Suppressor alignment ?

[Bigtig82]

Got a resonator R2 in jail, hopefully have in hand by end of year. Have already installed mini flashers on 11.5in criterion .223 wylde barrel, ruger american .308 and ruger american 6.5. Will be shooting factory ammo for now. Should I get a rod and check alignment? Or just throw it on and shoot? What do you guys do?

 

[RacerX]

I followed the exact same course of action with the Resonator and mounts…

Some guys will eye it. Some will shoot a light through it for a concentric circle coming out of the muzzle. Personally, I used a drill guide rod purchased from Grainger (I think)

• .295" - P/N 8893K217 - Good fit for 7.62x39, .308, 300BLK and most Western 30 caliber bores (.300" bore diameter)

 

[BowWow]

Most of the time, you should be good to go without checking concentricity with factory products. For peace of mind, you could get a 30 caliber alignment rod and I wouldn't worry about the smaller calibers since they give you some extra room.

 

[BigWaylon]

I never do anything other than mount the can, then do a couple quick checks on ARs.

1. Remove the BCG and look down the barrel from the receiver end. Does it look like a round circle?
2. Shine a light into the receiver end of the barrel. Does it put a perfect circle of light on the wall?

If you answer yes to both of those, send it.

You can do a similar thing with bolt guns by removing the bolt. Got a couple levers and a pump that I just installed the can and pulled the trigger. Don’t think I’ve ever checked a pistol before shooting, but you could remove the barrel (if that’s an option) and attach the can to the loose barrel and do the same checks.

 

[RacerX]

@BigWaylon gave me the same advice once upon a time, but I was scared to F something up so I checked things about 8 times before I sent my first round. After the first, I did what BW advised and just enjoy them when using quality, factory parts and SHIMS (not a crush washer).

 

[Notacop]

I never do anything other than mount the can, then do a couple quick checks on ARs.

1. Remove the BCG and look down the barrel from the receiver end. Does it look like a round circle?
2. Shine a light into the receiver end of the barrel. Does it put a perfect circle of light on the wall?

If you answer yet to both of those, send it.

You can do a similar thing with bolt guns by removing the bolt. Got a couple levers and a pump that I just installed the can and pulled the trigger. Don’t think I’ve ever checked a pistol before shooting, but you could remove the barrel (if that’s an option) and attach the can to the loose barrel and do the same checks.

I like to open the bolt, shine a light at the breach and look down the bore

 

[Bigtig82]

These are Flash hider, no timing required. Per instructions I just cleaned threads well and torqued to 40 ft lbs

 

[Lucky63]

Bringing this back looking at older pics in my phone. I snapped this looking for a cheap way to check alignment. I cut these rods in half, so 2 for the price of one 🫤. Sanded/filed the ends and then polished to keep from damaging anything.

These are from McMaster-Carr

 

[Scsmith42]

I use a laser bore sighting cartridge, since I have them for scope alignment. I'll install the laser in the bore and then slip a piece of paper over the end of the suppressor. You can compare the laser location to the center of the bore.

 

[RacerX]

I have the McMaster drill guides for .22, 5.56 and .30 available around Wake Forest / Durham. PM me if youd like to borrow them.

 

[Bigtig82]

Thanks for the offer but I rolled the dice...it was all good.