Understanding Headspace

for Firearms 

THE GUNSMITH STUDENT HANDBOOK SERIES #2 HOME GUNSMITHING

by 

Fred Zeglin

A basic understanding of headspace and how it affects the proper operation of a firearm are necessary if you wish to call yourself a gunsmith. Otherwise all you will be able to do is change parts with the hope that somehow the problem will go away. The latter is normally called an armorer, not a gunsmith. 

Many self proclaimed experts try to create fear and confusion around the subject of headspace. This subject, like most measuring processes, is simple and easy to understand if you are willing to educate yourself.

In a broad sense, headspace is a complex relationship between the cartridge, chamber, and firearm mechanism. The starting point for headspace is the cartridge case. The complex functions of the cartridge case include holding the cartridge components together, aligning the bullet in the bore, expanding to seal the breach from gasses, contracting in time for easy extraction, and removing heat from the chamber. Then of course we have to discuss the chamber and all its attributes. 

This booklet contains all the information a gunsmith needs in order to understand headspace and diagnose issues that may arise with ammunition and chambers.

Table of Contents

Preface

Acknowledgments

What is Headspace?

Headspace Methods

Rimless, Rebated or Semi-rimless Cartridges.

Rimmed Cartridges.

Belted Cartridges

Rimless Pistol Cartridges

Headspace and Pressure

Ackley Improved Cartridges

Rimless or Rebated Improved Chambers

Chambering an Improved Rimmed Case

Chambering an Improved Belted Chamber

To Gauge or not to Gauge?

Standards and Tolerances

Shimming Gauges

Headspace Interchange Chart

About the Author

Review Quotes:

This is not the first book of Fred's I've read. As with all of his others, Fred is pleasant and easy to read, thoroughly understands his subject matter and, most important, so will his readers by the time they complete the book.

Zeglin has the ability to make complex technical topics easy to understand, a gift not shared by many writers of technical works. I highly recommend this book and all of his others to those interested in the technical aspects of guns, gunsmithing, reloading, and designing Wildcat cartridges. I learn new things every time I read one of his books, and I've been gunsmithing, reloading, wildcatting, and instructing in the field for 50 years. Susanville Slim

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  Fred Zeglin has been building custom hunting rifles for over thirty years. Zeglin has taught classes for the NRA Short Term Gunsmithing program at three separate colleges and is the Coordinator/Instructor for the Firearms Technology program at FVCC. He is a recognized expert in wildcat cartridge design and development. Fred earned his AA degree and Professional Certificate in Gunsmithing at Lassen College. He is the owner of 4D Reamer Rentals LTD. He designs his own reloading dies to speed delivery of wildcat projects that combine technology with modern materials and principles to produce the best possible specialty dies and rifles for his clients. He also designed and produced several new specialty tools for wildcatting and accurate reloading of ammunition. Over the years Fred has worked in many facets of the Gunsmithing trade, from general repair to antique restoration. Each shop he worked in had a different focus, some were handgun centered, others shotgun or rifle specialized. Fred's custom rifles have ranged from simple hunting guns to Best Quality custom rifles selling at the top of the market.

Softcover. 2017. 8.5X5.5.  52 pages.  BRAND NEW! 

This book is not a second or remainder---it is brand new, direct from the publisher.