Can I borrow your Go/No-Go gauges?

[traveler57]

Okay fellow milsurpaholics......

Before I go out and start buying multiple sets of my own headspace gauges, I thought I'd see if I can find someone who will let me borrow theirs. I only need a few minutes with them. I admit, I'm a little cheap and don't want to have to go out an buy them for $32 a set, and another $16 for the field gauge.

I only need them for 303 brit and 30-06 (1903s and M1 Garand) right now.

Anyone around the 495 south beltway between the pike and 95?
I will travel to you or we can meet at AFS-No.Attleboro or Hopkington Sportmen's Assoc.

 

[BigBill]

If your not changing barrels and setting the headspace you only need the "Field Headspace Gauges" to see if your surplups are safe to fire.

You only need the "Go" & the "No Go" gauges if your changing out barrels.

 

[traveler57]

Thanks BigBill. I was kinda thinking along those lines, and only really needing to get the field gauge, if I end up having to buy one. And I think a cartridge itself can basically substitute for the GO gauge, right? Or is this only for rimmed cartridges, like my 303 brit? I guess if I headspace off of a 30-06 that is not "perfect" dimensions, this may not work.

The 30-06 rifles are all CMP rifles and I thought I read somewhere that the CMP checked them for headspace and test fired them. Now I can't find where I read that, so maybe I was dreaming. Maybe it was just for the M1 Garand, and not the M1903s??

Gesh.. I maybe need to go back and read another 100 pages on headspace before I know what I need to know. I just read another piece and it talks about headspace and the ammo you actually use being the most important, rather than just the headspace measurement of the chamber. But, I think this is mostly an issue for reloaders, and not if I plan to only use commerical ammo.

I was just thinking that the general rule was always to recheck headspace on any "old" milsurp, just out of good habits. Same rule I thought I'd follow about always full disassmbling and cleaning anything I buy, before I shoot it. Just good practice to follow, right?

Thanks again.

 

[Len-2A Training]

Nice meeting you today at NET!

You might try posting the question on whether or not CMP did headspace them (1903s and M1s) on the CMP forum. I believe it is off of their website odcmp.com.

You should get an answer from their staff that you can take to the bank.

 

[Len-2A Training]

Traveler, please post whatever answer you get out of CMP back here in this thread for the benefit of others.

Thanks.

 

[traveler57]

Len, yes it was great meeting you this week.

After doing some searching on the CMP forum, the answer was already there.

QUOTE---we test fire all Garands except for some we may consider collector grade. Just to be clear about when we test fire - we do not test fire just prior to shipping. The rifle may have been inspected, graded, and test fired two years ago and just hasn't shipped until now - as with our danish less wood.

Regardless of grade and our own confidence in the rifle - we recommend all rifles be taken to a gunsmith - to include even the ones that are new in the wrap. it is our company policy to recommend that. END QUOTE

I also found another post from them that says that they also check headspace on all 1903s, but do NOT test fire them.

I also got good confirmation from them that I really only need the FIELD gauge for rechecking a barrelled receiver. They say the GO/NO GO gauges are really only useful for a gunsmith putting on a new barrel or doing rechambering. If it closes on a FIELD gauge, then you have a dangerous firearm. Although, I did see one "old-timer's" post that he still uses a NO GO gauge just to be a bit more cautious. (Maybe another AR vs. AK type issue?). I can get the one gauge from Brownells for $16, so I guess I will throw it into my next order.