Is headspacing truly necessary?

[BlackRifler42]

I just built my 2nd AR and this one was from the ground up.....stripped lower and stripped upper. The whole build was performed using quality mil-spec parts from very reputable companies. Is headspacing truly necessary?

This is also coming from a guy who has only built 2 AR's.....

 

[warren]

It's only necessary if you want your rifle to function properly... and not blow up in your face!

 

[warren]

If there is too much headspace it can cause punctured primers or case separation... causing gas blowback. And the pain in the butt of removing the rest of the broken shell! Not enough headspace will not allow the bolt to lock into battery. Most modern firearms will not fire out of battery, but if it did... KABOOM!!! Instead of one rifle, you now own several pieces of one rifle!

 

[bulletpaluza]

Yea pretty important stuff. But then again Ars are so widely made to the same physical specs (maybe not quality) I have built quite a few and never had one head space to much or to little so out of the 8-9 I have just got lucky maybe? (really its skill) if you don't have gauges you lgs will take it there they shouldn't even charge you to check It. If they do charge you that just means you not in there enough. Haha

 

[b.a.customkydex]

Did you use a quality bolt carrier group and barrel? If so....go shoot the piss out of it.

 

[nicaburns]

Did you use a quality bolt carrier group and barrel? If so....go shoot the piss out of it.

this was the advice given to me about my last two builds and it has worked like a champ!

 

[b.a.customkydex]

There is a spec for all parts combined, even if the bolt and the barrel with extension are both on the large end of the spec, there is still a spec for headspace. Yes you can tighten the headspace by swapping bolts around to tighten or loosen thousandths of an inch but you are still going to be within allowable tolerances.

Even known manufacturers are going to have an odd piece that is out of spec..but the likelihood of that happening is slim, that's why you buy known stuff.

Now when it comes to a bolt gun, yes I am going to want the headspace checked and set. One of the reasons is because too much headspace is going to stretch the brass when you shoot it and shorten the lifespan of the brass.

 

[zombienation]

I do not headspace ar's unless I am replacing the barrel bushing. Assembled barrels are g2g

 

[winderGAmike]

It doesn't hurt to check. It only takes once for it to be off and hurt you. I check all mine. Usually never a problem.

 

[captdave77]

This is why I only buy factory and gunsmith builds.