Gunsmithing Keeping muzzle brakes in time

[flyfisherman246]

If threading a muzzle to where a certain brake is timed correctly without shims or loctite, how do you do this to keep it in time if its going to be going on and off again for suppressor use? I have seen multiple times where the threads must stretch and it always ends up rotating farther than it used to.
Thanks

 

[Barracho]

How about a jam nut

 

[flyfisherman246]

I do like the self timing breaks, but if I am wanting to have a brake blend in with the barrel profile, but keep its timing after being installed and removed.

 

[gnochi]

Threads stretching is how it’s supposed to work. Note that there’s a difference between elastic deformation (springs back) and plastic deformation (doesn’t spring back).

If your threads are stretching so much that they’re plastically deforming and impacting timing, you’re torquing the muzzle devices on way too tight. If you’re torquing it to recommended spec, you should be well within the elastic limit of the threads and it’ll time the same every time. You can even use timing to get your torque into an acceptable range.

Note that there are exceptions to this in weight-sensitive industries - auto/aerospace, mostly - where bolts etc are loaded to the hairy edge, but firearms are almost universally designed with massive safety factors on everything.

 

[308pirate]

I do like the self timing breaks, but if I am wanting to have a brake blend in with the barrel profile, but keep its timing after being installed and removed.

You're asking a piece of equipment to do something it wasn't meant to do. Get the right piece of gear (a self timing brake)

 

[flyfisherman246]

These brakes have just been tightened by hand and taken on and off. Is it common practice to use a self timing brake if its going to be put on and off and machine timed and blended if it is going to be locktited?

 

[556ARs]

I had Darrel Holand put his QD Brake on my 7MAG and my buddies 300 ultra. My rifle shot the same(extremely accurate) with the same load and my buddies shot better than before. I don't know what Darrel does when he installs them, but they sure do work!

 

[Edsel]

If threading a muzzle to where a certain brake is timed correctly without shims or loctite, how do you do this to keep it in time if its going to be going on and off again for suppressor use? I have seen multiple times where the threads must stretch and it always ends up rotating farther than it used to.
Thanks

Use a muzzle brake which clamps on the same way a Badger Ordnance FTE or Accuracy International model does.

Not sure what the term for this is.

 

[carlsbad]

Loctite is your friend and isn't permanent. If you are having trouble getting it loose, heat to 400 deg F. If I'm putting a muzzle brake on that I know will be coming on and off a lot I don't make it overly tight to it's timed location and use some purple or blue loctite. A little loctite will be required for each re-installation.