I would never fire a new AR without first checking headspace. A perfect example is the ICE BCG I just recently bought through a GB here for a new AR I'm putting together. When I checked the HS it would not close on a go gauge. I then tried it in my other 3 ARs. It would only HS correctly in one of them. The other 3 BCGs I have HS correctly in all 4 ARs.
I shudder to think what could have happened, had I not "bothered" to check the HS. If the rifle had fired, it would have been from an unlocked breech. They will headspace correctly 90% of the time, but anybody who just takes it for granted that the HS will be correct is nuts.
I shudder to think what could have happened, had I not "bothered" to check the HS. If the rifle had fired, it would have been from an unlocked breech. They will headspace correctly 90% of the time, but anybody who just takes it for granted that the HS will be correct is nuts.