7ARMD said:
As an ex Armourer in British Army, this fact is still quite scary to me.
Apparently no-one has heard of Cartridge Head Space (CHS), or maybe CHS was just another case of the old
adage "BS baffles brains."
H
All weapons were/are 100% head spaced using the correct gauge for the weapon type during ATIs at the unit level conducted by the appropiate EME cell. Never a problem.
If the C1 rifle failed HS, the locking shoulder was changed.
All FN C1 breech blocks were all made to one standard to eleiviate any problems, hence no serialised blocks. The breech blocks were also inspected for firing pin hole ovality. If the gauge failed, it was replaced.
As for Axeman's comment on how his unit kept the bolts for their weapons. Nice idea, but at the end of the day, if the weapons are tasked for the summer fo example, do you really think you'd be getting the same bolts back upon return to the unit??? I don't think so.
Also during cleaning etc, especially in groups, parts can get mixed, as when there is lesson on strip and assemply, etc, and this does happen.
Bolts for the C7 FOWs are not serialised, and anyone will do (they are all the same. Thats one of the advantages of the type of weapon. Thats just how the CF does things. Here in Australia only the bolt carriers on M16 FOWs are serialsed, the bolts are not. if the HS fails, replace the bolt, if it still fails, replace the barrel. Easy.
The 9mm T series Inglis Browning HP has matching serial numbers on the barrel, slide, and lower.
So, ther never was a serious threat to life and limb either on the C1s or the C7s, and C9 for that matter too.
Hope this clears the misconception up ???
Cheers,
Wes