Understanding Headspace (Gunsmithing Student Handbook)

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.

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.

Ken Brooks attended Lassen Community College Gunsmithing program 1988 thru 1991 and graduated with honors. He was hired by lead instructor Robert "Bob" Dunlap, for his shop "PISCO" in 1991. That shop was warranty station for many companies... Anschutz, Browning, Colt, Dickinson, IAC, Marlin, Mossberg, Para Ord, Remington, Smith and Wesson, Winchester just to name a few. Ken attended warranty update school at Smith and Wesson in 1996. Moved to Oregon with PISCO in 1997 and assumed the general manager position. Started working for AGI (American Gunsmithing Institute) filming firearm repair videos in 2005. Continues working with AGI making firearm repair videos, AGI expanded courses to include some advanced hands on classes which Ken teaches. In 2009 traveled to the Tisas firearms manufacturing facility in Turkey to help remedy production problems with tolerances to their 1911 pistols. Acquired PISCO gunsmithing business from Bob Dunlap in 2015, the firm continues general firearms repair and maintains warranty repair status for several firearm manufacturers and firearm import companies. Ken has served as expert witness concerning advice in design, function, and repair of firearms for attorneys.