Installing A Flash Hider or Muzzle Brake Most flash hiders and muzzle brakes install in the same basic manner. They may use different types of devices to lock them in place like a peel washer, crush washer or a second nut that tightens against the back of the device, but this segment will demonstrate the basic principal. Installing A Flash Hider or Muzzle Brake Most flash hiders and muzzle brakes install in the same basic manner. They may use different types of devices to lock them in place like a peel washer, crush washer or a second nut that tightens against the back of the device, but this segment will demonstrate the basic principal. Description This 3 Pronged Flash Hider Wrench fits in the nose of a 3 Pronged Flash Hider (Such as our SKU# 5044) making it the perfect installation tool for installing our BD-180 in combination with the 3 Prong Flash Hider. Made from 41-40 Steel Forged from chrome vanadium alloy steel Heat treated to Rockwell 45.
Let’s get a couple of things out of the way;
1. NEVER use a crush washer with a suppressor!!!(see #2)
2. A crush washer is technically NOT a washer, it is a cone shaped spring. (the added length and mass of a suppressor can compress one side of the spring under recoil/barrel flexing, causing a coaxial misalignment and in turn, baffle strikes. The low weight and shorter length of a brake precludes this.)
3. A properly installed crush washer should NOT harm accuracy. We have yet to see any evidence of accuracy degradation in 100’s of groups and rifles tested.
4. The threading of a muzzle requires a certain amount of tension for the muzzle to maintain structural integrity. The geometry of the threads not only pull against one another, but the also exert compressive force towards the bore.
5. The Engineering hierarchy of “timing” a brake from best to least is: Direct brake to barrel contact at the shoulder via gunsmithing or CWES style bushing system(no chance of coaxial misalignment). Precision Shims(least chance but adds extra mating surfaces). Crushwasher(Not the best from an engineering standpoint, but has proven reliability). Adapter(Risk of stacked tolerances, too many mating surfaces/angles). Jam-nut/Lock-nut(will actually force coaxial misalignment if torqued enough to prevent vibrating loose).
Now onto the how-to, and some of the why’s:
Start by making sure that the threads of the muzzle device and barrel are relatively clean, and free of dirt, carbon, etc.
Next, apply a dab of grease on the washer to reduce rotational friction while turning (it’s the spring tension that does the work of holding the brake in place and maintaining pressure).
Direction of crush washer is one of the most common questions, the correct answer is that the contact diameter of the washer needs to be the same or smaller that the surface it mates against, in some cases that’s cone forward, in others it’s cone towards shooter, and in others it doesn’t actually matter.
Place the crush washer over the muzzle threads, then thread the muzzle device up against the crush washer, hand tight.
Using a wrench, socket, or other suitable tool, Turn the Brake 1/4turn/90degrees PLUS enough to clock it properly. (Proper crush washers are machined from spring steel and will compress, and at 1/4turn will reach and maintain a rotational torque of 20-28ft/lbs until completely flat. This is the torque value that will ensure the thread profile applies the correct range of compression to the muzzle threads).
• Check with the Firearm
Manufacturer whether the
firearm is designed to be used
with a Muzzle Brake
• Never use SABOT or
SHOTSHELLS in conjunction
with a Muzzle Brake, or fireform
with “cream of wheat” with brake
installed
• Before shooting, check the
correct torque of the clamping
screws and the position of the
Muzzle Brake. With long shot
strings, carry out this check
periodically ( approx. every 50
shots)
• The propellant gases, including
particles of unburned powder,
dust and or moisture will be
accelerated – exhausted
sideways from the Muzzle Brake
Safety Distance min. 1yd
Wear Ear Protection
Wear Eye Protection
Related Products
Product Details
Our flash hider has a unique patent-pending design featuring mass shifted equal length tines. The end result is a flash hider that does not “ping.” It is compatible with the Sandman-L™, Sandman-S™, Sandman-K™, and KeyMo equipped Nomad-30 suppressors. The flash hider is backed by a lifetime warranty.
Ar15 Flash Hider Removal Tool
**Flash hiders are not supplied with shim kits
Note: Flash hider bores are sized to the thread pitch. (Ex: 1/2×28 is bored to .224 to meet the 5.56 requirement. 5/8×24 is bored to .30 cal.)
See Fitment Guide
Specs
Blackout Flash Hider Installation Tool
| Threads | 1/2x28, 1/2x28 (SCAR 16), 9/16x24LH FH, 9/16x24RH FH, 5/8x24, 5/8x24 (SCAR 17), M15x1, M14x1LH |
| Weight | 3.6 oz. - 4.0 oz. |
| Length | 2.7' |
| MSRP | $89 |