[Skunkabilly]

OK...I can't get this thing on straight when I screw the castle nut and retaining screw in...the muzzlebrake seems to point up when I eyeball it by looking down the barrel with the bolt back (so I can see it).

Am I missing something glaringly obvious? Will report more later when I get a chance to play w/ it some more.

[Sven]

Whatever you do, please be sure you have it on straight before you shoot it!

That sounds odd... is it like this before you start tightening the nut?

[Skunkabilly]

I can't really get it straight on before or after I tighten it. Right now it points up and to the left. Dammit.

Grrrrrrr!!!!!!!

[Longbow]

Not good! See a gunsmith before you use it! The thread is probably messed-up.:( How 'bout some pics?

[Frohickey]

Some pictures would help in diagnosing your problem.

Also, there is supposed to be a keyway and a key on the barrel, so when you put on the muzzlebreak/flash suppressor, it is pretty much on the 12 o'clock position.

When I put mine together, I consulted the Scott Duff M14 book. I even have the tuning fork tingging when I hit the flash suppressor tines.

[Jim K]

If the rifle and brake are on a Springfield Armory Incorporated M1A, I would return the rifle to them.

The problem could be the barrel threads, but I think it is probably the brake. I have seen some Chinese muzzle brakes that had the holes not drilled straight with the result that bullets struck the brake on the way out, producing less than stellar accuracy.

There is a special gauge, but a .30 cleaning rod will give you a pretty good idea if the brake is crooked. If it is, get a GI one that is straight.

Jim

[Steve Smith]

Was it on straight to begin with????

[Edward429451]

There is an alignment tool that they sell that makes it easy. Brownells or SA.

[Skunkabilly]

Steve, not sure if it was ever on straight to begin with. The thing came loose after a while as the castlenut retaining screw was never set I don't think. I never paid attention to it as it isn't mentioned in the manual. I didn't read the entire Army manual as they were talking about winter trigger groups, grenade launchers, etc. and I put it aside after a while.

Not sure if I want to order the tools from SA, I'm a little hesitant to invest more in this thing right now. I'm going to see if I can borrow one from a local shop or a homie.

[Frohickey]

I've got most of the tools that you need. But I'm in Northern Kalifornia.

What you can also do is get a 30 caliber cleaning rod, and center the flash suppressor on that way.

Make sure the threads on the barrel and the castlenut are clean, use a small toothbrush and lots of solvent. Clean the whole assembly, put a small dab of lube on the threads, and tighten it. And don't forget about the castlenut retaining screw.