Bullet test follow up parts break down and sight circle photo

[DaveHH]

If headspace isn't important, why did they check it during the 6,000 round tests? For different reasons(cases too long) the carbine is an exploding gun. Not many US military guns can say that, but the carbines were fond of firing when out of battery which blew the bolt, maybe side rails and for sure the stock. This was a product of too little headspace.

You can buy headspace gauges that work without disassembling the bolt. They are less than $20 and you really only need one, the field. Carbines are like 45 ACP, they can fire and do fire with the extractor holding the case against the bolt face. Because it does this doesn't make it right. No offense, but I wouldn't want to hang around with people who would hold a carbine at arms length, grimace, turning the head and after firing several rounds consider case closed. Safety check complete. What if it blows on the next shot and you or someone else loses an eye? US military arms have been parts interchangable for 150 years. It means nothing until you measure what's going on . They didn't mark parts so you would be assured that they would fit, they marked them so they would find out who made parts that Did Not fit.
I would suggest buy a field gauge, use it correctly and you will remove all doubt. When you get ready to sell it it could be a deal killer if there is excessive HS. Headspace is one of those things that doesn't matter a whit until the gun blows up then it really matters.