COBrien

Okay. Out of curiosity, I called Michael at Criterion Barrels (I'd previously exchanged e-mails with him when I was in the barrel shopping phase of this build). I asked him if they'd had any reports of .308 barrels with chambers that were too short. He said he hadn't heard of any. I described my issue, and he immediately asked if I had a NiB bolt. Why, yes, yes I do. Apparently NiB does have a thickness. Also -- and I was aware of this -- just because this NLA bolt headspaced and functioned properly in NLA's test barrel, that doesn't necessarily mean it'll headspace correctly in another barrel. He suggested I try another bolt (which I plan to do anyhow -- the one in my DPMS). He also said, "This is why we offer matched barrel and bolt sets -- not to make money, because we don't actually make any money on the bolts, but because 5 different bolts, even from the same manufacturer, will all headspace differently in the same barrel." Again, I'm on the same page. I'm now somewhat considering sending the barrel (or barreled upper, per Michael's suggestion) to Criterion to let them hand-select a proper bolt. Do I really want to invest another $109.95 (for a Fulton Armory bolt) or $199.95 (for a JP bolt), plus 2-way shipping? Not particularly. But I do realize there's no way to "fix" a headspace issue, aside from trying various combinations of bolt and barrel. I don't have access to (or money for...) enough bolts to find that "Goldilocks" fit. And, if this truly is a chamber issue, the damned barrel is going to have to go back to Criterion anyhow...

Shiit, I didn't even think to try the bolt -- by itself -- without the carrier. I'll try that tonight. I'll also hand-cycle (read: mortar and cuss) various new rounds through the rifle tonight and get pics, and pull the BCG out of my DPMS (complete, factory-built rifle) to give it a try. I want to have it absolutely narrowed down to the chamber before I go firing off an e-mail to Criterion.

I did, but I wouldn't know off-hand, now, which ones those were (they went back in the box with all the other ammo). Good news is, the problem still exists, and I have more ammo, so I can always create more!

Yes sir. Takes a good tap with the palm or the pressure of the buffer spring to get her there, but she will go into battery on an empty chamber.

Alright... I think I’ve figured it out. Color me stupid. I could swear I checked headspace on this rifle after completing the build. However, I may have run out of time (this is what happens when you build a rifle in secret, a little bit at a time...). First pics attached are how she looks from various angles with a Forster .243/.308 GO gauge in the chamber. No fvckin bueno, am I right? Next logical step is to determine whether my bolt or chamber is out of spec, yes? Perhaps swap the bolt from my LR-308 into my the CSASS BCG and see how we like it? Last pic is the firing pin on a tape measure. I promise it was flush with the end of the tape (metal clip pushed in, as is correct for inside-inside measurements...).

Having said that... I suppose a guy could pick up a Hogue carbine-length FF tube: https://www.hogueinc.com/ar-15-m-16-carbine-knurled-aluminum-free-float-forend Add a 3" extension: https://www.hogueinc.com/ar-15-m-16-knurled-aluminum-3-oal-3-gun-free-float-forend-extension And order a "AR-10 DPMS" barrel nut: https://www.hogueinc.com/ar-10-dpms-thread-long-free-float-forend-coupler-only

I can't recall seeing a "plain old" free-float tube in a 10" length for a large frame rifle. Carbine-length? Check. 12"? Check. 15"+? Check. I've got a "Fulton Armory" (Young's Manufacturing...) 12" FF tube on my LR-308T, over an SLR Sentry 7 adjustable GAS block, carbine-length gas system. Works quite well, IMO.

@Exhail Enjoy your vacation... As an aside, the link in the OP eesa no workie. Here's a PDF I printed from the NZ Gazette... Prohibited Firearms Buy-Back Price List - 2019-go2786 - New Zealand Gazette.pdf

I'm thinking any of the options that have been discussed here, coupled with a good IWB holster at 4:30(ish) would all but disappear. I'm not a small guy (5'7", 220ish), and I EDC an XD .45 Subcompact in an Alien Gear Cloak Tuck. Aside from bending over with a Polo shirt on, no one knows it's there. Especially when I'm in a suit (as I am most weekdays...).

Ah, okay. Once it's ordered, let me know and I'll PM you my shipping address.

...you were BOTH on the website, and neither of you could be bothered to buy me one to try out??

I see what you did there... 🤣

@Robocop1051, I know you've had your plate full, but did you ever make any headway on an adjustable cheekpiece for a MFT Minimalist? I've got one lying around and keep thinking about your new proposed product...

@98Z5V, I still haven't had an opportunity to get out to the garage and tear down the BCG (meant to last night, but apparently my sleep deficit got the better of me...). I get the feeling you still suspect there's another issue. What are you thinking on this, given the gas tube alignment and that cleaning the chamber allows a round to drop in (and out) freely?

Damn dirty, considering the sumbitch has still never been fired... I’ll do some more investigating tomorrow night, and I’ll get that firing pin pic up for you.

Alright, gents, I did some lookin’ tonight. Gas tube is precisely where she should be, and shows no signs of strikes or wear. (1st pic) Live round would NOT drop into chamber by gravity alone. Could be pushed into chamber, but would not come out without persuasion from muzzle. (2nd pic) Looked down the bore, and it was FILTHY. Decided to clean chamber and bore. Live round will now drop in and drop free using only gravity. (3rd pic) Didn’t tear the BCG down tonight. Momma was sleeping with the baby, and my bag o’ tools is on top of the safe in the bedroom. Makes lotsa noise on its way down.

So, I've been testing the waters around the house the last couple of days... We have a 2 y/o and a newborn. To say my "Daddy time" is limited would an understatement. However, the last couple of nights, after I've put the 2 y/o to bed, I've managed to find my way out to the garage to spend some time at the workbench with some projects. Last night it was a detail strip and clean of my XD .45 (it's my EDC, and it was so full of lint that the grip safety was stuck in the 'disengaged' position). The RART will be tonight's project -- cleaning and boresighting. Then, @98Z5V, maybe Saturday I can get the CSASS out there and re-check headspace, gas tube alignment, and everything else we talked about in that other thread...

Hey, now, I'm not that far gone. I've just built a 5.56 for my wife; a 5.56 for me; a 5.56 for my FIL; a .308 for me; a .308 for my good friend; and in-process on a matched pair of .22LRs for my kids (who are too young to shoot anything at this point, so let's be honest... those rifles are for myself and my wife for the next 8 years or so...). Although, @Peachey, BE ADVISED -- @98Z5V is Enabler-In-Chief around here. Seriously. IIRC, one of his builds started with a gas tube roll pin. "Don't wanna lose this pin, I better pick up a gas block to stick it in. No sense in having a pinned gas block without a gas tube, so I probably ought to pick up a tube. Don't want the gas tube to get bent up banging around in my drawer, so I'd better get a barrel to install it on..." So on and so forth.

This thread has quickly devolved into Inception II: The Enablers. We've got enablers enabling enablees who enable still other enablees who become enablers of the original enablers...

I forgot to mention... I'm now on the hunt for a rimfire suppressor. I think the Griffin Optimus Micro would be a fine addition to this rifle (and the kids' rimfire ARs). I've got some bike money left over, and it's only $500ish...

As many times as y'all have enabled and/or encouraged me to do something against my better judgment, I relish an opportunity to return the favor. So, here you go, @RedRiverII -- a PDF of that article @98Z5V linked to. SWMBO's filters shouldn't catch this... The Overlooked 22 WMR.pdf

Umm...?

FWIW, I found this... https://www.belcustomfirearms.com/parts-gear/grips-pads-stocks/mdek-1329389