Its a nice thing to have around if you're going to be swapping bolts. If the parts are coming from a reputable mfr its not as much of an issue but its always a good idea to check.
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Its a nice thing to have around if you're going to be swapping bolts. If the parts are coming from a reputable mfr its not as much of an issue but its always a good idea to check.
This is just me and my line-of-sight-thinking habit kicking in, but: If one IS at that point, how is one supposed to know, short of having something blow on them? Is potential injury a superior diagnostic method to testing than.....oh, I dunno, say, testing?
An interesting question-in-responce-to-question is: Why should civilian/warrior-society-status be the litmus test for who does or does not have a use for/get to purchase a simple diagnostic tool?
Channeling the apparrent thrust of your thoughts, as posted, "civilians" don't have a "need" for torque-wrenches or even spark plug gappers. Equally ridiculous.
What's wrong with a "civilian" checking to see if their barrel is going to be safe to fire? By that reasoning only mechanics need car tools. o.O
Shot out barrel (unless it exploded) would be throat erosion gauge btw, headspace is determined by the extension/chamber/bolt. I guess you could eventually wear it out to that point but it would be terribly unsafe way before that.
Well don't get me wrong. I feel civilians should have access to any and all small arms (F/A, grenade launchers, etc, etc) as I believe in the 2A 1000% in that it meant that the people always have the same weapons the government has to ensure the government doesn't get too powerful. But I digress.
There is nothing wrong with having such a tool. Nothing at all. Better to have it than not need it is sound advice, but only to a point. I was just trying to better understand why a person, who doesn't put 10's of thousands of rounds through his/her rifle (not directed at anyone here, but in general) every year, need such a tool. I know I don't need a tool like that as I am lucky if I have the time to put a few thousand rounds through my guns a year.
As far as the litmus test - There should not be one period. I get irritated at companies that only sell certain items to LE/MIL when it is perfectly legal for civilians to own such items.
I was only asking the question to better understand and get edumacated on something.
I have now here been completely edumacated... :D
I'm new to the AR platform. In the process of learning how to assemble these rifles, the headspace question pops up everywhere. Almost every AR website has someone in it asking "Do I need to check headspace?"
The answer is not clearly precise. The responses range all over the place. The common concensus I observed is that assembling new parts from reputable manufacturers, you shouldn't have to. Many saying the chances of getting out of spec headspace new is rare.
My thoughts: Define "rare"
I must preempt by stating that I'm an engineer. I don't like grey areas. I like reading specifications. Knowing I've assembled parts without at least checking what is argueably the most critical specification in the rifle (with safety implications) is blasphemy in my little world.
$40 for a safety critical gauge is nothing. You should see the tools I've come to collect racing dirtbikes...
If one is comfortable firing a rifle for the first time, or the 5000th time, or after having swapped internal components without checking headspace, please do so. Besides the specification calling out a headspace check, I do not gamble safety items based on "rare" probabilities.
Didn't mean to sound too harsh. Word choice was just odd.
If you were ambitious and building up a completely stripped barrel, i.e. no gas port/no extension, they are essential (it's not worth it unless you have a super awesome barrel). Wish I could find a drawing of the barrel assembly details, been looking for like 30 minutes. http://www.ar15barrels.com/data/headspace.pdf is best I can find.
It is the measurement from the bolt face to the angle on the shoulder of the round. Barrel wear is usually more prominent on the the throat where the actual bullet is fired from. You dont need a lot of rounds to erode the throat significantly, heat is a major factor (hence why machine guns have more chrome lining, thicker barrels etc.)
To my knowledge, this is currently a true statement.
However, Rock Island Arsenal - Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center (RIA-JMTC) is a diverse military product manufacturer with numerous possibilities, including partnerships with reputable commercial entities. Product availability to the general public is plausible based on business agreements and the proper license. RIA-JMTC has a unique capability in this area of operation.
Reason I'm getting that gage is because I'm swapping out BCG's from a not so desirable mfg, and going with BCMs and Colt...Or should I not have to worry about it at all?
dti is the mfg by the way. Had them for several years before I knew better:(