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Posted: 11/18/2004 6:14:22 AM EDT
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10 -12 years ago my M1A had a headspace problem, it had too much. I had it re-barrelled. My question is, would the old barrel be useful for a new build? Any way to check/gauge it? |
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Your barrel and chamber was probably fine. Many gunsmiths will sell you a new barrel based on your "excessive headspace." Problem is they're using the wrong gage either because (1) ignorance or (2) they want to sell you a new barrel and feed off headspacephobia, the irrational fear of excessive headspace. If you use the SAAMI ".308 Winchester" gages your rifle can swollow the Field Reject gage and still be well with in M14 specs. Self loading rifles need more chamber room for auto loading. A M1A or M14 which "almost closes" on a SAAMI Field Reject gage is in near perfect GO condition, not a candidate for a new (expensive) barrel. I invite citations where "excessive headspace" has caused any damage or injury. General Hatcher used a grinder to induce massive headspace and was unable to get such damage. Unless you're shooting benchrest with custom loaded cartridges you won't notice any accuracy differences either. Here's the gages in inches: Gage - M14 - SAMMI GO - 1.634 - 1.630 NOGO - 1.638 - 1.634 FIELD - 1.6445 - 1.638 NO-GO is a factory gage (or match gage) designed to ensure maximum barrel life. Once in your hands a rifle is only expected to meet FIELD gage specs. -- Chuck |
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Thanks for the responses all. Changing out to a heavy barrel seemed like the thing to do at the time. I was just getting into highpower and wanted build it into a tack driver. Then I found that I shot the little black rifle better... Learned a lot about Mil. vs. commercial chambers since then. Now reading that most of the surplus parts are gone I remembered that old barrel was laying around here somewhere. Hmmm I've got a new bolt too. Might have to use it in the future. (Visions of that problem Chicom M-14 clone that some frustrated owner can't wait to get rid of.) 
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