[coolhand]

Excellent advice!

1) The bolt gap spec is published in millimeters. People convert the numbers to inch because it's what they are familiar with and understand better. Pick one and stick with it.
2) The bolt carrier should not move up and down, it should be positively located by the receiver rails. Something is wrong.
3) The depth the barrel is pressed in has squat to do with the bolt gap. The trunnion is what determines the bolt gap for set up purposes and proper bolt gap can be obtained without a barrel even installed.

Your three years of research seems to have been in vain. I casually suggest you sell off your parts kit and buy that PTR and call it good.

 

[coolhand]

You gave him the most logical solution at this point...

2) Good God, man! I don't know where to start.

3) People call it head space in roller lock weapons because it's the closest thing we understand to what's really going on. It's not head space in the traditional sense but setting bolt gap accomplishes the desired affect.

Your three years of research really didn't serve you well, did it. Believe me if you can, I'm not trying to be a smart ass when I say this, buy a PTR and call it good or send your pile of parts to someone to build for you. I'd encourage you to keep at it and keep learning but if you truly spent that long looking into the build and understand it no more than what you do, just stop. Have it built for you or buy one before you blow up $1600 (?) in parts and hurt someone or yourself.