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Understanding Headspace
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 later 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 issuse that may arrise with ammunition and chambers.
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 issuse that may arrise with ammunition and chambers.
52 pages, Paperback
Published October 15, 2017
6 people want to read
About the author
Fred Zeglin
14 books3 followersFred has over 40 years of full time gunsmithing experience. He has deloveped educational material for American Gunsmithing Institute and created the ciriculum for the Firearms Technology program at Flathead Valley Community College in Kalispell, MT.
He has taugh for the NRA Short Term Gunsmithing programs at three seperate colleges and was the Firemarms Technology Coordinator for the program at FVCC for six years.
Fred's first book was Wilcat Cartridges in 2005. Since that time he has written for numerous gun magazines and produced six more books. He is most proud of "P.O. Ackley, America's Gunsmith" published by Gun Digest books.
Zeglin's current project is the "Gunsmithing Student Handbook Series" These books are college level material covering very specific subjects in the gunsmithing field. Fred plans to add to the series either writing them himself or in cooperation with industry experts.
He has taugh for the NRA Short Term Gunsmithing programs at three seperate colleges and was the Firemarms Technology Coordinator for the program at FVCC for six years.
Fred's first book was Wilcat Cartridges in 2005. Since that time he has written for numerous gun magazines and produced six more books. He is most proud of "P.O. Ackley, America's Gunsmith" published by Gun Digest books.
Zeglin's current project is the "Gunsmithing Student Handbook Series" These books are college level material covering very specific subjects in the gunsmithing field. Fred plans to add to the series either writing them himself or in cooperation with industry experts.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
September 29, 2025
Clear, concise, and indispensable for anyone serious about headspace.
This booklet cuts through the fog and explains headspace in plain language without sacrificing technical accuracy. The diagrams and step-by-step approach make diagnosing chamber and ammunition problems fast and reliable. A must-have reference for apprentice and journeyman gunsmiths alike.Recommended for gunsmithing students and professional shops who want a practical, no-nonsense guide.
This booklet cuts through the fog and explains headspace in plain language without sacrificing technical accuracy. The diagrams and step-by-step approach make diagnosing chamber and ammunition problems fast and reliable. A must-have reference for apprentice and journeyman gunsmiths alike.Recommended for gunsmithing students and professional shops who want a practical, no-nonsense guide.
Displaying 1 of 1 review