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Rebarreling an AR upper.

Nowhere Man

I'm looking at new barrels for my AR-15 upper. Some manufacturers recommend checking headspace which makes sense. I think Criterion even recommends buying the head assembly at the same time and they will check it for you.

My question is, if the new barrel has too much headspace I don't see any options for bolt head assemblies other than milspec. So, if it fails, what do you do?
 
I would give a call to the barrel mfg. your looking at, some of the will supply a matching bolt with there barrel, others will use yours when mfg, what are you looking to switch to?
 
Nowhere Man said:
I'm looking at new barrels for my AR-15 upper. Some manufacturers recommend checking headspace which makes sense. I think Criterion even recommends buying the head assembly at the same time and they will check it for you.

My question is, if the new barrel has too much headspace I don't see any options for bolt head assemblies other than milspec. So, if it fails, what do you do?
Click to expand...
Nothing to worry about if its chambered correctly
 
Nowhere Man said:
I'm looking at new barrels for my AR-15 upper. Some manufacturers recommend checking headspace which makes sense. I think Criterion even recommends buying the head assembly at the same time and they will check it for you.

My question is, if the new barrel has too much headspace I don't see any options for bolt head assemblies other than milspec. So, if it fails, what do you do?
Click to expand...

Is this for a Standard 20" Service Rifle AR15 or other Match grade AR ( AR Tactical prone or XTC Match Rifle ) to be used in Competitions out to 600 yards
Or just a fun blaster AR?

If a fun blaster and you are buying barrels / bolts of one of the many places online selling low cost AR15 parts you may end up with an out of spec headspace condition but chances are you would be fine.

If your rifle is used in any type of competition out to 600 yards and you buy your barrels / bolts from quality suppliers like Compass Lake and White Oak you will certainly be good to go.

https://whiteoakarmament.com/
https://whiteoakarmament.com/shop/b...rels/custom-pre-ban-service-rifle-barrel.html


http://compasslake.com/

If whatever you end up with for parts shows not enough or too much headspace when you measure it at assembly you would send the bolt back to where you bought it for new one. unless you are a skilled machinist that know what you are doing taking material off AR bolts.

So,
Whats the application of the rifle you are re - barreling?

George
 
Last edited:
Nowhere Man said:
With a finalization of rules for NRA Tactical, I'm looking at what I'll need to compete. Most likely choice is a Wilson Combat 20" SS 1-8 twist
Click to expand...

Nice,
Glad to see you building a rifle to get out and shoot some matches with.
NRA Tactical is a great place to jump in.

I had never heard of the Wilson Combat Option for barrels.
$270 is a little on the high side for button rifled barrels but if you have used them before and like them it's only $50 more than the Wilson from White Oak
https://shopwilsoncombat.com/Match-...-Twist-Stainless/productinfo/TR-223SSRG20RC8/

The Wilson from White Oak is $220
https://whiteoakarmament.com/custom-post-ban-service-rifle-barrel.html

I'm sure either option will serve you well.

I know White Oak uses blanks from Wilson https://wilsonarms.com/barrel-store/

I wonder if the Wilson Combat option uses the same blanks and is maybe even affiliated with https://wilsonarms.com/barrel-store/

WOA.jpg
 
GSS said:
Nice,
Glad to see you building a rifle to get out and shoot some matches with.
NRA Tactical is a great place to jump in.

I had never heard of the Wilson Combat Option for barrels.
$270 is a little on the high side for button rifled barrels but if you have used them before and like them it's only $50 more than the Wilson from White Oak
https://shopwilsoncombat.com/Match-...-Twist-Stainless/productinfo/TR-223SSRG20RC8/

The Wilson from White Oak is $220
https://whiteoakarmament.com/custom-post-ban-service-rifle-barrel.html

I'm sure either option will serve you well.

I know White Oak uses blanks from Wilson https://wilsonarms.com/barrel-store/

I wonder if the Wilson Combat option uses the same blanks and is maybe even affiliated with https://wilsonarms.com/barrel-store/

View attachment 1157528
Click to expand...
Wilson combat is not associated with wilson barrels although as of a few years ago wilson combat used wilson barrels on their AR rifles
 
Nowhere Man said:
Some manufacturers recommend checking headspace which makes sense.
Click to expand...
Just a good practice.

It could always happen, but I've never found an issue with headspace. Even when reusing a bolt with a new barrel. If the new barrel doesn't headspace within spec with a milspec bolt, I'm sure the barrel manufacturer will be happy to address THEIR problem.
 
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