AR Bolt Some Included and Some Not

[landtoy80]

Why is it that when you look at a AR barrel or upper the Grendel and 204 come with a bolt head spaced and a 223 does not. What is the reasoning behind this?

[lakeracer69]

Why is it that when you look at a AR barrel or upper the Grendel and 204 come with a bolt head spaced and a 223 does not. What is the reasoning behind this?

Depends on the company. I've bought a couple of .223 uppers with bolts, headspaced, and complete. What exactly is your question about them?

YMMV

[landtoy80]

I just want to know why a company would sell some barrels with bolts and some without. No reason just would like to know.
On Sabre Defense site the Grendel's come with bolts and the 223 don't.
http://www.sabredefence.com/products.php

[mitchstoner]

I would guess the Grendel bolt is somewhat different, and there are probably few AR owners ordering a Grendel upper who already have a Grendel bolt.

On the other hand,the most common AR caliber is .223. If you are ordering an upper in .223, you more than likely already own a .223 AR. Having the option of ordering the upper without bolt saves you money.

As for headspacing, I believe .223 bolts are completely interchangeable, and swapping bolts has no effect on headspace. I hope I'm right, since I have done that many times. With no issues.

[jfowl31]

I would guess the Grendel bolt is somewhat different, and there are probably few AR owners ordering a Grendel upper who already have a Grendel bolt.

On the other hand,the most common AR caliber is .223. If you are ordering an upper in .223, you more than likely already own a .223 AR. Having the option of ordering the upper without bolt saves you money.

As for headspacing, I believe .223 bolts are completely interchangeable, and swapping bolts has no effect on headspace. I hope I'm right, since I have done that many times. With no issues.

+1 to this answer... the 223 bolts are all the same and interchangeable, but the off calibers have different bolts, and are much more rare.

[Optimus Prime]

Plus lots of people like to use different high-end BCGs like Bravo Company's or others, so it makes sense to order a complete upper with no BCG for $100 less than get it with one you're not going to use.
On the AR the headspace is set by the barrel, so it shouldn't change with a bolt swap, which is good as the bolt is one of the more commonly broken parts. I've got a grip core in the MOE grip on my mid-length that holds a spare bolt and firing pin for just that reason.