maybe your Utah Gunsmith,...will chime in... no one ever said it would squeeze down any gauge..what i said was, felt resistance on the gauge, even if it closed,
the U.S. Military is the ones who have listed how to check headspace on a 1917.
the 1917 has 22 pounds of spring loaded cam pressure, the 1903 has less then 5 pounds. and thats when the bolt is lifted to reset the rifle.
its ok...if you dont agree.. i work on these rifles daily, and these are this Colorado gunsmiths observations.
im one of the few left that will work on them.
the readers can read the posts, look at my pictures see it themselves.
its my opinion.
that any milsurps weapon be checked by a gunsmith for over all safety and headspace, before its fired. these rifles are almost 100 years old, and saw hard service, and who knows what type of use and abuse over the years..
some collectors are able to do these things them self, others are not..
use your best judgement what shooting any weapon..