Forster has officially expanded our lineup to include Min and Max CIP headspace gages, allowing us to better serve shooters working with popular cartridges that fall outside traditional SAAMI specifications.

CIP is Europe’s equivalent to SAAMI, but with one major distinction: Where SAAMI commonly allows a .010” difference between minimum and maximum headspace, CIP specifications are typically much tighter—often around .004” total tolerance.

Because of this reduced tolerance range, Forster CIP gages are not labeled as Go / No-Go / Field.

Every gunsmith knows that proper use of a headspace gage is the most reliable way to test the length of a rifle chamber.

“Headspace” is the distance between the face of the breech and the base of the cartridge when the action is closed, and excessive headspace can be dangerous as well as impair accuracy. For instance, unsupported brass fired in a rifle action with excessive headspace can rupture, allowing gas to blow rearward like rocket exhaust. Because your safety is on the line, Forster Headspace Gages are made with painstaking care and exacting manufacturing standards to ensure accurate testing of your rifle’s chamber.