Skip to main content
Help Center Community Shop

AR uppers using my bolt w/o headspacing

posh
I've seen barreled uppers at gunshows and advertised in Shotgun News that don't include a bolt and carrier but would use mine. It seems like an economical way to add a lighter/shorter barrel to my RRA predator pursuit lower, but I'm concerned about the lack of headspacing to my bolt. Would I have to headspace it or have it headspaced?

I'm looking at DSA's uppers which got good reviews based on a search of this forum, but would appreciate any further information as to personal experiences.
0

Comments

5 comments

Date Votes
  • fordsix
    your bolt has wear mated to your upper..i would not interchange bolts in uppers
    0
  • Nwcid
    AR barrels come pre-headspaced. There is an in spec and out of spec limit for the head space on the barrel. Same for the bolt, there is an in spec and out of spec limits. Assuming both parts are in spec you are good to go. If you want to be extra sure pick up a set of go/no go gauges.

    With that said some companies when making the "target" versions like your predator DO match and headspace the bolt and that barrel together. If that is the case with your rifle I would not swap that bolt back and forth.
    0
  • dfletcher
    I've bought and built a fair amount of ARs and never had a headspacing issue when I bought the bolt separately - seems finding a good deal for me is the upper with no BCG then getting it through Brownells with the FFL discount. But I figure once the bolt has been used in a particular upper it should probably stay there, just my approach.

    I suppose you could buy a 2nd bolt only and attach it to the "in common" BCG every time you switch uppers, my guess is that would be OK since you'd have the bolt proper dedicated to a specific upper - but that seems like a bothersome way to save a few $$$.
    0
  • v35
    Ditto on the above.
    I've had no problem with this urban legend.
    I'd be concerned with any AR having specially tight headspace or chambering and expect chambering jams as the slide springs on AR's are very light compared with other semi and full auto firearms.
    These rifles are plenty accurate having standard Mil Spec tolerancing without looking for trouble.
    0
  • 511pe
    Set your mind at ease, use a head-space gauge & end of story. Exchanging bolts to me seems no concern at all as it isn't intended to be a automotive axle drive pinion/ring gear. The splines are locking lugs not a gear. I feel better using a used one with a new bolt pin than a new one with all new parts. New parts seem to cause more friction until broken in. The bolt splines are not drive gears so it seems not to matter as long as the parts move as they should. Always inspect any change before usage, so use a gauge to be safe. Please remember it's never safe to assume and although there seem to be some positive results without checking a person shouldn't set a bad habit because there's only one of you in this world so you got to take care. Safety first. Best of luck.
    0

Please sign in to leave a comment.

Recent Activity