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Posted: 1/29/2012 7:17:26 PM EDT
| I see that the general consensus it to check throat and muzzle erosion, but how come no one recommends checking the head space? |
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Quoted:
I see that the general consensus it to check throat and muzzle erosion, but how come no one recommends checking the head space? Thats a risk when buying surplus firearms. If you're worried about it, buy a no-go gauge and carry it with you when you think you might be buying. |
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Quoted:
Checking headspace is a good idea but almost no one keeps headspace gauges on hand. And its rarely an issue anyway. That is the one that stumps me. Head space gauges are $59 for a three gauge set. A throat erosion gauge is $62-70. Which makes no sense since there is less metal and machining involved in a TE gauge. I guess it is a good lesson in the law of supply and demand. Anyone ever make one out of bar stock? |
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The main reason to check headspace on a surplus rifle is because many of them were imported and assembled from piles of parts, so bolts could be swapped out, missmatch the rifle etc.
US rifles were usually maintained by a US arsenal when they were gaged when maintenance was performed. People check the TE and Muzzle wear because it can affect the accuracy, and on an M1 or 1903 the value. Nobody checks the headspace because it's generally not an issue. |
| When shopping for rmil-surps I carry a no-go and a field gauge for the caliber I'm looking for. It's a good bargaining tool if the rifle does not pass the no-go gauge. It's not unusual to find M1903's, M1917's and Brit .303's that fail head space inspection. I own several mil-surps that are .001-.002 over the field gauge spec. When fired all that happens is the brass stretches .001-,002 more than if at field gauge spec. If you sort your brass to the rifle and do not full length resize it's not a problem, Full length resizing well shorten the brass life span on long chambers. |
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Quoted:
When shopping for rmil-surps I carry a no-go and a field gauge for the caliber I'm looking for. It's a good bargaining tool if the rifle does not pass the no-go gauge. It's not unusual to find M1903's, M1917's and Brit .303's that fail head space inspection. I own several mil-surps that are .001-.002 over the field gauge spec. When fired all that happens is the brass stretches .001-,002 more than if at field gauge spec. If you sort your brass to the rifle and do not full length resize it's not a problem, Full length resizing well shorten the brass life span on long chambers. You mean that if your headspace isn't within the .004" tolerance it won't explode and eat your face? 
I jest. That said it is important to check headspace on any firearm before firing it. |
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