Choosing and Mounting a Muzzle Device
Some muzzle devices are welded onto the barrel, but most are female threaded and mount onto the barrel via male threads on the barrel's muzzle. If your rifle or pistol does not have threads on the muzzle, a machinist or gunsmith can cut the threads for you, or you can attempt the work yourself with a hand-operated threading die.
All muzzle threads are not identical, although there is often commonality among a particular caliber. A full explanation of all regularly-encountered muzzle threads is beyond the scope of this article, but suffice to say, make sure that the muzzle device you buy is the same thread as your barrel. Note, however, that thread adapters are available for very reasonable prices.
Finally, a shooter must consider whether or not the muzzle device needs to be "timed" onto the threads. Some types of muzzle devices must be installed in a particular orientation to be effective, and locking a threaded component into the correct orientation is known as timing. For example, muzzle brakes with gas venting ports are usually meant to have the ports directed upward or sideways, whereas other muzzle devices such as sound suppressors generally operate with full effectiveness regardless of orientation.
In order to achieve proper device orientation as well as a secure installation, a threaded muzzle device must be locked in place. There are a few common methods of securing the muzzle device in place, detailed below:
All muzzle threads are not identical, although there is often commonality among a particular caliber. A full explanation of all regularly-encountered muzzle threads is beyond the scope of this article, but suffice to say, make sure that the muzzle device you buy is the same thread as your barrel. Note, however, that thread adapters are available for very reasonable prices.
Finally, a shooter must consider whether or not the muzzle device needs to be "timed" onto the threads. Some types of muzzle devices must be installed in a particular orientation to be effective, and locking a threaded component into the correct orientation is known as timing. For example, muzzle brakes with gas venting ports are usually meant to have the ports directed upward or sideways, whereas other muzzle devices such as sound suppressors generally operate with full effectiveness regardless of orientation.
In order to achieve proper device orientation as well as a secure installation, a threaded muzzle device must be locked in place. There are a few common methods of securing the muzzle device in place, detailed below:
Threadlocking compound
Some shooters use a commercial threadlocking compound to keep the muzzle device from loosening. This is an inexpensive and simple installation, however, the heat generated by repeated firing can liquefy commercial threadlockers and render them ineffective. Choose a high-heat threadlocker, and be prepared for a struggle in the event you want to remove the muzzle device in the future.
Some shooters use a commercial threadlocking compound to keep the muzzle device from loosening. This is an inexpensive and simple installation, however, the heat generated by repeated firing can liquefy commercial threadlockers and render them ineffective. Choose a high-heat threadlocker, and be prepared for a struggle in the event you want to remove the muzzle device in the future.
Jam nut
Some shooters use a jam nut, which is a thin threaded nut that is threaded onto the muzzle before the muzzle device. Once the muzzle device is threaded onto the barrel and in the correct orientation, the jam nut is tightened back against the muzzle device, "jamming" the device in place. This method is common when the barrel threads are roughly the same diameter as the barrel.
Some shooters use a jam nut, which is a thin threaded nut that is threaded onto the muzzle before the muzzle device. Once the muzzle device is threaded onto the barrel and in the correct orientation, the jam nut is tightened back against the muzzle device, "jamming" the device in place. This method is common when the barrel threads are roughly the same diameter as the barrel.
Crush washer
A crush washer is a cone-shaped washer that is inserted onto the muzzle threads before the muzzle device. The narrow end of the cone is placed facing the rear of the rifle and backed onto the unthreaded section of the barrel, and the muzzle device is then threaded on to its correct orientation, crushing the crush washer and fixing itself in place. Crush washers require that the muzzle threads be smaller in diameter than the barrel, so that the barrel forms a shoulder for the the crush washer to be crushed against. Crush washers cannot be reused, so a new washer is needed for every removal and installation.
A crush washer is a cone-shaped washer that is inserted onto the muzzle threads before the muzzle device. The narrow end of the cone is placed facing the rear of the rifle and backed onto the unthreaded section of the barrel, and the muzzle device is then threaded on to its correct orientation, crushing the crush washer and fixing itself in place. Crush washers require that the muzzle threads be smaller in diameter than the barrel, so that the barrel forms a shoulder for the the crush washer to be crushed against. Crush washers cannot be reused, so a new washer is needed for every removal and installation.
Peel washer
A peel washer in installed before the muzzle device and is made of thin strips of metal laminated together, which can be separated using a thin tool such as a razor blade. The muzzle device is threaded on until it is tight against the peel washer, and the installer then decides how many layers of the peel washer must be removed in order for the muzzle device to thread on in the correct orientation. The muzzle device is removed, then the layers removed, then the muzzle device is re-installed and timed into place.
A peel washer in installed before the muzzle device and is made of thin strips of metal laminated together, which can be separated using a thin tool such as a razor blade. The muzzle device is threaded on until it is tight against the peel washer, and the installer then decides how many layers of the peel washer must be removed in order for the muzzle device to thread on in the correct orientation. The muzzle device is removed, then the layers removed, then the muzzle device is re-installed and timed into place.
Detent assembly
Some muzzle devices are specifically designed to interface with a rifle's front sight assembly or bayonet lug, which incorporates a spring-loaded pin or detent. The muzzle device features a corresponding detent recess, and the devices are engineered such that the muzzle device will lock in place once it is in the correct orientation. This style of timing is common on AK-pattern rifles.
Some muzzle devices are specifically designed to interface with a rifle's front sight assembly or bayonet lug, which incorporates a spring-loaded pin or detent. The muzzle device features a corresponding detent recess, and the devices are engineered such that the muzzle device will lock in place once it is in the correct orientation. This style of timing is common on AK-pattern rifles.
Non-threaded
Other types of muzzle devices are designed to mount without threads, usually by mating with some sort of locking mechanism on the front sight assembly or by mounting onto the contours of an already-installed muzzle device.
Other types of muzzle devices are designed to mount without threads, usually by mating with some sort of locking mechanism on the front sight assembly or by mounting onto the contours of an already-installed muzzle device.
Author's Note
Another important consideration when choosing a muzzle device is ensuring that the exit hole is large enough for your intended caliber. For example, installing a muzzle device intended for 5.56 NATO on a rifle that shoots 7.62 NATO can have disastrous results, as the exit hole may be smaller than the bullet trying to exit. In most cases, this is not an issue because the thread of most muzzle devices will not fit the barrel thread of an inappropriate gun, but that is not universal, so it is always a good idea to double check that your chosen muzzle device is intended for your caliber before use. If you already purchased an incorrect device, measure the exit hole anyway, as most muzzle devices are designed with a fair amount of free space around the bullet anyway. If your muzzle device does turn out to be too small, consider having a gunsmith or machinist open up the exit hole. Depending on the muzzle device, it can be a surprisingly inexpensive operation.
Another important consideration when choosing a muzzle device is ensuring that the exit hole is large enough for your intended caliber. For example, installing a muzzle device intended for 5.56 NATO on a rifle that shoots 7.62 NATO can have disastrous results, as the exit hole may be smaller than the bullet trying to exit. In most cases, this is not an issue because the thread of most muzzle devices will not fit the barrel thread of an inappropriate gun, but that is not universal, so it is always a good idea to double check that your chosen muzzle device is intended for your caliber before use. If you already purchased an incorrect device, measure the exit hole anyway, as most muzzle devices are designed with a fair amount of free space around the bullet anyway. If your muzzle device does turn out to be too small, consider having a gunsmith or machinist open up the exit hole. Depending on the muzzle device, it can be a surprisingly inexpensive operation.
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