AR15 bolt replacement - headspacing necessary?

[Benelli Shooter]

If I wanted to replace my bolt on my AR15, do I have to headspace it to the rifle?

I read that many people have a spare bolt for their ARs. I was always under the impression that the headspace of a rifle changes over time as you shoot the gun.

Any help?

 

[EShell]

Checking headspace is always recommended when mating a new bolt to a new barrel extension.

That said, I've built a dozen uppers, checked them all and not yet found a problem. Supposedly, if everything is "in spec", headspace should also fall withing spec. I'll continue to check mine.

 

[Benelli Shooter]

Can you put a new bolt on a gun that has 5000 rounds or so through it?

 

[brian923]

the bolt should be fine. the headspace is in the barrel extension, therefore should be the same. IT IS BEST though to have it checked. you can actually do this yourself with a set of "go-no go gauges" from midwayusa.com

http://www.midwayusa.com/esearch.ex...=.223+go+gauge&category_selector=all_products

first two items on page. they come with all the instructions nessisary to complete the headspaceing of your rifle. the bad thing with the AR, is that if the bolt you order is out of spec for your rifle, you have to send it back and wait for another and repeat.

can i ask.... why would you want to repalce the bolt anyways???

 

[briansmithwins]

The TM calls for a headspace check each time the bolt is replaced. I check my rifles with a USGI field gage once a year, that includes my spare bolt.

It's possible that the barrel extension could be worn enough that a new bolt would have excess headspace,, causing a 'slight problem'. I don't think it's likely, but then again, I like my eyes how they are, without little bits of metal being blasted thru them. Check here to find someone in your area that'll probably check it for you for free: http://ar15.com/forums/board.html?b=8

BSW

BSW

 

[spyder1911]

Find a good gunsmith in you area. It would take them all of 1 minute to throw in a set of go-no go-field gauges to see if everything checks out. I would think any mom and pop store gunsmith would do this for free but I have never tried.