actually affected by brass strength and load, and are not an absolute dimension beyond which the rifle is supposed to blow up. If you ever think you have a headspace worry on ANY rifle cut the spent brass in half lengthwise and examine the inside. If there's a noticeable gully just above the base it's on the verge of seperating from excess headspace. If not - don't worry. |
| Thanks guys. But does anyone know where to get 5.56 gauges? I looked on Brownell's and Forster has some listed as 5.56 NATO however they have the exact same part number as their .223 gauges. That is the only place I found that even listed 5.56 and .223 gauges separately. I tried Google as well but no luck. |
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