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blake-b · 12-02-2012, 10:23 PM

If you are using new parts and are doing a home defense or plinking/training rifle, you do not need to check headspacing on an AR15. If doing an accuracy (e.g. benchrest shooting) build, then do it. If you are concerned, however, a go/no go gauge in 5.56 is around $30. I have built a few and never checked it once and all of them ran like a top. Go to AR15.com and look around. There is a how to section under the main AR15 section. That is where I learned. Wal Marts around here sell the Colt 6920 for a little over $1k. Yes, you can build cheaper than that but guns are like cars-some people just want to have it built vs building it themselves. My duty rifle was a home build and I have the utmost faith in it. Not a single malfunction to date and lots of rounds.
Rule of thumb for headspacing
New parts (barrel and bolt): No.
Old bolt + New Barrel: Yes.
New bolt + old barrel: No.

12-02-2012, 10:23 PM	#2302
blake-b Drives: 2009 ZR1 Join Date: May 2010 Location: KCMO Posts: 3,205	If you are using new parts and are doing a home defense or plinking/training rifle, you do not need to check headspacing on an AR15. If doing an accuracy (e.g. benchrest shooting) build, then do it. If you are concerned, however, a go/no go gauge in 5.56 is around $30. I have built a few and never checked it once and all of them ran like a top. Go to AR15.com and look around. There is a how to section under the main AR15 section. That is where I learned. Wal Marts around here sell the Colt 6920 for a little over $1k. Yes, you can build cheaper than that but guns are like cars-some people just want to have it built vs building it themselves. My duty rifle was a home build and I have the utmost faith in it. Not a single malfunction to date and lots of rounds. Rule of thumb for headspacing New parts (barrel and bolt): No. Old bolt + New Barrel: Yes. New bolt + old barrel: No. Last edited by blake-b; 12-02-2012 at 10:33 PM.