Muzzle Brake Install Tips?

[WartHog]

Bought a bunch of VG6 Gamma Muzzle Brakes on that killer Presidents Day sale. Am going to be putting them on AR's and a bolt-action 308. VG6 doesn't give any install instructions other than saying be sure to do it right or have a Gunsmith do it.

Questions -

On the AR's, I have a upper receiver vice block - is that all I need besides a wrench? Should I use a light dab of Grease, Slip EWL, or Anti-Seize on the muzzle threads?

What about the 308 - do I use Loktite or something to ensure the Brake doesn't work loose under recoil?

Brakes all come with a crush washer. Once the brakes are on hand-tight, if the orientation is slightly past where the brake should be timed at, I assume I just carefully wrench it on around until it's lined up?

Anything I'm missing?

[n8vrmind]

I put some Brownells Action lube plus(molybdenum grease) on barrel thread whenever I put on a muzzle device.

Using crush washer without a barrel vise has always been a bit nerve-racking for me.. so I now use JP jam nut to time my muzzle brake..much easier

Sent from my ONEPLUS A3000 using Tapatalk

[AregularGuy]

Get extra crush washers.
I'm interested in this as well. Seems that my VG6 devices never seem to line up properly. A little too far past proper final position when hand tight but crush washer only lets me get around 3/4 of the way around, leaving it short of where I want it in the end.

[mcat707]

https://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/rifle-tools/barrel-tools/ar-15-m16-barrel-vise-jaws-prod12470.aspx

Here is another version but more expensive with polyurethane that protects the barrels finish.

https://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/rifle-tools/barrel-tools/scg-ar-15-m16-accu-grip-barrel-vise-jaws-prod12799.aspx

[FeuerFrei]

I always use anti-sieze on muzzle fob installs. I use jam nuts if I'm gonna play musical chairs with a muzzle fob otherwise it's crush or peel washers.
*Using a barrel vice with proper fixture is the right way to play.

Sent using a long string and 2 used soup cans

[baih777]

https://www.amazon.com/NO-M-R-Purpose-Polymer-Groove/dp/B012BVM1E8

[NATEWA]

Do not use an upper recevier block!

Use something like these.

Vise Jaws - Nylon, Multipurpose 6" - Use on any Metal Vise, Magnetic Reversible Pads (2 Sets in 1), Clamp Flat or Round Products - Available in 4" or 6" https://www.amazon.com/dp/B019VOT6JG..._DjwCCbY631W05

Info about shims, crush washers and locktite or rockcrusher (think that is what’s recommended). Rocksett is the name

https://www.ar15.com/forums/precision-rifles/Muzzle-brake-timing-spacers-versus-having-a-barrel-brake-timed-/8-263/

For 308
5/8 x 24 Barrel Shim Muzzle Brake Alignment Shim Kit .308 7.62 indexing https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FZLWG1Y..._AowCCbC17KC4W

For 223/556
1/2" x 28 Barrel Shim Muzzle Brake Alignment Shim Kit 5.56 223 indexing https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FZLM2A4..._FuwCCbQW97SCS

No experience with this company

https://www.triggershims.com/ar_15_shims.html#S24

[WartHog]

I test fit the brake on my 308 and when it was hand-snug, it will need to be rotated another 3/4 turn to align. Will the crush washer allow that much rotation or should I order one of those JP Jam Nuts?

[baih777]

I test fit the brake on my 308 and when it was hand-snug, it will need to be rotated another 3/4 turn to align. Will the crush washer allow that much rotation or should I order one of those JP Jam Nuts?

Sometimes a different brand washer will allow more rotation.
It is possible if your holding the barrel in a vise.
Tighten the muzzle brake to its tight and back off.
Tighten again and back off.
Repeat till you 1/4 turn from tdc. Loosen even if you only went 1/8 of a turn.
I use a piece of blue tape to mark tdc on the barrel and brake.
One last time should get you there.

[Joefear7]

Why not use a Bevblock or a reaction rod? That's what I use

[Unbekannt]

Buy as full set of crush washers to get it right or some breaks now come with a timing nut and this is much easier.

[NATEWA]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lRyiMMX-k2g

Good video that covers the different methods.

[wilafur]

Get a barrel spline/reaction rod, don’t just pop your reciever in a vise. I got mine from Botach for under $60 and it made changing out muzzle devices super easy.

[zouaveherb]

TL;DR: Vice with barrel jaw inserts clamped as near the muzzle threads as reasonable. Use crush a washer if your muzzle device is directional or a lock washer if it's not an issue.

Your three real options are to use an upper receiver block (the best design is the Peace River style that was taken over by Brownell's,) a vice with barrel jaws, or a reaction rod. Stay away from the upper blocs that only secure via two pins that go to the front pivot pin hole and the take-down pin hole.

Even with the Peace River design, with an upper block, you are putting stress on the upper that does not really need it.

A reaction rod prevents stress from being put on the aluminum upper parts, but still puts unwanted torque on the barrel and barrel extension (most all barrels except the thinnest of the pencils will be able to take it just fine, tho.)

An old fashioned set of vice jaw inserts clamped right next to the muzzle treads will be honestly the best approach as it eliminates stress on the rest of the upper. It's also the cheapest.