Gunsmithing: How to Install a Rifle Muzzle Brake
Adding a muzzle brake to your rifle can greatly improve accuracy by reducing recoil and allowing you to take a much more accurate second shot. Installing a muzzle brake on your rifle is not only a good idea, it can also be done easily. This is especially true if your rifle has a barrel that is already threaded on the end to accept a muzzle brake. If your rifle barrel isn't threaded, you need only visit your local professional gunsmith and have the end of your barrel machined and threaded to accept the muzzle brake of your choice.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Threaded rifle barrel
- Muzzle brake
- Adjustable wrench
- Bench vise
- Red loctite
Instructions
-
-
1
Place the barrel or the entire rifle into your table mounted bench vise. Close the vise firmly with the end of the rifle barrel extending away from the vise, being careful not to damage any part of the rifle's exterior or the barrel.
-
2
Apply red loctite to the exterior of the threaded rifle barrel. Be sure to apply loctite only to the threaded portion of your barrel. Don't let the loctite get too close to the shoulder of the thread on the barrel.
-
-
3
Screw the muzzle brake onto the threaded end of the barrel by hand until you can no longer tighten it. Turn the muzzle brake clockwise to screw it on.
-
4
Tighten the adjustable wrench to grasp the muzzle brake firmly. Continue screwing the muzzle brake onto the barrel, making it as tight as you possibly can.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
If any excess loctite is seeping from where the barrel and the muzzle brake meet, be sure to wipe it away quickly with a wet towel. Do not let any excess loctite dry on the exterior of the barrel.
When handling firearms, even when repairing or customizing them, always be certain that the chamber and the magazine are empty.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Main Battle Assault Rifle image by Peter Orsaeo Sr from Fotolia.com
