P14 head space

[Bruce_in_Oz]

It can get quite ugly with the P-14.

A LOT of them are classic "mix-masters", having been shunted off to various "interesting, foreign parts", surplussed, randomly reassembled by "less than knowledgeable" folk and further tinkered with by Bubba. It is over seventy years since most, if not all, have been anywhere near a REAL ordnance workshop.

I've seen evil things done by individuals making a 1* bolt "fit" a standard body and barrel.

Because of the initial chaos and lack of standardization that occurred in early production, there are annoying lapses in "interchangeability". The design hacks involved in taking a mechanism initially intended for a long, fat, rimless cartridge and making it work with a shorter, thinner RIMMED round in a ludicrously short time inevitably led to "issues".

The "lockup" of the P-14 (and M-17) is HELICAL, just like a Lee Enfield. Thus, it is possible to generate a huge amount of forward leverage whilst forcing the bolt closed. The left lug "extension " should NEVER contact the rear face of the barrel tenon. Thus, the ONLY gauges worth a damn are proper, HARDENED STEEL ones. The bolt will either GO or NOT go as appropriate. WARNING! If in doubt, find a P-14-savvy gunsmith; good luck!

In an ideal world, "headspace gauging" is done with the bolt body ONLY, all the other bits removed. All you want to feel is the interaction between the barrel / chamber, bolt and receiver / body. The pressure of ONE finger on the bolt handle is all that is required. Any serious force applied during gauging is up there in "Bubbadom", with using Vernier calipers to remove staples.