Used rifles and headspace checking

[dustin]

Is it common practice for a gun shop to check the headspace on a used rifle (for free) they are selling before one actually purchases the used rifle from them?

 

[struggler44]

Is it common practice for a gun shop to check the headspace on a used rifle (for free) they are selling before one actually purchases the used rifle from them?

Guess that will depend on what the heck "headspace" is when referring to a used gun

 

[dustin]

Guess that will depend on what the heck "headspace" is when referring to a used gun

Headspace is the measurement between two points in a rifle's chamber. These points are the boundaries of cartridge movement when a cartridge is chambered. In strict SAAMI terms headspace is the distance from the face of the closed breech of a firearm to the surface in the chamber on which the cartridge case seats.

Surplusrifle.com - Measuring Headspace

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headspace_(firearms)

 

[Puddleducker]

headspace

Is it common practice for a gun shop to check the headspace on a used rifle (for free) they are selling before one actually purchases the used rifle from them?

I worked at a gun shop on the Eastern Shore for about a year and did some minor gunsmithing. We seldom bought used rifles for resale due to liability concerns of the shop owner.

Generally, "Factory built" rifles should be w/in specs but customized or "Sporterized" military rifles could be suspect. Buyer beware if the work was not done by a reputable gunsmith. I would be willing to bet that most gunshops do not have the knowledge or ability to properly check headspace.