Gunsmithing Muzzle brake shims question. Ops Inc 12th Brake alignment

[PremiumBepis]

I'm trying to install a muzzle brake using the supplied shim set. It's an Ops inc 12 going onto a ballistic advantage barrel. It came with 1 thick shim (.135) and a variety of thin ones. However, on my barrel there seems to be an undercut beneath the threads that allow the shims to have some play since the inner diameter of the shim is larger than the barrel thread relief cut. Is it ok to torque down the muzzle device like this? The shims aren't concentric unless I try and hold them there and I feel like adding torque will set them off again. Is there any way to get around this?

 

[GH41]

"Is there any way to get around this" Time the adapter by facing the barrel. No shim.

 

[FisherT&C]

I would consider using a jam nut to time the brake provided you have plenty of threads. That may provide a more solid mounting. The alternative would be having it timed by a lathe man.

 

[flynbye]

get rid of that crush washer asap. also if you don't want to use shims the other route would be to send it to a smith and have it timed. next the shims are not going to hurt anything. the other thing you can do is just screw the can on and none will see it. the ops inc/AE cans are great cans good luck

 

[NewsShooter]

But a self timing brake, muzzle brakes and more aren't that expensive and work well.

 

[PremiumBepis]

get rid of that crush washer asap. also if you don't want to use shims the other route would be to send it to a smith and have it timed. next the shims are not going to hurt anything. the other thing you can do is just screw the can on and none will see it. the ops inc/AE cans are great cans good luck

That's not a crush washer in the picture. It's actually one of the thick shims that came with the brake. If I don't put that on and just thread on the brake without any shims, the threads become exposed through the ports of the muzzle brake so I think I'm supposed to use it. It just won't stay concentric which is the issue.

 

[RonA]

Ballistic advantage barrel?

 

[PremiumBepis]

Ballistic advantage barrel?

Yeah. Looks like all their barrels are profiled that way near the threads.