Checking Headspace on an SKS

[semperfi]

Anybody know how? Are there go,no-go gauges like a Mosin? I will admit ,I have been shooting Chinese ,Russians ,and Yugos and since the numbers all matched I didn't give it much thought. My ammo never looks stretched or deformed or anything. I'm kinda embarassed to admit I never gave it that much attention. By the number of people on the firing line I see who don't have a clue either leads me to believe that I am not the only one. No excuse for careless and unsafe habits though.

[American_Infidel]

The gauges are 7.62x39mm gauges. There are go and nogo. I have never seen a field gauge and don't know where to buy one but others might know where.
If your not having any problems, you are probably good to go. If you just want to be on the safe side you can take it to a gunsmith and have it checked. I think Gander Mountain charges $25.00 to check the headspace.

[Brandr]

unless you have stretched cartridges, or backed out primers there shouldn't be much need to check headspace on an all matching numbers gun, but you can get headspace guages from Sarco or Brownells in 7.62x39 as well as many other calibers

[semperfi]

I always thought as well. Since they don't lock like a bolt ,how would you measure headspace? It's a recoil operated action anyway so where's the harm? I don't know but I just don't want to wind up with a kaboom .

[magnut]

You need a field guage.  Commercial guages dont really work for these from everything I have researched. If you have a source for field guages I would like to know about it.  Check your cases.  The is some debate as to weather headspace is an issue as long as your bolt falls into the proper place.  I was studying this about six months ago and never really figured it out.  If tapco releases their bolt and gunsmiths start setting them with commercial guages get ready to see the troubleshooting forum get really active.  Hopefully tapco will include a field guage.   

[OkieGoat]

I am watching this thread, 'cause I want to know.  I'm getting one of those TAPCO bolts from Benny and will want to check headspace.  Would love to hear how.

And while I was typing Magnut cames along and makes me even more worried. 

[magnut]

dont stress too much.  The guys at tapco are smart and have been working on this for a long time.  Everything will be fine I suspect.  They really need to include a field guage though because finding them for 7.62 is a real b1tch. 

[Fragger]

I would be very much surprised if TAPCO included a gage.

The TAPCO bolts will need to be headspaced as they are cut long. Not too long but just enough that one will be required to headspace it for their SKS.

While most SKS are similar in design some country of origins have different amounts removed from the locking area of a bolt to gain proper headspace.
The two ends of the spectrum that come to mind is a Chinese and a Albanian SKS.
While little would need to be removed from the bolt that is going into the chicom a good bit may be needed for the Albanian.

There will be a lot of talk about doing this once these bolts make a debut.
It will be suggested to have a gunsmith or someone with a gage that knows what they are doing to fit these .... however .... there may also be tips for doing this without help and gages and after the customary warning. That is if it is allowed so we'll have to cross that bridge when we get there.

[magnut]

Interesting for sure.  It will give us a whole new set of issues to deal with on the troubleshooting forum.  I love this place.  Its never boring here.

[Pastor_In_Disguise]

When I needed the headspacing checked on my SKS build, I sent it to Murray's and had it down professionally.  That is what I would recommend.

PID

[magnut]

ah man, thats cheating though .  With the knowledge base we have here we can figure it out.

Always nice to have a professional check your work once in a while though.

[Fragger]

Hey if you are intimidated by something it's always best to have a pro look at it.

That's why TAPCO had knowledgeable guys in the field troubleshoot and BETA test their yet to be released bolt.
 

[semperfi]

Are any members here licensed gunsmiths ? We need to get to the bottom of this issue and I would rather get it from the pro's then share misinformation myself or someone elses.

[magnut]

I know there are some members here that are more knowledgeable than many gunsmiths.  Here is a link to a very good forum I visit alot.  You may want to check it out.  Anytime I need to know something really technical I visit there.  I have been trying to get to the bottom of this here only so far since some of the members were betatesting the new bolt.  There are two standards of guages.  European and SAMMI.  Ak builders pull their hair out over this.  Same with the FAL buliders out there.  Heres that link...

  http://www.homegunsmith.com/cgi-bin/ib3/ikonboard.cgi

[BillyBang]

You need a field guage.  Commercial guages dont really work for these from everything I have researched. If you have a source for field guages I would like to know about it.  Check your cases.  The is some debate as to weather headspace is an issue as long as your bolt falls into the proper place.  I was studying this about six months ago and never really figured it out.  If tapco releases their bolt and gunsmiths start setting them with commercial guages get ready to see the troubleshooting forum get really active.  Hopefully tapco will include a field guage.  

No, you do not want a "field gauge".
A field gauge is used to tell if a rifle is to the point that it is dangerous.
IOW: If it closes on a field gauge, watch out!

A "no go" guage is what you want.
Although you can have your rifle close on an "no go" and still be safe to shoot,
It tells you that you are at the outmost point and any more headspace than that will leave you with a dangerous weapon.
IOW: If it closes on a "no go",
you should at least have your rifle checked to see how far over it really is.


BB